Shevington Vale Primitive Methodist Chapel, Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge, Lancashire.

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Photograph taken in September 2022

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Photograph taken in September 2022

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Photograph taken in September 2022

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Photograph A

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Photograph B

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Photograph C

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Photograph D

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Photograph E

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Photograph F

In 1830 a local preacher Matthew Guill introduced the people of Shevington to Primitive Methodism and soon afterwards a ‘Society’ was set up there. They met in the ‘Old Mill House’. By 1859 the Society had grown in numbers and a Primitive Methodist Chapel was built in Appley Bridge.

It was not until 1905 that a Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was built in the same village. The two Chapels flourished side by side until the 1970s when they agreed to merge using the Primitive Methodist building for worship. It was known as the Shevington Vale Methodist Church. In 1980 its name changed to ‘The Vale’. A new Methodist Church had been built in the centre of Shevington, so the change of name avoided confusing the two Societies.

‘The Vale’ building is in Skull House Lane in Appley Bridge. It is stone built with two storeys. Originally it had seating for 180 in pews. There was also one school hall and two other rooms (statistical records 1940) Since 1859 the Chapel has had various improvements and extensions. In 2014 like most Methodist Churches it had improvements for disabled access.

In 2022 ‘The Vale’ is still open for worship.

The last six photographs are by kind permission of Mr Martin Ade-Hall, the Stewards and the Society of The Vale Methodist Church. Englesea Brook Primitive Methodist Museum acknowledges the kindness given by The Vale Church to allow it to use the six photographs on its web-page of Shevington Vale Primitve Methodist Chapel.

Photograph A –  an exterior view of the Chapel pre 1917.

Photograph B –  an interior view of the Chapel pre 1917.

Photograph C –  an interior view of the Chapel pre 1970.

Photograph D – an exterior view of the Chapel in 2009.

Photograph E –  a flyer advertising the opening of the ‘New Organ’  in 1923

Photograph F –  a flyer advertising ‘Tea and Entertainment’ on the 26th December 1892.

OS Map ref:108:SD528097