Wolverton Wesleyan Methodist Chapel(s), Buckinghamshire

In 1970 it was stated that Wolverton Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was opened in 1892. The street facing part of the building is in a Gothic style entirely consistent with this date. The entrance is through an elaborate arch which has columns with highly decorated capitals at each side and an arch decorated with carved foliage surmounted by a ogee hood moulding pointing to an apex containing more foliage. Above are twin windows containing geometrical tracery. To one side of the façade is a tower with its own entrance which probably provided access to the gallery. On top of the tower is an unusual crown like structure. Unusually, but very helpfully two of the foundation stones name the architect, Ewan Harper of [B]irmin[gha]’m, and the builders, H & C Burden of C[hipping] Norton. One more feature which clearly dates from this time is a large circular window, also filled with geometrical tracery in the back wall. It is difficult to see it and taking a picture more so. Turning to the body of the chapel behind the Gothic front and we find a very different building. It was built entirely of brick and lighted by round headed windows. It is not uncommon to see costly masonry dressings omitted from The less public parts of the building but it is hard to see why if this part of the building were built in 1892 it did not have Gothic openings like the facade. This leads to the thought that far from being a full rebuild the 1892 work was limited to replacing a dated façade more modern and imposing structure while leaving the body of the chapel unaltered. This building was erected between 1873 when the Wesleyans were meeting in a building at the station and 1880 when the chapel was shown on a map. The chapel is no longer used as a Methodist place of worship and id now occupied by King’s Church which has embarked on a substantial restoration project.

Sources

John Rylands Library University of Manchester, MAC Lawson Returns of Accommodation provided by Wesleyan Methodist Chapels and other Preaching Places 1873/ No. 73 Newport Pagnell Circuit

John Rylands Library University of Manchester, MAC Lawson, Methodist Church Buildings: Statistical returns including seating accommodation as at July 1st 1940 No. 82 Wolverton and Bletchley Circuit

The Methodist Church Department of Chapel Affair, Statistical Returns made 6^th December 1970 No.  2/29 Milton Keynes Circuit

OS 25 inch Buckinghamshire IX. 12 1880, 1924

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