Blythburgh Primitive Methodist chapel
Dunwich Road Blythburgh HALESWORTH IP19 9LT
Keith Guyler 1986
Blythburgh is west of Southwold. Its population peaked in 1851 at 1,118 and Blythburgh Primitive Methodist chapel was opened in 1860.
By the time of Keith Guyler’s photograph in 1986 the chapel had closed and was derelict. On Google Street View in 2011 it is still disused, although a bit of work has been done – the guttering has been repaired.
location: 45375
Comments about this page
John,
Most of those attending the chapel would have been buried in the local churchyard. Primitive Methodist Chapels typically only started their own graveyards if relations broke down between the chapel and local vicar. A bone of contention was often that the vicar or curate had to carry out the graveside service and might not welcome attendance or participation of the PM minister.
If there is no graveyard at the chapel, there will be no death records as such associated with the chapel, although there may be mention in the minutes of Trustee meetings if an official of the chapel died.
Records of baptisms and marriages should be held by Suffolk County Archives. If not held in the name of the church they may be found under the PM Methodist Circuit. Regrettably the records did not always survive.
Where were people buried that attended this chapel. Also where are the records held of the births, marriages and deaths of people who attended this chapel?
Tom Webster of Preservation in Action & Suffolk Reclamation owns the chapel in Blythburgh.
Here on this site we don’t know who the owners are Alexandra, but as Suffolk Archives have material up to 1975, any sales since then would have been recorded by the Land Registry. For a fee, they will be able to give you detail of the current owners.
Other options include:
i) the chapel would have been in the Lowestoft and East Suffolk circuit and you could contact the Superintendent Minister through https://eangliamethodist.org.uk/lowestoft-and-east-suffolk
ii) talk to local people – in a village they will know everything, sometimes accurately
iii) write to the local paper
We wish you well with your search!
I would be interested in who owns Blythburgh Methodist church. It seems a shame to see it sat derelict and I would like to restore it to its former glory. I am not a property developer.
Alex
At the Record Office, Ipswich, Suffolk:
Ref. FK1/11, years 1884 to 1975, Accounts, Collection Journal & Teachers Minutes.
Kind regards,
Ray.
http://www.ipernity.com/home/510485
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