Duffield United Methodist Free Church, Derbyshire

Duffield, Chapel Street United Methodist Free Church was built, probably by the Wesleyan Methodist Association, in 1843.

The material was stone roughly finished for the walls but ashlared for the details The chapel is almost square, with a central projection at the rear. There are three bays to the front and two to the side. The fenestration is on two levels; the lower, which probably served the school hall, were square headed and the upper, serving the chapel, were round headed and linked by a string course. The only concession to decoration is the entrance which is a model of restrained elegance.

Above the cornice is a panel displaying the name of the present occupiers, Emmanuel Community Church.   It probably conceals the name of the body which built the chapel. In 1940 the chapel seated 515 in pews and there was a school hall and three other rooms. The chapel appears to have closed by 1970.

Sources

• Free Methodist Manual: London, Andrew Crombie, 1899 Belper Circuit p 265
• John Rylands Library University of Manchester, MAC Lawson Returns of Accommodation provided by Methodist Chapels and other Preaching Places, 1940/462
• Belper Central Nottinghamshire Record Office Returns of Accommodation provided by Methodist Chapels and other Preaching Places, 1970 22/16 Belper Circuit
• OS 25 inch to one mile sheet Derbyshire XLIV.12
• Site visit 11.11.2023