Newcastle upon Tyne, Arthur's Hill Primitive Methodist chapel
There’s an account in the 1864 Primitive Methodist magazine about the laying of the foundation stone for a new chapel at Arthur’s Hill, in Newcastle upon Tyne. As is usual in these magazine accounts, there was no detail of where this chapel was.
This is the account:
“Foundation-stone laying, Arthur’s Hill, Newcastle-on-Tyne.—The foundation-stone of a new Primitive Methodist chapel was laid here, June 29th, by Mrs. William Stewart. A bottle, containing an account of the rise and progress of the society at Arthur’s Hill, a preachers’ plan, trustees’ names, daily papers, coins of the realm, and other articles, was then deposited in the cavity of the stone.
The trowel and mallet for the due performance of the ceremony were then presented to Mrs. Stewart, who performed the ceremony in an able manner. The Revs. J. Petty, R. Fenwick, and Mr. H.J. M’Culloch, of York, each delivered an excellent address. A collection of upwards of £16 was made.
At half-past four o’clock about 600 friends took tea in the school room of Nelson-street chapel. At the close of the tea a public meeting was held in the chapel ; Mr. W. Stewart occupied the chair. Mr. Parker, the treasurer, read the financial account.
The chapel will be 63 feet in length by 40 in breadth, and will accommodate about 500 persons. It will have two vestries at the end nearest the door, and also an end elevation over the vestries, so that all the space will be available for sitting room.
The total cost will be about £850, and the sum in hand is £386. It is intended to hold a bazaar next spring. Addresses were given by Revs. J. Petty, R. Fenwick, and Mr. McCulloch, and select pieces of music performed by the choir of the chapel. T. Smith.”
David Tonks adds more information:
Reference
Primitive Methodist magazine 1864 pages 629-630
Patterson, W M, (1909) ‘Northern Primitive Methodism’
Comments about this page
The West Street chapel opened on Sunday 1 January 1865 according to a report in the “Newcastle Daily Chronicle” the following day. There was a prayer meeting at 7am followed by morning service at 10.30am, an afternoon and an evening service. Collections on the day amounted to more than £15
Add a comment about this page