From forgotten church to community treasure: the heart-warming revival of Woodhead Chapel  

Tucked away off the Woodhead Pass on a hill near Crowden, is a remarkable little building with a big story to tell. 

Formerly known as St James Church, the Grade II Listed building has stood in this remote valley for centuries. Now, following an extraordinary labour of love, it has been given a new lease of life as Woodhead Chapel – a warm and welcoming community space open to everyone.  

And the trustees behind its revival are passionate about making sure people know it is there.  

“We want to raise awareness” says trustee Rob Farmar, who has a long-standing affection for the building. “Most people don’t have a clue that the chapel is there, or that it has been restored and can be an ideal venue for all sorts of things.”  

The name change from St James to Woodhead Chapel reflects that new role.  

Explaining the decision, Rob said, “Locally, it has always traditionally been known as Woodhead Chapel, and the existence of another St James Church in Glossop has sometimes caused confusion for visitors to the area. More importantly, the trustees felt the name should reflect the building’s use as a community hub, rather than being seen solely as a religious building.”  

That doesn’t mean its history has been forgotten. Quite the opposite.  

The original chapel is believed to have been built in 1487 by Sir Edmund Shaa, a wealthy goldsmith and jeweller who was originally from Mottram and later became Lord Mayor of London. In his will, he left money to employ two priests at “the chapel I have made” to pray for himself and his parents.  

The chapel was rebuilt in 1735, as confirmed by dates on gravestones, while its more recent history includes a major renovation between 1905 and 1924. New benches and a harmonium were installed, while an outer porch was added as a memorial to the men of Crowden and Woodhead who lost their lives in the First World War.  

During the construction of the second Woodhead tunnel in 1849, victims of a cholera outbreak were also buried in unmarked graves at the chapel.  

Its survival is all the more remarkable given its location. Fewer than 40 people live within a four-mile radius, making it one of the most isolated places of worship in the country.  

But after centuries of history, the chapel ceased being used in 2017 when the minister at the time passed away, and the once-loved building sadly fell into a seriously poor state.  

Rob, who had attended services there in the 1980s, was shocked when he came across the chapel whilst on a bike ride during the Covid pandemic in 2020.  

“I had no idea it was no longer in use” he recalls. “It had been such a beautiful and tranquil place but was now in a horrendous derelict condition.”  

Worried that the building might reach the point where it could no longer be saved, Rob posted about it in a local Facebook group. The response was immediate, with more than 70 people commenting within just a few hours, supporting the idea of saving the chapel.  

Following Rob’s post, it soon became clear that others were already working behind the scenes. The newly formed Crowden and Woodhead Residents Association had begun making enquiries about the building’s ownership and its original trust. Rob and the group joined forces, and a new trust was formed with an organised renovation plan. 

The passionate, like-minded volunteers then gave their time, skills and energy to bring those plans to life, and their commitment, generosity and sheer hard work have been remarkable. 

Among them was Dennis Jackson, a retired 75-year-old former firefighter and qualified builder and craftsman. He spent two full summers, working around 12 hours a day, every day of the week, helping to repoint the building, work on the roof, rewire it and rebuild the tower - all for free, charging only for materials.  

The volunteers were determined to retain the chapel’s character, keeping its original features wherever possible while sympathetically upgrading the building with new wiring and lighting.  

Inside, the beautifully restored stone chapel retains its peaceful, timeless atmosphere, with wooden panelling made from the doors of the original pews, parquet flooring and two arched windows featuring stained glass.  

The benches can be moved to create an open space, while a gallery overlooks the interior. There is also a small vestry and a compostable toilet.  

Outside, the surprisingly large graveyard contains many beautifully preserved and still-legible headstones.  

Once the restoration was complete, the trustees faced an important question: what next?  

Their answer was easy - they simply wanted the building to be used.  

Rather than opening it solely for religious purposes, which could have limited its use, they decided its future should be as a community resource, available for any activities that benefit people.  

And it has already become a wonderfully eclectic venue.  

Yoga, sound baths, meditation, somatic dance and folk music events have all taken place there, while musicians are set to use the unique setting for performances and recording sessions. A wedding blessing and brass band carol concert are also in the calendar.  

The trustees have many other ideas for how the venue could be used, including art groups taking advantage of the exceptional setting, craft workshops, exercise sessions, team-building days, wellbeing retreats and family celebrations.  

They are also keen to welcome school groups, offering visits exploring the valley’s fascinating history, from the railway and former Crowden Station to its farms, pubs and communities. Older school, Scout and Guide groups could even combine a visit with an overnight stay. 

The chapel also holds a unique collection of letters written by Rob as a teenager to former railway worker John Davies in the 1980's (photo below). His detailed memories provide a fascinating glimpse into life in the valley in the early to mid-1900s. The letters are available to read on the chapel's Facebook page.  

The trustees would also love established social groups to bring their members along to enjoy the beautiful views and spend time together, and are happy to provide afternoon tea and even a shuttle service from Crowden Car Park if required due to limited parking at the chapel itself. 

There are even plans to offer it as a basic overnight stop for walkers tackling the Pennine Way, providing somewhere warm to sleep, enjoy a cuppa, recharge and escape the elements.  

The current trustees, Rob Farmer, Meriel Boyd, Tony Owens, Lee Grant and Francesca O'Hare, operate as a not-for-profit organisation, asking groups and individuals who use the building for a small donation towards electricity, heating and public liability insurance 

The chapel receives no external funding, apart from an occasional small grant from Tintwistle Parish Council and any donations made to their Crowdfunder account, with dedicated volunteers instead holding regular bake sales at Crowden Car Park to help raise money for its upkeep.  

The building is also still used to mark some of its traditional occasions, including Easter, Christmas and Harvest Festival, respecting its long religious history while embracing its new community role.  

With its dramatic setting, fascinating past and beautifully restored interior, Woodhead Chapel is once again a truly special place – somewhere people can pause, meet, learn, create, celebrate and simply enjoy being together.  

To enquire about using the chapel, find out about events or how you can get involved as a volunteer, even just for a small amount of time, contact them via the details below: 

• Email: crowdenwoodhead@gmail.com 
• Facebook: Friends of Woodhead Chapel 
• Instagram: woodhead_chapel 
• YouTube: WoodheadChapel