Motherwell Primitive Methodist Church

and Albert Evans

Albert with his son Enoch and grand daughter Irene, taken in 1938 at the graveside of his son Sam Evans, who was killed in World War 1
Ross Parker

There was a society of Primitive Methodists meeting for worship in Motherwell as early as 1848, as part of the Glasgow Mission.

In 1852, the influx of the Glasgow Iron Company’s English workmen gave a boost to the membership.

At first, services were held in a School in Milton Street, before the first church was built at the corner of Roman Road and Milton Street in 1858 at a cost of £400. It was later enlarged so that by 1902 it could seat 550.

There is more information and a picture of the interior here.

One of the foundation stones of a new hall was laid by Albert Evans in April 1912, as you can see from the photos and comment below.

Memorial stones for a new church in Hamilton Street, on the corner with Avon Street, were laid on 2 September 1911 by Her Grace the Duchess of Hamilton; Thomas Rolinson, Esq, JP, of Hurlett; J Duncan Miller, Esq, MP; Sir William P Hartley, of Southport; and Andrew Swire, Esq, of Colne, Lancashire.

The new church was opened in August 1912, with Rev J W Chappell performing the opening ceremony. The old church was purchased by Dalziel Co-operative Society, a new front was added, and it continued as a shop until the 1960s. The building was demolished in 1981 to make way for flats.  Does anyone have a picture of it?

Albert Evans emigrated to Canada in 1921 to live with one of his sons in Toronto. He was given a special send off. ‘On Friday evening last the trustees of the Primitive Methodist Church met at a happy social function to express their appreciation of Mr Evans splendid service for the church during many years. Mr Evans came to the town from Shropshire over thirty years ago, and has been actively associated with the Methodist Church during most of that time. After tea was very daintily served, the Rev Will H Campbell introduced the purpose of their meeting in a fine eulogy of the personality and staunch integrity of Mr Evans… It was specially remarked that through his devotion and generosity, the entire electrical installation of the church and hall was fitted up.’ He was presented with ‘a handsome gents’ dressing case’ as ‘a token of love and high esteem’.

His son Walter Evans was to go with him to Canada, and ‘the young people of the church gather on Friday might to say farewell’.

Albert Evans died in Canada in 1948, but he was still remembered in Scotland, where the local newspaper reported: ‘While resident in Motherwell he was well known at Hamilton Road Methodist Church circles, having served the Church as a Trustee.’

Sources

Motherwell Times, 28 Oct 1921; 3 Sept 1948 (with thanks to Ross Parker)

Information from Roddy Devon who belonged to the Motherwell church and was a lay preacher in the circuit, supplied by Morag Fowler.

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Comments about this page

  • Mr Wright – The 1940 list of Methodist buildings records that as well as three Primitive Methodist chapels in Motherwell, there were also three former Primitive Methodist chapels in the Wishaw – at Caledonian Road in Wishaw itself, Shieldmuir and Castle Hill.

    I’ve done a little background research and created a page for the Wishaw chapel here.

    Enjoy your visit!

    By Christopher Hill (21/01/2024)
  • Hello from sunny Western Australia.
    Im led to believe that my grandfather was marries at the Primitive Methodist Church in Wishaw in 1908, but can only find reference to the parish in Motherwell.
    Does anyone know if it is the same church, or if there was indeed a congregation at Wishaw.
    If so, I’d be awfully interested to know here it may have stood. It would be asking too much to expect it to still be standing, but I shall be passing though the area in May and would very much like to visit the site.

    By Hugh James Wright (21/01/2024)
  • I have added a transcription of news items from the 1911 Primitive Methodist Magazine which report on cutting the first sod and the stone laying.

    By Geoff Dickinson (11/05/2021)
  • An address from the Leaders Meeting and Quarterly Meeting of Motherwell Primitive Methodist Church, in 1918, thanking Rev Joseph Ritson for his ministry, has been added to this page. It was kindly supplied by Morag Fowler.

    By Jill Barber (24/01/2018)
  • The gavel, or mallet, as it is also called, used by Albert Evans in the laying of the foundation stone of Motherwell Primitive Methodist Church is now at Englesea Brook Museum. Many thanks to his three great-grandsons, Ross, Dave and Ken, for their generous donation.

    By Jill Barber (13/01/2017)
  • Hello, from Vancouver Island, Canada.

    My Great Grandfather was Albert Evans. He was a member of this church in the early 1900’s. Recently my family found the pictured momento which was presented to my GGF in 1912. Are you interested in receiving it back? No charge to you (as long as the postage is reasonable!!).

    I have a digital copy of The Motherwell Times that said he left Motherwell heading to Canada in 1921.

    Please advise, and thank you….Ross Parker, Mill Bay, BC, Canada.

    By Ross Parker (29/11/2016)
  • Hi Ross, we would be delighted to receive it for the collection at Englesea Brook Museum of Primitive Methodism. Albert Evans was clearly a very valued member of the society in Motherwell. Was he connected to the iron industry? We have very little relating to Scotland in the collection, as Primitive Methodism was not as strong there, so it would be particularly nice to have this, and the link with Canada!

    By Jill Barber (29/11/2016)

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