Melton is north east of Woodbridge. Melton Primitive Methodist chapel was established in 1860. W Ward describes the laying of the foundation stone in the Primitive Methodist magazine. Rev E Jones laid the stone; Revs. J.Rodgers (Wesleyan), H. Scullard, and A. Duffy (Independents) spoke. Too many people came, despite the rain, so they couldn’t fit in the old chapel.
The new chapel and schoolroom opened on September 26th 1860. Celebrations included two teas – one for grown ups and one for children. Preachers included Rev. R. Key, Rev. J. Raven (Independent), of Ipswich, Messrs. C. Goffee, P.Jones, D. Jones (Independent), G. Sargeant (Wesleyan), Mrs. H. Chipperfield, Rev. J. Hargreaves (Wesleyan), Atkinson, T.Goldsmith, A. Duffy, H. Chipper field, and W. Ward.
The new chapel cost £400 of which they had raised half and measured 33′ x 30′.
It is not clear when the building changed from Methodist use; Keith Guyler in 1988 describes it as Independent. It is still there and open on Google Street View in 2011 but it does not appear to have an active website in 2015.
There is a very interesting picture of what appears to be this chapel in the Getty images library. Entitled “Removal of a chapel at Melton near Woodbridge, Suffolk” it shows a gathering complete with workmen at the side of the chapel, but what are they doing? Were they moving out or in? The house in the background retains its side windows and three chimneys.
Location: 283505
Reference
Primitive Methodist magazine August 1860 p.504
Primitive Methodist magazine December 1860 pages 739-740
Comments about this page
No room in the old Chapel?.
The National Archives :
ref. folio 60. – HO 129/223/60. Ecclesiastical Census Returns 1851. Suffolk, Woodbridge. Place of Worship: Ranters Chapel Hired Room, Melton, Parish or place Melton, date erected, consecrated or licenced before 1840. Religious.
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O.S. Map, Suffolk LXVll.SE., scale six-inch, surveyed 1881, published 1887. Methodist Chapel (Primitive), – Melton :
https://maps.nls.uk/view/101578163
Other O.S. Maps to include Melton.
Kind regards, Ray & Marie.
Some mention is made as to when the chapel ceased to be used as a place of worship. I cannot answer that, but, sometime in the last five years, Melton Podiatry moved into the premises where they offer chiropody, podiatry and other services.
I have added a more detailed account of the chapel relocation, provided by Norma Virgoe, as an attachment to this page .
That’s brilliant; just wish I had been there!
They are actually moving the chapel in the photo. Apparently the gentleman in the adjoining house took the chapel members to court as he considered the building a nuisance as it was too near his house. The jury found in his favour and the chapel was cut away from its foundations and moved 15 feet away to new foundations. The spectators paid a fee to watch. The minister sat in his pulpit with a glass of water throughout the whole move and not a drop was spilled. Source – “Melton – a changing village” by Robert Blake
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