Southport Church Street Primitive Methodist Church
'The Jam Chapel'
Said to have been built by Sir William Hartley, it was known locally as ‘the Jam Chapel’, because of its links with the jam manufacturer and his family. He actually paid for half the cost of the building, having issued a challenge to the members that he would match their giving pound for pound. However, he also paid for the increased costs which were incurred when he insisted that oak should be used throughout instead of the usual pine.
Church Street Chapel later became known as St Mark’s Methodist Church, but sadly had to close shortly before reaching its centenary. In 2005 it became St Mark’s Medical Centre and Pharmacy. As a Grade II listed building, the exterior still stands proudly on the corner of Church Street and Derby Street.
Glorious stained glass windows
Very unusually for a Primitive Methodist Chapel it contains three stained glass windows, in memory of Sir William Hartley, his wife and daughter Christiana, who became mayor of Southport. Their funeral services were all held in this Church.
Derby Road PM Sunday Schools
The Sunday School building next door, known as ‘Derby Road PM Sunday Schools’ was built in 1890, at a cost of £3,000, of which William Hartley donated £1,000. Like the Chapel, it was an imposing building, faced with Accrington bricks and Yorkshire stone dressing. It was said that 500 adults could be accommodated in one Hall alone, and between 400-500 in the Lecture Hall.
This building is now known as Church House, and used as a further education college.
Photos taken January 2013
OS Map ref:108:SD342172
Comments about this page
The 1905 October Primitive Methodist magazine (page 832-833) reports that the scheme started with the construction of the Derby Road School buildings was to be completed by the construction of the Gothic style church. It would cost at least £8,750
WP Hartley, of jam fame, who worshipped in the society was very engaged with the fund-raising and Mrs Harley was to lay the foundation stone. Mr Hall donated £500.
This is “the jam chapel” John – It’s the same Hartley as the jam manufacturers. Read about him here.
Can anyone tell me if W. P Hartley is connected to
WP Hartley who built Hartley village in Walton Liverpool. The jam preserve factory.
I have an ornamental mallet that was presented to my great grandfather Peter Pownall which is inscribed
Derby Road PM Sunday Schools, Southport. Presented to Mr P Pownall October 8th 1890
I always assumed it was something to do with the opening ceremony which ties in with the 1890 date given in the article but I have no information about him or why he was presented with it.
Any further information would be very welcome.
This page was modified on 31 December 2018 to add a transcription of an article about the church published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine 1907.
This was our family church when we were growing up in the 70s and 80s. Myself and my wife were happily married here in 1994.
Very fond memories of my late Mum and Dad, Jenny and Bob Ashurst, and all their friends from that time.
I was baptised here in 1953.
Would love to hear from you.We are on Facebook.Sandra Pinch Norwich Norfolk
My cousin found this page and it is lovely to see the church. I knew an Ernest Pinch and I was also in the church choir. My maiden name was Ogden. I went to Sunday school there, brownies and later was a Sunday school teacher to the little ones. Happy days.
It’s all coming back to me, my cousin is married to Christine Pinch and I was in the choir with her, Duncan Taylor is her husband! goodness what a small world
I was married at this church in 1965, also I was a Rose Queen one year. I attended brownies here and was a Sunday school teacher here. I read your comment Sandra Pinch.
We live next to an old chapel in Lyng,Norfolk.There is an excellent book about the East Dereham Methodist Circuit and telling the history of same and Methodism in Norfolk .I am sure it would be of interest to you.It is by Cyril Jolley.I am sure you will be able to get it through the library service.
This is the church I was married in (1966). Rev. Jones officiated. My husband’s family were members. Mum, Dad and Aunty were in the choir.
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