Hartoft Primitive Methodist chapel

Hartoft, PICKERING, YO18 8RR

Hartoft Primitive Methodist chapel
Keith Guyler 1992

Hartoft Primitive Methodist chapel dates from 1865.

This is another of those small chapels that is miles from anywhere.  It accommodates 40, although you wonder where the congregation would come from.  Nowadays there is only the occasional farm providing employment, but even when the chapel was built in 1865, it was not much more densely populated.  It had a population of 168 in 1848, and the 1914 ordnance survey shows roughly the same twenty houses as today. The valley did once support a public elementary school (established in 1876), as well as the chapel. It is testament to the faith of those who built it and the importance to them of having somewhere to share their belief.

Despite its remote location, in 2015 it is still listed on the plan with occasional services.  The school is now closed.

Update 2022:

On 13th October 2022, Susan Goodwill, the Ryedale Methodist Circuit Archivist, reported that “I attended the last service before closure at Hartoft Chapel last night. It was well supported by members of the local community and circuit. I guess there would be about thirty of us there. They had their Harvest Festival on Sunday. Last night the service was led by our Superintendent Rev Peter Sheasby followed by an auction of produce, in aid of Farmers Community Network. We then had a super fellowship whilst enjoying the harvest supper. “

Location: SE 7533 9547

Comments about this page

  • News of the closure of the chapel has been added to the page

    By Christopher Hill (13/10/2022)

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