Boldron Primitive Methodist Chapel, Teesdale Circuit, Yorkshire (now County Durham)
Opened 1868
The Chapel closed about 2009, and is in the process of being sold.
The following articles have been transcribed from the Teesdale Mercury. You can find more information on the Boldron History website.
27 June 1866
BOLDRON
The annual Camp Meeting of the Primitive Methodists, was held near Boldron, on Sunday last. The day being fine, a large concourse of people assembled from the surrounding neighbourhood, who were addressed by Messrs J. Lynn, B. Wade, W. Parker, and A. Ramsden, from Barnard Castle. In the evening a Lovefeast was held in the meeting house, belonging to Mrs Whitfield, in which house the people have worshipped God for more than 40 years. On this occasion the house was crowded, the congregation numbered about 70. We are glad to say they are trying to obtain a new chapel, and we hope the people will come forward liberally to help the friends in Boldron. The same chapel has to be made use of by the Sunday school, the scholars numbering betwixt 50 and 60. For want of a chapel the children are neglected.—Correspondent.
29 April 1868
PRIMITIVE METHODISM IN BARNARD CASTLE AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
The following interesting account of the progress of Primitive Methodism in this district, was read by Mr R. Peel, of Barnard Castle, at the laying of the foundation-stone of a Primitive Methodist Chapel, at the village of Boldron:—
It is natural for us to wish to know why anything is done that professes to be for the benefit of the public and how far it is calculated to answer that end. Weexpect, therefore, that some enquiry will take place amongst the inhabitants of this village as to our motives for endeavouring to build a chapel here. In order to satisfy you on this point, I may state 1st that we have preached in this village for above forty years, and have frequently experienced the inconvenience of not having a proper place in which to hold our religious services and teach our Sunday-school. The second reason is, we find the present place altogether inadequate for our increasing congregation and thirdly, we consider Boldron worthy of having a suitable place of worship; and, as Christians, we wish to carry out the mandate of our Lord Jesus Christ, wherein he said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” We sincerely wish every human being to hear the preaching of God’s Holy Word, that all may be able to read it for themselves, and believe and receive it as that “which is able to make them wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” For this end for above forty years, the following reverend gentlemen (as far as I can learn), have, in their turns, laboured in Boldron:—Mr Batty ; Mr Wm. Dent, and Mr Ford. Those ministers first preached in the venerable thatched cottage wherein we still assemble, through the kindness, and more than kindness, of sister Jane Whitfield, and her pious and honoured, but departed husband. We have, through their permission, been favoured with the place for more than forty years, without any charge for rent, warming, or cleansing. The undernamed succeeded Mr Dent, viz :—Mr John Oxtaby ; Mr Fleisher ; Mr Summersides ; Messrs Haveland and Kirk ; Messrs Brining and Knowles ; Mr Wm. Gorner and his colleague; Mr Crowther; Mr Sharp ; Mr Jackson and Miss Brown ; Messrs Greener and Cookman; Mr Parrott and Miss Timms; Mr Joseph Smith and his colleagues; Mr Broadbent; Mr Butcher; Mr Thos. Smith and his colleagues; Mr T. Oliver; Mr Charles Simpson ; Mr J. Lightfoot; Mr Cleghorn; Mr R. Shields and his colleague; Mr Adam Dodds and his colleague; Mr Pratt ; Mr McGee; Mr Nation and his colleague; Mr C. Priestley; Mr Graham; and at present, Mr H. Yooll and Mr Carmichael. I may add that this is the second time Mr Yooll has travelled in the Barnard Castle Circuit. The above ministers have each laboured in this Circuit, and preached the gospel to the people of Boldron. The local brethren have also encouraged the ministers by persevering and zealously attending their appointments, and looking after the spiritual welfare of those coming under their charge. A number have ” fallen asleep in Jesus, ” and others remain to hail the laying of the foundation-stone of this chapel, which we pray may be the birthplace of many precious souls. Now, you will want to know what good has been accomplished all this time. Well, we can say in truth we have not laboured in vain; and that the Divine blessing has accompanied our efforts. The first circumstance we have to record under this heading is that the master and mistress of the cottage gave their hearts to God, and were made happy; and brother Henry Whitfield, after enjoying Christian fellowship with us for more than thirty years, died, rejoicing in Jesus, and went home to his rest above. John Newton, Esq, and his amiable partner were hearers, and were greatly blessed. They were both favourable to our having a chapel in their day, and offered to contribute handsomely towards it and had we then made the effort, we no doubt should have succeeded. Mr W. Hobson and some of his family were numbered among