Ellerton Primitive Methodist chapel

Main Street Ellerton York YO42

Ellerton Primitive Methodist chapel

The opening of Ellerton Primitive Methodist chapel in East Yorkshire is recorded in the 1864 Primitive Methodist magazine.

The chapel is shown on Ordnance Survey maps just east of the eastern junction of Back Lane with Main Street, opposite Priory Farm.. It is on maps I can access from 1889 and 1909. There is a new house on the site in 2009.

This is the account:

Ellerton, Selby Circuit. —Ellerton is a small agricultural village, containing about 200 inhabitants, situated eleven miles from Selby, and on the borders of the Pocklington Circuit. In June, 1862, my predecessor, the Rev. J. R. Parkinson, with others, missioned this village. The Spirit of God, without which all preaching is ineffectual, accompanied the word, making it like a sword to pierce, a hammer to break, and a fire to melt the human heart. Several souls were converted, and a society of twenty-five members was formed.

The use of a large barn was kindly granted by Mr. Anson, in which for several weeks the worship of God was conducted. That place, at length, having to be otherwise occupied, the village school-room was placed at the disposal of the society ; but there, in consequence of the limited size of the room, and the number of persons who desired to attend, great inconvenience was experienced.

The need of a larger place had now become evident, hence a successful application was made to the surveyors of the highways for a gift of clay, while friends offered to dig it and make the bricks gratis. A very eligible site of ground was secured, and in June, 1863, the foundation stone of a new edifice was laid under very auspicious circumstances, by Mr. H. Silversides, of Riccall.

The chapel is now completed, and affords comfortable accommodation for 120 persons. It is lighted by four circular-headed windows, with moulded architraves, the windows are filled in with opaque glass, having beautifully coloured margins. The woodwork of the interior is stained and varnished. The cornice is of elaborate and beautiful design, and the effect of the whole has probably not been surpassed by any village chapel of the same dimensions and cost.

The sanctuary was dedicated to the worship of God on Friday, February 5th, 1864, by the writer, who preached in the afternoon, and delivered a lecture in the evening. He also preached twice on the following Sabbath. On the second Sabbath two sermons were delivered by the Rev. J. Dawson, of Pocklington ; and on the third Sabbath the Rev. J. R. Parkinson preached twice. On the 22nd of March, the writer delivered a second lecture, and was agreeably surprised to find that the whole of the seats were let, and others required.

The concluding services connected with the opening were held on Good Friday, March 25th. At 10 o’clock a.m., a bazaar for the sale of useful and fancy articles was opened and was thronged during the day. About noon, the mists having cleared away, the sun shone out in brilliancy, and people began to flock into the village from the surrounding neighbourhood; upwards of 500 persons were gathered together. At 4 o’clock a tea was gratuitously provided in Mr. Anson’s barn, and nearly 400 per sons partook thereof. Tea being over, Mr. Woodall, of Howden, kindly sold by auction the remainder of the articles belonging to the bazaar. The sale was carried on with animation until the whole were disposed of.

A public meeting was then convened in the barn, the chair was occupied by Mr. J. Dodgson, of Leeds, and addresses were delivered by Mr. Summerscales, of Leeds ; Mr. Brown, of Selby ; Mr. Empson, of Bubwith ; and the writer. The proceeds of the day proved to be as follows :—

  • Miss Smith’s stall £14 6s 10d
  • Mrs. Brown’s stall £11 0s 4d
  • Nett proceeds of tea £18 10s 0d
  • Collection at public meeting £3 7s 10d
  • TOTAL £47 5s 0d

The total cost of the chapel is £160, towards which, including £5 donation from Miss Smith, we have raised £100. To all our friends we tender our warmest thanks, and to God we ascribe all the glory. T. Greenbury.”

Reference

Primitive Methodist magazine 1864 page 365

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