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The Primitive Methodist magazine of May 1893 (page 316) records the laying of the memorial stones for a new Primitive Methodist chapel at Cleator Moor. It says it was to replace the previous building which had become unsafe – and was as unsuitable as unsafe.
The 1898 Ordnance Survey map shows the chapel on the western side of Ennerdale Road, just east of the new terrace on Todholes Road. I’ve added the map to this page.
Google Street View in 2009 shows the chapel still in existence although derelict. Satellite View in 2021 shows that it has been replaced by a large building parallel to the main road.
I have just come into possession of a copy of “The History of the Primitive Methodist Connexion from its origin to the conference of 1880” by John Petty, it contains an inscription in the front saying that it was presented to William Poulson esq J. P. on the occasion of his laying of a memorial stone of the Primitive Methodist chapel, Willaston on the 17th of September 1889. Thus suggesting that the chapel was built at this time.
Howard Richter comments:-
If you go here you can see that the left-hand (western) part of the building in the Newcastle Archives picture has been replaced, recently to judge from appearances, by housing.
You can also see what is only hinted at in your picture, namely that a single-storey church, St. Paul, has been put up in the forecourt (about 50 years ago, I believe).
What you can also see in Streetview is the datestone in the gable over the door of the older chapel – ‘1875’. This is the gable under the word ‘Chapel’ in the picture
The 1851 chapel, no longer standing, was a little way to the east, seen here on the OS 25″ at approximately NZ 3988 4692. The map may have been printed in 1885, but the surveying was done in the late 1850s.
Thanks Jeff. I’ve added the location map to show where Prospect Buildings was.
I’ve added two more recent pictures of the chapel and its stone date tablet
Bruce Crofts in his History of Bath Methodism “At Satan’s Throne”, locates this chapel in Prospect Buildings, to the south of , and behind High Street. It seems that by 1882 activities had ceased as “disposal of the things from Twerton was proceeding” The Chapel was converted to cottages and some years later demolished.
In answer to the question ‘Do such churches still continue today?’ Yes, Redbourne Street in Hull, Patrington and Driffield still meet. Holmpton closed down some years ago, but I believe some money from the sale of the building is still available for the use of the remaining churches.
June 2021: I now understand that the chapel has been obtained by Lowton Community Church who intend to relocate their ministry to Lowton Road Chapel later this year
I have worshipped in this welcoming church several times when visiting York. The building is also used by the Ark Church. The Methodists did a splendid internal downsizing and refurbishment about 20 years ago but sadly closed on 30th May 2021. I understand that Ark continue to meet in the building for the time being.
The Primitive Methodist magazine of December 1850 (page 749-751) tells us that the chapel had re-opened after being thoroughly cleaned and painted. The report, by Oliver Jackson, tells in great detail the financial difficulties the chapel had face in the previous two years and how, with prayer, they had been overcome. Mortgagtes had to be repaid; loans were promised but not delivered; trustees refused to accept responsibility for new loans and much more.
The Primitive Methodist magazine of December 1850 (page 749) contains a report by John Eastwood of the reopening of Leigh Primitive Methodist chapel after being beautified, repaired, fitted up with gas and a wall being built at the end of the chapel yard. It re-opened on October 20th 1850 when the preacher was Brother Herod of Warrington.
I’ve added information of the previous chapel opening in 1850.
I remember attending the Cygnets at Swan Street with my brother Austin Harland. Our father was Arthur Harland who ran the Boys’ Brigade there for many years and was mainly associated with Knightthorpe Methodist Church. I remember the”Green Room” at the back of the Hall.
Sadly both Austin and my father have passed away.
My aunt was Anna Maria Best. Her sister was my great great grandmother. In the obituary it alludes to difficulties in his home. What was the nature of these difficulties?
My grandmother went to this church and received a bible as a reward for regular attendance. I dont know the date but she was born in 1891 so it was probably 1900ish.
Has anyone recorded the names on the bricks? I will love to know if there is a Watson.
Thank you for the correction John. I have amended the wording of the page which originally said the chapel was used by the Freemasons after it closed.
The following report appeared in the ‘Norfolk News’ on Saturday 16 August 1851, page 3. A PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL was opened for divine worship at Kelsale, near Wangford, on Friday last, when sermons were preached by Mr. E. Houchen and Mr. W. Crown. On the following Sabbath the services in connection with the opening were continued by Messrs. Houchen, Larner and Mackill. The congregations were overflowing and the liberality of the friends was decisively evinced. A tea meeting was also held on Friday, when 180 adults sat down to the social repast. The collections, including the profits of the tea, amounted to the noble sum of £10 3s. 2 1/4d.
I think that there has been some confusion in this article. A baptist chapel off The Quay at Wellington Street was turned into the Masonic Hall. The chapel in East St. has, not to my knowledge, ever been used by the Freemasons. The Chapel in East St was closed in 1942 when the congregation moved to the Free Church. The building was then bought by my great-grandfather Edward Kiddle. He used the chapel as part of his furniture business Robert Kiddle & Sons, Bridge St, and he used it as a furniture store. The chapel was converted into offices in 1987 by my father Robin Kiddle. The chapel was built in 1895 on the site of what was a bowling green in 1728.
Chapel was officially opened in 1939, last service was in 1992, it then went to auction and was purchased by Alfred Groves builders to convert to dwelling. My wife Deborah and i moved in in May 1994 and are still living there.
It would be good to add a picture of the stone.
Thanks Jeff. Can anyone provide a picture please?
Taken from “A spreading flame” 200 years of Methodist Building in Paulton 1776-1976.
“The Primitive Methodist movement had spread to Paulton in the early stages of the 19th century and the first meetings were held in the cottage homes of James and John Carter at Newtown. In 1819 these cottgaes were reconstructed to form the first Primitive Methodist chapel in Paulton ,at the end of Butchers Lane.” “The growth of the Primitive Methodist cause made it necessary in 1866 to enlarge the little chapel in Newtown and this took up most of the land available. ” “The Primitive Methodist cause also continued to prosper, and in the 1880s it again became necessary to have a larger chapel. There was no room to enlarge the existing one at Newtown, and the trustees therefore obtained a new site on the opposite side of the road at the bottom of Tennis Court Road. Here a fine new Chapel, 38 feet long and 23 feet wide, with a vestry at the end, was erected and opened in 1889.” “In 1909 a new schoolroom was added, the stone for it being quarried by members of the congregation” Following the closure of Newtown the property has since been converted to residential accommodation.
There is a stone in a lay-by on the west bound A66.
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