Holywell Cross Primitive Methodist chapel in the centre of Chesterfield dates from 1881 although the date 1903 is over the door. Derbyshire Record Office holds relevant registers going back to 1840. The foundation stones were laid in 1881 for a building that would incorporate chapel, Sunday school and classrooms. It would cost £4,000
The chapel was big, accommodating 650 people. In 1897 they bought a house and shop for £678 in order to extend the Sunday school.
It closed around 1980 and at the time of Keith Guyler’s photograph in 1996 it was the YMCA and Sunflower Café. Since then it has become a night club/bar, being ironically called at one time called Sin.
O.S. reference: 385714
Reference
Primitive Methodist magazine 1882 page 61
Primitive Methodist magazine 1897 page 395
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Publicity in February 2023 detailed that the building closed as nightclub in 2018, and proposals were being submitted to convert into one and two bedroom properties.
It also stated that the building has a reputation for being one of the most haunted buildings in Chesterfield.
I took my first lessons there on the mighty 3 manual instrument built in Sheffield. On entering by the side door, as is customary for organists, I passed the tablet on the wall to the redoubtable evangelist, Jeremiah Gilbert.
I have never been able to establish whether my father was named Gilbert in his honour. With my mother at a mid week service I sat under the ministry of that gifted preacher Dr W E Sangster. Conference was in Sheffield.
The architect was John Wills
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