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How the church started

The church began in Walk Mill, Cliviger, in 1878 - the first meeting being on July 7. Under the leadership of Robert Marshall they held meetings in a weaving shed and then hired a room from the Cliviger Cotton Shed Co Ltd for £15 a year. The group joined the United Free Gospel Church and became the Independent Methodist Chapel, Walk Mill, in the Colne circuit of the Independent Methodist Connexion of churches.

The Sunday School had about 120 youngsters and a day school was also begun on July 22, 1878. A single room was packed with 160 children each day.

The headmaster was Mr Thomas Butcher who had previously been at Mereclough School. He was paid £25 a year and had other teachers and helpers to control the large class.

With financial help from the United Free Gospellers a chapel was built in Burnley Road on land alongside the entrance to the Railway Drift Mine. The school-chapel was opened in 1880 - the building is still in use after a number of alterations.

Today Mount Zion, Cliviger, is one of about 90 churches in the Independent Methodist Connexion. The Connexion is now in partnership with the Baptist Union of Great Britain - giving a link to encourage churches in both denominations and providing extra support for Connexion churches.

The church is also a member of the Evangelical Alliance - a national body seeking to promote unity and understanding between evangelical churches in the UK.