Former Wesleyan Chapel

MORETONHAMPSTEAD CROSS STREET (south side) SX 7586 Moretonhampstead 8/114 Former Wesleyan Chapel - GV II

Wesleyan chapel now in use as an annexe to No. 26 (q.v.) Dated 1817, rebuilt or extensively repaired after a fire in 1866. Closed in 1976. Granite rubble, faced in stucco with incised lining to resemble ashlar. Asbestos slate roof with gabled ends and fairly deep eaves. Corners of eaves supported on small shaped wooden brackets. Plan: a rectangular auditorium parallel to road on an east-west axis with a gallery over the entrance and passageway at the east (left) end. The entrance to the chapel is reached via the passageway which gives access to a cottage and former Sunday School at rear. Single storey plus gallery. The north side is the main front facing Cross Street and has 4 tall round-headed windows with stone cills, 2 top-opening lights and glazing bars with margin panes containing stained glass. Under the eaves near centre is a plaque engraved "Wesleyan Methodist Chapel 1817" in upper case with serifs and Arabic numerals. The left round-headed entrance to passageway, through to rear, with ornate wrought iron gates at front and glazed and panelled double doors at rear with margin panes. Inside passage to right, glazed double doors to chapel. Interior: the west end, liturgical east, has large pointed arch recess with nook shafts. The timber gallery has gothick panelled front. The rest of the furnishings and seating has been removed. The low-pitched roof is probably circa 1866, and has principal rafters with iron tie rods instead of collars. This non-conformist chapel is interesting for the way it overcomes a very constricted site by having the gallery over the passageway which gives access to buildings at the rear. Its conspicuous front with large arched windows is an important feature in Cross Street. Source: C Stell's draft for RCHM book on non-conformist chapels.

Listing NGR: SX7543286035