Bethel Methodist New Connexion chapel at Bicton Heath was opened on the 26th November 1843. The chapel was built at the expense of Thomas Brocas of Copthorne House, In 1851 it was in use as a day school as well as a place of worship.
The chapel was renovated in 1902 and ceased to be used for religious purposes around 1954.
Ordnance Survey maps show the New Connexion chapel on the Welshpool Road, opposite the turning to Shepherd’s Lane. Chapel Cottage is there on Street View: is it part of the same building or adjacent to it?
You can read more about it on Janice Cox’s Shropshire’s Non-Conformist chapels website here.
Grid ref: SJ 45420 13334
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SHREWSBURY CHRONICLE, 25 August 1843, page 2.
“The Corner Stone of an intended New Chapel at Bicton’s Heath, near this town, was laid by the friends of the Methodist New Connexion, on Wednesday, Aug. 2nd. The attendance was very numerous. The Chapel will be raised at the expense of T. Brocas, Esq. of Copthorn House; whose son, an interesting boy about 9 years old, assisted by the Rev. H. Watts, laid the first stone, after which addresses were delivered, hymns sung, and prayers offered up, in the hearing of a serious and deeply affected crowd.”
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SHREWSBURY CHRONICLE, 17 November 1843, page 2.
“BETHEL CHAPEL, BICTON HEATH, NEAR SHREWSBURY.
Will be opened for Divine Worship on SUNDAY, the 26th of November, the Rev. R. WALLER, of Burslem, will preach at half-past ten in the morning, and six o’clock in the evening; and the Rev. H. WATTS, of Shrewsbury, at half-past two o’clock. No collections. All the sittings are free. A Sabbath School will be opened, and children and grown up persons will be taught to read gratuitously on Sunday mornings.”
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SHREWSBURY CHRONICLE, Friday 21 November 1890, page 8.
“BICTON HEATH.
AT BETHEL CHAPEL last Sunday Mr Bourne preached two suitable sermons. On Thursday the annual meeting was held under the presidency of Mr H. Teece. Addresses were given by Mr J. Elkes, Jas. Groucher, and the Rev. H. Hope (deputation). The chapel was nearly full, the meeting inspiriting, and the collection excellent – £3.”
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SHREWSBURY CHRONICLE, 14 March 1902, page 8.
“BICTON HEATH.
BETHEL CHAPEL. This chapel has recently been repaired and painted at a considerable expense, and it has been decided to pay off as much of the renovation debt as possible by a series of entertainments. The first of these was given on Thursday evening week, under the auspices of the Ebenezer (Shrewsbury) Christian Endeavour Society, with the assistance of a few friends. The Rev. E. Lloyd Lewis presided over a large audience. An attractive programme was gone through … Before closing Mr. R. Price, on behalf of the Bicton friends, thanked the performers for coming from Shrewsbury and giving them a pleasant evening.”
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