Cross o' th' Hands Primitive Methodist Chapel Derbyshire
This chapel, seating 90, was opened in 1909 and is still open for worship in 2014
Keith Guyler 1987
Keith Guyler 2002
Its unusual lovely name is an indication of its situation on one arm of a cross roads.
Photos taken October 2013
OS Map ref:119:SK283464
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The chapel was closed in July 2021 when all the members of the Methodist congregation left Methodism over the Conference adopting the ‘God in Love Unites us’ report.
The chapel was sold, bought back by a neighbour and reopened for weekly worship in January 2022 as an independent evangelical chapel.
The original listing refers to the name of the settlement arising from its position near a cross roads. Wikipedia gives the origin as the locals also understand it “named after its original public house , near a gravel pit used for staging bare-knuckle fist fights, itself named after the sport.”
The 1831 chapel was built by the Wesleyans and had at times a difficult history. So the Wesleyans gave up the services and made way for the Primitive Methodists, The old building was pulled down in 1909. A letter was written appealed for funds:
“The cause is situated in an isolated position and draws its congregation from Muggington, Hulland Ward and Mercaston Lane and Cross o’th’hands. The friends are mostly farmers, agricultural labourers, and by much self sacrifice, extending over a large number of years, have got together the sum of £190.”
The new Primitive Methodist chapel was opened on Wednesday 1st December 1909, with the first Sunday service on 5th December.
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