Newcastle upon Tyne Primitive Methodist chapels of the 1820s

Scotch Church (Silver Street) and Sally Port

There are two accounts in the Primitive Methodist magazine of the opening of a chapel “in Newcastle upon Tyne” in 1824.

The account by Nathaniel West in the 1825 magazine tells us that the society had opened a chapel which could hold 5-600 persons. It was formerly a Scotch church, which is an interesting concept for a Primitive Methodist.

Opening services took place on Sunday 14th April 1824 (which would have been a Thursday).  The preachers were Brothers Gilbert, Branfoot and West.

The account in the 1824 magazine comes from Joseph Sleightholme’s journal and tells us that the society was soon to purchase chapel from a Scotch church and gives an opening date of 4th April 1824 (which would have been a Sunday).

I wondered whether this was one chapel or two, where the chapel(s) was/were and what happened to it/them.  See Richard Jennings’ comment below for clarification.

Reference

Primitive Methodist magazine 1824 page 282

Primitive Methodist magazine 1825 page 214

 

Comments about this page

  • Many thanks for the clarification Richard.

    By Christopher Hill (24/09/2019)
  • Newcastle Primitive Methodist Society timeline

    First meetings held in the Butchers’ Hall at Friar’s, Newcastle.

    In 1823, the Sally-port Meeting House was rented (also known as Wall Knoll). The Society opened the premises on 4 April 1824. This spacious building, part of the Town Walls, could seat 822 (*1) and included sloping galleries on either side It proved too small and in poor condition so…

    In 1825, the Society moved to the recently purchased St James’ chapel at Silver Street. This building, constructed during the reign of Edward VI as a malting house, was converted into a chapel in 1744 by the Scotch Relief Presbyterian Church and was commonly called the “Scotch Church”. The Presbyterians opened their new chapel on Blackett Street in 1825.

    The PM Society moved to the Nelson Street chapel, designed by John Dobson, in 1838 where they remained until Northumberland Road (Central) chapel was opened in 1898. The Nelson Street chapel was demolished and the site then became a warehouse and offices for Angus Ltd. Only the frontage of this building now remains.

    (The Sally-port Meeting House (or Wall Knoll Tower as it is also called) is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade I Listed Building)

    (*1) The records of the Newcastle upon Tyne Excise Office.

    By Richard Jennings (24/09/2019)

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