Brian Young has kindly provided an extract from his book for our website so please take the time to read it.
Christ Church, Mytham Road, Little Lever
Christ Church, has its roots in both the former Wesleyan / Methodist and Congregational / United Reformed churches of Little Lever. A Wesleyan School Chapel was first opened in Mytham Road, then called Nandywell, in 1810. An independent Church was built in Market St. Little Lever in 1850 and this became a Congregational Church in 1857. In the 1990’s the Methodist and United Reformed Churches began to explore the possibilities of becoming a united Church through a Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP). This ‘coming together’ was accomplished when the former Methodist Church site was developed and the present Christ Church building was erected. Christ Church was first opened for public worship late in 1999, but the official opening service of thanksgiving was not until February 2000.
In the year 2010, Christ Church and Mytham Primary School celebrated 200 years of continuous worship and education on the present site. Close links between Church and School continue.
A much more detailed account of history of Christ Church can be found in the bi-centenary book, Christ Church, Little Lever, It’s Roots, History and Mission 1810 – 2010, published in 2010. It is currently available at Christ Church, Mytham Primary School, Little Lever newsagents in Church Street and High Street, Bolton Library, History section or from the author Brain Young (01204 707043) at £5.00 per copy. All proceeds from the sale are now being donated to the following charities, ZACS, a local Christian outreach project working with young people and The Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust, a national charity.