Ossett Common Trinity Primitive Methodist chapel

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Ossett Common Primitive Methodist chapel

The 1890 Ordnance Survey map shows the Primitive Methodist chapel at the junction of Chapel Street and South Parade. It is still there in 1955 (when it is called Trinity) but disappears by the 1960s.  Street View shows a bungalow on the site in 2015.

There are two accounts in the Primitive Methodist magazine of the opening of chapels in Ossett Common – in 1846 and 1865.

This is the 1846 account:

“Ossett-Common.—Our people have laboured here more than twenty years. During the last three, we have occupied a room, fitted up with forms and a pulpit. About the middle of last winter, at a protracted meeting which lasted a fortnight, we were graciously visited from on high ; many sinners were savingly converted.

Soon the prospect of our procuring a plot of land, in a very suitable situation, presented itself ; and we failed not to take advantage of It. Though we were immersed in arrangements affecting the Grange Moor chapel, and reluctant to have two in progress at once, lest the claims of both could not be well supported by our friends, yet we ventured to try our energies ; and the chapel at Ossett-Common was opened on July 5th and 12th, by brother J.Dodsworth (from Halifax), the Rev. J. P. T. Lazarus, (Independent minister at Horbury,) brother E. Tyas, (from Swinefleet,) and the Rev. S. Oddie, (Independent minister at Ossett.)

Mr. Oddie kindly lent us his large chapel for the holding of the last opening service ; and his pulpit was ably occupied by brother Tyas. The collections amounted to £16. The chapel is two stories high, built of stone, and is 10 by 8 yards 7 inches outside. The lower story will be used for a school, and the upper is pewed for the accommodation of our congregation.

The whole of the cost will be about £250. ; towards which we have the prospect of raising about £100. Of our Wesleyan friends we beg to say that, — though they have been building an elegant chapel near ours, and at the time ours was in progress, — some of them have liberally helped us. To these friends, the Revs. J. P. T. Lazarus and S. Oddie, and all others, we tender our thanks for their liberality and services. Thos. Crompton.”

Robert Little tells us that the 1846 Ossett Common Primitive Methodist chapel is the building that is in 2022 the Prince of Wales public house. This is on South Parade a stone’s throw from the later chapel. See Robert’s comment below.  It would be good to have a picture.

This is the 1865 account:

“Wakefield Station.—On Good Friday, the foundation stone of our new chapel at Ossett Common was laid at three o’clock in the afternoon ; though the weather was unpropitious, hundreds of people gathered. At half past two o’clock, the trustees, teachers, scholars, and friends, met at the old chapel and processioned to the site, when the service was commenced by the Rev. H. Harris giving out a hymn, after which the Rev. T. Smith read Psalm cxxii. and offered prayer.

Mr. Isaac Illingworth, of Ossett, then presented a silver trowel and mahogany mallet to Mr. James Chadwick, of Wakefield, who proceeded at once to lay the stone in the name of the Trinity. The Rev. I. Hedges, of Pontefact, then addressed the audience with good effect, and a collection was made, amounting to £18 10s. 3d.

The Rev. T. Smith then announced the following donations that he had received from per sons present and absent:—Joseph Crossley, Esq., Halifax, £20 ; Mr. J. Chadwick of Wakefield, £10 10s. ; Mr. S. Seal, £10 ; Mr. N. Lucas sen., £10; Mr. J. Illingworth, £3 ; Messrs. Bateson and France, £1 each.

The company then adjourned to the old chapel where 303 partook of an excellent tea, gratuitously provided by the ladies, which realised £18 3s. At six o’clock a public meeting was held in the Wesleyan chapel, kindly lent for the occasion, which was crowded. The meeting was addressed by the Revs. I. Hedges, T. Smith, and H. Harris, Messrs. Chad wick, Bateson, Hardwick, Illingworth, Cardwell, and France. Mr. S. Seal presided. The collection at the close of the meeting, amounted to £2 12s. 4d., making the total for the day £84 15s. 7d.

Now, dear Editor, let me add what I feel sure will please you and many of your readers—within the last nine months we have had more than forty members added to this society. May they continue faithful until death. Thomas Smith.”

West Yorkshire Archives contain records of Trinity including:

• Register of Baptisms 1861-1964
• trustees meetings 1902-1968
• treasurer’s accounts 1910-1944
• Sunday school accounts 1944-1964
• sale papers 1968

Reference

Primitive Methodist magazine October 1864 page 632

Primitive Methodist magazine November 1865 page 621