Knaresborough Primitive Methodist chapel 1901

Woodwards Carpet shop in High Street, Knaresborough trades in the former Knaresborough Primitive Methodist chapel.

This chapel succeeded the 1854 chapel in Briggate

The site was acquired in 1901 and a chapel built seating 350,  with a commodious schoolroom, and two dwelling-houses.  It cost £4,350.  In 1907 an organ was installed costing £390.

The 1901 Primitive Methodist magazine tells us that the Middlesbrough Circuit  needed four new chapels, but was held back by debt on the old ones.  One was at Knaresborough, led by Rev WA Thoseby. The Circuit was “poor beyond anything we know of”, but help came from Harrogate friends, Mr Hartley and Rev  William Thoseby’s million penny scheme.

The October 1905 magazine tells us that the chapel had been built with Rev Thoseby’s enthusiasm and the help of friends form Harrogate.. Rev Thoseby died during the work and his place was taken by superannuated minister Rev Luke Stafford, with “statesmanship and energetic devotion”

Reference

Primitive Methodist magazine December 1901 page 953

Primitive Methodist magazine October 1905 page 833-834