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This building was also considered worthy of listing. See the description at https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1255018?section=official-list-entry
The architect was the Nottingham based Thomas Simpson (1816-1880), who also designed the Alfred Street chapel in Nottingham, and other chapels across the country.
The latest comment on the My Primitive Methodists page reports that the chapel building is owned by Mr Harrison. He and his wife live on Main Road Whatstandwell and Mr Harrison will not sell the building.
This page has been revised by David Secker to include the new information provided in the previous comments.
I am chair of the Harpley History Group, we are actively researching the Methodist chapels in Harpley, Whilst some of your later information is correct we believe that there was an earlier chapel elsewhere in the village before Gospel Hall was built in the 1870’s. As per the previous comments, the house in the picture is not Gospel Hall. We do not currently have a photograph of the building , but we do know it was demolished in the 1950’s. We are happy to share information as we get it.
The pin on the map has been moved, and a more detailed map of the site added.
The pin on the map is on the wrong corner of Albert Street and actually marks the Lancasterian School site.
The architect was the Nottingham architect Richard Charles Sutton.
Nottingham Evening Post Friday 3 January 1890
The architect was the Nottingham architect Abraham Harrison Goodhall.
Nottingham Journal 11 July 1884
Thanks for pointing this out. The entry will be amended accordingly.
Unfortunately this chapel is no longer open for services. It has now combined with Carbis Bay Wesleyan at Boskerris.
That is not Harpley Gospel Hall. It was a few yards to the right of this photo. These cottages have always been dwellings
My father Sidney Butterworth was the last choir master at the chapel and I have a lot of very fond memories of the building. My parents insisted I attend morning service and attended Sunday School every week. I still retain many of the books I won for church attendance in the late 40’s and early 50:s
The author has been able to supply an image to illustrate this account.
Mr Oxley has supplied an image of the chapel from the beginning of its life.
This is the Ancestry.com page for James https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/63644526/person/42108727144/facts
You are, of course, absolutely right. The chapel does appear in the 1940 returns, but at that time it was in the Cradley Heath Circuit. It seated 300 in pews, and had a schoolroom. As you attended the Sunday School in 1971 I checked the 1970 accommodation returns, and sure enough it appears again: this time only 267 could be seated in the chapel, but there was a Sunday School of three classrooms, with space for 240 children.
I was christened in this church in 1964, my parents were married in it in 1963, my brother christened in 1965. I attended the Sunday School till 1971 till the fire. Your comment about it not being used after 1940 is therefore incorrect.
James Moxley was regarded highly enough in his day to have his portrait in the Bible Christian Magazine. I have added an image to the page.
It would appear from the Circuit website that this congregation were given permission to close in September 2021. Other websites, and mapping evidence, suggest this building was a Wesleyan chapel. Can anyone throw further light on the matter?
The story of Ainsworth Methodism is continued on our sister site,My Methodist History
Done.
Is it possible to change the tittle to Ainsworth Methodist Church. Bolton Lancashire It is a little misleading with having Bolton first?
We are very grateful to Su Osbourn who has kindly provided us with a copy of Mrs Terrett’s address. This may now be viewed by following the link.