Whaplode United Methodist Free Church

The chapel opened in 1859 as United Methodist Free. Dedication was by Rev J Myers of Norwich.

Seating around 50, this small building stood on Main Road (formerly High Street) not far from the Wesleyan. It was also referred to as Whaplode East (the Wesleyan as Whaplode West).

In 1867 the delivery of a new harmonium led to “inharmonious proceedings … there being jealousy as to who should have control and use of the instrument”. Consequently, the organ was taken out of the chapel. So strong had the dispute become that on the following Sunday the steward locked the chapel door, thus preventing the morning service from being held.

It was in the Spalding, then Holbeach UMFC/UMC Circuits and, following union, the Holbeach Methodist Circuit. In 1938 it amalgamated with the former Wesleyan in Whaplode West and closed by the December – the last service of worship was held on Christmas Day.

It was sold a year later but not before re-opening for the funeral of Mrs Amy Allen who had been a staunch supporter of this place. She died at the age of 97 and said to be the oldest inhabitant of Whaplode at the time.

In the Methodist Statistical Returns of 1940 the building is recorded as being sold. It was eventually demolished and the plot used for building.