Places of worship in Burnley facts for kids

St Peter's Church, Church Street

Burnley, a town in Lancashire, England, has a long and interesting history of religious worship. People have gathered to worship here for a very long time, with records showing Christian churches existing even before the year 1122. For many years, the chapel at Towneley Hall was the main place for Roman Catholic worship in Burnley. Before the time of the Industrial Revolution, many different types of Protestant churches, called non-conformist churches, started to appear in the town.

In 1891, a very important meeting happened in Burnley. This meeting led to the creation of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland, which brought together many Baptist churches. Later, in the late 1800s, a synagogue was built for the Jewish community. More recently, new churches like evangelical and free churches have opened. There is also a large, specially built mosque in the town.

According to the 2001 census, most people in Burnley were Christian (74.5%). A smaller number were Muslim (6.6%), and some were Hindu (0.3%). About 11% of people said they had no religion. Burnley has records for at least 77 Christian places of worship. These include churches from many different Christian groups, such as Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, and Roman Catholic.

The biggest place of worship in Burnley is Life Church Lancashire on Sycamore Avenue. This church finished building its new space, which can hold 500 people, in November 2014. Burnley also has 17 religious buildings that are considered important historical sites. They are all listed as Grade II by English Heritage.

Anglican Churches in Burnley

Anglican churches are part of the Church of England. Burnley has many of these churches, some of which are very old.

St Peter’s Church: The Oldest Church

St Peter's Church is the oldest church in Burnley. The town actually grew up around it! The building you see today was mostly built in the 1400s. It is a very important historical building, listed as Grade II*. St Peter's is located near the River Brun.

There was a church on this spot even before 1122. However, much of the current church was rebuilt in the 1530s. The oldest part of the church is the bottom of the tower, which dates back to the 1400s or 1500s. Over the years, parts of the church were added or rebuilt to make space for more people. For example, a gallery was added in 1735, and the sides of the church were rebuilt in the late 1700s and early 1800s. In the 1800s, more changes were made inside to improve the church.

St Andrew’s Church: A Victorian Design

St Andrew's Church, Colne Road

St Andrew's Church on Colne Road was built between 1866 and 1867. It was designed by an architect named J. Medland Taylor. The church was later repaired and improved in 1898. St Andrew's is also a Grade II listed building, meaning it's historically important.

A special area for baptisms was added in the 1900s. Many of the beautiful stained glass windows and the decorative screen behind the altar were made by a famous artist named Charles Eamer Kempe. St Andrew's serves a diverse area of Burnley, from older terraced houses to newer private homes.

St Matthew’s Church: Rebuilt After a Fire

St Matthew's Church on St Matthews Street was built between 1876 and 1879. Sadly, on Christmas Day in 1927, a fire destroyed most of the church, leaving only the walls. It was rebuilt between 1929 and 1931.

This church started as a small mission school in 1835. In 1985, it took over the area of another church called Holy Trinity. St Matthew's welcomes everyone for baptisms and marriages, following Anglican rules. Anyone who is a full member of any Christian group can take communion there.

St Catherine’s Church: A Church with Byzantine Style

St Catherine's Church, Todmorden Road

St Catherine’s Church, on Todmorden Road, was founded in 1899. It does not have a graveyard. The church was originally planned to be called St Alban's in 1895, but its name changed to St Catherine's when it opened in 1897.

St Catherine’s is a late Victorian church with unique features. It has a style called Byzantine, and a special wrought iron canopy over the altar. The church is built of stone with decorative bricks inside. It has a wooden ceiling without any pillars, so everyone has a clear view of the main altar. There is also a memorial inside to Victor Smith, a local hero who received the Victoria Cross. The church often holds special open days for people to visit and learn about its history.

St Mark’s Church: Two Locations Over Time

The first St Mark’s Church on Owen Street was founded in 1909 and closed in 1965. It did not have a graveyard. A second St Mark’s Church, located on Rossendale Road, was founded in 1965. This one also does not have a graveyard.

St Stephen’s Church: A Mission That Grew

St Stephen’s Church on Oxford Road was founded in 1865. It does not have a graveyard. It began as a mission in 1865, and then a school and chapel were built in 1870.

