New Invention Primitive Methodist chapels, Staffordshire

The Primitive Methodist magazine for February 1852 contains an account by WR of the opening of New Invention Primitive Methodist chapel in South Staffordshire (not to be confused with the village with the same name in Shropshire).

A series of opening services concluded on December 28th 1852 with sermons by Rev Jabez Yardley (Wesleyan of Walsall), John Graham of Cwm,  and Rev W Rooke, the superintendent.

The chapel was 24′ x 18′ and 12′ high with a boarded floor. It cost £105 and was built on land donated by John Brewer (Wesleyan) of Walsall. The conveyance deed was made gratuitously by Samuel Wilkinson Esq.

Previously meetings had taken place in an iron warehouse.

The 1886 1:2,500 Ordnance Survey map shows the Primitive Methodist chapel located at the junction of Lichfield Road  and Pooles Lane.  Google Street View in 2012 shows a 1898 Primitive Methodist chapel a little further west on Lichfield Road, opposite the turning to Fletcher Road.  However, it closed early in 2014 due to rising maintenance costs and an ageing and declining congregation.

Thanks to Jonathan Clewley for the pictures of the chapel and a newspaper article from the Walsall Observer of 21 March 1896 about fundraising for the new chapel.

“NEW INVENTION.

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONCERT.—A most enjoyable concert was given on Monday evening in the Holy Trinity Mission Room (kindly lent by the Vicar) for the purpose of raising money for a bazaar in aid of the new chapel fund. The programme was miscellaneous, with Mrs. Hughes (Willenhall) soloist, Mr. Hughes recitations, Mr. Humphreyson (Lane Head) fairy bells, and the Stella Quartette Party (Wolverhampton). The audience were delighted with the executions of all the performers, and to show their appreciation they were repeatedly encored. Mrs J. Perry very ably accompanied. Mr. Silas Squire, of Bentley Lodge, was president. Mr. W. Fletcher proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman and performers, which was seconded by Mr. Caleb Appleby.”

There is a book about ‘Methodism in the Black Country’, by Alfred Camden Pratt, published in 1891 by Charles H Kelly, London which is a useful source.

Johnathan reports that the Chapel was sold in 2023:

https://www.tsrsurveyors.co.uk/property/256lichfieldroad/

Reference

Primitive Methodist magazine February 1852 p.113