Clee Hill Wesleyan Methodist chapel

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• WELLINGTON JOURNAL, 27 July 1902, page 12.
  “CLEE HILL.
  WESLEYAN BAZAAR. For some years past the absolute need for a new chapel and school premises has been felt at Clee Hill, and some three years ago a scheme was formulated with a view to raise funds for the erection of substantial buildings. For more than a hundred years the Gospel has been preached in this district by the Wesleyans, who, in the early days of Wesleyan Methodism, had a small chapel near the Five Turnings, and for some time this place was too small for the congregations, and some 30 years ago new day school premises were erected through the instrumentality of the late Mr. W. Putman and others, in which services had been held each Sunday, but were considered very unsuitable for the purpose. The leaders of Wesleyan Methodist therefore resolved to build a commodious building, with Sunday School premises, at a cost of £1,000, and towards this a bazaar …was opened on Tuesday by Mr. John Thomas, Richard’s Castle, … On Wednesday … there was a good attendance to witness the opening ceremony by the mayor of Ludlow …”.
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  LUDLOW ADVERTISER, 1 November 1902, page 4.
  “TENDERS.
  THE TRUSTEES are prepared to receive TENDERS for NEW WESLEYAN CHAPEL, CLEE HILL. Plans, &c. may be seen at MR G. STEAD’S, CORVE STREET, LUDLOW 1st to the 5th NOVEMBER.”
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  SHREWSBURY CHRONICLE, 11 July 1902, page 8.
  “CLEE HILL.
  WESLEYAN QUARTETLY MEETING … Mr. G. Roberts presented a statement as to the fund for the erection of a new chapel at Clee Hill … they had in hand £300 and promises on books amounting to £60 … The total collection for the new chapel, with promises, amounted to £109 1s. 8d. …”.
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  WELLINGTON JOURNAL, 2 May 1903, page 11.
  “WESLEYAN CHAPEL STONE LAYING AT CLEE HILL.
  Thursday last will be regarded as a red-letter day in the annals of Wesleyan Methodist in the Clee Hill district … For a number of years the members of the Wesleyan body worshipped in a small chapel near the Five Furnaces, but as time went on the building was found to be quite inadequate for the accommodation of the growing society, and in 1878 the members and officials resolved to build a new chapel and schools. A site was procured, and the schools were built. These, with subsequent strutural alterations and enlargements, involved an outlay of some £1600. Hampered with a large debt on the new school premises, and having to make considerable sacrifices towards their support, the members … have been compelled to endure the inconvenience of worshipping in the schoolroom. But by dint of much perseverance the debt on the school buildings was absolutely cleared, and a scheme was formulated for the erection of a new chapel in close proximity to the schools at a cost of about £1,000 and a determined effort was made to raise the funds for this purpose, Towards this amount the sume of £400 has already been raised, and a grant of £100 has been promised from the Twentieth Century Fund Committee. The new chapel is computed to seat 200, and it is hoped to have it completed for opening in August or early in September … on Thursday … just before the hour fixed for the stone-laying a heavy storm burst across the hill and militated against the proceedings. The Rev. J. D. Kendrew (circuit superintendent) … called upon the Rev. Dr. Allen (ex-president of the conference) to lay the first stone … The total amount raised by the stone laying, &c., was £166 7s. 4d. …”.
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  LEOMINSTER NEWS, Friday 9 October 1903, page 6.
  “OPENING OF THE NEW CHAPEL.
  On Thursday October 1st. the newly erected chapel at Clee Hill was opened. The dedication service was conducted by the Rev. W. E. Fletcher, of Birmingham, at 3 o’clock … After the service tea was served in the schoolroom … In the evening a public meeting was held in the new chapel … Collections were taken during the day which amounted to £22. On Sunday, the services were continued, when the Rev. Chas. Farrington, of Shrewsbury, preached three sermons to good congregations.”
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  By Janice Cox (23/11/2020)