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A more recent account of Primitive Methodism in Croydon may be found in the article: Jeremy N. Morris, “The Origins and Growth of Primitive Methodism in East Surrey,” Proceedings of the Wesley Historical Society 48.5 (May 1992): 133-149. Available at https://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/48-5.pdf
David’s comment is interesting as it illustrates the whole question of naming chapels. The chapel in Croydon was known as “Laud Street”, but evidence from OS maps shows that it was built on the corner of Laud Street and Wandle Road, and the picture from The Christian Messenger of 1867 shows that the entrance was actually on Wandle Road. In the same year, the Registrar General published a list of all chapels registered for public worship, and one of the two Primitive Methodist chapels in Croydon was registered as being in Wandle Road (the other was in Cherry Orchard Road). David’s great, great grandparents’ certificate should, therefore, read “Primitive Methodist Wandle Road, Croydon in the County of Surrey”. The building still exists, as 51 Wandle Road, Croydon, but is no longer a Methodist Church.
We’ve had a request for help from Margaret Rist: “I am trying to find a photograph of the Rehoboth Chapel that was in Outwood, Wakefield and wonder if you might be able to help me? One of my aunts [Nora Isaac]was christened there in March 1911 and the family presumed that other siblings were christened there too [including my father] as they lived in the area for many years. My research is on my paternal family and I would like to add photos etc of significant events in their lives.”
I was baptised here in May 1955. The site is now Ramsden’s furniture store. I have no idea why this was the chosen place other than my paternal grandparents lived in Weelsby Street
The above ‘opening’ was in fact after a rebuilding. The original Chapel on the same site was built in 1840 at a cost of £80. This is confirmed by the R C return in 1851 when attendances of 22 am and 38 pm were reported.
The rebuilt ,1838 Chapel was used as a British School until 1901 and was not sold until 1949. The Primitive Methodists had a School in about 1851 but it had closed by 1857 Because of the rebuilding of the 1838 Chapel only a small part of the surviving building formed part of the original Chapel. The 1878 Chapel closed in 2019
Thanks for the correction and picture Martin. Duly amended.
There’s information about the preceding chapel in Bridge Street here. The Queen Street chapel was located on the east side, just north of the junction with Broadway.
This chapel actually closed in 2007.
David, You may be interested to read this history of the Croydon Circuit. Rev. Dennis Kendall was in Croydon from 1873. However I have not been able to identify a chapel at Chandler or Handler Road.
I have a wedding certificate from March 18th, 1875 for my great, great grandparents and it seems to show “Primitive Methodist Handler Road, Croydon in the County of Surrey.” The minister officiating was Dennis Kendall.
Do you know if I have the right place, if it is Handler or perhaps Chandler Road, and then, is it still standing?
A nearby room was hired at £5 4s 0d per annum prior to the land being purchased for £24. The chapel was sold in 1998
The land was originally purchased for £8. The chapel was sold in 1999
The cause was ‘amalgamated’ with the Chapel Road Society (originally Wesleyan) following a Special Meeting of the Trustees April 1943
Unfortunately the photograph is not of Lexden Methodist chapel and much of the information is wrong. Attached should be a 2019 photo clearly showing the chapel still open. The chapel did indeed open in 1859. The land two cottages and the building cost £366 10s 9d
The land was purchased for £35 The Chapel closed in 2017/18
The original purchase price for the land was £6. Membership was 21 at the opening The chapel was sold in 1999.
A Mary Flint, aged 23, was living at Sunny Bank, Cladock, Herefordshire on Census day 6th June 1841. According to the 1826 plan of the Cwm Circuit on the My Primitive Methodists site, Cladock was a chapel in that Circuit. She was not born in the County (Herefordshire) A Mary Flint was married in the first quarter of 1845 in Wem Registration District. As Wem was in the Prees Circuit, this may be our woman. Further investigation suggests she married John Lewis (b abt1810). In the 1851 Census for Wem, a John Lewis (41) is an innkeeper, and married to Mary Lewis (30). There is no further trace of this couple. I have not been able to find them in later census records.
I love your Primitive Methodist pages, I just wish I could get a book with all the research that you have done, a nice big coffee table book of photos of the chapels. Thanks
Hi Mr van der Weijden, I have received your message, but have no other way of contacting you. I would be very happy to supply you with photos originating with my grandfather, E.W.Smith, but I have to tell you that the great majority of his photos are now held by SOAS in London, and are available to researchers. I feel sure that these are expertly catalogued and more easily accessible than mine and therefore more suitable for your needs. BUT if you feel I can help in any way, please let me know. I am certain that my grandfather (who was more of a father to me, following the death of my own father in October 1945) would be delighted to hear of your plans and wish me to assist in any possible way. My email is “r.h0wardjones@runbox.com” so please don’t hesitate to contact me as necessary. Best regards, Richard.
This was Bridge Street Chapel not Queen Street (qv). Here is some information about Bridge Street Bridge Street Chapel was occupied by the Primitive Methodists from 1859 until 1882 when their Queen street Chapel opened. Sources Walker, J. Wesley, A History of Maidenhead. p138
Wow I’m delighted to read this. Just searching for family tree info and stumbled upon this. Im pretty certain that Mr Moses M Waterhouse is my maternal gt grandfather who until now I knew nothing about. And to see a photo and learn more is amazing. Thank you so much for this incredible article
Hi Mr Howard_Jones I am writing a book on Ila History, the area where your grandfather worked. With the book I hope to support the initiative to found a Ila Museum and Cultural Centre. The Methodist Missonaries played a very important role amongst the Ila people and your grandfather was probably the most prominent missionary. I am very interested in the pictures you mentioned and would like to add a few of them in this book.
Thanks for the correction Martin which is supported by the 1841 Statistical Return. Given the size of Mr Guyler’s collection of chapel pictures, it’s remarkable that there were so few errors. . We’ll transfer the picture to the My Wesleyan Methodists site. The Boxted Methodist Silver Band is a remarkable survival. It may not be the only one; I do know that Ramsbury Silver Band, formerly Ramsbury Primitive Methodist Silver Band is still going, but has simplified its name to Ramsbury Silver Band. It used to come and play at Camp Meetings in Lower Stratton when I was a lad!
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