Harraton Primitive Methodist chapel

Paul Watson has tracked down a Primitive Methodist chapel on Vigo Lane in Rickleton. The chapel  can be seen on Ordnance Survey maps, but which building the name relates to is not entirely clear on any of the maps.  The 1895 map does show it to the north of Vigo Lane, but the 1915 and 1939 maps suggest it might be where the medical centre is in 2022.

In an article in the 1923 Christian Messenger about the Chester le Street Circuit, we learn:

“At Harraton we have never been able to boast many members, but the fact that since 1836 we have been able to report a cause at all speaks volumes for the loyalty of the men who have kept the door of the sanctuary open. The Rev. Ralph Shields was sent into the ministry from this society. The jubilee of the present building is to be celebrated in the month of September. We pray that Geo. Hepple, who has given such valuable service, may be spared to join the jubilee thanksgiving. He is in his eighty-fourth year, and until recently was rarely absent from the Sunday school. The missionary cause is well supported at Harraton, the Sunday school and family boxes contributing year by year a substantial amount averaging over fifteen shillings per member.”

A post on Hebburn High Lane Row chapel tells us that Harraton was first shown on preaching plans as Nova Scotia – many of the miners at the colliery were from Scotland.

Reference

Christian Messenger 1923/236