It lies on the west side of the River Medlock opposite the village of Lees.

Until 1807, Greenacres had been open moorland, but the area was urbanised with cotton mills and densely packed redbrick terraced houses as part of Oldham's rapid industrialisation in the 19th century.

[1] The main road from Oldham to Huddersfield passes through the locality, which also facilitated this urbanisation.

[1][2] Greenacres Congregational Church has a history which spans virtually the whole period of non-conformity in the United Kingdom.

In the 1780s, as the cause flourished, it became evident that those premises were inadequate and a decision was made to erect a larger and better Chapel suited to the requirements of the congregation and the surrounding community.