The chapel was built in 1828, and is reputed to be the earliest surviving purpose-built chapel for Primitive Methodism. This movement started with an outdoor meeting in 1807 at Mow Cop organised by Hugh Bourne, and for the following years meetings continued to be held in the open air or in private houses. Because of their enthusiasm the participants were nicknamed "ranters". The chapel was altered in 1832, its entrance front dating from this time, when the west gallery was also installed. The Sunday school was added to the chapel in 1914. The building was restored in 1986, when it was converted into a museum of Primitive Methodism.
Architecture
The former chapel and school are built in red brick with ashlar dressings. Both have datestones recording the years of their building. The chapel has a symmetrical gabled entrance front, having a central doorway with a moulded surround and a fanlight. This is flanked by a sash window on each side, with similar windows above. The windows contain 4×4 panes, and have stone sills and wedge lintels. The datestone is in the gable. Attached to the right of the chapel is the school. This is in a single storey, and has a gabled porch. The chapel is approached by a flight of stone steps, and in front of it is a wall surmounted by cast iron railings. On 29 January 1979 the chapel and school were designated as a Grade II listed building. Inside the chapel are box pews dating from 1832, and other furnishings dating mainly from 1892 that include a pulpit and a panelled dais. Also in the church is the first organ to be used in a Primitive Methodist chapel. This was originally used in a chapel in Silsden, and was moved from there to a chapel in Bradley in 1850. The organ was later moved to a private house in Burnley, and was donated to the chapel by its owner. It was installed in the museum in 1987, and was further restored in 2007. It is a small pipe organ with a single manual and three stops, and is operated by a foot pump. In 2004 it was awarded a Grade IIHistoric Organ Certificate.
Associated structures
Across the road and opposite to the chapel is its graveyard. In the graveyard is a monument to the movement's founder, Hugh Bourne, who died in 1852. The monument was designed by John Walford, and is built in ashlar, with an inscription in lead lettering. The monument consists of a square plinth, with stepped buttresses on the corners that are surmounted by small finials in the form of obelisks. Standing on the plinth is a larger obelisk, and on the plinth is an inscription recording the life and achievements of Hugh Bourne. The monument is also designated as a Grade II listed building.
Present day
The museum is under the care of the Methodist Heritage Committee of the Methodist Church of Great Britain and is currently open to visitors on four days a week. A charge is made for members of groups, but not for individual visitors. In the museum is a tea room and a shop, and there is a changing programme of exhibitions. The museum contains a pulpit used by Hugh Bourne and by William Clowes, a fellow founder of the movement, which was originally in a private house in Tunstall. There is also a printing press used by Bourne, and the sea chest he took with him when visiting Canada in 1844 together with a list of its contents.
