We are grateful to Tim Meakin for bringing this former chapel to our attention in 2017 and to David Leese for taking further photographs in 2019. It was originally thought to have been a Primitive Methodist chapel, so also appears on My Primitive Methodists where there are quite a few comments.
The story of the chapel is best described here. We think it was originally built in 1864, and it was certainly extended in 1872, as you will discover by following the link. We know it was still in use in 1898, when the Free Methodist Manual was published, and became a United Methodist chapel on Union in 1907. As it does not appear in the Methodist returns of accommodation for 1940 it is probably safe to assume that following full Methodist Union in 1932 the congregation moved into the former Primitive Methodist chapel on Top Lane. Derbyshire Record Office appear to have a baptismal register covering 1906 to 1921, and correspondence from between 1924 and 1941. Newspaper articles suggest the name of the chapel was Bethel.
As the photographs, and comments elsewhere show, the building is currently still standing, if not in the best of conditions. Further information will always be welcome.
References
Derbyshire Record Office D4293 (Baptismal register)
Derbyshire Record Office D4286 (Correspondence)
Comments about this page
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.
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