 |
| Marsh Chapel - 2026 |
Here's an interesting story about a Bancroft individual's life and his religious beliefs with his involvement in the nearby Marsh Wesleyan Chapel.
Luther Ewart Bancroft was born in Oxenhope, Yorkshire, on 12th July 1877 the son of Jonas and Carreau Bancroft. His father Jonas, was part of the local family who owned and ran a local textile mill called 'Charles Mill' which was a big local employer in the village.
The story of the Charles Mill and its history can be read by clicking HERE
Luther was destined to grow up in the village and earn a living in the families mill business.
 |
| 1901 census |
The 1901 census shows him still living at home with his parents at their home “West View” in Lowertown, Oxenhope and employed at the family firm as a worsted overlooker.
He went on to marry Bertha Whitaker in 1906 and the 1921 census shows them still living at 21 Denholme Road in the village with their only child Ewart, born in 1909. He is still listed as an Overlooker in the family mill business.
He tried to join up to fight in WW1 but was deemed to be too old to fight so in 1915 he signed up to joint the Duke of Wellington's volunteer force to try and help in the war effort.
The family seemed to have continues to live a quiet life in Oxenhope with Luther continuing to work at the mill and records show his wife Bertha died in 1929.
Even by the 1939 census Luther, although living alone at Ivy Bank in the village, was still shown as a worsted overlooker
 |
| 1939 census |
He died on 16th October 1948 and was buried in the nearby Oxenhope cemetery.
When his probate record was filed it shows his estate was valued at £1893. the record shows his executor as his son Ewart, wrongly listed as Edward.
 |
| Probate record |
Moving onto the Marsh Methodist Wesleyan Chapel and its history. The Chapel was built in 1836, on land bought from Michael Pighills and John Pighills (generations of the Pighills family served as Trustees and Sunday School Superintendents). It was certified as a Public Place of Worship on 4th April 1854 and was enlarged in 1874, reopening for services on 18th April 1875.
Marsh Wesleyan Methodist Church and Sunday School celebrated its centenary on the weekend of Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th of June 1936. A booklet was produced to mark the occasion and shown here are some pages from that booklet and lists 'L Bancroft' as one of the speaker On the Saturday there was a reunion of old scholars, teachers and friends with a 'Meat Tea' at 4pm followed by a Great Public Meeting at 6.30pm. On the Sunday there were afternoon and evening services, held in the open air, led by the Reverend W. A. Harrison of Bradford.
 |
The 1936 booklet states: "Who were the first Methodists at Marsh? This will probably remain unknown. But certainly these sturdy folk of well over a hundred years ago meant business, for as far back as October, 1832. The surrounding area of 'Mouldgreave' appears on the Keighley plan for a fortnightly preaching appointment at 5.30 in the evening, and continued until October, 1837... Marsh folk, right from their earliest Methodist days were renowned for their fervent prayer. The great Marsh revival took place in 1845, and its power and influence spread for miles around. People came long distances, and the voice of prayer was heard in earnest supplication for the spread of the Kingdom night after night for months, it being no uncommon thing for services to last till early morning."
The Chapel finally closed in March 2026 and those who attended the final service at Marsh Methodist Chapel experienced a close community event, which was deeply moving for the many families that had connections going back through generations. Members of the congregation had selected the seven hymns sung, including adult and children’s favourites.
A hundred programmes were printed; many people had to share, every pew was full!
The choir sang Sweet Is The Work, My God, My King by Isaac Watts – which is also known as Deep Harmony – set to music by local musician Handel Parker, which has close connections with Oxenhope, Haworth and Hawksbridge.
The service was led by Mrs Sonia Boocock, who introduced the hymns and readings and gave a moving tribute to the families that had supported and guided the chapel through many decades. Documents on display included many photographs of happy times and detailed records showing weekly attendance over the years – 90 adults plus children seemed to be the average at times in the past.
Many present were experiencing mixed emotions, but the whole service ended on a happy note following the singing of the famous Wesleyan hymn And Can It Be.
"Bold I approach the eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own" – these final words were sung at 3.15pm and ended with a bouquet of flowers the moment the organ fell silent. The real legacy of past and present generations became evident after the service when families met and mingled with their children and relations, enjoying home-made refreshments and playing outside.
Marsh Chapel will live on by example of lives well lived.
 |
| The final service - March 2026 |
No comments:
Post a Comment