Theddlethorpe St Helen Primitive Methodist chapel
Saltfleet Road, Theddlethorpe, Mablethorpe LN12 1NS
The first Theddlethorpe St Helen Primitive Methodist chapel was opened in 1835. In the Primitive Methodist magazine, John Coulson, who was one of the preachers at the opening, along with John Stamp, tells us that the new chapel measured 18′(w) x 27′(l). Despite this, they held an extra service in the open air in the afternoon for those who couldn’t get into the chapel.
The chapel stood on an exposed sea bank and was difficult for people to access, but in time it became too small for the society and a replacement chapel was opened in 1852 with a Sunday school added in 1888. There’s a note about the laying of memorial stones for the new schoolroom in the 1888 Primitive Methodist magazine (page 635). The first chapel became a doctor’s surgery
The new chapel measured 28′ square and 15′ high to the wall plate.
The Primitive Methodist magazine for August 1852 contains an account by Hugh Campbell of the opening of the chapel on 23rd May 1852 with sermons from J North of Grimsby and W. Briggs of Hogthorpe. A successful tea meeting was held the following day.
The last service was held in the chapel at Christmas 2003 and it was then converted into a private house.
location of the 1835 chapel: 478889
Reference
Primitive Methodist magazine 1837 page 436
Primitive Methodist magazine August 1852 498-499
Comments about this page
John Stamp’s journal for 1835 records:
July 27 Heard Bro Coulson preach on the foundation stone of Theddlethorpe chapel.
September 27 Sunday: assisted at the opening of Theddlethorpe chapel.
Note: By the rate of building for other chapels in Lincolnshire at the time -two months was an extended period.
The PM Chapel was within the Louth PM Circuit 1835-1932/3.
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln:
Theddlethorpe may/should have Preachers (men or women) named with dates of visitations amongst the following, thus:
Primitive Methodist Preaching Plans, Chapels within the Louth PM Circuit:
Ref. Meth/B/Louth P/H/1/5: year 1854.
Ref. Meth/B/Louth P/H/1/6: year 1864.
Ref. Meth/B/Louth P/H/1/7: year 1873.
Ref. Meth/B/Louth P/H/1/8: year 1886.
Ref. Meth/B/Louth P/H/1/9: year 1895.
Ref. Meth/B/Louth P/H/1/10: years 1900-1908.
Ref. Meth/B/Louth P/H/1/11: years 1911, 1915, 1918.
Ref. Meth/B/Louth P/H/1/12: year 1929.
Ref. Meth/B/Louth P/H/1/13: year 1930.
…………
Ref. Meth/C/Theddlethorpe, St.Helen’s/H/4/1?: Sunday School Account Book, 1890-1932.
Ref. Meth/C/Theddlethorpe, St. Helen’s/C/2/1: Trust Account Book, 1851-1897.
Ref. Meth/C/Theddlethorpe, St. Helen’s/C/2/2: Trust Account Book, 1897-1932.
Regards,
Ray & Marie.
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln:
Ref. Meth/B/Louth P/ (microfilm ref. 2/77): Circuit Baptisms, 1831-1837.
Ref. Meth/B/Louth P/A/?: Circuit Baptisms, 1873-1932/3.
Ref. Meth/B/Louth P/A/1/2: Circuit Baptisms, 1836-1875, with a Stewert’s/Steward’s Accounts, list of subscribers Preachers Book-Room, year 1838.
The date stone with name, apex front wall, Chapel:
The first word is now St.Helen, this having been altered in the past from the word Primitive, previously the wording much neater. Close-up viewing would also conclude this.
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln holds the following records:
Ref. ML199251: Sunday School, Primitive Methodist, Theddlethorpe St. Helen’s, Fen Lane?, built 1888, adjacent to the PM Chapel, built 1852.
Ref. Meth/C/Theddlethorpe/, Saint Helen’s, Saltfleet Rd., 1852, first Chapel 1835.
Ref. Meth/Theddlethorpe/Saint Helen’s/C/2/3, (Primitive): Chapel Keeper’s Expences Book.
Ref. Meth/C/Theddlethorpe, Saint Helen’s/J/4/1: Notes on the history of the Chapel (Primitive Methodist).
Ref. Meth/C/Theddlethorpe, St. John’s/A/1/1 (Wesleyan Chapel) to include some ex-Primitive baptisms 1904-1924.
Ref. D10C/DISS/4/1835/8: Certificate for Nonconformist Chapel: Theddlethorpe, year 1835. (It is not clear if for St.Helen’s PM Chapel or St. John’s-Wesleyan Chapel, or a Baptist Chapel).
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