West Wittering Bible Christian chapel

There is some confusion as to the name of this chapel: most sources refer to it as Bethesda, but in the returns for the Religious Census of 1851 it is described as Providence.

Built in 1811, it was thought to seat 80 in 1851, and later accommodation returns are consistent in stating that 70 worshippers could be accommodated. In 1851 there was a morning congregation of 25, with 70 attending in the evening. A trust was set up in 1859, which suggests that the chapel was rebuilt about this time. Any further information about the life of this chapel would be appreciated.

A photograph of this building taken in 1994 by Keith Guyler may be found on the British Methodist Buildings website

Sources

The National Archives. H.O.129/91/4

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