John Nuttall was one of the pioneers of the Baptist denomination in Rossendale. The second son of Joshua and Elizabeth Nuttall, he was born at Cross Farm near Deerplay in Rossendale, and baptised at St. Nicholas, Newchurch on 9th October 1715. In due course John became a hand loom weaver, probably following the trade of his parents. As such he would have been his own master and the family may even have employed servants or journeymen. Wool would have been bought from a stapler, spun into yarn and woven into cloth. John would have been paid for each piece of cloth he wove.

Being a lover of music – particularly religious music and the works of Handel – he met regularly with other like-minded local people to practice. Why John Nuttall and his friends were led to embrace Baptist principles is unclear. Probably they heard and were familiar with the teaching of Mitchell and Crossley, and it was through this that they were persuaded. In 1747, John Nuttall, his friend Richard Hudson, and several of their friends and fellow “musicianers”were baptised by Mr Piccop of the Ebenezer Baptist Church at Bacup and became members of that church.

John started to preach, at first to his friends at the musical gatherings, but soon began to widen his sphere. He was frequently called upon to preach to the Baptist churches at Cowling Hill, Sutton, Oakenshaw, and other places which were under the auspices of the Eebenezer Baptist Church at Bacup.

John Nuttall and Richard Hudson also began travelling on foot and horseback, preaching as far afield as Howarth in Yorkshire, a distance of 25 to 30 miles. Here they met two sisters, Elizabeth and Anne Grindrod both good singers. John married Elizabeth Grindrod on 11 September 1744 at St James Parish Church, Haslingden. He was 28 and Elizabeth 24. At this time they lived at Water, near Lumb in the Forest of Rossendale.

John and Elizabeth had five children: four boys and one girl.

James was their first born in 1745. He was baptised on 28 March 1745 at the Church of St Mary and All Saints, Goodshaw. On 22 February 1773, James married Mary Heyworth at St Nicholas church, Newchurch in Rossendale. They had six children. He was a woollen weaver, and lived at Father Robert Barn, a farm near Water. James died in 1806, aged 61.

Henry, their second born, was born in 1747. He married Anne, the daughter of James Hargreaves, on 23 October 1775, when he was 28 and she was 20. Anne died on 22 December 1789 and was buried at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Bury. Henry died on 5 February 1810, surviving Anne by twenty years.

John, the third son of the Rev John and Elizabeth, was born in 1748 at Peers Clough, Water, and baptised at the Church of St Mary and All Saints, Goodshaw on 24 March 1748. He died on 2 July 1769, aged 21.

A fourth son, Richard, was born at Peers Clough in March 1749 and baptised at the Church of St Mary and All Saints, Goodshaw on 22 March 1749. Richard married Ann Heyworth on 13 January 1774. He died a year later, on. 8 February 1775, aged 25.

 Last born was a daughter, Ann. She was born on 2 May 1765. On 19 February 1787 she married John Heyworth. Being unable to write, Ann signed the register with an x. She died in February 1801 and was buried on 13 February 1801 in the church yard of St Mary Parish church, Bury.

The Reverend John often travelled thirty miles or more on a Sunday, for the reward of half a crown. Concerned at the remuneration John received, an enquiry was made, and the following account sent to Mr Richard Lord of Rockliffe near Bacup:

“Cowling, Sept. 27th 1755

“Dear beloved and esteemed friend,

“I was desired to give you some account how we had dealt with John Nuttall, whom we esteemed as a brother in Christ. He supplied for some time, partly on his own account, being a member of the church, and desirous to exercise his gift among us, and partly on Mr Piccop’s account, who at his first coming sent him instead. We could not well think how to conclude about collecting for him, when he supplied us instead of Mr Piccop, but thought it best to collect for our own pastor as usual, and because our collections are so small, we feared to deprive our own minister, and also to displease some of the people.

“But John Nuttall, having a family, could not well come without some recompense, so, to the best of our remembrance, we gave him at one time, two shillings out of the church’s money, and at another time, about six shillings. I also gave him once half a crown on my own account.

“But when he came on his own account, as willing to exercise his gifts among us, he agreed to come for half a crown a time. When he had come about five or six times, we, (members and hearers), raised eighteen shillings for him. Coming two or three times after, and having in prospect a journey to Bridgenorth, we made up among ourselves ten shillings and sixpence, still bearing off the congregation.

“This is the truth as near as we remember. I rest with love to you and family, and to all in the church. Dear brethren, fall not out by the way for trifles. Deal gently with every brother and sister for Jesus’ sake, who succours the tempted, and forgives all enemies. This from your unworthy brother,

“Colbeck Sugden.”

Even later, when he was pastor at Goodshaw, John’s annual income rarely, if ever, exceeded £25.

As well as spreading his preaching wide, John Nuttall concentrated on building a Baptist following in and around Lumb. Meetings were initially held in private houses and Farms, such as Father Robert Barn which was centrally placed and a stopping off point for Baptists from Clivigier and Deerplay who were walking to Manchester or Heyworth to listen to some of the well-known preachers for whom the Baptist church was renowned.

