1849 to 1896

In 1849 the building in the Balk was required for other purposes and the Town's School, now demolished, consisting of two rooms and situated between Walton House and Walton Grange, was adopted as the meeting-house.

Unlike the early days of many non-conformist societies the Walton Methodists suffered no serious persecution of a violent nature, but we are told that mischievous youths, on occasions, mounted the roof of the Town School and placed obstructions on the chimney, filling the building with smoke and causing a hasty dispersal of the worshippers.

During the period that the Town's School was used for worship the great Reform Movement shook Wesleyan Methodism, and for many weeks neither Wesleyans nor Reformers came to take the services. Eventually it was the Reformers who came along and the Walton Society became identified with that body.

It was also during that period that owing to opposition by Squire Waterton, the soapworks were removed to Thornes and the Society suffered a loss of members and workers.

Notwithstanding the difficulties, there was a strong desire and determination to build a House of God in the village, and as the result of great sacrifice and untiring devotion on the part of a handful of workers, a piece of land was rented and a chapel built which was opened in August 1856, at a cost of £150. The opening of the chapel must be regarded as a great step in the social development of the village as this was the first building to be erected by the efforts of ordinary people and at a time when men counted their weekly wages in shillings and not pounds.

                                                    Original Chapel - Built 1856

The Pioneers

One of the most generous supporters of this venture was Mr Edward Simpson, the great grandfather of the present Mr Edward Simpson of Thornhill House, and one of the leading workers was that gentleman's sister, Miss Simpson.

Four other names are recorded as being pioneers of the building of the original chapel; Robert Crossland, George Steele, Sam Scorah and David Denton.

David Denton (senior)

Very few in the village today will have heard of the first three names, let alone remember them in person, but Mr David Denton was privileged to serve the church with unstinting loyalty, love and devotion for over seventy years, living actively to ripe old age of 91 years.

He was a man of slender build, but amazing vitality, whose tailor's workshop visited for information and advice by young and old, whether it be the gentry discussing parish matters, or lads with their cricket or football problems. He was cricketer, horticulturalist, bee-keeper, and leader of musical efforts; Parish overseer and one of the first Parish Councillors, but above all a pillar of the Methodist Church. His children and grandchildren followed him in devoted service to the church, and a great grandchild and great-great grandchildren are now in the Sunday School.

David Denton (junior)

Especial mention must be made of Mr Denton's son, David, who followed his father in service in all the forementioned spheres (except bee-keeping which he very much disliked). His service and patience with young people knew no limit and he is still affectionately remembered by many in the village as "Uncle David".

His death at the age of70, following an accident on his return from a visit to the newly erected Slaithwaite Transmitting Station, was a shock to the village and an immense loss to the church.

United Methodist Free Church

In 1857 three seceding sections of Methodism, The Protestant Methodists, the Methodist Association and the Wesleyan Reformers, born at different times, in different places, for different reasons, having found their ideals to have much in common, came together to form the United Methodist Free Church. The Walton Society must have anticipated this event as the title stone bearing the date 1856 also bore the new name.

For forty years the original chapel served its purpose. while some members fell away and some moved to higher service, others joined and congregations grew. always at the centre was a steadfast band who, through joy and sorrow, maintained their witness.

The musical accompaniments developed from accordian, bass and fiddle, harmonium, to a one manual organ.