those who were benefitted by our labours. Mrs Scott and her daughter, who wore patterns of piety, and consistently served God, amid persecutions and trials of no ordinary nature, both died triumphant in the faith, and went “to be with Christ, which is far better.” One of the happiest souls I ever witnessed was brother George Storey; and his widow, many years afterwards, died in full assurance of a joyful eternity. John Dixon, whose conversion might almost be accounted a miracle, was calm and resigned under protracted suffering, and exulted in the thought of meeting his Redeemer. Mr Fothergill and his family were members with us, and the Sunday-school was a great blessing to them; after years of communion with us at Boldron, they removed elsewhere, where they continue their labours in the cause of Christ. Mr Robt. Scott and his partner were members; and Mr John Jackson and some of his family. Brother Jackson was class-leader and local preacher, until he was laid aside by age and affliction. Many others, besides the above, were among the first fruits of our labours in this locality, proving that we have not toiled in vain. I must also tell you that our Sunday-school, already referred to, was for many years of great utility to the youth of this village. We were reluctantly compelled to give up the school, through the want of a school-room and other adverse causes. But when we get our new chapel built, most of those difficulties will be obviated, and our Sunday school and Society, under the favour of the great Head of the Church, will flourish and prosper. Finally, we desire nothing more earnestly than your present good, and everlasting welfare. We hope our hearers will give themselves fully up to the Lord, and will help us in all our exertions to benefit our fellow-men and glorify God. I pray also that harmony may dwell amongst us, and that we may take the advice of the inspired penman, and be at peace among ourselves.
The Chapel, as duly noticed in our columns, was opened on Good Friday.
13 May 1868
BOLDRON NEW PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL.
Sir,—As we promised to give some further particulars respecting the opening of the above chapel. The trustees beg to return thanks to all who have so liberally contributed to the funds, either in the shape of horse labour or money matters; likewise to Mr Hilton, who made a present of the tea used on the occasion; also to Mrs Richardson, who voluntarily came forward and promised a bible and hymn book, for the special use of the Boldron friends. We also wish to tender our warmest thanks to Miss Bennett, who, with the exception of her expenses to and from Hexham, gave her services gratuitously—wishing her great success in her spiritual labours, and hoping to secure her services on a future occasion. We also subscribe the names of the Iadies who gave and presided over the tables, viz.:— Mrs Lowes and. Miss Layton, Boldron; and Mrs Mackay, of Barnard Castle. We wish also to remember the kindness of Mr Maddinson, of Darlington, who made a present of the plans and specifications of the building, and has assisted in various other matters relative to the welfare of the society. ‘Now, as the chapel has been opened for divine service, we hope that the public will avail themselves of the privilege of hearing the ” Word of life, ” and that it may prove a blessing, not only to this, but succeeding generations.
WILLIAM PARKER,
On behalf of the Trustees.
3 June 1868
BOLDRON
R. P. writes:— The Primitive Methodists held their first Missionary Meeting, in their new Chapel, on Wednesday, the 27th ult. Previous to the commencement of the meeting, the ministers and trustees were invited to the house of Mrs Coates, and were there presented with a beautiful Bible and Hymn Book, for the use of the Chapel, by Mrs Richardson, of Boldron. The Rev. H. Yooll, the Superintendant of the circuit, on receiving the books, thanked Mrs Richardson for her munificence towards the trustees at the laying of the foundation stone of the chapel, and also, on subsequent occasions, for the aid she had given them in furnishing the chapel, &c. Mr Yooll expressed a wish that the beautiful Bible might only be opened to glorify God, by His pure word being read and preached from it for the salvation and benefit of mankind; and lie further hoped that great and lasting good would result from the Word preached fromt , and that the present and future generations would have to bless the giver. A few remarks from Mr R. Peel, referring to Mrs Richardson’s former liberality and the present splendid gift, thanking her in the name of the other trustees, closed the ceremony. The Missionary Meeting was then held in the chapel. The chair was occupied, by Mr Geo. Oliver, who delivered an appropriate, introductory speech. The meeting was then addressed, by Messrs Lynn, Parker, Peel, and the Rev. Messrs Carmichael and Yooll. The speaking was lively, pointed, and edifying, referring to the missionary labours and enterprises of the Connexion, both in this district and throughout England, and also their Iabours and success at foreign stations, showing the numerical increase for the past year, and the determination of the connexional authorities to extend their labours to Africa, China, and other parts of the globe where the preaching of the Gospel is so much needed. The beauty and adaptiveness of the Gospel for exalting mankind were clearly set forth, and harmonizing effect on national character. It was deplored that there should exist bigotry and exclusiveness amongst professing Christians; and that Spain and Portugal, in Europe, and other places in different parts of the world, were suffering both commercially, religiously, and politically, from that cause. I say, free trade in religion, as well as in commerce.’ I cannot conclude the present paragraph without passing a eulogium on the ladies of Boldron and the neighbourhood. I don’t think that the ladies of any village of equal size or population, in all England, have come forward so nobly for building a place of worship and supplying it with internal requisites, as the ladies of this place. I hear the ladies are still planning for our comfort and convenience. Bless them, how they do throw our sex into the shade when they set about doing anything! What perseverence and what unostentatious benevolence they manifest. I am certain we should have stuck in the mud, if we had not had their heads and kind hearts to assist us. All honour to them, for we should have a gloomy world without them. I can never envy a bachelor’s life, after what I have seen. According to former promise, we commenced our Sunday School on Sunday, the 31st ult. A good number of boys and girls drew up, and we had a very nice school for a beginning but, by some mistake or other, the books were not forthcoming, and we had to send the scholars to their homes for books. We got a good supply, and all went on very well, and I believe both teachers and scholars were edified.
P. S. — If coming events cast their shadows before them, I can venture to prophesy that some of those good people already referred to, will never cease their efforts till every farthing of the debt upon the chapel is extinct.
11 November 1868
BOLDRON
Presentation — The Trustees of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Boldron, have presented Mrs Richardson with a handsomely bound Bible, as a small manifestation of thanks for her great liberality towards them in the erection of the above place of worship, the foundation-stone of which was laid by her in June, 1867.
20 April 1870
Primitive Methodist Chapel, Boldron
Anniversary services in connection with this place of worship were held on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The services were held in a spacious tent erected on the green, which was crowded on each occasion. About 200 sat down to tea, after which a public meeting was held, under the presidency of Mr Greenwell of Gateshead, who, by his pleasing anecdotes, drew forth the applause of the company. Speeches were delivered by Mr R. Peel, Mrs Hall, and the Rev B Wilde. The annual report was read by Mr Parker showing that the sum of £4 had been paid of the chapel debt, and also a subscription-list of £8 10s had been raised towards the anniversary, by the friends, at Boldron. The tables were presided over by the following ladies:- Mrs Bainbridge, Mrs Lowes, Mrs Coates, Mrs Mackay, Mrs Plews, Mrs Little, Mrs Calvert, and Mrs Dent. The sermons on the Sabbath were very impressive and the collections heartily responded to. The trustees will be able to pay off a debt of £10.
30 October 1872
There was a very interesting meeting held in the Primitive Methodist Chapel, on Friday evening, the 25th inst., under the auspices of the L.O.G.T. Hope of Teesdale Lodge, No. 1075. Bros. P. Winpenny, P.W.C.T. spoke at great length, and C. Peacock also gave a practical address. Bro. Jas. Bell presided, and sung a melody.
27 November 1872
Boldron.—There was a Good Templar meeting held in the Primitive Methodist Chapel, on Friday evening last, when addresses were given by Bros. J. D. Littlewood, F. Milner, and A Speak,W. V. T. Bro. Jas. Davis, W.S., presided over the meeting in the absence of Bro. J. Lee, P.W.C. There was an intelligent audience. The meeting was opened and closed with singing and prayer.
12 February 1873
Boldron Band of Hope
A very successful Band of Hope Entertainment was given in the Primitive Methodist Chapel, on Friday evening, the 7th inst. The above band of hope was established in June, 1872, and numbers at present 21 boys and 19 girls. They meet once a month, and are conducted by Mr James Davis, missionary, Barnard Castle. Several of the adult members of the Barnard Castle band of hope took part in the meeting on the 7th inst.,and a well-selected programme was gone through in first class style. Mr W. T. Davie presided over the meeting with his usual ability, and the meeting was opened and closed with singing and prayer.
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I’ve added a picture by David Leese of the former chapel in use in October 2022. David reports : Boldron Chapel, near Barnard Castle- located on the green, is as at October 2022 now in use, well maintained as a community facility – The Pinfold Club.
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