Guiseley (Providence) PM Chapel Otley Road West Yorkshire
The first PM Chapel was built here in 1843
The first Primitive Methodists in Guiseley worshipped out doors at Town Gate under the cross. As they grew in number they worshipped in the homes of members before worshipping in a room behind Town Gate.
In the early 1840s they built themselves a small wooden chapel and in 1843 they replaced it with a stone one.(See photo No.1) This was situated on the area (see photos No.3&4) which eventually became the graveyard. The Primitives were very poor and so the chapel had to be built a little at a time as and when money became available. It cost £650. Considering how poor they were they did tremendous amounts of fund raising always supported by The Band of Hope who were trying to prevent drunkenness among the people. The Band of Hope also used the chapel.
In 1868 a Sunday School was added at a cost of £820. Here children who had to go to work during the week were educated on a Sunday.(see photo No.6)
In 1877 The large ‘Providence’ Chapel was built on land adjacent to the first chapel at a cost of £2200. (see photo No.7) The earlier chapel was pulled down and the land became a burial ground.(see photos No.3&4)
In 1966 the congregation of the Providence Chapel joined with the congregation of the Wesleyan Trinity Church to form Guiseley Methodist Church. They worshipped in the Trinity building. The Providence Chapel was demolished in 1970. In 1985 the Trinity Church was also demolished and the following year the Providence Sunday School also after it had been used as a youth club. Morrisons Supermarket now stands on this site. (see photo No.9)
Stone from the Providence Chapel was incorporated into the church building of the new Guiseley Methodist Church. (see Photo No.10)
Colour Photos taken November 2014
Other images kindly provided by Aireborough Historical Society.
OS Map Ref:104:SE191419
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The 1844 Primitive Methodist magazine (pages 222-223) contains a report of the opening of Guisley Primitive Methodist chapel on January 28th 1844. Opening preachers included Brothers J Thompson (Liverpool), W Towler (Manchester) W Bland (Leeds) and John Sharpe who wrote the article.
The land was purchased from John Barrett – who gave back one shilling per yard when the land was paid for.
The chapel cost £340 of which they had raised around £100, seated 186 and there was a cottage available to rent for £3 a year.
The 1850 Primitive Methodist magazine (page 569) contains an account by Robert Smith of the re-opening of Guiesley (sic) Primitive Methodist chapel after “improvement”. Re-opening services on July 14th 1850, which coincided with the Sunday School anniversary, were lead by Mr Baume and Mr Pickles of Bradford.
Collections totalled over £20, which more than paid for the work.
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