Church Of St John (Methodist)

SE 22 NW BATLEY MB HUDDERSFIELD ROAD BIRSTALL 2/25 3.12.79 Church of St John (Methodist) (Formerly listed as Wesleyan Church)

II

Methodist Chapel. Dated 1846. Possibly by James Simpson. Dressed stone with ashlar dressings. Pitched Welsh slate roof. 2 storeys on tall plinth with basement. 6 bay hall with 5 bay plain Classical front, flanked by broad clasping pilasters. 3 bay central break is pedimented with tablet in tympanum with embossed lettering: WESLEYAN CHAPEL To left and right steps lead to panelled doors with round arched fanlight in doorcase with engaged columns, entablature and blocking course. Round arched windows, with architraves, have keystone and impost blocks and marginal glazing.

Fine interior has gallery to 3 sides on thin Corinthian columns. Pilaster bay divisions to walls. Gallery and ground floor are box pewed throughout to seat 1150. Handsome organ case framed in Corinthian order. Tall pulpit up twin flights of stairs. Communion table and ornamental cast iron Communion rail. Cast iron balconies from organ to staircase doors and gallery.

Bust of John Nelson, 1705-1774, founder of the Chapel, over inscribed tablet, under gallery. John Nelson was a pioneer of early Methodism in Yorkshire.

Inscribed foundation stone reads: "The original Wesleyan Chapel was built in 1750. Rebuilt and enlarged 1782. This Chapel was built in 1846".

Listing NGR: SE2258226174