Chowbent Unitarian Chapel

CHOWBENT UNITARIAN CHAPEL, BOLTON OLD ROAD

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Overview

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II*
List Entry Number:
1068472
Date first listed:
15-Jul-1966
List Entry Name:
Chowbent Unitarian Chapel
Statutory Address:
CHOWBENT UNITARIAN CHAPEL, BOLTON OLD ROAD

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Location

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Date:
2001-03-14
Reference:
IOE01/03168/29
Rights:
© Mr David H Swain. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II*
List Entry Number:
1068472
Date first listed:
15-Jul-1966
Date of most recent amendment:
27-Jul-1987
List Entry Name:
Chowbent Unitarian Chapel
Statutory Address 1:
CHOWBENT UNITARIAN CHAPEL, BOLTON OLD ROAD

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:
CHOWBENT UNITARIAN CHAPEL, BOLTON OLD ROAD

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:
Wigan (Metropolitan Authority)
Parish:
Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:
SD 67904 03215

Details

ATHERTON BOLTON OLD ROAD SD 60 SE (south side) 2/3 Chowbent Unitarian Chapel (formerly listed 15/7/66 as Chowbent Chapel) G.V. II* Chapel, originally Presbyterian. 1721 replacing an earlier building of 1645. Flemish bond brick with stone dressings and slate roof. 3-sided-gallery.plan.A 2-storey entrance wing of 1901 dominates the front elevation. It has a gable pediment, an entrance with fanlight and keystone, a sundial, a commemorative plaque and an oculus within the tympanum. Abutments to either side obscure the original entrance doors. The 3-bay side elevations and 4-bay rear have a stone plinth, quoins and an eaves cornice on shaped brackets. Each bay has a round-arched window which is keyed into a continuous band on both first and second floor levels. C19 vestry to right. Elegant open cupola with lead roof and weather-vane. Interior: an outstanding and virtually complete survival with a central 3-decker pulpit surrounded by box pews on 3 sides. The pews have raised and fielded panels and have only been replaced on the rear gallery. Turned oak columns support the gallery and a second tier the roof. C18 commemorative tablets include one above the pulpit to J. Wood, died 1759, which has swept sides and is topped by an urn. Studded oak vestry door rehung from the earlier 1645 chapel. Stained glass, some by Shrigley and Hunt. The 1901 interior is not without quality especially in its timber and glass fittings. Generally a fine example of well preserved early C18 non-conformist architecture. J. Wright, The storey of Chowbent Chapel, 1921.

Listing NGR: SD6790403215

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:
213471
Legacy System:
LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Wright, J, The Story of Chowbent Chapel, (1921)

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Ordnance survey map of Chowbent Unitarian Chapel

Map

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End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.

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