St Cuthbert’s Church: A Community Hub

St Cuthbert's Church

St Cuthbert's Church on Towneley Street was founded in 1905. It does not have a graveyard. A Mission Hall opened in 1905, and the foundation stone for the new church was laid in 1906. The church was officially opened in 1908.

St Cuthbert's is a very active church that supports many community groups. It hosts Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies, and Guides. The local Explorer Scouts also meet there. Other groups like the Mothers’ Union and a luncheon club meet regularly. There's even a table tennis group and an amateur drama society! Many other groups use the church's facilities, and all religious services are open to everyone.

All Saints with St John the Baptist’s Church: A Gothic Revival Style

All Saints with St John the Baptist’s Church

The church of All Saints with St John the Baptist was built in 1845. It was funded by important local families, the Kay-Shuttleworth family of Gawthorpe Hall and the Dugdale family. The graveyard closed in 1885. This church later joined with St. John's Gannow to form the West of Burnley Parish.

The architects, Weightman and Hadfield, were known for their Gothic Revival style, which brought back older church designs. The building cost £5,000, a lot of money at the time! The church has many beautiful stained glass windows. The large window at the east end, which shows the theme of Creation, was designed by a local artist named Brian Clarke.

Anglican Churches Now Closed

Over the years, some Anglican churches in Burnley have closed down.

St James’ Church: A Changing Site

The first St James’ Church on Bethesda Street was founded in 1844. In 1966, the church moved to March Street into a former workshop. The original church building was pulled down in 1969, and the land became a garden. It used to have a graveyard.

The tower and spire of the original church were considered historically important. They were described as being made of sandstone in a square, tall style with strong supports. However, in 1971, only the tower and spire were left standing. Then, in 1998, even these were pulled down to make way for a new shopping complex.

The second St James’ church, on March Street, was founded in 1966 and closed in 1998. It did not have a graveyard. Its church area was then combined with St Andrew’s.

Other Closed Anglican Churches

• St Alban’s Church, on Stoneyhurst Avenue, was founded in 1959 and closed in 1982. It joined with St Catherine's.
• St John the Baptist’s Church, on Gannow Lane, was founded in 1868 and closed in 1981. It had a large tower and a graveyard. The church building was pulled down in 1979, but there is still a Church Centre there.
• St Margaret’s Church, on Abel Street, was founded in 1997 and closed in 1968. It was pulled down in 1969.
• St Oswald’s Church, on Ighten Road, was founded in 1910 and closed in 1980.
• St Paul’s Church, on Saunder Bank, was founded in 1845 and closed in 1961. It joined with St Catherine's. The church was pulled down in 1963.
• Holy Trinity Church, Accrington Road, was founded in 1835. It closed in 1989, and the building was turned into flats. Its area joined with St Matthew's.
• St Saviour’s Church, in Church Street, closed in 1954. It started as a mission in 1893.

Roman Catholic Churches

Roman Catholic worship has a long history in Burnley, with Towneley Hall being a very important place for centuries.

Towneley Chapel: A Secret History

Towneley Hall from the front

The chapel at Towneley Hall was the main place for Roman Catholic worship in Burnley until 1872. It was founded before 1706. The Towneley family had a private chapel for hundreds of years and were connected to Whalley Abbey. During the time of Queen Elizabeth I, when Catholics faced difficulties, the family held Mass in secret. Their house even had secret holes and hiding places for priests! A description of these hiding places was published in 1923.

The Catholics of Towneley supported the Jacobite rebellion in 1715. After Catholics were defeated in the 1745 rebellion, the number of Catholics in Burnley slowly went down. However, when many Irish workers came to Burnley around 1800, the numbers started to grow again.

In 1814, there was a plan to build a new chapel. This new chapel was built on land at Burnley Wood, given by the Towneley family. It was on what was then a quiet country lane, Todmorden Road. When a new, bigger St Mary's church was built, this old chapel became a meeting place for the parish. The Towneley family also started one of the oldest schools in the area in 1798, which later became a day school.

St Mary of the Assumption: A Grand Opening

Tower of St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Yorkshire Street

St Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, on Yorkshire Street, was designed by Weightman and Hadfield. It was meant to have a very tall spire, but it was never built. The church opened in August 1849 with a grand ceremony. The church was decorated with flowers, and several bishops were there. After the service, over a hundred guests had a meal at a local inn.

