Park Lane Chapel

This ancient Chapel dates back to 1697, though 1662 is the year that saw the birth of its congregation

It is the oldest Non-conformist Chapel building and congregation in the district. At the time of the passing of the Act of Uniformity, the Rev. James Wood "an indefatigably laborious man" was in charge of Ashton Chapel (St. Thomas's Church).
He refused to conform.

Whether actually ejected from his living as a consequence is not quite clear. However, he was no longer "preacher of the Word at Ashton-in -Makerfield," an ancient Chapelry in the parish of Winwick, though he maintained friendly contact with members of his late congregation, several of whom were apparently in sympathy with his views. He also met them for private prayer and preaching. In 1663 he left Ashton for Thelwall, near Warrington, but frequently returned. He. died in 1666-7. His friends scattered throughout Ashton continued to meet together and eventually congregated in the large room of a thatched cottage, "The Nook" (dismantled about 1830), sited somewhere near the present Chapel. Here they "worshipped God according to their consciences."In 1695 they had as leader, the Rev. Thomas Blinston, who also served other groups in the neighbourhood. Ultimately the congregation at "The Nook" felt not only the desire for, but also the ability to build a Chapel. They were not rich folk nor were they numerous, so whilst some contributed from their sparse means, others loaned their horses and carts, and others again gave their labour. And an admirably strong job they made' of it as was proved when repairs. were necessary owing to mining subsidence, from which it has suffered much. No date is on record of when the building was actually opened for worship, but other available evidence points to the year 1697.

The first Chapel Trust Deed is dated 1704 and refers to the building simply as "The Park Lane Chapel," the name "Chapel," instead of "Meeting House," like the possession of a Bell, being due to the congregation's earliest connections, and "Park Lane" being the name of a small portion of the main road from Wigan to Warrington by the side of which it is situated. It was "to be used for a congregation of Protestants dissenting from the Church of England." The specific doctrinal position of the members is not recorded but, no doubt, it followed that of the English Presbyterians with whom they were connected and it made continued progress towards the Unitarian one.