Brighton, Bristol Road Bible Christian chapel

Brighton was first missioned by the Bible Christians in April 1823, and chapels in Cavendish Street and Bedford Street had served the local cause. By 1870, however “… the insufficiency of accommodation was soon made apparent, and the want of a good Sunday School was sorely felt.” The Rev. Jehu Martin therefore “set himself to work to erect a chapel which should meet the growing wants of the neighbourhood”. A convenient plot of land was purchased for £600, and designs were kindly supplied by the local architect Mr. Thomas Lainson. Although not known to be a Methodist, Lainson declined to accept the usual fees, and superintended the erection of the chapel without making any charge. it was recorded that the congregation warmly appreciated these gestures.

Thomas Lainson designed something in the Byzantine style. It was constructed of brick, with an arcaded entrance. The eastern tower is capped by an empty bell turret. The ceiling was of picked white fir, and the modern seats and fittings of white deal, all stained and varnished.  The much need school room was provided underneath the chapel. The design was not only appreciated in its day: the building is now Grade II listed and a full description may be found here   With the gallery, the chapel afforded seating for 450. By 1940 the expectation had been reduced to 325, falling further to 276 in 1970.

The building illustrated was opened on Friday 23 October 1873. It had cost £3,400 but at the time only £1,300 had been collected, and that “almost entirely through Mr. Martin, who has literally worn himself out in the work of soliciting subscriptions.” The Mayor of Brighton addressed the afternoon service praising the work of Mr. Martin, before Rev Bourne preached on Romans x, 6-10. Following this, a large number of friends took tea in the spacious school-room. The opening services continued on the Sunday, and offering reduced the debt by £125. The full account may be read in the attached document.

The engraving was published in 1878, when Rev. Martin was in the eighth year of his appointment, unusual for that time. The much more recent photographs show that the chapel was built as designed. The statement on the foundation stone, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us” sums up the struggle to pay for the building.

The building ceased to be a Methodist church in 1989

Sources

Bible Christian Magazine, v52, 1873 pp559-561

Bible Christian Magazine, v 57, 1878 pp182-183

Statistical returns … as at July 1^st 1940. Manchester: Methodist Church, Department of Chapel Affairs, 1947

Statistical returns 1970. Manchester: Methodist Church, Department of Chapel Affairs, 1972