Blakeney Primitive Methodist chapel

In the 1850 Primitive Methodist magazine, William Peacefull tells us of the opening of Blakeney Primitive Methodist chapel in the Briston circuit.

The new chapel measured 33′ x 20′ x 16′, was well ventilated and had a boarded floor. accommodated around 150 people and cost nearly £140. They hoped to raise around a third of this, through  a tea meeting, bazaars and other means.

The chapel opened from August 18th. Opening preachers included Thomas Lowe (Rockland), Miss S Woodgett (Sharringtom), Mackell (Docking) and Mr Rose (Fakenham).

There was special mention for Mr Edmunds, who supervised the erection of the building in the absence of trustees and minister.  There must be a story there!

The 1887 Ordnance Survey map shows a Primitive Methodist chapel towards the northern end of the High Street, on the eastern side and set back from the road amongst a cluster of buildings. Is that the 1850 chapel? It is still labelled on the 1907 map, but by 1977 there is no label and it is hard to determine whether it is still there.  As it is set back from the road, Street View does not view the site.

When I first wrote the page, I asked, does the building still exist?  Thanks to Judith Rogers for the following and the photographs:

Judith Rogers has sent in the following (May 2022)

I was on holiday in Blakeney, North Norfolk in May 2022 with my family and was curious to see if we could locate the old PM Chapel described on your PM website, on the eastern side of High Street. We were staying on the western side of High Street in a flat above the Blakeney Delicatessen shop.

On close inspection of an 1887 Ordnance Survey map and current on-line maps of the village, the shop appears to be directly opposite the alley way, or ‘loke’, within which the chapel stood.

My husband Nick Rogers took the enclosed photos of a building now called Hideaway Cottage, the location of which corresponds to the position of the chapel on the map. The cottage’s nameplate is placed over what could possibly have been the position of a chapel inscription stone.

So, although I have no absolute proof, this could indeed have once been the PM Chapel.

Kind Regards,

Judith Rogers

Reference

Primitive Methodist magazine October 1850 page 626-627