towards the sacramental bread and wine consumed by the communicants in the mother church; and by another decree from the Archdeacon of Chester to the chaplain of the parish church of Prestwich, and the chaplain celebrating divine service in the chapel of "Oldom," "notoriously" dependent on the same church, it further appears that disputes had arisen at this early period between the parishioners of Prestwich and the inhabitants of Oldom, Chadderton, Ryton, and Crompton, on the question whether the latter should contribute to the bread and wine, decorations, and necessaries of Prestwich church, and that these contributions were ordered to be made. The renovation of the church, by Sir Ralph Langley, does not appear to have adjusted the disputes between the rector and the parishioners of Prestwich, and the inhabitants within the precinct or circuit of the church or chapel of Oldham; for in the year 1558, we find a decree issued by Cuthbert, Bishop of Chester, wherein, after reciting that he has examined the decrees and muniments that William, formerly Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, and other officials of the archdeaconry of Chester in times past sealed with their seals, and confirmed by their authority, he commands, under pain of interdiction and suppression, both the parishioners of Prestwich and the inhabitants of the chapelry of Oldham, to furnish bread on holidays to be distributed to divers parishioners, and bread, wine, and lights about the alter of the parochial church of Prestwich, and other necessaries to the said parochial church appertaining to the church and the chapel.

Shortly after the erection of Shaw chapel (which was prior to 1610), the inhabitants of Crompton laid claim to exemption from all dependence upon the church of Oldham, not acknowledging any subjection but to the parish church of Prestwich, and hence a dispute ensued betwixt them and the inhabitants of the rest of the parish of Oldham, and at some periods,

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