Atherstone Primitive Methodist chapel

Thanks to Anne Langley for the following information:

Atherstone The Primitive Methodist Chapel in South Street was said to have been erected in 1800 (thus for another purpose) and was first ‘taken for worship’ around 1840 by the Primitive Methodists. ‘Thomas’ Buildings in South Street served as the first chapel for the Primitive Methodists, before later being converted into five homes.’

Details are recorded in the 1851 religious census. It had sittings for 120, and an attendance of 30 at both afternoon and evening services. They did not have a Sunday School at that time; the Society Steward was William Cheshire (a local chair-maker). It was part of the Nuneaton circuit. The chapel appears just once in a trade directory.

Sources:

White’s Warwickshire Trade Directory, 1850 p. 822;

religious census HO 129.397.1.16.26;

‘The History of Atherstone’, Watts & Winyard, Mercia Publications, Sutton Coldfield, 1988, p. 118.