Christ the King Church: A New Parish

Christ the King Roman Catholic Church, on Healey Court, was founded in 1929. It does not have a graveyard. A smaller chapel had been set up in 1876. In 1929, a new parish was created to replace it, and a new church opened later.

St Augustine’s Church: A Community's Effort

The church of St Augustine’s, on Lowerhouse Lane, was founded in 1896. The parish was created from another church's area in October 1896. At first, Holy Mass was celebrated in a house called "The Cottage House." A piece of land was bought in December 1897, and the current school chapel opened in May 1898.

The church received gifts, including a special cup for communion and a statue of Our Lady. Over the years, the parish faced challenges, including being considered too poor and closing down at times. However, it always reopened, and new priests helped improve the church and pay off its debts.

St John the Baptist Church: From Blacksmith Shop to Church

St John the Baptist Church, on Bracewell Street, was founded in 1892. It started as a mission called St Saviour's. At first, a priest set up a chapel above a blacksmith's shop! In 1893, the foundation stone for a two-story school-chapel was laid, and the chapel opened later that year. Over time, the number of students grew, and a new church was built in 1908.

St Mary Magdalene Church: Growth and Change

St Mary Magdalene was founded in 1883 on Haslam Street. In 1980, it moved to a new church on Gawthorpe Road. At first, the priest from St Mary's celebrated Sunday Mass there. The mission became a separate church in 1887. New infant schools were added, and a new church and presbytery were built in 1904.

Baptist Churches

Baptists have been in the Burnley area since at least 1760.

Aenon Chapel: A Place of Important Meetings

Aenon Chapel is on Red Lion Street, across from Burnley Library. It was built between 1850 and 1852. The chapel has an Italianate style, with grand steps leading to arched entrances.

Early Baptists arrived in Burnley some years after 1760. A very important Baptist leader, Dan Taylor, visited Burnley in 1779. He described the town as a "wretched place" with "no religion." He helped raise money to build a Baptist church, possibly the Ebenezer Chapel. In 1850, 64 members from Ebenezer formed Aenon Chapel. Within three years, it had almost 200 members.

In 1891, a very important event for the Baptist movement happened at Aenon Chapel. The Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland was created there, bringing together different Baptist groups. This was a huge success and one of the most important religious events in Burnley's history.

The church closed in 1987 and moved elsewhere. The building was later used as a nightclub. In 2010, it was saved by the local health service to provide dental services. A statue of Moses that had been placed in front of it was then removed.

Ebenezer Chapel: A Long-Standing Presence

The Ebenezer Chapel, on Colne Road, was founded in 1878. It has had a graveyard. Next to the church are the chapel-like Ebenezer Schools.

Other Baptist Churches

• Immanuel Chapel, on Bright Street, was founded in 1895 and closed in 1970. It is now used for businesses.
• Mount Olivet Chapel, on Broughton Street/Plover Street, was founded in 1893 but has been pulled down. It started as a mission in 1884.
• Mount Pleasant Chapel, on Hammerton Street, was founded in 1858 and closed in 1997. It moved to Rosehill Road.
• The church at Healey Grange, Rosehill Road, was founded in 1997.

Particular Baptist Churches

Jireh Chapel: A Historic Building

Jireh Chapel, on Boot Way, was built in 1858 for a specific Baptist group called the “Gadsbyites.” On August 2, 1995, the chapel was listed as a Grade I building, meaning it's very important historically. It's a small, rectangular stone building with a slate roof. Above the doorway, there's a plaque that says: JIREH/ ERECTED A.D./ MDCCCLII. The inside of the building is no longer open to the public. The church does not have a graveyard.

Other Particular Baptist Churches

Sion Baptist Church on Church Street

Sion Baptist Chapel, on Church Road, began in 1827 as a school. In 1830, the first chapel was built in Yorkshire Street with a burial ground. This chapel closed in the 1850s. In 1862, the chapel was rebuilt. In 1960, the church moved to a new chapel in Church Street, and the old one was pulled down for a new road.

Methodist Churches

Methodism started in Burnley before 1787. The Central Methodist Church was founded in 1788. This church closed in 1840, and the people moved to Hargreaves Street. The old church building was used for different things, including a police station, before being pulled down in 1976. Today, the Burnley Methodist Circuit has nine active churches in the area.

United Free Methodist Churches

In 1907, several Methodist groups joined together to form the United Methodist Church.

