Stotfold Primitive Methodist Chapel, Bedfordshire

In Stotfold, a Primitive Methodist chapel and premises was registered for worship by John Guy (1811-1887) between 12th September and 7th October 1848. The trustees of the chapel and premise were Thomas Marriot and George Howard.

Although Stotfold is in Bedfordshire it is close to the Hertfordshire border with the town of Baldock just 3 miles away. In his article about Baldock PM Chapel, David Noble records that PM arrived in Baldock in 1844 with John Guy taking a leading part in missioning the town and area. Stotfold was one of the places in which missionary services took place on the week commencing 5 April 1846.

The Ecclesiastical Census of 1851 includes a return for Stotfold PM made by William Whitfield, Minister, 9 Benson Row, Biggleswade. The return states that the chapel was founded in 1847. There were 60 Free sittings and 50 Other sittings. Attendances at worship on Census day were 100 in the afternoon and 110 in the evening.

A further registration of the PM chapel was made by James Young of Sun Street, Biggleswade on 29 November 1860.

British History online and the National Archives Catalogue state that a new chapel was built in 1869. A Sunday School building opened in 1909 and the chapel restored in 1912.

In 1929 fundraising took place to enable further renovation of Stotfold PM chapel. These included a Fete held in the grounds of Stotfold House. However, the Beds and Herts Pictorial noted that the weather was ‘unkind’.

After Methodist Union, Stotfold PM became Brook Street Methodist Church, Stotfold. The chapel closed for worship in May 1973.

Sources & References
Bedfordshire Chapels and Meeting Houses: Official Registration 1672-1901 Volume 75 Bedfordshire Historical Record Society – Edited by Edwin Welch
The Ecclesiastical Census, Bedfordshire, March 1851 Volume 54 Bedfordshire Historical Record Society – Edited by DW Bushby
My Primitive Methodists website – Baldock Primitive Methodist Chapel – David Noble
British History online – Victoria County History – Stotfold
Beds and Herts Pictorial – 11 June 1929
National Archives Catalogue