Grimsby 1859 Primitive Methodist chapel

The Primitive Methodist magazine for March 1859 contains an account from the Grimsby Independent newspaper of the  laying of the foundation stone for a new chapel on Wednesday January 12th 1859. The prayers at the ceremony were led by Rev W Lonsdale and the stone was laid by Rev H Campbell, the superintendent minister. Rev W Sanderson (Kirton) preached.

There was then “a sumptuous tea” for 500 people in the Mechanics Hall and a public meeting in the Primitive Methodist chapel. Speakers included Messrs Lonsdale, Cheeseman, Sharp, Sanderson, Giles, Talbot, Tudsbury, Shepherd (Primitives), Smart (Baptist) and Coulson (Wesleyan).

Rev Hugh Campbell followed this account up with a description of the opening itself in the October magazine. Rev Campbell says the society purchased an Independent chapel in 1827 but they needed more space as the society grew so they built a new chapel seating 1,000, two schoolrooms for 500-600 scholars, and four vestries. Services and tea meetings to celebrate the opening took place over a fortnight – -although uncharacteristically they did not name the preachers involved.

The chapel cost £2,500 and they were optimistic about raising the mandatory third of it.

Reference

Primitive Methodist magazine March 1859 page 172-3

Primitive Methodist magazine October 1859 page 627-628