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Barton on Humber & Brigg Methodist Circuit Lincoln Grimsby District |
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After John Wesley's death, Methodism broke up into many separate groups.
In Scawby, the Wesleyans remained at their Chapel on West Street. In
1851 this had 156 sittings of which 50 were free. The average attendance
was 90, including Sunday School scholars. This Chapel closed just "before
the Second World War.
The other group. The Primitive Methodists- are much more difficult to follow.
Methodist meeting places were registered in various places in the Parish. There
were two houses in Silversides in 1817 and 1825: two in Scawby Brook in 1850
and 1857. In 1854 John Marsh registered a barn in Scawby village as a place
of religious worship. Whether the 'Prims' met here or not in 1851 is not known,
They were in a 'chapel' erected before 1800. They had 60 free sittings, and
average congregations of 25 in the afternoon and 60 in the evenings.
By 1874 they were certainly in part of Mr. Guthbert's property next door to
the present Chapel. Things were looking up so they took a lease of the whole
building which is now Spenser's shop. It faced Chapel lane, and had another
small building on either side.
When the lease was up, the Trustees tried to renew it, but Mr. Cuthbert would
have none of it. So, with a gift of land from the Squire, the Trust built the
present property, opening it late in October 1895.
The building was to be in Gothic design, built of brick with stone dressings.
The pews were to be of pitch pine, seating upwards of 100 adults. A Sunday
School of 50 children was to "be in the hack of the building, hut this could
he thrown into the Chapel, should occasion arise, by means of sliding doors.
There was good weather for the stone laying in May 1895. A large number of
friends from Brigg and other villages were present. After the service,stones
were laid, and a bottle containing copies of the current issue of the Star,
the Erimitive Methodist Magazine, the Circuit Plan and a Class Ticket, with
a coin of the realm was then placed in the foundations.
After this, the company adjourned to the National School which had been loaned
for the occasion, where a sumptuous tea was provided. In the evening, there
was a public meeting in the Wesleyan Chapel, by permission of the Trustees.
Five months later, the building was complete, having cost £519-19-9d, a bill
which was paid with loans of about £.288.
THE OPENING SERVICES
The opening services commenced on October 27th when Mr. C. T. Bray of Scunthorpe preached in the morning and evening, with a Service of Song by the Brigg Choir in the afternoon. The following day the Reverend W. Pigott preached and this service was followed in the evening by a public meeting. Mr. Cooper Snowden who presided gave five pounds. Also that day a public tea and coffee supper were served.
On 3rd November the pulpit was occupied by Mr. H. Spilman of Hull and the following Sunday on the 10th by Mr. B. Walmsley of Leeds. The next day a public meeting was presented with a financial report which showed that about £200 had been raised towards the building fund. The coffee supper was served by Mrs. Nicholson, Mrs. J. Phillipson, Mrs. M. Phillipson and other ladies.