Heptonstall Chapel, was constructed in 1764, one of several octagonal chapels built in the 18th Century. Others were built in Norwich (1757), Rotherham (1761), Whitby (1762), Yarm and Aberdeen (1764), Chester and Edinburgh (1765), Nottingham, Thirsk and Bradford (1766), Gwennap (1770), Arbroath (1772) and Taunton (1776).
It has been suggested that eight is an ecclesiastical symbol of regeneration and some have argued that an octagonal building has no corners where the devil is able to hide.
The real reason an octagon was favoured, is probably that the shape set it apart from a church; early Methodists would have taken Holy Communion in an Anglican Parish Church, but their faith was supplemented by Methodist preaching which took place elsewhere, often in people's homes, out doors, but also in designated, purpose built meeting houses.
John Wesley was an ordained Anglican priest. It was not until 1784 that he first ordained a Methodist presbyter. In 1795, four years after his death, Methodists made a complete break with the Church of England.