Devoted stalwart of church dies aged 85

Alan Scholes with his wife Rosemary

THE last minister of the renovated Grade II-listed George Street Chapel has died aged 85.

Devoted family man Alan Scholes was described by his wife of 31 years, Rosemary (71) as her soulmate.

She added: "He was a rare jewel. Alan was quite a private man and yet he was involved in so many things in Oldham.

"Around 15 months ago I went to his study and noticed a glass plaque on his bookcase for 75 years' service to the Oldham and District Boys Brigade.

"He hadn't even told me - he went about everything in such a humble way."

She added: "He absolutely doted on both his children and grandchildren."

Oldham born and bred, Alan had been involved in the Boys' Brigade since joining as a seven-year-old and worked his way up to become treasurer and chaplain.

In addition to his services to the young people of Oldham, Alan was a dedicated churchgoer and took up four posts in different churches.

He retired in 2007 after 10 years as a minister of Ashton Road Congregational Church in Hathershaw. He was a member of the congregation for 14 years.

Along with his family, Alan attended George Street Independent Methodist Chapel as a boy. He was the last minister at the chapel.

WEDDING

He and Rosemary were also the last couple to be married there on December 13, 1986 before its 30-year closure while restoration works were carried out.

Rosemary, who was born in Kent and moved to Oldham later in life, said: "It was the first wedding there in 60 years and it was the last one while it remained a church.

"Alan had never been married before and when it was announced people were astounded. The news went around like wildfire."

The chapel - the first purpose-built independent Methodist chapel in the country - closed in 1990 due to a dwindling congregation but was given a new lease of life by Age UK Oldham.

Before Alan and Rosemary met, Alan developed a love of America and specifically San Francisco ,which he visited 20 times.

His commitments in Oldham included a seven-year position as hospital chaplain at the Royal Oldham Hospital between 1996 and 2003, when Rosemary took over the role.

In 2013 he began volunteering in this capacity at the hospital, only resigning two weeks ago when he became too ill to continue.

Alan had an operation for bowel cancer in July last year, but a secondary cancer of the liver had gone undetected. He died on Tuesday at Dr Kershaw's Hospice, leaving his wife, two step children and five grandchildren.