Saltfleetby Chapels

Saltfleetby West End Methodist Chapel: -

Built in 1848, alongside what is now the football field, this chapel served the Methodists in Saltfleetby for over one hundred and twenty years. Not a great deal is known about the early life of the chapel, the first record we have of an event there is the opening of the new Wesleyan School Room at the rear of the chapel in 1868, when a sermon was preached by Rev. David Solomon of Lowestoft. On the following day a public meeting and tea took place.

Over the years, and with some very shrewd stewardship, the chapel survived, but it seems that it was never an easy job to balance the books. In 1938 the cottage next door was purchased for £100 and this was demolished and the site used for car parking.

Towards the end of the 1939-1945 war the trustees held a meeting to discuss the future of the chapel, and it was decided to start a fund, the aim being to raise enough money to build a new chapel.

Members put money into the new fund, and it was added to when fundraising events took place.By the early 1950’s congregations were falling and it was realised that it would be impossible to have a new building, so the fund was closed and the money used to do essential repairs.In 1963 the schoolroom was re-floored, and the old forms replaced by chairs. The heating system in the chapel was renewed, and a new stage built in front of the pulpit. The organ was replaced with a pipe organ, which was the generous gift of two of the members.

By 1969 congregations had fallen dramatically and joint services were being held with the Saltfleetby East Chapel. Discussions were also taking place with the Anglicans with a view to forming the Saltfleetby Ecumenical partnership.

When the Rev. David Lambert became Rector of Saltfleetby this partnership came into being, and the West End chapel was closed and demolished in the early 1970’s.

Saltfleetby Centenary (primitive) Methodist Chapel: -

In 1847 seven trustees were appointed and they were given the task of finding a site on which to build a' meeting house', or if possible a chapel in which to hold their services.

They persuaded Mr. William Webster to sell them a small piece of land for the sum of Five Pounds, and on this they built their first small chapel. In 1858 they purchased another piece of land, and added a schoolroom to the rear of the chapel.

These buildings appear to have been adequate for their needs over the next fifty years, but in 1907 it was decided to purchase more land, demolish the existing chapel and erect a much larger version on the site.

This was done, and the building served the community for the next fifty years or so, but by the early 1960’s the congregation had fallen dramatically, and the stewards had no option but close the buildings for public worship.

In 1963 the buildings were sold to Mr. H. P. Lusby, who in turn sold them to the trustees of Saltfleetby Social Club. They were then converted into a Snooker Club and are still in use today.

Saltfleetby East Methodist Chapel: -

Almost opposite Swallowgate, and to the south side of the B1200 stands the now converted, Methodist Chapel. Records show that the first Chapel was built on the site in 1827, on a parcel of land purchased from a Mr. William Woodroffe of Scamblesby for the sum of Three Pounds Three Shillings.

Fifty years later in 1877, more land was purchased, the old Chapel demolished and a new Chapel and Sunday school were erected. Further extensions to the Sunday school took place in 1912, and in 1928 the building was registered for marriages.

In 1938 electricity was installed, and in 1964 improvements were made, by adding new toilets and a kitchen.

During 1974/75 a new look was given to the chapel, the old pews being replaced by chairs, a platform erected in front of the pulpit, and new heating installed.

About the same time Mr. Huw Liller donated some land to the side and rear of the chapel for use as a car park. Unfortunately, over the years the congregation declined, and the Chapel closed in 1996, and was sold to become a private dwelling.

The Methodists had by this time entered into a sharing agreement with Anglicans and since then all services have been held at St Peters church.

Have you got any photos or Memories of these Chapels? Please let me know.

WELCOME TO

The SALTFLEETBY VILLAGE HISTORY Website

Saltfleetby Chapels