Reformers were in control of Donington’s Wesleyan Society by 1850, leading to expulsion from the Connexion. After forming their own Society, with ‘Brothers Wigelsworth and Willows’ as stewards, they retained the use of the chapel until opening their own on Station Street.
The new chapel (build year not known) became a member of the United Methodist Free Churches (Spalding circuit). A Sunday school established in 1873 had fifty scholars.
A request to close and sell the chapel was granted by the Assembly of the UMFC in 1881. The reason given was that there were already two other congregations of Methodist persuasion in Donington – no doubt the revival of the Wesleyans here had taken its toll.
The Lincolnshire Free Press observed: ‘When Free Methodists give up a cause it must be a bad one. For many years they have been endevouring to do good to the people of Donington, but without effect, and last Sunday their chapel closed for good. It is evident the Donington folks are either too good to require spiritual sustenance or too bad to know their own requirements‘.
Known as Dial Hall since 1882, the building has been used variously for public and commercial purposes. Alterations carried out in 1914 included a new brick and stone front extended towards the road.
Sources include
Stamford Mercury 4th April 1851
Lincolnshire Free Press 6th December 1881
Boston Guardian 15th July 1882
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