Retford Primitive Methodist chapel
Carolgate, Retford
Retford Primitive Methodist chapel in the Retford branch of the Scotter circuit was opened in February 1841. The new chapel was a former theatre purchased for £425 and converted for a further £135.
Preachers at the opening included William Antliff, William Garner and Mrs. Longmires. The occasion is reported in the Primitive Methodist magazine by I Broadbent, transcribed in the attached document.
On April 15th 1869 a foundation stone was laid for a new chapel on Carolgate, in the centre of Retford. James Parkinson tells us that Mr G R Rex, who gave £25, Miss A E Clayton, who gave £20, and Mr E Plant, who gave a new clock, each received a beautiful trowel and a mahogany mallet for laying the memorial stones and their gifts towards the new church.
The opening of the chapel which measured 52’6″(l) 43′(w) 26’10” (h) took place on December 4th 1870. Again Mr Parkinson reports it. Rev W Antliff DD, Principal of PM Theological institute, Sunderland preached to 1,070 people.- is that the same W Antliff who preached at the opening of the previous chapel?
It is still there on the 1920 Ordnance Survey 1:2,500 map labelled Methodist Ch, but has disappeared by the 1966 map.
Reference
Primitive Methodist magazine December 1841 page 454-455
Primitive Methodist magazine 1870 page 441
Primitive Methodist magazine 1871 p 314
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I can confirm that the chapel was definitely still there on 17th June 1948 as my parents were married there on that day. The service was taken by my mother’s father, Rev. Harold Wright, who was minister at the time.
They Minister’s house at the time, where they lived, was Acacia Villa, 18 Cobwell Rd.
I have a photo of the inside of the chapel, which I can email to you if you would like it.
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