Blagill Primitive Methodist chapel

The opening of Blagill Primitive Methodist chapel is described in the Primitive Methodist magazine by JAB

“Blagill, Alston Circuit. —At this village, which is situated about a mile .and a half from Alston, the Primitive Methodists have ministered for upwards of thirty-five years. During this period, the services were held in the dwelling house of Mr. Walton and his sons ; and the ministers were always welcome to the hospitalities of the family. For some years, a small Sabbath School was taught in an incommodious room of a dwelling house.

After several unsuccessful attempts to obtain a connexional chapel, the circuit authorities determined to have one without any further delay. A site, the lease of which has more than seven hundred years to run, was purchased, in the centre of the village ; and the foundation stone was laid by Mr. Bastow, on March 7th, 1862. The friends and neighbours kindly engaged to win all the stone, to burn the lime, and to do all the leading of materials gratis.

The chapel is thirty feet by twenty-one. The windows are Gothic-headed, as is also the window over the porch. The pews are elevated ; and the place will seat about one hundred and twenty persons. The entire cost of the chapel, including the value of the labour given, is £150. The opening services occurred on June 20—22, when we had excellent addresses and sermons from Revs. J. Harker (Independent), J. Brown (Wesleyan), and H. Phillips, of Westgate.

Towards the cost of the undertaking, we have obtained by donations, including £20 by John Grey, Esq., from the Commissioners of Greenwich Hospital ; a tea meeting, and the collections at the opening, £84 11s. ; the value of the stone, lime, and labour given, £30 9s., making a total of £115. It will thus be seen that we have only had to borrow £35, and this, at four per cent., actually costs our friends at Blagill less by several shillings per annum than the room in the cottage where the Sabbath School was taught. This is the only chapel in the Alston Circuit settled on the Connexion, according to our printed form of title deed. May this sanctuary be a blessing to the neighbourhood. J. A. B.”

Where was this chapel and what happened to it?

Reference

Primitive Methodist magazine November 1862 pages 700-701