Stoke on Trent Bethesda Methodist New Connexion Chapel, Staffordshire

1 Stoke on Trent, Bethesda MNC Chapel, facade (i) 10.10.2016

3 Stoke on Trent, Bethesda MNC Chapel, Corinthian colonnade 10.10.2016

4 Stoke on Trent, Bethesda MNC Chapel, venetian window and name plaque, 10.10.2016

5 Stoke on Trent, Bethesda MNC Chapel,side view, 10.10.2016

6 Stoke on Trent, Bethesda MNC Chapel,rear view, 10.10.2016

7 Stoke on Trent, Bethesda MNC Chapel,school facade with a surviving memorial stone, 10.10.2016

8 Stoke on Trent, Bethesda MNC Chapel,school gable, 10.10.2016

9 Stoke on Trent, Bethesda MNC Chapel,school date plaque, 10.10.2016

10 Stoke on Trent, Bethesda MNC Chapel, plaque for the reopening of the burial ground in 1981, 10.10.2016

2 Stoke on Trent, Bethesda MNC Chapel, facade (ii) 10.10.2016

The first chapel to be built on this site was erected in 1798 and seated 600. A semi circular rear extension was added in 1811 to bring the capacity up to 1000. The whole building was demolished in 1819 and a new chapel which seated 2500 in 1851 was built. The Corinthian colonnade and Venetian window were added in 1859. By 1901 the estate consisted of a chapel, a schoolroom, and two houses. The land buildings and enlargements had cost £7000 and the organ a further £400. There was seating for 650 in the chapel and for 450 in the schoolroom.

The building is no longer used as a place of worship but The Friends of Bethesda hold monthly open days. (Sadly, not while I was in town)

Behind the chapel was a large burial ground. The City Council carried out a reclamation scheme on this area in 1981 and it is now a public open space.

Beyond the burial ground was a school building. The ground floor was erected in 1819 and the upper floor added in 1836. It is now occupied as offices by The Sentinel newspaper.

Sources

Leicestershire Record Office 16D60/31 Methodist New Connexion /Return of Trust Estates/as presented in / Special Schedules, January 1901

Victoria County History of Staffordshire, Vol VIII pp 244-5

Site visit 10 & 11.10.2016