Salem Moravian Church facts for kids
Salem Moravian Church was a special church in Oldham, Lancashire, England. It was started in 1825 by a man named John Lees. He lived in the Clarksfield area of Oldham. John Lees was connected to another Moravian community called Fairfield in Droylsden.
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A Look Back: Church History
The Moravian Church started its work in the Oldham area a long time ago, in 1772. At that time, Moravian ministers preached in a place called Greenacres. Many people from Lees and Oldham came to these services. This led to a new preaching spot in Clarksfield. The Moravian community in Dukinfield, Cheshire, helped support this new location.
How Salem Church Began
In the 1820s, John Lees, a successful member of the Fairfield Moravian Settlement, decided to do more. He was from Clarksfield and rented a big room there. He wanted to hold Moravian church services in this room. In November 1822, leaders from Fairfield heard that John Lees's room was always full. He offered it to the church so they could share their message.
So, plans were made to send preachers from Fairfield and Dukinfield every Sunday. A woman named Elizabeth Smith also agreed to teach at a girls' school. This school would be connected to the new church group.
Building the Church
John Lees and his two brothers decided to build a proper church. They paid for it themselves. They built a chapel with two school rooms in Clarksfield. The first stones for the building were placed on June 28, 1824. The chapel was officially opened on August 7, 1825, by James Liley. John Smith became the first full-time minister there in 1827.
Helping Other Churches
In 1865, Salem Moravian Church played an important role. It helped start a new Moravian church group in Westwood, also in Oldham.
The Church Today
The original church building from 1825 was later replaced. A newer church building stands in its place today. Salem Moravian Church continued to serve its community on Lees Road, Clarksfield. The very last service was held there on August 21, 2022. After that, the building closed. The people who went to Salem Church joined the Moravian Church in Royton.
