West Stower (Stour) Primitive Methodist chapel
Church Street West Stour GILLINGHAM SP8 5RL
The Primitive Methodist magazine of November 1854 contains an account by G. Blackwell of the opening of West Stower Primitive Methodist chapel, in the Motcombe circuit. Nowadays it is more commonly spelled West Stour.
The story is that the Prims had held services in the village for many years but the number of members was small. This was ascribed in part to “the intolerance of the clergyman and his adherents”. However, a “neat little chapel” was opened on Wednesday 6th September 1854 by the Rev J Symonds of Reading, followed by tea on the green for 180. Further sermons were preached the following Sunday by Mr Jackson (Wesleyan). Thanks were offered to Mr Hicocks for his support.
On Google Street View in 2016 the building still exists, set back in a gap between two other houses, opposite Ashley House.
Reference
Primitive Methodist magazine November 1854 p.682
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I’ve added pictures of the chapel kindly supplied by Nick and Judith Rogers, June 2022
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