Before a regular Society was established at Hadfield, a cause had been organised at Valehouse in Longdendale Valley. The Valehouse mills were built in the year 1796, by Messrs. Robert and John Thomley. A room was fitted up, in connection with the mills, for a preaching room and Sunday School. A flourishing Sunday School, with efficient teachers and a good library, was carried on for several years. It was afterwards removed to Sheepcoat, a cottage on the hillside, about half-a-mile from the village. It appears that Mrs. John Thomley was a Methodist, and was very solicitous that her husband should do something at Hadfield towards providing the people with a place of worship. He had made her a kind of promise that he would; but, time wore on, and nothing was done. Afterwards, a somewhat remarkably-striking incident took place, the result of which was the erection of the "OLD HADFIELD CHAPEL".

A site was selected and the work was at once commenced. On being completed, the Chapel was properly settled on trustees, presented to Conference, being enrolled according to the model deed. The opening services, which took place in 1804, were seasons of great rejoicing.

For about nine years after its opening, this Chapel had to serve the whole neighbourhood, its congregation coming from all the surrounding villages and for a great number of years the Chapel grounds were used as a local "God's Acre".

In the year 1876, the insufficient accommodation at the old Chapel, together with the dilapidated condition of its interior, convinced several friends that the time had come to "arise and build" a new place of worship more suited to the prevailing idea of the age, and capable of providing accommodation for their largely increasing numbers. Accordingly, subscriptions were solicited and kind friends responded heartily to the appeal. The present site having been selected, and the plans, arranged in amphitheatre style, by Mr. Wm. Ranger, Architect, London, agreed upon, building operations commenced at once.

The foundation-stones, 10 in number, were truly laid on Saturday, July 7th, 1877, by:-
     Miss Lucy Sidebottom, on behalf of her brother, James Sidebottom, Esq., J.P., Hollingworth.
     Samuel Rowbottom, Esq., Mayor of Glossop.
     Tom Milburn, Esq,. Stalybridge.
     Joseph Bailey, Esq., Manchester.
     Richard Twemlow, Esq., Southport.
     Mr. William Barker, Hadfield.
     Mr. Charles Chambers, Hadfield, who attached a condition that the building should be called Hadfield Wesleyan Church.
     Mr. James Harrop, Hill Top, Hadfield.
     Mr. Peter Taylor, Tintwistle.
     Mr. William Swindells, Hadfield.

The Total amount collected on that day was £269 4s. 9d. The work of erection, thus auspiciously commenced was successively carried on until October, 1878, when the new Church was opened by Special Services held on October 16th, 20th, 24th, 27th and November 3rd, 1878, at which upwards of £235, was received in collections.

The entire premises - school and church - including furnishings, cost £4,600.

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