'Deal Walmer and Sandwich Mercury' 6th June 1868
LAYING THE FOUNDATION - STONE OF A WESLEYAN CHAPEL
AT FINGLESHAM
It will be remembered by many of our readers who
attended the anniversary of the Wesleyan Chapel at Eastry on Whit-Tuesday
last, that a discussion arose as to the increasing desire for the erection
of a new chapel at Finglesham.
The desire, it now appears, was not left to die away, never to be heard of any more, but the operations to obtain this object have been working on the good old system - slow, but sure - and on Tuesday the inhabitants of the lovely little village of Finglesham were animated by the appearance of a large number of friends from Deal, (amongst whom we noticed the worthy ex-Mayor) Sandwich, and neighbourhood, to witness the laying of the foundation-stone of the long-talked-of and long-wished-for new chapel.
The ceremony commenced by singing the hymn, "Before Jehovah's awful Throne," which was followed with a prayer by the Rev. James Pratt, of Sandwich, after which that rev. gentleman read the third chapter of the book of Ezra. The superintendent of the circuit then proceeded to exhibit a bottle - in which was contained some paper, having written upon it the names of the lady who laid the foundation-stone; the two most liberal donors; the President of the Conference; the Trustees; the ministers now stationed in the circuit; the giver of the ground; together with a copy of the Recorder, a plan of the circuit, and a few small pieces of money - and deposited it into a hollow of the stone made for that purpose.
At this stage of the proceedings, while the concourse of spectators, who with gladsome and delighted hearts were watching minutely, Mrs. H. Page, of Walmer Court, was presented, accompanied by a few courteous and affecting words, with a silver trowel, which bore the following inscription: - "Presented to Mrs. Page on the occasion of her laying the Foundation-stone of the Wesleyan Chapel, Finglesham, June 2, 1868." That lady then proceeded to the stone, and pronounced it duly laid …………………
Recently the chapel, which measures 27ft x 17ft 7in, has been used as a workshop and in November 2004 it was up for sale with an asking price of £45,000.