Downham Chapel

Downham Village Hall was once the village’s Methodist Chapel. It was constructed the same year as our chapel, 1817, though I find it rather more attractive with its central doorway and second tier of windows. It is clearly an establishment of proportion; its website states:

With a big Main Hall and stage accommodating 100 seated, modern catering kitchen, a smaller room accommodating up to 35 and good access and parking, Downham Village Hall has very flexible options for the hirer.  Wi-fi, presentation equipment including a large screen and a hearing loop as well as tables, chairs and kitchen equipment are all available for events.

Again, this sounds rather more impressive than our chapel which lies only a few miles’ distance. Reliable Wi-Fi, indeed! Many churches and chapels provide foci for communities, which is preferable to just providing second homes or retirement pads for the elderly rich. Yet the purpose for which they were built (in this case, by local weavers Daniel Slater and Richard Broxup, who helped establish the Clitheroe Wesleyan circuit in 1815) was to point lost souls to the Good Shepherd. 18th birthday parties, silver weddings and whist drives all have their place, but eternity still beckons and judgement awaits; how will we prepare for them when so few places are left to share the good news?

And the time of this ignorance God regarded not: but now he admonisheth all men everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30, Geneva Bible

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