Archaeological Research Services Ltd has recently been involved with archaeological works at the former Mount Pleasant Methodist Chapel, New Mills. We had first been commissioned to produce a heritage statement for a proposed development on the site in 2021 and, following the approval of the application and as a condition of the planning permission, we undertook a historic building recording and archaeological recording during ground works at the site. Our work provided a photographic and descriptive record of the Chapel before the development works started, as well as a record of the below-ground traces of the previous structures that stood on the site during the development works.
The origins of the Chapel date to 1838, with the construction of a small square building associated with the Wesleyan Methodist Association. This earlier building was originally a blacksmith shop with a room over for services. The shop was later redeveloped as four cottages, with an additional two cottages later added. Following the Association’s merger with other small Methodist societies, the Chapel over these cottages became too small for purpose. The new large Chapel was constructed in 1892, officially opening for service in March 1893. The frieze of the in situ building is inscribed ‘United Methodist Free Church 1892’, with four foundation stones located at the base of the eastern elevation. These stones were laid with bottles within their cavities which housed a variety of items, including local newspapers, old coins and the names of trustees.
The new Chapel comprised a classically styled building, adhering to proportions and symmetry in the design, and taking influence from the Renaissance Revival style of architecture. This style had been popular with non-conformist places of worship in the later 19th century. In the design of the building, special emphasis had been given to the principal eastern elevation, being the most visible portion of the building. This was constructed of rough-tooled squared sandstone blocks, with ashlar sandstone dressings, and features included the pedimented façade, use of pilasters, the bull’s eye of the tympanum, and the blind arches with decorative moulded stone fluting. The less visible portions of the building have fewer decorative features, and are constructed of cheaper cut sandstone and brick. The building would have originated with an open eastern area for the chapel services. This would have featured a raised alter to the west, with the large round-arched windows to the north and south providing natural light into the space. The western portion of the building formed a Sunday School of simpler design, with a central large room and smaller spaces to the north and south.
From c.1969, Mount Pleasant Methodist Chapel became the primary place of worship for the New Mills Methodist community, but closed in 1980: a reflection of the declining membership of Methodism in England resulting in the closure of many chapels. The building caught fire in 1993, leading to the destruction of the roof and much of the original fabric, with only walls and a limited degree of architectural features surviving.
The development works taking place will see the building’s conversion into a dwelling, an art centre and a café. The choice of materials and design are sympathetic to the remains of the former Chapel, leaving the ruined outer walls virtually untouched. The Chapel has been underappreciated and was left to decay for over 25 years, to the extent that it had a local identity within New Mills as the “burned down church”. The proposals make an important distinction between old and new, and will breathe new life into this ruinous building, preserving much of its former appearance while bringing it into use ultimately as an art centre and local landmark for the local community to enjoy.
To learn more about the ongoing development for the chapel, follow this link to the owner’s blog for regular updates on the works – http://russell-hindley.blogspot.com/