I’ve written about John Nicholson before, briefly, but recently I’ve come to the understanding that he’s a much more important figure in the history of this area of Calderdale than I had realised. In fact, no-one else seems to have picked up that this man was the architect of at least eight nonconformist chapels. My connection to him was that he was the father-in-law of my 3rd great-granduncle. My first mention of John Nicholson can be found in this story about his daughter, Sally.https://blog.hmcreativelady.com/2024/02/21/sally-wrigley-1816-1886-my-great-great-great-grandaunt/

Apart from newspaper articles mentioning almost in passing the fact that he designed these eight chapels I have been unable to find out anything more about his life. Almost without exception each member of my family that warranted a newspaper article about them detailing some achievement or notorious event has led me down a veritable rabbit hole in which I have discovered their role in the local theatre play, or their winning of best horse in show or coming second place for best duck eggs in the local agricultural show. But I’ve been unable to find anything personal about John Nicholson. I do have a photo of Sally, his daughter, that was sent to me by another of his descendants who now lives in New Zealand, the country Sally emigrated to in 1883 with her two adult unmarried children.

Cross Lanes Chapel 1840

According to the Centenary Handbook, 1840-1940, n p12 John Nicholson drew up the plans.

“At a shareholders’ meeting om April 13, 1839 the plans submitted by Mr John Nicholson were accepted and the amphitheatre style of pews suggested by the old Bridge Street chapel was adopted. The work of excavation was commenced at once, and the first stone put in its place seven days later.”

Shore Chapel 1853

It was extended in 1853 and 1871 according to Todmorden Roots Web and the Halifax Courier, 31st December 1853 ‘ from designs by Mr J Nicholson, architect of Todmorden. Contractor was James Lister of Hebden Bridge.’

The rebuilt chapel of 1871 was designed by T. Horsfield, architect of Halifax – from Todmorden and Hebden Bridge weekly advertiser October 14, 1871

Lineholme Chapel 1854

Nicholson designed the rebuild- Halifax Guardian 3rd January 1854 (Cant) I can’t find it in newspapers online. Can’t find a reference to Nicholson in the Lineholme Baptist Church centenary souvenir 1815-1915.

Wainsgate Chapel 1857-1859

Halifax Courier 26th Feb 1859 ‘Mr Jno Nicholson architect of Todmorden was engaged to make plans and prepare the specifications.’

‘Assistance of our townsman John Nicholson architect’ in published District News Jan 26, 1934 from District News 1859.

Hope Chapel 1858

Designs prepared by Mr John Nicholson architect of Todmorden – according to the Todmorden advertiser July 10, 1908 in their looking back 50 years ago section

Rodwell End chapel 1860

Taking down and rebuildinbg of Rodwell End chapel. Plans may be seen at the office of Mr John Nicholson architect, Todmorden – in The News and Advertiser April 19, 1935 in their 75 years ago section

Ogden Chapel, Rochdale 1861

30th March 1861 in the Rochdale Observer

Inchfield Bottom chapel renamed Trinity Methodist

According to Todmorden and Walsden RootsWeb John Nicholson supervised the project. The cutting of the sod was on 2nd Feb 1861 and the chapel was opened on Good Friday April 18, 1862. According to the News and Advertiser of April 10, 1937 it was Tom Nicholson of Todmorden, architect, in the looking back section for 1862. I presume this is a misprint.

From The Centernary Handbook of Trinity methodist Church, Inchfield Bottom. So, what do I know about John Nicholson, the man?

Christened at Warley Congregational church on October 7th 1791, son of Joshua and Hannah Nicholson. Joshua had been married to Sarah Crowther, then Hannah Horner and then Rachel Hitchen following the death of the previous wives. Three sons were born, James 1781,Richard 1788 and John 1791. All 3 baptised there in Warley.

What I know about the man’s life:

Baptised 7th October, 1791 at Warley Chapel. According to James Berrow ‘A Sunday school had been founded there in 1787 and extensive repairs were undertaken in 1805-6 when Joshua Nicholson, born 1760, carpenter and father of Richard is recorded as a member of the congregation and contractor.’ The chapel itself had been built in 1705. Joshua provided much joinery for extensive repairs to the church in 1805-6. He worked on the roof, the pews, the pulpit, the window frames. For such work Joshua would have been expected to make a contribution and so it is recorded that he subscribed 1 pound and 18 shillings. John’s parents are Joshua, a carpenter, and Hannah. Joshua died when John was just 19 and is buried at Warley.

According to James Berrow in his extensive book ‘The making of an English organ builder: John Nicholson of Worcester’ Richard Nicholson, MY John Nicholson’s brother, was the founder of a remarkable organ building company that still exists today and is the company currently employed in the renovation of the magnificent organ in Leeds town hall. So, if there’s a book written about Richard’s organ building what about one for John’s architectural accomplishments?

John married Hannah Greenwood on August 1, 1815 at Halifax minster, stating his occupation as joiner. Hannah died having given birth to two daughters and John remarried at Heptonstall church on Dec 3, 1820 – Betty Akeroyd. She died in 1838 and he married a widow, Ann Sutcliffe in 1840. By 1841 John, still a joiner, Ann and Ann’s 4 daughters from her previous marriage, are living at Shawbridge between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge. By the 1851 census the family are living at Millwood, closer to Todmorden and he describes himself as a carpenter employing three men. According to ‘Annals of Todmorden, 1552-1913’ compiled by Dorothy Dugdale on Monday, May 23, 1859 Nicholson’s joiner’s shop on Myrtle Street, Todmorden burned down. On the 1861 census the family are living in the centre of Todmorden, on Myrtle Street and he describes himself as an architect. But what’s this? They had a boarder living with them – Charlotte Haigh, a 20 year old dressmaker from Brighouse. I know that name! Oh my. She’s my great, great grandma who married George Gledhill, who ended up in Wakefield prison – as did I in the course of my research! The fact that her birthplace is given as Brighouse certainly confirms that it’s the same Charlotte Haigh. Ann’s daughter, Sarah, 31, was also a dressmaker. The story of Charlotte and George’s turbulent relationship can be found on a previous post: https://blog.hmcreativelady.com/2018/11/10/another-ancestor-with-a-story-george-gledhill/

Living just 4 doors away from John on Myrtle Street is his daughter, Sally, now married to Abraham Wrigley, a master joiner employing 12 boys. The Wrigley family went on to marry into the Moss family who split into two career paths – manufacturing cotton and the operating of several schools. The Wrigleys continued their joinering and later added painting and decorating to their skills. Read my blog about their buildings:

July 7 Searching for Wrigleys – again!

John Nicholson died on Dec 15, 1864 and was buried at Heptonstall on Dec 21st.

The cutting from the newspaper announcing his death has no obituary. If he was indeed the architect for 8 chapels this seems remarkable.