No 102 -  Independent Chapel, Caroline Street

"One of the few remaining buildings in the untidy wilderness of Caroline Street, Longton, is the prim Independent Chapel, which only survives because of the dedication of that remarkable man, Mr. Eric L. Thompstone, his wife, and a small but enthusiastic congregation.

The chapel, which formerly belonged to the Congregationalists, was rescued and bought in 1965 by Mr. Thompstone, after selling his 100-acre dairy farm. The origins of the chapel can be traced back to the early 19th century when several of the parishioners withdrew from the local parish church, after the departure of a popular low-church minister. Such a man was not easily replaced; realising this, the secessionists found a room in St. Martin's Lane and appointed John Conder, of Fenton, to act as their honorary pastor.

With the increasing congregation these premises proved inadequate and a second place of worship was founded in a court off Market Street. This, in turn, was followed by the building of the first chapel in Caroline Street, opened on April 24th, 1820. A church was formed in January, 1821, when the roll was signed by the pastor and 17 other people. By 1851 the average attendance was 150 in the morning and 200 for evening service, with a Sunday school of 200. 

An increase in numbers yet again required a larger building, and a new chapel in brick and terracotta in the Perpendicular style was erected in front of the old one in 1905.

By 1957 the membership had dwindled to an average of 59, and further decreases meant that closure was imminent. When Mr. Thompstone stepped in and saved it it was in a dreadful state of repair, but, with continued hard work, he has managed to restore much of the interior, which he decorates with flowers every Sunday, distributing them to worshippers after evening service."

19th March 1975