St Hilda, Hollingworth Fold, Church of England

The church does not have a graveyard.

It was founded in 1931 and closed in 1998.

Original Trustees: James Edwin Haworth of 29 Lakebank, Littleborough Fred Fielding of 13 Hollingworth Fold, Littleborough and Samuel Moss of 107 Hollingworth Road, Littleborough. Two died before the conveyance was completed: William Haworth of Gilliand Farm, Rakewood and Rhodes Haworth of 109 Hollingworth Road.

At Hollingworth Fold the prominent 'Iron Church' of St Hilda's Mission C of E is of interest for it was previously at Featherstall, Littleborough serving St Mary's RC Parish. The building which was made of metal sheets was sold to Hollingworth through the Mother church at Milnrow, out of the Hill Charity, and was re-erected with structural modifications in 1931. And is now divided as a meeting room and church; much of the work being done by a small but keen group of local people. The St Hilda patronage was suggested by Cannon Raines for the previous school chapel as he was born at Whitby, where his grandfather was vicar of St Hilda's church on the Hill; and so it was an appropriate name for the church on the hill at Hollinworth.

The Weighver's Seaport - The Story of Hollingworth Lake by A W Colligan JP, page 32.

The cost of the church to St Mary's RC church was £6000. In June 1930 the Old Iron church of St Mary's was purchased by the Mission of St. Hilda's (CofE) and re-erected at Hollingworth Fold. The main family there was headed by John Hall and the revenue from his estate had been used to provide schools at Ogden and Hollingworth. This revenue was now used to buy the old Catholic church. In 1975 it was divided into two sections, a church and a meeting place being cared for by the minister of Milnrow Parish Church.

"History of Littleborough" by John Street published 1999.

Closed because of structural problems. More than 60 years old and some faults were found in a recent inspection. Once a month services temporarily suspended. Rev. Usher stated "It's not a parish church as such and services were only held there from time to time".
4/1/1986 - Mr Clifford Ogden retired as Organist (of Hollinworth Road) from the mission church and after 46 years as choir master.
17/10/1931 - Dedicated by Archdeacon Sale.

Rochdale Observer 5 Nov 2003

 

It was located at SD9433714806 (Lat/Lon 53.629751, -2.087106). You can see this on maps provided by:

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