History of the Octagon
In Heptonstall and Hebden Bridge, vertiginous buildings cling to the steep hill sides, but the Octagon nestles peacefully in a natural amphitheatre. Tended terraced graveyards rise above it to the village and fall away below, leading the eye to the views over the valley. Inside is a perfect stillness.
Unlike the Victorian buildings of the later excesses of Methodist zeal and pride, Heptonstall was built to a human size by a practical and unpretentious people, and has been cared for in this manner ever since. The result has a simple grace and humility.
Historian Dr Richard Taylor named it as one of his ten favourite churches, saying: "If buildings have an aura, this one radiated friendship."
Methodism in Heptonstall began with a firebrand Scot “of prodigious size”, the pedlar, cobbler and itinerant poet, William Darney. He founded many societies on both sides of the Pennines as he travelled, preaching as he went.
The Heptonstall “Darney Society” was visited by Charles and John Wesley in 1747. In these early days, Heptonstall had a preacher every sixth Sunday, with the travelling preachers receiving no stipend or allowance, eating where they could.
Historian Dr Richard Taylor named it as one of his ten favourite churches, saying: "If buildings have an aura, this one radiated friendship."
Methodism in Heptonstall began with a firebrand Scot “of prodigious size”, the pedlar, cobbler and itinerant poet, William Darney. He founded many societies on both sides of the Pennines as he travelled, preaching as he went.
The Heptonstall “Darney Society” was visited by Charles and John Wesley in 1747. In these early days, Heptonstall had a preacher every sixth Sunday, with the travelling preachers receiving no stipend or allowance, eating where they could.
John Wesley continued to visit Heptonstall and there were always immense crowds to hear him. He also preached in the now-ruined parish church of St Thomas A Becket, which he labelled “the ugliest church I know”.
The society was so successful it was decided to build a chapel, the octagon shape being then fashionable for Methodist preaching houses, which avoided conflict with the established church.
Wesley said: “All our houses should be of this shape if the ground allow.”
The first octagon was Norwich in 1757, followed by Rotherham in 1761, Whitby in 1762 and Heptonstall. Many others followed. The symmetrical octagon was planned on land called Dockey’s Croft, bought and given to the Trustees by Thomas Colbeck, of Keighley.
Wesley preached in the unfinished shell, lining out his then unpublished verse, perhaps inspired by the sight of Hardcastle Crags from the hilltop:
Wesley said: “All our houses should be of this shape if the ground allow.”
The first octagon was Norwich in 1757, followed by Rotherham in 1761, Whitby in 1762 and Heptonstall. Many others followed. The symmetrical octagon was planned on land called Dockey’s Croft, bought and given to the Trustees by Thomas Colbeck, of Keighley.
Wesley preached in the unfinished shell, lining out his then unpublished verse, perhaps inspired by the sight of Hardcastle Crags from the hilltop:
“Ye mountains and vales, in praises abound,
Ye hills and ye dales, continue the sound,
Break forth into singing, ye trees of the wood,
For Jesus is bringing lost sinners to God.”
Ye hills and ye dales, continue the sound,
Break forth into singing, ye trees of the wood,
For Jesus is bringing lost sinners to God.”
Local historians Chapman and Turner later wrote: “Wesley had obviously been impressed by the roof at the Rotherham Octagon, he had the same man construct the roof in Heptonstall. The sections were brought by the most direct, though hazardous, road over Mount Skip, the people meeting the procession of pack horses and singing hymns of joy. Men and women laboured with their hands to build the chapel with the most primitive of tools.”
The building was finished in 1764 and two years later John Wesley returned to preach in it again. It was intended to hold 200, but by 1802 there were 337 members and 1,002 scholars.
The solution was to knock down the far end of the chapel, lengthen the walls and rebuild it, preserving the octagon shape. Internally, the pulpit was raised up, and new singing pews constructed.
By 1821 it was again too small, but this time the solution was to build new chapels in Hebden Bridge (Salem), and in Blackshaw Head, and this hidden jewel was preserved unchanged. It is now one of the oldest Methodist chapels in continuous use. It is Grade II listed, and has received funds from English Heritage for repairs to the roof.
The solution was to knock down the far end of the chapel, lengthen the walls and rebuild it, preserving the octagon shape. Internally, the pulpit was raised up, and new singing pews constructed.
By 1821 it was again too small, but this time the solution was to build new chapels in Hebden Bridge (Salem), and in Blackshaw Head, and this hidden jewel was preserved unchanged. It is now one of the oldest Methodist chapels in continuous use. It is Grade II listed, and has received funds from English Heritage for repairs to the roof.
A great deal has been written about the history of Methodism in Heptonstall, with the account of Charles H Gee, supported by the manuscripts of George Ashworth, still the most reliable account. The above draws on this, and on the updated history which followed it by E V Chapman and Gordon A Turner. The engraving was published in both, source not given. Both pamphlets are available in the Hebden Bridge library archives.
All interior pictures copyright Amy Binns. Exterior picture courtesy of grievemere
