Littleworth Wesleyan chapel

The chapel at Littleworth was built in 1790. In the 1851 Religious Census return a congregation of around 170 was reported. The building could, however, have seated 356 according to the 1873 accommodation returns.

The chapel was much altered and refitted in  1887. The 1940 accommodation returns gave the seating capacity as 273, but the congregation had shrunk to 27 in 1933, and 18 in 1945. By 1973 the congregation was only 12, in a building which could then seat 258, with schoolrooms accommodating 136.

The final service was held at the chapel on 16th September, 1990 – the 200th anniversary of the chapel. Since 1990, the Methodist congregation have shared Holy Trinity Church, Amberley. The Littleworth hall is still used by both churches.  When I passed on September 6th 2020 hymn tunes were being played.

The building is listed, see https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101091109-amberley-methodist-church-minchinhampton

Grid reference SO 849016

Reference: Gloucestershire Record Office. Non-conformist Records guide – Volume 3: Stroud Valley