A poignant service to ‘remember and reflect’ on the sanctity of a historic burial site where a former Independent Chapel was located, was held in Darwen.

The Open Air Special Remembrance Service at Pole Lane burial site on Sunday afternoon also aimed to highlight the significance of the events that had taken place there.

The event was based on the 1893 Open Air Centenary Celebration service at Pole Lane and the ‘Special Services’ events which were held in the former Belgrave Independent Meeting House in 1893.

Pastor Alan Marsden of Salem Congregational Chapel, Rimington led the service and was supported by Simon Huggill, Methodist Local Preacher and Lena Talbot, a URC Minister.

James Loynes sang ‘Jerusalem’ accompanied by Fiddle Player, Julian Taylor. The congregation sang ‘All People That On Earth Do Dwell’ and ‘Our God, Our Help In Ages Past’.

Simon Huggill, Methodist local preacher addressing the congregationAndrea Townsend, who helped organise the event, said: “In 1793, the Rev. Henry Townsend became the first minister at the Independent Chapel on Pole Lane after leaving his pastorate in Cockermouth.

“Due to a disagreement with certain members of the chapel community he had no option but to leave.

“In 1806, he left with a group of his loyal followers and subsequently ‘The Refuge’ or ‘Townsend Chapel’ as it was also known was erected at the bottom of Bolton Road and opened for worship in 1808.”

The service was based on the 1893 Open Air Centenary Celebration Service at Pole LaneThe Rev. Townsend is the great-grandfather of Alderman Arthur Townsend (1874-1957), former weaver who became active in local politics in Blackburn.

He received the civic medal in 1954 from Blackburn Town Council for outstanding and meritorious service to the town.

The Rev. Townsend is the fourth great-grandfather of Andrea Townsend, who is in the process of writing a book about the man she describes as a ‘determined, tenacious and scholarly ancestor’. 

Andrea added: “The book will be published in the new year and will detail the fascinating history associated with the former chapel and burial site."

Several descendants of the Rev. Townsend attended the service and for some of them it was the first time they had met. 

This event was described as 'a unique and truly memorable occasion which appeared to be enjoyed by all the congregation'.