Primitive Methodist Chapel, Freckleton

A NEW CHAPEL AT FRECKLETON. Within a short time, the Primitive Methodists of Freckkton will leave the building which has served them a chapel since the year 1862 for the new place of worship now in course of erection adjacent to their present home, and which will be larger and generally more suitable to their needs. The history of the Primitive Methodist connexion extends back 1847, when a home missioner, Mr. Benjamin Whillcock, was the leading spirit. For fourteen years the community met and worshipped the old factory at Freckleton, and the present Jubilee Chapel was commenced in I86I and opened in the following year, giving accommodation for 160 persons. The chapel has served the additional purpose of a Sunday school, but within the last ten years the need for better accommodation for services and school work has been greatly felt The proposal build now chapel was first mooted in 1880, and from that year up to the present time the funds lor that purpose have been steadily growing. There was nearly £400 in hand when the contract for the new building was let, and on Saturday afternoon, when the six memorial stones were laid, the building fund was augmented the substantial addition of £216 odd. The site the now chapel is immediately adjoining the present one, and it intended convert the old building into a schoolroom, the scholars on the books numbered 130, with twenty teachers, the superintendents being Mr. Robert Ball and Mr. J. Iddon. Mr, J. D. Mould, A.R.LB.A, of Manchester, is the architect of the new chapel, which will the early Gothic style, with a projecting vestibule In front, facing the Lytham Road, and is semi-circular at the end behind the rostrum. Externally, the building will be faced with Accrington red stock bricks and terra cotta mouldings, relieved with dressings of York stone. The fittings of the interior will of pitch pine, and there will be sitting accommodation for 266 persons, all on the ground floor. The cost of the building, together with ministers’ vestry and two classrooms to the existing chapel, will be £1,142 10s. The heating and, ventilation system be adopted is Tobin’s. Mr. J. Gardner, of Kirkham, has taken the sole contract, and the brick and stonework bring carried out by Mr. T. Singleton and Mr. M. Gardner respectively. [Preston Herald - Wednesday 26 August 1891 page 3]

Reference           Preston Herald - Wednesday 26 August 1891 page 3