The 1885 Ordnance Survey map shows a Methodist New Connexion chapel towards the northern end of Monument Road, on its eastern side, opposite the Corporation Baths. There is a Sunday school building behind the chapel.
The chapel no longer exists – and the same is true of the northern end of Monument Street where the chapel was sited. The chapel would now be in the middle of the A4540 dual carriageway.
The chapel is included in the 1940 Inventory of Methodist buildings. It is described as brick built, seating 495 people on pews. There were 2 school halls but no other rooms. In 1940 it was in the Birmingham (Edgbaston) circuit.
What’s the story?
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A plan of the building has been added.
Icknield Street West/Monument Road Methodist New Connexion chapel was built of brick in 1873. A report of the of the stone laying stated that
“The building which is intended to accommodate 700 persons will be of brick, and in the Gothic style of architecture: and a front, consisting of a gable with spirelets, traceried window and ornamental doorway, will by relieved with Bath stone facings. The side windows will be constructed of wood, with moulded traceried heads, In the interior the roof will be of open timber work, with principals, ornamental carved spandrels and ribs, and arcade arches with braced spandrels supported by iron columns. The whole of the interior woodwork will be oak stained and varnished. The architects are Messrs Hill and Swain, Leeds; and the builders Stockton and Son of Oldbury. The building will cost £2400”
By 1901 £5000 had been spent on the original construction and the subsequent enlargement of the chapel and school. A further £300. had been spent on purchasing an organ or other musical instrument. The chapel seated 540 and the school 400. In 1940 the chapel estate consisted of the chapel which seated 495 in pews, two school halls and no other rooms. The building was still being used as a Methodist place of worship in 1954 but by 1968 it had been closed and demolished to make way for a major highway development
Sources
Building News 8.7.1873 p.80
Methodist New Connexion: Returns of Trust Estates as presented in Special Schedules, January 1901, Dudley District, Birmingham Second Circuit
John Rylands Library University of Manchester, MAC Lawson Returns of Accommodation provided by Methodist Chapels and other Preaching Places, 1940/184 Birmingham, Edgbaston
OS Town Plan Warwickshire XIII.8.13 1887
OS 25 inch Warwickshire XIII.8. 1913
OS SP0586NW -A 1954, -B 1968
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