Clive Primitive Methodist Chapel, Shropshire

Chapel opened in 1859, Closed in ????

Photograph taken December 2020

Photographs taken in April 2012, where it was found to be in a state of abandonment and dereliction.

Planning consent to convert the Chapel to a house was given, but so far no work has been carried out.

Any information on this Chapel would be gratefully received.

 

 

Revisiting Clive Chapel in December 2020, the Chapel had been tastefully converted into a domestic dwelling.

OS Map ref: 126: SJ513242

 

information added October 2017 by CH

William Wood writes in the Primitive Methodist magazine (September 1859 page 558) of the opening of the chapel on June 12th 1859. Preachers at the opening were Samuel Ward of The Wood, Oswestry, and Miss Darby, of Brierly Hill.

It measured 28′ 6″ x 21′ 6″ and cost £160.

Comments about this page

  • Clive (Primitive) Methodist Chapel celebrated its centenary in 1959. The Centenary Celebrations Handbook 1859-1959 describes how the Clive Society overcame familiar opposition to build their chapel; the site they had found was opposite the parish church, which was too much for the squire and the vicar to accept. This in turn gave them a great bargaining hand and a determined negotiation then secured a spot on the High Street in the centre of the village. As one of its most influential members, Samuel Cank was a stonemason working one of the local quarries and had labourers in his employ; building the chapel proved not to be a problem. Many quarrymen were chapel goers. Current and original trustees were listed and included Richard Cank, son of Samuel, who was still an active local preacher and had given over 70 years of service. It had been an influential little chapel, the Clive society being active in the Hadnall and later Wem circuit and wider district. Particular mention is made of George Dytor, a local preacher for 40 years, who had held many offices in the society, circuit and district; he was also elected to the parish council for over 50 years, becoming chair and a manager of the school; such civic responsibilities held by a Methodist would have been unthinkable in the early years.
    The final membership lists, which had dwindled to a handful and Sunday School accounts are dated 1964/5. It seems that services of worship ceased around this time, although the chapel was (re) opened for a marriage service in 1970.
    The Centenary handbook and other records are held in Shropshire Archives
    I remember this as a functioning chapel while I was at Clive School. I also recall being taken to a service here one evening, sometime in the late 1950’s by my grandfather who lived locally on Grinshill Hill and who was a lay preacher in the Wem circuit, cycling to appointments on his bicycle. I got the impression that it was by then an occasional rather than regular congregation. Now that I know a little more about its history, it is probable that the service I attended was one of the centenary celebrations.
    The chapel was recently converted into a private house

    By Alison Shepherd (08/10/2020)
  • Further information on this chapel can be viewed by following the link to http://www.vchshropshire.org/chapels/cleoprim.htm

    By Geoff Dickinson (11/12/2013)

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.