REV CHARLES FARNSWORTH, born 13th June 1801, died 9th Dec 1865, married SARAH THOMPSON only daughter of Thomas Thompson of Woodhouse, Nr Sheffield and had 7 children, including Sarah, born 1846, who married 11th March 1869 Rev James Richardson. ‘Rev Charles Farnsworth, a blind gentleman, was called to Crescent Rd, Congregational Church, Dukinfield or Providence, in 1843. He was a native of Sheffield, (his father was the manager of Attercliffe Steel Works) and had been educated there but he came to Providence from Liverpool where he had been pastor of the Hanover Street Chapel, which had been burnt down. The communion plate of the Hanover St chapel was presented to Charles Farnsworth on his coming to Dukinfield. This plate was afterwards sent out to Madagascar, and the Queen of the Island was the first person to receive the sacrament from it. He was able to conduct the services himself, but the superintendent of the Sunday School used to read the lessons and give out the hymns. As there was no instrumental music in the services, the person who gave out the hymns also commenced the tune. A band and new choir was formed in 1854 to accompany the singing. The instruments of the band included bassoon, flute, serpent and double-bass fiddle. At that time there was a poor congregation with not 100 persons attending. In 1857 an organ was constructed and Sarah Farnsworth later officiated on the organ.


Mr Farnsworth was a sort of missionary to the whole neighbourhood and if any were sick no matter how many miles distant, nor at what hour of the night or day, he would go. He made a point of visiting every member of his congregation monthly from Communion to Communion. People were very fond of him and although he was blind he was never known to complain. He knew and could repeat all the Psalms and Gospels; also Romans and most of the Epistles, which had been taught him by his mother. He had a remarkable gift in prayer and always necessarily preached extempore. He was never at a loss for words, but in consequence of the terrible affliction from which he suffered he was very much in the hands of and at the mercy of other people. Mrs Sarah Farnsworth died on 30th November 1856, and in October 1859 Rev C Farnsworth married the widow of Dr Whitehead. This appeared to have caused considerable unpleasantness and the congregation began to leave in batches, some going to the Moravians, some to Albion, and some joining the Furnace Hill Church. This marriage might almost be said to have sealed the doom of the congregation. Previous to the marriage the church appears to have prospered and at one time over 300 sittings were let. Matters however grew still more unpleasant and the communion was not celebrated for 6 months. Ultimately Mr. Farnsworth resigned, and on the last occasion of his preaching in the Chapel only four persons including himself were there.

Mr Farnsworth on his resignation removed to Chester but he subsequently returned to Dukinfield and joined the Furnace Hill Church. He died on the 9th December 1865 and was interred at the Chapel. This was the believed to be the last interment to take place there’

( This information has been obtained from "Historical sketch of Crescent Rd Congregational Church Dukinfield )