Clifton Methodist Church

Heptonstall is one of the oldest Methodist Churches in the world, which has been in continuous use, having been founded in 1764.

John Wesley made 20 visits to this hill-top industrial village near Halifax between 1747 and 1786, but the Methodist society originated in the evangelical activities of William Darney. The society met in a cottage at Northgate End until an octagonal chapel was built in 1764 (extended in 1802). By 1818 there were no fewer than 1,002 children enrolled in the Sunday School. Membership, which reached 446 in 1821, had fallen by 1939 to 50; but the church, in the Upper Calder Circuit, survives as one of the oldest surviving Methodist chapels in continuous use.

The church is now closed for regular worship, however, with continuing support from volunteers, the building will continue to be open for visitors on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays (excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day) from 10.00am to around 4.30pm for people to come in and look around.

There will be six services a year, which will be advertised widely, including on social media. It is also still available for weddings and funerals. To arrange any of these, please contact the minister, Rev Kathie Heathcoat.

Church activity at Heptonstall Methodist Church:

Bible Study- open to all
Please contact Rev'd Kathie Heathcoat via the email above to be included on the Online Worship and Fellowship in the Upper Valley weekly email, including when Bible Study is planned

For further details please contact the minister or church officers.