In the 1840 Primitive Methodist magazine (page 34), Hugh Bourne tells us that to his surprise, Primitive Methodists in Nottingham had purchased Hockley chapel from the Wesleyans with the three houses that came with it, for two thousand, three hundred and fifty pounds. They opened it as a Primitive Methodist chapel and on October 6th 1839 started a Sunday school. The chapel had 60 members and on his visit Bourne heard Bro. Brownson and Mr Spencer preach.
Nottingham Prims were also about to start a Sunday school at the Canaan Street chapel.
The 1897 Primitive Methodist magazine tells us that instead of selling the old inner city Hockley chapel – where John Wesley himself had preached – the society decided to partially reconstruct and thoroughly renovate the chapel.
Thanks to Philip Thornborow for tracking down the chapel to Woolpack Lane. See the the 1:500 O.S. town plan of 1882 and Open Street map.
Reference
Primitive Methodist magazine 1840 page 34
Primitive Methodist magazine 1897 page 74
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There is a picture of Hockley Chapel before the Primitive Methodists acquired it which my be viewed on this link. http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/books/nottingham1827/guide8.htm
When the Methodist New Connexion was established in 1797 they claimed the Hockley chapel as they had a majority of trustees.
Consequently in 1798 when he died Alexander KIlham was buried in the chapel, (an intramural internment) however the legality of the MNC owning it was contested and they ceded it back to the Old Connexion.
The MNC built a new chapel in Parliament Street, and were then allowed to remove the memorial monument to Kilham, but left his body in the Hockley Wesleyan Chapel undisturbed.
Source: Life of Kilham published MNC bookroom 1838.
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