ONE of the only three remaining Inghamite chapels in the world will be converted into houses if plans get the go-ahead.

Local builder John Kay wants to transform Winewall Inghamite Church, Colne, into three homes with a parking area next to the chapel's graveyard.

The ground floor worship room will become the living area while the Sunday School classrooms upstairs will be turned into bedrooms.

Only chapels at Wheatley Lane, Fence, and Salterforth, will remain. The scheme is due to be discussed by Pendle Council's Colne area committee on March 31.

Winewall was one of the first chapels built by followers of Benjamin Ingham, a Yorkshire preacher, in the mid 1700s.

Worship ended there last September, mainly due to falling numbers, and the remaining members joined other congregations.

Church member Alan Watson said: "We're not opposing the plan to convert it into houses. We want to make sure the building is used in some way. The scheme has our blessing."

Mr Ingham studied with Charles and John Wesley, who went on to found Methodism, and toured Yorkshire and Lancashire after being ordained in 1735. His followers established around 100 chapels at the height of his popularity, including ones in West Street and Cotton Tree, Colne, and Haslingden.

Wheatley Lane, in 1750, was the first chapel built especially for Mr Ingham. It is still thriving and is making plans to celebrate its 250th anniversary next year.

Emigrants to Canada also set up a branch, known as Farringdon Independent Church.

Mr Ingham often received a violent "welcome" as he preached. In Colne he was attacked by angry mobs on several occasions.

Despite that the congregations grew and 700 people turned up at Winewall in 1755 to hear Mr Ingham preach during a conference. He died in 1772.

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