G073 – Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, 1955.
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel – 1955
This chapel stood on Chapel Hill, built in 1834, the last service took place on July 3rd 1955.
The congregation then went to worship at Queen Street Chapel until a replacement was built almost on the same site as the old chapel.
Queen Street was also pulled down, all the Methodists were united and attended the new chapel which is now the only Methodist Church in Yeadon (November 2012).
L21 – Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, 1955.
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel – 1955
A mixed choir in the chapel choir stalls, behind them is the organ.
Back row Left to Right – ?, William Mainprize, John ?, Harry Flesher, Ernest Jackson, George Rhodes, ?, Tom Jackson.
Middle row Left to Right – Wilfred Hudson, ?, ?, Dorothy Aldous, Elizabeth Kaye, Christine Hudson, Christina Padgett, Edith Jackson, Elsie Hudson, ?, Roger Pratt.
Front row Left to Right – ?, Dorothy Stead, Audrey Stead, Betty Law, ?,?,?,?, Edna Stott, ?, Margaret Hudson.
K292 – Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Undated.
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel – Undated
The chapel was located on Chapel Hill, it was demolished in 1958 and the burial ground was grassed over.
It was replaced by the present Methodist Church which is in the same location.
E937 – Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Undated.
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel – Undated
Another view of the church and graveyard taken it would appear several years later as the tree at the side of the church has grown and vandals have struck one of the grave statues which is now missing its head.
R001 – Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Undated.
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel – Undated
The Trustees of the chapel on Chapel Hill were:
Herbert Law, George Rhodes, Tom C Jackson, Herbert Mankin, Raymond Wagstaff, Robert Peel, Sydney Rhodes, Stanley Walker, Wilfred Hudson, Fred Walker, Ted Summers, Edgar Clapham, Sam Waite, Willie Stott, Ernest E Jackson, Rev. H R Rowe and Eric Myers.
R386 – Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Undated.
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel – Undated
On the left is what was the first Wesleyan Chapel to be built in Yeadon, erected in 1766 by Jeremiah Marshall of Parkgate House, Guiseley.
On the roof is a bell tower to summon the faithful.
The chapel was sold in 1854, the larger chapel having been built on Chapel Hill in 1834, it was bought by W R Crompton Stansfield of Esholt Hall who gave permission for the chapel to be used as a Church of England Mission Hall and school.
In 1891, St. Andrew’s Church was built and the chapel became known as “old St. Andrew’s”.
It was demolished and replaced on the same site by the Church Institute in 1894 which is seen on the right, it was converted into apartments in 1984 so remains one of the few old Yeadon landmarks.
Photographer of the image on the right, Edwy Harling.
R387 – Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Undated.
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel – Undated
Located on Chapel Hill and built in 1834, this Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was one the scene of rioting and bitter division.
A schism occurred between the different Methodist factions which led to violent disagreements in the chapel, as a result the reformers left and built a chapel on the High Street in 1855.
Their followers grew in number and it became necessary to erect an even larger chapel which was Queen Street or the United Methodist Reform Church opened in 1865, the High Street premises became the Lecture Hall and schoolroom.
All the various divisions of the Methodist Church came together in 1932 when the Methodist Union took place but it was some time before the Yeadon branches merged. The chapel seen here was demolished in 1958, the present Methodist Church on the right was built to replace it. In the foreground is the old chapel burial ground, the monuments were removed and the area grassed over.
Between this and the present chapel is a car park which was the site of the old chapel, the right side of the present church was the old Wesleyan schoolroom.
Photographer of the image on the right, Edwy Harling.
Previous Comments:
A comment on our facebook:
Re K292
Simon Crabtree: May I comment on this, is the building on the left the scout building and the roof in the back ground the Methodist church. If so the graves have long gone and so has the grass I think it’s a car park now.
A reply from our President:
What he says is correct in that the building just visible with its roof is our current Sanctuary which originally was the Church Hall for the Wesleyan chapel which is shown.
The site of this is the current health centre car park.
The graves were covered over and are under the grassy area.
We sold it to A.U.D. I think for about £1, the condition that as an open space it could be used for activities for Scouts Guides etc, and in addition for community events such as the Yeadon Carnival which was held on it after the usual procession.
We thought originally about removing the graves in order to sell it as building land but there are approximately 1200 bodies there and it was going to cost £12 per body to remove them, hence we thought better and is why we took the decision to pass it to the Council.
Gerald Long.
President AHS.
September 2017.
Re R001
valryan85a
My Uncle Eric Myers front row second from right and his brother-in-law was Wilfred Hudson but not sure if same one or which man on photo. I know they were staunch Methodists and attended Chapel Hill. I used to be reluctantly taken there to see the performance of the Messiah, Eric was a very well known local singer.
07 January 2020.
Consolidated by J Brayshaw. 13 November 2023
Last Updated: 13 November 2023 – second page introduced.
