Burnley Church
To the Editor of the Preston Chronicle.
SIR, In your paper of the 20th May, appeared a letter bearing the signature of a "Layman," addressed "To the Churchwardens of Burnley," which, as it is temperately written, (though, I trust, I shall be able to prove, under a mistaken idea or from wrong informtion in this particular case,) demands, and deserves, a reply. In the first place, the Church of Burnley is not a Parish Church, but simply a Parochial Chapel; however, as this does not materially affect the question, I shall let this mistake pass. Secondly, that with a few exceptions which shall be noticed hereafter, the benches and seats in the body of the church are attached to the same estates, halls, mansions, farms, and houses, as in the year 1634, — two hundred and nine years since, as appears by a roll still existing and deposited in the archives of the Church at Burnley. This roll contains a list of all the seats in the north, south, and middle "alleys" as they still exist, every seat being numbered in it, and the names of all the farm houses or lands having cottages upon them, then existing, to which seats were appropriated, are most minutely recorded. Now these seats are inalienable, that is, they cannot be alienated from the the respective houses or farms to which they were then attached; nor has the attempt ever been made lo sell one of them, or to "transfer them to private individuals." It is true that to some of them "doors have been attached," but this has been done either at the sole expense of the parties to whose farms or houses they are appropriated, or by persons who may in some cases rent them from individuals who attend perhaps the recently erected churches at Worsthorn, Habergham Eaves, or Briercliffe, all in the ancient chapelry of Burnley, but which is now divided into several district chapelries. Thirdly, in reference to the gentry "whose names are placed upon these transferred benches," none of them receive a single penny from those seats; but their names are placed there simply as the landowners of the various farms to which they were appropriated at the time above stated. Fourthly, all the additional accommodation which has since been obtained, has been done not at the expense of the parishioners, but by voluntary subscription. For instance, it was found, in the beginning of the last century, that since the division of seats alluded to, several new mansion houses and farm houses had been erected, and a faculty was obtained to erect the western or old gallery as it is called; but the expense of such erection was defrayed by the individuals whose heirs now occupy the pews in that gallery; there being at the same time pews also reserved in the back of the same gallery, for the use of the servants of the respective families who obtained the faculty. Again, in the year 1790, the south gallery was erected; the church being re-roofed and the south wall brought several yards forward and raised so as to admit of that gallery (there having been a clear story before), and also of an additional row of pews on the ground floor, commonly called the "Royal Dozen;" but this improvement was also effected by public subscription, and the parties subscribing had pews allotted to them in proportion to their respective subscriptions. In the year 1803, the tower of the church was raised ten or twelve yards, a new peal of bells being placed therein. The chancel also was raised, and a new organ purchased. The north gallery was erected, by which additional accommodation was afforded for 500 persons, and all this was done by a voluntary subscription, and not by a parochial rate; and although the expense amounted to several thousand pounds, there was a surplus of £400, which was invested in the Burnley and Todmorden road, and, the interest appropriated to the payment of the organist for ever. In conclusion, I would remark that no seats or benches have been "transferred" from the use of the poor to the benefit of those whose names appear on the "plates," but that in order the better to provide the children who attend the Sunday schools with accommodation, P. E. Towneley, Esq., has kindly allowed the Towneley chapel to be thrown open and furnished with seats; and additional accommodation has been afforded for the operative classes not only in Burnley, but also at Habergham Eaves, Worsthorn, and Briercliffe. Additional services are held (particularly designed for those who are not sufficiently furnished with apparel to attend on Sundays) not only in the church, but also in the infant school situated in the centre of the town, in the school room at Cheapside, near Padiham, and also at Burnley Lane Head. Trusting to your impartiality for the insertion of this simple statement of facts, I beg to subscribe myself, Most respectfully yours, THOMAS CHAFFER, June 21st, 1843. Churchwarden of Burnley.
_________________ Mel
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