The Old Bell Chapel

The Old Bell Chapel was built as a chapel of ease in 1630, though it was not consecrated until 1692. Before this date, it was used by non-conformist congregations, an uncommon circumstance. The building is situated on an island site and follows a plain rectangular plan, constructed from coursed gritstone with a plinth and flush quoins. It has a stone slate roof with coped gable ends featuring shaped kneelers and small ball finials. A small square stone bellcot is located on the north-west gable, supported by a corbel, and has blind arched panels on its sides, topped with a small crow wing finial. The side windows have a domestic appearance, with chamfered mullioned-transomed round-headed lights. The south-east gable features a large window with simple Perpendicular tracery formed by diminishing rows of round-headed lights, a pattern similar to that found at the Old Bell Chapel at Thornton and Holy Trinity, Low Moor. A moulted jamb doorway with an ogee-shaped head, dated 1630, is found on the east side. The interior has been modernized.