Barwell, Chapel Street, Wesleyan Methodist Chapels, Leicestershire

Barwell, Chapel Street, Wesleyan Methodist Chapel (i) was built of brick in 1797. In 1885 the premises were a single rectangular building but by 1901 a rear extension creating an L shape had been added. In 1851 the chapel provided 110 free and 290 other sittings, 400 in all. The school seated a further 200. From 1873 to 1901 the chapel seated between 410 and 430.
In 1903 some cottages to the north of the chapel were demolished and the site used to erect a much larger and, judging from the ground plan, more imposing building. It seated 720. In 1940 the premises consisted of a chapel measuring 58 feet by 49 feet and seating 400 at ground level and 350 in the all round gallery. A schoolroom 83 feet by 24 feet, and eight vestries or classrooms. There was also a caretaker’s house. The site was subsequently cleared to make way for a modern suite of buildings.
Sources
The National Archives 1851 ecclesiastical census HO129.412.3.1.3 (Hinckley Union)
John Rylands Library University of Manchester, MAC Lawson Returns of Accommodation provided by Wesleyan Methodist Chapels and other Preaching Places, Hinckley Circuit 1873/328, 1881/379, 1891/407, 1901/405, 1911/375, 1931/385
John Rylands Library University of Manchester DDPD2 Returns of Accommodation provided by Wesleyan Methodist Chapels and other Preaching Places, Hinckley Circuit, 1931/385
John Rylands Library University of Manchester, DDPD1 Methodist Church Buildings: Statistical returns including seating accommodation as at July 1st 1940/691 (Hinckley, Stockwell Head, Circuit)
25 inch OS sheet Leicestershire XXXV.16 , 1885-8, 1901-3 and 1927-9
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