At Lumb it soon became necessary to provide better accommodation than private houses could afford, and in 1750 a meeting house was built at Buller Trees, Lumb. There was no separate church, however, until 1752, and John retained his connection with Bacup a while longer.

A letter to the Ebenezer Baptist Church at Bacup reads

“September 15th 1752

“Unto the church of Christ at Bacup, under the pastoral care of Joseph Pickup, we send greeting.

“For as much as some of us had the favour at your hands to be baptised some years ago, we have ever since been desirous of being brought into the form of a regular, constituted church. But we have always judged it our duty first make application unto you, hoping we should obtain that favour at your hands, if the difference in our ways of thinking did not prevent it.Of late we have had more close and intimate acquaintance with your pastor, and find that there is little or no difference at all, so far as we have made examination. We humbly request and desire, if you have freedom in your hearts, and judges worthy of so great a blessing, that you would come over and help us.

“John Nuttall
Richard Heyworth”

How soon after this period the church at Lumb was formed is not known, but it is certain that the word of the Lord was regularly preached there, for some time before Mr Nuttall was dismissed from Bacup. In a long letter without date, his dismission is requested. From this letter, take the following extracts.

“To the church of Christ at Bacup, beloved of God, called to be saints, who wait upon and worship God in the new meeting house. Grace be multiplied unto you, and peace, from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

“We who usually attend upon the word of God preached at Lumb, have a desire to be joined together in church fellowship, that we may serve the Lord in all His ordinances.We are as stones scattered abroad, and not cemented together in gospel order. God hath taught to expect his blessing , not without, but in the means of his appointment. The Lord for wise ends, best known to himself, has hitherto withheld some of his glorious ordinances from us, but we are waiting for them; according to his promise. Psalm 84. 11. Ju.iii.15. Our eyes are upon the Lord, and upon you as instruments in his hand, hoping you will not be unwilling to help pass forward in the great work, as we are willing to be directed by you in a scriptural way and manner.

“Upon due consideration, and by mutual consent, we have made a choice of our near and dear friend, John Nuttall to be our teacher. We judging faithful in the work of the ministry, but as he is at present a member of your church, he is neither at his own nor at our disposal. I request to therefore is, that if you judge him fitly qualified for the ministry, and a proper person to serve us, you would dismiss him as a member from you, and establish him teacher and pastor over us. We desire you to consider of this matter, and labour to bring it about as speedily as you can, for our souls breathe after the ordinances of the gospel. These lines are sent to you by our joint consent, and subscribed for the whole by

“Richard Heyworth

“Laurence Ormerod

“James Ashworth

“James Butterworth “

The dismission granted him has not been found. It was, no doubt, according to their wishes. In 1753, he was dismissed to the little church at Lumb, and became its first pastor, the Rev. Richard Smith, of Wainsgate, presiding at the ordination services.

John’s success as a preacher, however, meant that it soon became necessary to provide larger accommodation than private houses could afford, and in 1750 a meeting house was built. There was no separate Baptist church in Lumb, however, until 1752, and John Nuttall retained his connection with Bacup for some time. In 1753 he was dismissed to form a new Baptist church at Lumb, becoming its first pastor. The ordination service was presided over by the Rev Richard Smith of Wainsgate. In May of that year, John Nuttall, as pastor, sat down at the table of the Lord for the first time with Richard Heyworth, James Ashworth and Lawrence Ormerod, deacons, John, Alexander and Janet Tricket, and Susan Butterworth.

In 1759, when Henry Lord left Oakenshaw, between Clayton le Moors and Great Harwood, John Nuttall was asked to conduct fortnightly services there. It seems that this was in addition to services at Lumb.

Lumb was soon found to be small and inconvenient for the growing congregation, and it was decided to build a new chapel at Goodshaw which was more centrally placed. In 1760 the new building was ready. The first part of the chapel was built for £191.10.4 1/2 In addition, there was an adjoining cottage for John Nuttall and his growing family.

Elizabeth died on October 13th 1768. John was distraught. Among the volumes of music preserved the Archives at the Lancashire County Record Office is one with the following on the back fly-leaf. There is no punctuation in the verses except as below:

An hymn composed by Rev J Nuttall at the death of his wife, who departed this life 

October 13th in the 49th year of her age

1 Come and draw near my friends so dear Behold what God hath done I’ve lost my mate, my trouble’s great The Lord hath called her home

2 Two little babes she’s left behind Exposed to every snare Where shall we find one that for them Will have a mother’s care?

3 Nor have I none to speak unto When trouble fills my soul Not one to sympathise with me When billows o’er me roll

4 Compassionate she’s ever been To me a bosom friend Seeking my happiness always Steadfastly to the end

5 Well grounded in Christ’s dying love Renouncing self and pride Upright and holy in her walk Patient she was when tried

6 Greatly belov’d where she was known Highly esteem’d of all In peace she liv’d, in peace she dy’d With glory in her soul”

After having preached the Gospel for nearly half a century, the first pastor of the church at Goodshaw died on March 30, 1792, at the age of seventy six. He was described as the honoured instrument of gathering and establishing the Baptist church at Goodshaw, in which he laboured with diligence and success. It is not known with certainty where he is buried, but it is possible that his is one of the graves under the present chapel building.