The re-opening of Hoyland Primitive Methodist chapel in the Barnsley circuit on December 2nd 1860 is recorded in the Primitive Magazine by Robert Smith. As congregations and the Sunday school had been growing, it was necessary to lengthen the building and to add galleries. Celebrations included tea for 200.
Preachers included Miss Buck of Leicester, Mr. R. Wordsworth, of Hoyland, Mr. J. Ratcliffe, of Doncaster and Rev. Richard Baxter of Clayton West.
Barnsley Archives clarify the picture. The first Primitive Methodist chapel in Hoyland was Zion Chapel on the south side of King Street; it was opened in 1850 and re-opened after the extension recorded in the Primitive Methodist magazine in 1860.
Zion chapel was replaced in 1880 by Mount Tabor Chapel a little further along the south side of King Street.
By the early 20th century, the original Zion Chapel had been divided into two shops, a furniture shop and a newsagents and tobacconists; they were demolished in 1972 and the site is currently (2019/2020) occupied by more recent commercial premises.
Mount Tabor Chapel closed in December 1960.
On Ordnance Survey maps from 1892 a Primitive Methodist chapel is shown on King Street, almost opposite the end of Bethel Street, where Southgate joins now. On the 1956 OS Plan the building is still labelled as Primitive Methodist with the name Mount Tabor. It has disappeared by the 1968-1976 plan, to be replaced by Southgate. The former United Methodist Bethel chapel on the corner of Bethel Street also disappears at this time.
The chapel was in the following circuits at the dates indicated:
- Hoyland Primitive Methodist Circuit 1862-1932
- Hoyland Methodist Circuit 1932-1953
- Wombwell and Hoyland Methodist Circuit 1953-1960
Reference
Primitive Methodist magazine February 1861 pages 118-119
Barnsley Archives: Reference A-2-N/68
Comments about this page
I’ve added a picture of the chapel from around 1900 sourced by Dave Teal – many thanks.
Dave also has access to a photo of the chapel from 1960 with the Chapel looking a sad shadow of its former self. It has lost its triangular stonework bearing the words MOUNT TABOR and the left hand side wall has two large wall ties in place.
The picture is from a cropped wedding photo of the last couple to get married in the Chapel before it closed.
Dave has provided further information from Barnsley Archives and I have rewritten the page to include it (19 Feb 2023).
Mount Tabor Primitive Methodist Closed on New Years Day 1961 preacher was Miss Pat Lee . This was the Watchnight Service.The Local Council wanted the land to drive a road through which is why Bethel closed too. The Mount TaborChapel was well attended and had a Sunday School of over 150 children the Methodist Conference ordered the three Methodist Churches to merge and Worship at St Paul’s Wesleyan Methodists on Market Street Hoyland My husband and I were the last Wedding at Mount Tabor on 1st October 1960 The wedding was conducted by Rev Raymond Sargent. My Father Cyril Parkin was a Steward and Sunday School Superintendent . These three Churches merged into a building which was far too small ,children were sitting on the stairs for Sunday School. Eventually a new building was purchased on Market Street it was Thistle House the local Dr’s Surgery.. Hoyland Urban District Council had promised they would build a new Church in Duke Street to replace the three which had merged,they reneged on their agreement . Today this Hoyland Methodist Church has merged with Birdwell Methodist in August 2021 The Minister is Rev M Neale.
God is good all the time
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