Oswestry Primitive Methodist Chapels Shropshire
The first chapel was built in 1840 and was replaced on the same site in 1898
The first chapel on this site was built in 1840 . It was called ‘Ebenezer’.
The foundation stone for the present large Victorian red brick building was laid on 16th June 1898 and the chapel was opened in 1899. It sits on the corner of Chapel Street and Castle Street. It has had various extensions added to the side and in 2014 remains open as Oswestry Methodist Church.
Photos taken December 2014
OS Map Ref:126:SJ290299
Further information about these chapels can be viewed by following the links to Shropshire’s Nonconformist Chapels for the 1840 chapel here and the 1898 chapel here.
Note added Sept 2017 by CH
You can read more about the preceding Ebenezer chapel by following the link to Shropshire’s Nonconformist Chapels.
The Primitive Methodist magazine contains two accounts by R Ward and R Carter of the initial opening of Ebenezer Primitive Methodist chapel on 20th December 1840. They are transcribed in the attached documents.
The new chapel which measured 14 yards square by 6 yards high, had 20 pews seating 100 people. There was a double entrance, 2 fire-places and 7 windows. Built of brick with columns and cornices of Roman cement, it was lit by gas.
The 1:2,500 Ordnance Survey map for 1875 shows it as on the same site as the chapel in these pictures. The 1901 map shows it as enlarged and a more complex shape than the original square footprint.
Reference
Primitive Methodist magazine May 1841 pages 171-174
Comments about this page
The church was built by my great grandfather, Bob Jones (1861-1912), of Rhos Farm, Quinta, Weston Rhyn. He worked on both the Vyrnwy dam and the first Mersey Tunnel, before setting up as a builder in Gobowen, having a builder’s yard in Willow Street, Oswestry. There was a photo in the Advertizer of the church under construction with Bob Jones standing in front.
I have added an old postcard to this page which shows the chapel not long after it was built – looking very impressive!
S Lloyd was Circuit Steward at the time the chapel was built.
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