Colmworth Primitive Methodist Chapel

Bedfordshire

The village of Colmworth lies on the east side of the B660, north of Bedford. Tucked away peacefully in a side lane, the former PM Chapel is a pleasant brick building.  

 

The 1851 Religious Census made on Sunday 30 March includes a return made by Isaac Gadsden, Local Preacher. He stated that ‘This place of Worship is a house one room is on purpose keep only to Worship God in’. The return stated that there were 100 free sittings and that day there had been 30 in the afternoon congregation and 60 in the evening.

 

Colmworth PM chapel was registered for worship on 28 February 1854 by Henry Kent of Bedford, baker (trustee). Whether this building is the one still standing is unclear because this building has the date inscribed as 1866 and the 1898 Kelly’s Directory states the same year.

The chapel was a founding member of the Bedford Primitive Methodist Circuit in 1867. When this Circuit divided in 1897, Colmworth became part of the Bedford I (later Hassett Street) Circuit.

 

The Chapel was included in the Bedfordshire Places of Religious Worship list of 1908, but in ‘Know your Colmworth’ by Thelma Marks, it is stated that the chapel closed in 1911 and  became an Independent Mission.

 

 

Sources and References:

Bedfordshire Chapels and Meeting Houses: Official Registration 1672-1901 Volume 75 Bedfordshire Historical Record Society – Edited by Edwin Welch

The Ecclesiastical Census, Bedfordshire, March 1851 Volume 54 Bedfordshire Historical Record Society – Edited by DW Bushby

Kelly’s Directory 1898

Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Record Service – Community Archives website

Know Your Colmworth – by Thelma Marks

Comments about this page

  • The Primitive Methodist Magazine of March 1854 contains an account by William Cooper of the opening of Colmworth Primitive Methodist chapel on December 21st and 25th 1853 and January 1st 1854.  

    The chapel, which measured 22′ x 27′, replaced a cottage which had served as a worship place for about 12 years.  It was built of white bricks and roofed with slate.  The total cost was £167 and the ground was freehold.  

    Opening sermons were preached by Rev J Hawkins, N Broadway (St. Neots), W Cooper, RW Monkman, JS Gostling, J Deighton.  Mr Tunley made the title deeds “without charge, excepting stamps and parchment.”

    Reference: Primitive Methodist Magazine March 1854 pp177-8

     

    By Christopher Hill (13/10/2016)

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.