CHURCHGOERS gathered on Saturday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Tyldesley Methodist Church and centre.

A dinner to mark the opening of the Elliott Street building on August 9, 1975 was also a farewell gathering for minister the Rev John Leech and his wife, Jean.

And among the guests celebrating another milestone in local Methodism was the Rev George Palmer. He was minister when the imposing old church at the top of George Street closed in October 1974.

He was also in charge when the present complex opened to mark a new era in a religious movement which dates back to another August -- 252 years ago.

Back then John Wesley was on his preaching pilgrimage passing through the Tyldesley area in the eighth month of 1748.

Legend has it that he was stoned by a group of boys while preaching in Castle Street.

But his words didn't fall on deaf ears.

Followers first met at a room in Well Street which was provided by supporter Thomas Radcliffe. Next they gathered in the home of Samuel Bradshaw in High Street and when he moved to a bigger home in Elliott Street the church moved with him.

But more space was needed owing to the growth of the movement and Peter Eckersley's large cellar in Castle Street was consecrated and became known as the Conick's Hole.

Conick's Hole sufficed until 1814 when a move became necessary to cater for the Sunday School following of over 300.

In 1815 the first specific church building was built in Elliott Street, costing £800 with accommodation for 400. In the mid 19th century the chapel was used as a day school and a small extension added.

Further expansion meant the chapel had to be enlarged in 1864 and a new school built to house 300 pupils. School numbers swelled to 500.

Plans were made to create better accommodation and the foundation stone to the imposing Victorian church which lasted until the mid 1970s was laid at Easter 1886.

The scheme cost £4,100 with £900 spent enlarging the day school to cater for 650 pupils and £3,200 for the new church.

Its third organ, which first struck a chord in 1909, cost £1,074 and was bought with a donation of £300 from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

The current building with church and community facilities is built on the original chapel site.