Gosly Hill (Gosty Hill/Gorsty Hill) Primitive Methodist chapel

The chapel at Gosly HIll (also spelled Gosty Hill and Gorsty Hill) opened in November 1841. It became Gorsty Hill Methodist church, complete with separate Sunday school on the 1:2,500 Ordnance Survey map of 1968-74 but Google Street View shows houses on the site in 2011.

The opening of the chapel is described in the Primitive Methodist magazine by T Batty. The full account is in the attached document, transcribed by David Tonks.

“This circumstance led to the contemplation of a chapel, as a society was presently formed.  Application therefore was made to his Grace the Duke of Sutherland, for a plot of waste land in the neighbourhood; and he, in connexion with the said plot, through the agency of Mr. Lewis, his principal steward, kindly granted us the corner of an adjoining field, on which we have erected a neat little building for a chapel and a Sunday school.  It was opened for divine worship on Sunday and Monday, Nov. 7 and 8, 1841, by Mrs. Grice, Brother Brown, and Brother Batty; and the collections were liberal.

We hereby take the liberty of returning our most unfeigned thanks to HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND, for the plot of land he hath so generously bestowed for such a noble purpose.  We have a stone placed in the front of the building with the following inscription:—

“The ground on which this chapel and Sunday school is erected, was kindly given to the Primitive Methodist Connexion by his Grace the Duke of Sutherland.”  

May the name of his Grace, and that of his noble family, be written in the book of life, for Jesus Christ’s sake.  Amen.

Since the chapel was opened, we have commenced a Sunday school, and have now seventy-two scholars taught in it.  To God be all the praise.”

Reference

Primitive Methodist magazine March 1842 page 132-133