Manchester (Newton Heath) Methodist Circuit

The origins of this circuit lie in Manchester Wesleyan Circuit, formed in 1770 out of Lancashire South Wesleyan Circuit. In 1824 the Manchester Circuit was split into 'North' and 'South'. The Manchester (North) Wesleyan Circuit was headed by Oldham Street Chapel and from 1827 was known as Manchester 1st Wesleyan (Oldham Street) Circuit. In 1863 the Cheetham Hill and Crumpsall churches left to form Manchester 7th Wesleyan (Cheetham Hill) Circuit and in 1878 other churches left to form Manchester (Victoria) Wesleyan Circuit. In 1883 Oldham Street Chapel was transferred to the Manchester and Salford Wesleyan Mission (and rebuilt as Central Hall) and the circuit was re-named Manchester (Oldham Road) Wesleyan Circuit, headed by Wesley Chapel in Oldham Road. The circuit continued until 1958 when it was joined by Manchester (Culcheth) Methodist Circuit and re-named Manchester (Newton Heath) Methodist Circuit. In 1966 the circuit was joined by Manchester (Harpurhey) Methodist Circuit and re-named Manchester (North East) Methodist Circuit (not to be confused with the old North East United Methodist Circuit). The new North East circuit only lasted four years and no records relating to it have been deposited. In 1970 it was joined by the Middleton ex-Primitive Methodist Circuit and re-named Manchester (North) and Middleton Circuit [for records of this circuit see M80/1].