Upwell Primitive Methodist chapel

This page originally contained a picture of a former chapel in Town Street, Upwell PE14 9DF labelled by Keith Guyler, the photographer, as  Upwell Primitive Methodist chapel.  Thanks to the contributions in the comments at the foot of the page  it has now been identified as the former Wesleyan chapel, and transferred to the My Wesleyan Methodist website here.

The Primitive Methodist magazine of 1837 contains an account by James Garner of the opening of an earlier chapel at Upwell.  For several years the society occupied an old building but rain came through the thatched roof; eventually they purchased a freehold piece of land. The foundation stone was laid on Tuesday 28th July 1835 when the speakers were G W Lane & Mrs Moss, with opening services on Fri & Sun 27th & 29th May. Preachers then were Hugh Bourne, James Bourne, J Flesher and J Hallam.

Janet Gimber identifies this chapel as being on New Road and Martin Lazell confirms its location on historic Ordnance Survey maps. It carries its original date of 1836 and date of renovation in 2006.  It is in very good condition and in residential use.

location: 503028

Reference

Primitive Methodist magazine 1837 page 420

Comments about this page

  • In the light of the comments from Martin and Janet, I have re-written this page. Thanks for unscrambling the history. What we need now is a picture!
    I have transferred the information about the Wesleyan chapel originally on this page to the Wesleyan equivalent site.

    By Christopher Hill (27/08/2019)
  • There appears to be an earlier chapel to the one which Janet refers to (and which may be the earlier one referred to in the original article) on St. Peters Rd. between New Rd. and Pinfold Rd. and set back from the road. Its location can be seen on the 1887 and 1902 OS maps which can be found on the old maps website. The following link should take you to the 1887 map;
    https://www.old-maps.co.uk/#/Map/550479/302711/12/100930

    By Martin Lazell (26/08/2019)
  • Thanks for the correction Jane. Could you possibly send us a picture of the Prim chapel to enquiries@myprimitivemethodists.org.uk?

    By Christopher Hill (09/10/2018)
  • This photo would seem to be of the former Wesleyan Methodist church on Town Street, rather than the Primitive Methodist which was on New Road. The building is still there and is now residential. A plaque on the front of the New Road building confirms its PM history. Confirmation can also be found on the old-maps website.
    https://goo.gl/maps/fWgaoHm8vTE2

    By Janet Gimber (09/10/2018)

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