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Barnoldswick claims the place of having the earliest continuing Baptist church within the Yorkshire Baptist Association. Two cousins, William Mitchell and David Crosley were significant in the work of planting and reviving Baptist life travelling backwards and forwards across the Pennine hills Their work linked twenty small Baptist groups called the “Rossendale Round”. By 1694 Barnoldswick was not only a preaching station but had a meeting place bought on the signature of Crosley.

Walmsgate Barnoldswick
Site of Original Barn & Cottage

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Walmsgate Barnoldswick
The Old Chapel

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Early Ministry

The work at Barnoldswick and throughout West Craven expanded, especially under the pastorates of the famous Alvery Jackson (1718-1763) and Nathan Smith (1790-1831). In 1717 Jackson preached a long and detailed sermon to encourage the church to sing in worship, as up to that point it had not been allowed!

Lancashire and Yorkshire Association

Naturally there was close involvement with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Association (as it was then) and cottage meetings were held in nearby communities, from where many worshipers came. Earby became a separate church in 1819 and Salterforth in 1861. The Barnoldswick church divided into two in 1868.

19th and 20th Century

The four churches of the West Craven Fellowship erected larger buildings and played an important life in their communities and in the association.


The Old Church in Earby	Bethesda Barnoldswick 1852 remodelled 1902

North Street 1879	Salterforth
In 1959 the two Barnoldswick churches shared a pastor and in 1971 had reunited. The three churches, which had worked harmoniously together in the 20 century, formed much deeper ties in the West Craven Baptist Fellowship in 1988. Buildings erected in the 1800 were not appropriate for the worship and mission of the church and in the latter part of the 20 century each church began to look at adapting premises to meet the worship and mission of a new age.
	Barnoldswick built a new church centre in 1977
Redundant sites were all turned to good community use this is David Crosley House. Site of the old Bethesda Church
For a brief history of Baptist witness in the area click here.

Barnoldswick Baptist Church

Mount Zion Earby

Salterforth Baptist Church

Baptist Church Centre

Our History