• Claremont Street Chapel was founded in 1891 and closed in 1961. It was later used as a furniture showroom.
• Salford Street Chapel was founded before 1895.
• Brunswick Chapel, on Manchester Road, was founded in 1869 and closed in 1962. It was pulled down in 1963.
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  Hanover Chapel

Hanover Chapel, on Old Hall Street, was founded in 1878 and is now closed. It is now used by a plumbing supplier.

• Healy Wood Chapel, on Lincoln Street, was founded in 1883 and is now closed.
• Mount Pisgah Chapel on Myrtle Bank was founded in 1834 and closed in 1971. It has been replaced by Parkside Methodist church. This church started with open-air services in 1834. In 1971, it joined with Westhill Church to become Parkside Methodist Church.
• Mount Pleasant Chapel, on Hammerton Street, was founded in 1835 and closed in 1869. It moved to the new Brunswick Chapel.

Wesleyan Methodist Churches

The Wesleyan Methodist Church was the largest non-conformist group in the 1800s. In 1932, they joined with other Methodist groups to form the Methodist Church of Great Britain.

• Brooklands Road chapel was founded in 1883 and closed in 2002. It started with services in 1775.
• Lower Lane Chapel, or Lowerhouse Chapel, on Greenbrook Road, was founded before 1846. Methodism began here in 1798. In 1984, the congregations of Lowerhouse and Rosegrove joined to form Greenbrook Methodists.
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  Church spire of the former Manchester Road Wesleyan Methodist Church

Manchester Road church was founded before 1893, and the main church opened in 1905. When the church was pulled down, flats were built, but the spire was saved as a landmark.

• Stoneyholme Chapel, on Hubie Street, founded in 1880, is now a plumbing warehouse.
• Whittlefield Chapel, on the High Street, was founded in 1873. It started as a mission over a blacksmith's shop.
• The New Central Methodist Church opened in 1967 on the site of the former Wesley Chapel.
• The Fulledge Chapel in Todmorden Road was founded in 1861 and closed in 1959. It was later destroyed by fire and pulled down.
• Lane Bridge chapel, on Parker Lane, was founded in 1865 and closed before 1989. The building was pulled down in 1989.
• The Queensgate Chapel, on Colne Road, was founded in 1909 and closed in 1968. It later became a Pentecostal church and is now an Islamic centre.
• Rosegrove Methodist Chapel, on Gannow Lane, was founded in 1863 and closed in 1984. It was eventually pulled down after fire damage.
• The Rosehill Mission, on Robert's Row, was founded before 1873.
• Wood Top Chapel, on Florence Street, was founded in 1878. It is now closed and has been pulled down.
• Park Hill Chapel, on Padiham Road, was founded in 1826 and closed in 1952.
• Accrington Road church was founded in 1849. It closed in 1971, and the people joined Mount Pisgah Chapel.

Primitive Methodist Churches

• Curzon Street Chapel was founded in 1822. The chapel was built in 1833.
• Bethel Chapel, on Hammerton Street, opened in 1852. It closed in 1932 and was sold to the Christian Science Church.
• Howard Street Chapel was founded in 1895 and closed in 1961. It is now used for businesses.
• Beulah Chapel, in Rosegrove, opened before 1902 and closed in 1937. It is now used as a library.
• Jubilee Church, at Gannow Top, Padiham Road, was founded in 1903. It reopened in 1994 after big changes.
• Mount Zion chapel, on Colne Road, opened in 1847 and closed in 1938.
• The Rehoboth Chapel, on Springfield Road, was founded in 1863. The Sunday School building was used as a children's nursery in 1997.
• Zion Chapel, on Roebuck Street, was founded in 1878. It is now closed and has been pulled down.
• Briercliffe Road church built a new chapel called “Elim Chapel” in 1895. In 1996, it closed and joined with Colne Road Methodist Church. In 2001, a new chapel called United Methodist Church opened.

Independent Methodist Church

Robinson Street Chapel was founded in 1891. It closed around 1980 but was still standing in 1997, used as a storage place.

Congregational Churches

Burnley URC

The Congregationalists built Bethesda Chapel in 1814. This chapel was rebuilt in 1881 and is now the United Reformed Church.

