Dudley Primitive Methodist chapel
Ford View, Dudley, Cramlington NE23 7QD
“Dudley, North Shields Circuit.
Having held our anniversary services in this place, and having paid off the last penny of our chapel debt, I write, as requested by our authorities, a concise account of our good work in connection with this chapel . We suffered for some time in this colliery for the want of chapel and school accommodation, but it was determined about two years ago to attempt to build suitable premises. Our people were thoroughly in earnest, and to a man set themselves to accomplish this enterprise, knowing that success could only be secured by a united and resolute effort.
An excellent freehold was purchased at a cost of £30. Mrs. Potter, wife of E. Potter, Esq., of Cramlington Hall, laid the foundation stone on November 26th, 1864. A silver trowel was presented her, with which to perform her duty, by Rev. C. C. McKechnie, on behalf of the trustees. After the stone was laid. Mr. McKechnie delivered an eloquent address. Tea was provided by the friends in the evening, and about 400 persons took tea. The meeting was an enthusiastic one, and was efficiently presided over by our well-tried friend, John Spence, Esq., of North Shields, and addresses were delivered by the circuit ministers.
The work went on successfully, and the opening was celebrated on Saturday and Sunday, April 29th and 30th, 1865. Another excellent tea was gratuitously provided by the friends, of which 500 persons partook. At the public meeting our brother, Mr. Spence, again ably occupied the chair. The speakers were the Revs. C. C. McKechnie, R. Fenwick, and R. Clemitson. The opening sermons were preached by Revs. R. Fenwick and C. C. McKechnie, and the services were characterised by great spiritual power.
Since its opening not a few souls have been born in it. During the winter about thirty men and women have been converted from the error of their ways, and now we have a strong, healthy, united, and intelligent society.
The chapel will accommodate about 250 persons. The end pews rise in a gallery. We have a neat and com fortable platform. The dimensions are 42 feet by 27 feet, and 15 feet from floor to ceiling ; the entire cost was £293. I have said that it is now debtless ; of course this achievement has been one of great labour to our people, most of whom are coal miners, and the rest working in some other way.
Where all have done so well, it is invidious to mention names, but we cannot forbear saying that Mr. Robert Grieves, the “overman,” has laboured indefatigably with his brethren in this chapel case, and his influence with the owners has been used to good purpose. I will give a synopsis of their fiscal success : Teas and a fruit banquet, £100 2s. 6d. ; collected by Messrs. Grieves, J. Bell, M. Jackson, J. Wright, G. Purdie, G. Bell, B. Creigh, J. Cherey, G. Hall, G. Wilson, J. Askew, and J. Ross, £97 17s. 8d.
The owners of Dudley colliery, including the donation of £5 by E. Potter, Esq., on the laying of the foundation stone, £45. Concerts by Seaton Delaval chapel choir, and Mr. Clinton, £4 13s. 8d. The collections massed £20 10s. Lectures by Revs. T. Smith, of Newcastle, C. C. McKechnie, and J. M. Dawson, of Blyth, £3 15s. From seats, £14. Sundry amounts, £6 17s.
The anniversary services were held on Saturday and Sunday, March 30th and 31st, when a tea meeting was held, and a public meeting after wards. At the meeting Mr. R. Grieves was chairman, and speeches of a deeply interesting character were delivered by Messrs. J. Bell, B. Creigh, H. Bell, T. Knox, and Rev. E. Hall. On Sunday the Rev. E. Hall discoursed in the forenoon on the glorious freedom which the knowledge of the truth brings. Mr. T. Nightingale, of Chirton, in the afternoon urged the apostolic example of glorying in the cross, and in the evening the Rev. E. Hall exhorted the congregation to prepare for the time to die. The congregations were large, the collections liberal, and what is best, many found it good to worship God in his house. E. Hall.”
On the 1897 Ordnance Survey map a chapel – but of unnamed denomination – is marked on Market Street. Was that it? The area has been redeveloped.
Reference
Primitive Methodist magazine 1867 pages 371 – 372
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I’ve added pictures of the former Dudley Primitive Methodist chapel, with its distinctive porch, supplied by John Walley. Thanks John.
Just following on from Stephen Olivers comment:
The chapel at Grieves Row / Ford View is on the OS map 1940 – 1950 and is marked as a Primitive Methodist Church.
Reading through Christopher Hill and Stephen Oliver’s comments I can see the chapel that Stephen mentions, in what is now Ford Street. 1865 Chapel 3
At 55.059360264696494, -1.592825218176849
The OS 25″ map 1841 – 1952 shows two other chapels.
Market Street – Chapel 2
55.056011263640215, -1.59417705151162
Methodist Chapel 1 – What is now car parking for a new development in Tantallon Court at
55.055367547405886, -1.5942213079590553
Photos pending
Correction: the chapel stands at the southern, not the northern end of Grieves Row , accessed from the back road (Ford View).
The chapel still stands at the northern end of Grieves Row in Dudley and has possibly been converted to residential use. My ancestor Robert Grieves, an overman at Dudley Colliery and the builder of the original 15 cottages that form Grieves Row (or Terrace) was an early worshipper and instrumental in organising the funding of the chapel by his fellow miners, as will be seen from the featured text. He died in Dudley on 6th September 1877 and is buried in the Grieves family grave at St. Nicholas Church, Cramlington .
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