Lancashire Lantern

David Whitehead - His religion

 

 

David Whitehead's mother was a strict Wesleyan Methodist and brought up her family in accordance with her beliefs.

In his youth, David did not always behave in a manner to which his Mother could give her approval.

One Sunday evening, after hearing a powerful sermon and attending classes, David and his brother Peter joined the Wesleyan Methodists.

In 1818, David Whitehead married Betty Wood, who was also a Methodist, and their children all became Sunday School teachers and class leaders.

The Whiteheads worshipped at Longholme Chapel, but the building had become too small for the congregation. 

It was proposed that the Chapel be enlarged. David was asked to be a trustee but refused, stating that it would be better to build a new Chapel rather than enlarge the old one.

After much opposition from some members of the congregation, it was agreed to try and raise the money for a new place of worship.

£1,096 was raised of which the Whitehead brothers gave £300 and the building commenced. The new Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was built in Rawtenstall but retained the name "Longholme" after its previous site. The Chapel had seating for 1,300 worshippers.

In 1849, following a split in the Wesleyan Methodist Church, David and Peter left Longholme Chapel.

They moved a few hundred yards up the road and established the "Haslingden Road United Methodist Free Church". They each gave £1,000 toward the cost of the new building and it was completed in 1857 at a cost of £10,000.

Portrait of David Whitehead, courtesy of the Rossendale Museum.