• Owen Street Church, in Rosegrove, was founded in 1900.
• Thursby Road Mission Hall, on Heasandford Road, was founded 1911 and closed in 1950.
• Westgate Chapel, in West Gate, was founded 1859 and closed in 1972. It was later damaged by fire and pulled down.
• Burnley Wood Chapel, on Hollingreave Road, was founded 1890 and closed in 1979.
• Salem Chapel, on Manchester Road, was founded in 1849. The site is now used by an insurance company.

Other Churches and Religious Groups

Unitarian Church

The Trafalgar Street church was founded in 1858 and closed in 1960. It moved to Trafalgar Street Chapel in 1870.

Scottish Baptist Church

Angle Street Baptist

The Bethel Scottish Baptist chapel on Angle Street was founded in 1867 and closed in 1968. The building is now used as a Muslim school.

Life Church: A Growing Community

Life Church is a non-denominational church on Sycamore Avenue. Its history goes back over 100 years to 1911, when it was a group of Pentecostal believers. They moved to different rented buildings and then bought their first building in 1949. In 1970, they bought the former Colne Road Methodist Church and renamed it Queensgate Pentecostal Church.

In 2005, the church bought Gannow Baths, a closed public leisure centre, and moved there, renaming themselves Life Church. They got permission to build a new, purpose-built auditorium for 500 people. After some delays, the new building was finished and officially opened in 2014.

New Church (Swedenborgian)

The New Church, previously called New Jerusalem Church, is a Swedenborgian church on Briercliffe Road. It was established in Burnley in 1814. The group faced challenges and closed down a few times but was restarted. A new church was built in 1887, and another new one in 1906. In 1990, a new church was built next to the previous site. The church does not have a graveyard.

Christian Science

In 1932, the Bethel Chapel was bought by the Christian Science Church. By 1979, the church moved to a different building, which is now a working men's club.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has a building called a citadel on Richard Street. There is also a former Salvation Army Hall on Elmwood Road.

Jehovah’s Witness

The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, on Morse Street, was established before 1966. A new hall was built on the same site in 1994.

Spiritualist Church

There is a Spiritualist Church on Stanley Road. It first opened in 1906 and has moved locations a few times. The church holds services on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) started meeting in Burnley in 1902. They moved to different locations over the years, settling on Belvedere Road in 1969.

Synagogues

Only one Jewish community, the Burnley Synagogue, is known to have existed in the town. Jewish worship began in Burnley around 1894, when a room was set up as a synagogue. A proper synagogue opened on August 25, 1895. The community was officially formed in 1906. However, by 1931, only four Jewish families remained in the town, and the synagogue closed around 1934.

Mosques

Jamia Masjid Ghausia Mosque, Abel Street

In October 2009, Burnley's first specially built mosque officially opened. This mosque, called Jamia Masjid Ghausia Mosque on Abel Street, cost £1.5 million. The money was raised by the local and wider Muslim communities over ten years.

Burnley has a total of 10 mosques:

• Jamia Masjid Abu Bakr on Brougham Street
• Anjaman-e-Muhibban-e-Ahel-e-Bait Hussainia Mosque on Grey Street
• Jamia Masjid-e-Farooq-e-Azam Mosque on North Street, Duke Bar
• Merkazie Jamia Mosque Ghosia on Colne Road, Duke Bar
• Dar-ul-islah Wattabari masjid on Colne Road, Duke Bar
• UK Islamic Mission - Masjid-e-Ibrahim on Elm Street and Clegg Street
• Masjid Ali Murtaza on Talbot Street
• Shah Jalal Masjid & Madrassa on Burns Street
• Dar-ul-Alum on Leyland Road
• The Queensgate Islamic Centre on Colne Road, Reedley, used to be a Pentecostal church, and before that, it was the Queensgate Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Images for kids

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  St Matthew’s Anglican

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  St Cuthbert’s Anglican

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  St Stephen’s Anglican

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  St Catherine’s Anglican (doorway)

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  St Mary of the Assumption Catholic

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  St John the Baptist‘s Catholic

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  Brunshaw Methodist

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  Central Methodist Church

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  Greenbrook Methodist

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  Colne Road Church

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  Parkside Methodist

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  Rosehill Baptist

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  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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  Burnley Spiritualist Church

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  Former Life Church (new building is adjacent)

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  Former Claremont Street Methodist

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  Foundation stone at Immanuel Baptist