Grimsby Bethel Primitive Methodist chapel (1861)

Where was this chapel? What happened to it?

The opening in October 1861 of Bethel Primitive Methodist chapel in Grimsby is described by C Kendall on the first anniversary of the chapel’s opening.  His account is in the Primitive Methodist magazine – but as is usual with these accounts he gives no detail of where the chapel was.

Bethel, Grimsby Circuit.— October 19th and 20th we held the first anniversary of the Bethel chapel. The Rev. T. Whittaker and the Rev. R. Shepherd (Independent), were the preachers. On the Monday we had a social tea of a first-class character, and a well-attended meeting followed ; the tone of the meeting was high, being much adapted to give hope and encouragement to those who were present, and more than £33 were realized. As we did not send a line at the opening of the chapel, allow me to make a brief statement now.

The chapel will seat about 540, and has a spacious school-room and vestries. It cost about £1,400, one-third of which we have now about obtained, and we have yet a little more to come in. Since the opening the members have been more than doubled, the school has greatly improved, and an additional number of sittings has been asked for every successive quarter.

Many friends have helped us liberally. Mrs. T. Campbell gave us £10 at the foundation – stone laying, and Mr. C. has since given us £5 and presented us with a valuable clock for the chapel. W. Smethurst gave us £5, J. Smith £5, T. Coates, Esq., £20, and Mr. and Mrs. G. Lingard have helped us nobly. There are many more who have done well, and whose names we wish to record, but are aware your regulations will not admit of it. We present heartfelt thanks to all who have in any degree helped us in securing this valuable erection. We are filled with encouragement and pray that it may be made a blessing to thousands. C. Kendall.

In 1867 GW was telling us about the chapel re-opening – although he doesn’t tell us why it was closed.

The reopening services of this chapel took place on Sunday, December 16th, 1866. Sermons were preached by the Rev. J. Wilson and Miss R. Wilson to large and attentive congregations. On the 17th a public tea was held in the schoolroom, and all the provisions were given by the friends.

A public meeting followed, presided over by J. T. Robson,Esq., of Hull, who delivered an able and instructive address ; the Revs. J. G. Smith, J. Wilson, Messrs. A. Robinson, J. Carton, G. Siminson and H. Smethurst also took part. The Rev. G. Watson read the report, from which it appeared that the proceeds of collections, profits of tea, bazaar, donations, &c., amounted to £180; about£150 have been expended in an enlargement and in improvements, and the surplus will be devoted to the reduction of the debt. “

Reference

Primitive Methodist magazine March 1863 page 239

Primitive Methodist magazine 1867 page 119

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