Preston Saul Street Primitive Methodist chapel

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Preston Saul Street Primitive Methodist chapel

In the Primitive Methodist magazine of 1837, GW Armitage tells us that a new chapel had been opened at Preston.

Opening services started on 18th June 1837 and the preachers included Mr W Clough, Mr J Britain and, on the 25th June,  Mr J Verity.

The new chapel which measured 43’6″ (w) x 51′(l) x 30′(h) could accommodate 400 persons and was big enough for a gallery if necessary.

Sue Latimer identifies the chapel as Saul Street and has provided a link to to the opinionated and often entertaining description of it by Anthony Hewitson, one of a series he wrote in the Preston Chronicle in 1869  on chapels, ministers and congregations in Preston.  Few chapel descriptions make me giggle; this one did.  You can see it here.

How about this description of the singing in the chapel:

“The singing is thoroughly congregational – permeates the whole place, is shot out in a quick, cheerful strain, is always strong and merry, is periodically excellent, is often jolly and funny, has sometimes a sort of chorus to it, and altogether is a strong, virtuously-jocund, free and easy piece of ecstacy which the people enjoy much. It would stagger a man fond of “linked sweetness long drawn out,” it might superinduce a mortal ague in one too enamoured of Handel and Mozart; but to those who regularly attend the place, who have got fairly upon the lines of Primitive action, it is a simple process of pious refreshment and exhilaration.”

Sue reports that the school is still there, converted and extended as the Masonic Hall.  It would be good to add a picture.

Reference

Primitive Methodist magazine 1837 / 453

Churches and Chapels, Their Parsons, Priests, & Congregations, Being a critical and historical account of every place of worship in Preston by A Hewitson;  Preston Chronicle, Fishergate, Preston 1869 accessed online on February 20th 2023 at: https://mouldingfamilyhistory.com/ebooks/churches-chapels-preston-saul-st-primitive-methodist