Although no longer surrounded by the grid pattern of streets that were its setting when first built, Dosthill Zion United Methodist Free Church chapel still stands in the middle of what appears to be a late Twentieth Century housing development. The carved datestone over the front door proclaims its full name and 1890 opening date. There are also memorial stone, including the names Slater, Clifford, Latham and Williams.
What’s the story of the chapel? Its use on Street View (2011 and 2022) is not clear.
It does crop up on the Inventory of Methodist Buildings compiled after Methodist Union in 1932, published in 1940. It is described as brick-built, seating 100 people on forms. There was a Sunday school room as well as the main hall.
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In the 19th century Dosthill was a small village situated some 2 ½ miles from Tamworth town centre which was transformed from an arable community into a coal mining and pipe, brick and tile making one. From the 1850s, firstly, the Wesleyan Reformers and then their successors, the United Free Methodists, made great strides in establishing societies in Tamworth and surrounding areas. One was at Dosthill. Initially, members had worshipped in the homes of others and later at the Board School. The use of the school was terminated and this resulted in finding a site and erecting a church of their own. A piece of land having a frontage of 10 yards to a new street was acquired from the from Hockley Hall and Whateley Colliery Company. The land was in rows of terraced houses occupied by miners and their families which became known locally as “The Buildings”.
In the presence of a large crowd of people the memorial stones were laid on 27th August 1890 by Mrs Slater, Mrs Clifford, Mr and Mrs J Williams and Rev Latham, the circuit minister. The name on his stone had been concealed as his laying of it was to be a surprise. When the stones had been laid, Rev Latham addressed the crowd and emphasised the importance of there being a nonconformist place of worship in Dosthill.
The building was erected by Messrs Watton and Sons led by John Priestley Watton whose father, Thomas, had been one of the principal movers of the Wesleyan Reform movement in Tamworth. After some two months, the building of the chapel had been completed and the opening service was held on 12th November 1890. This was followed by a special tea and speeches during which it was announced that the total cost had been £324. Towards this, £130 had been received including £10 from Mrs Elizabeth Hutton, a local benefactor, who lived in Dosthill House and £150 borrowed from the Connexional Building Fund. It was intended that the shortfall would be paid off in the next 2 years.
The church could seat 140 and schoolroom 50 which proved inadequate. Just 20 years later the number of children on the Sunday School Roll exceeded 130. It celebrated its Centenary in 1990 but was struggling due to dwindling congregation and it finally closed in 1994 but that was not the end of the building as a place of worship. Tamworth Baptist Church acquired the vandalised premises in February 1998 for £15,000. It was felt there was a demand for another church in Dosthill and as Tamworth Baptist Church had a usual congregation of 150 many of whom lived in Dosthill it was felt it would help to relieve the pressure. New central heating, new windows together with ladies and gents’ toilets were installed and a first floor put in for the Sunday School.
Unfortunately, the Dosthill Baptist Church, as it became known, was not as successful as had been hoped and it was sold in October 2020 for £85,000 to two private individuals. It does not appear to being put to any use.
Dosthill UMFC chapel was designed to seat 120 persons and was built in 1890. The builders were Messrs Watton and Sons of Tamworth.
Building News 5.9.1890 p.346
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