East Garston Primitive Methodist chapel
Front Street East Garston HUNGERFORD RG17 7HW
East Garston Primitive Methodist chapel was opened in 1860.
It cost £143 and measured 24′ x 19′. Opening services on September 30th 1860 were conducted by Rev. T. Cummin and Mr. G. Moon. Thomas Smith tells us in the Primitive Methodist magazine that few attended the celebration tea meeting on the following Monday afternoon as the weather was fine and it was harvest time.
It closed before 1980 and at the time of Keith Guyler’s photograph in 1990 was awaiting disposal.
It seated 50 worshippers.
The 1947 Ordnance Survey one inch map (sheet 158, Oxford and Newbury) shows two places of worship in the village – the parish church and a chapel on Back Street, just to the east of the junction with Humphrey’s Lane and on the opposite side of the road. I wondered whether this was the Primitive Methodist chapel but was unable to find it on Google Street View. However, thanks to Dave Knight’s comment below, the Primitive Methodist chapel is confirmed as being on the other side of the river on Front Street. Google Street View in September 2011 shows it in residential use as The Chapel. It retains its date tablet.
Reference
Primitive Methodist magazine January 1861 pages 45-46
Comments about this page
Recent photos taken by Graham Diprose have been added, which show it is now a lovely home, in contrast to the rather neglected view in 1990.
You can’t open a country chapel when it’s harvest time and the sun is shining. Read what happened here as recounted in the Primitive Methodist magazine.
Thanks for pointing out the actual location of the chapel Dave – you are the first to do so. I’ve amended the page to show it where it should be. Was the 1947 Ordnance Survey map incorrect or was there a third chapel in the village?
Regards, Chris Hill
Location referred to is way off target. The Primitive Methodist Chapel is actually sited on Front St approximately 200 yards to the east of The Burfords and on the river side of the street. This has probably been pointed out to you already.
Regards,
Dave Knight
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