Written by Nadine Moffatt
The Primitive Methodist Church was born out of the Wesleyan Methodist movement, itself a result of the evangelical revival of the eighteenth century. At the first Primitive Methodist Conference held in Hull in 1820 there were estimated to be 8000 members, by 1850 this had increased to 100,000.
On the 20th September 1932 the Primitive Church joined with United Methodist and Wesleyan Churches to become again a unified Methodist Church.
The original Primitive Chapel in Marshside was built in 1832 and stood to the left of the present building where the Florist Shop stands today. The money for the construction of the new chapel, some £1864 was raised by the members, amongst others, the farmers and the cart shankers of the village who donated some of their catch towards this sum. The architect was Mr R Owen of Liverpool and the building was finished in 1878. A school room at the back was added in 1897.
The chapel provided a full range of social activities from Sunday School for the children to outings for the married ladies. There was an annual Sunday School trip and the always popular hotpot suppers. These were both social and fund raising events. Special concerts by the choir were also held, and many plays and concerts were held in the Sunday School. Weekday evenings offered Christian Endeavour, men's fellowship, young wives group and special events.
Harvest Festival was, as in many churches, an occasion when the interior was decorated with flowers and fruit with an enormous baked sheaf of corn as the centre piece. The next day the produce would be auctioned and the money donated to various charities.
An annual "Convention" was held at the Mornington Road Church site when members of Cliff College the Methodist training college in Derbyshire would bring their evangelical message under canvas. Many members of the Chapel turned out as helpers and stewards for this, and also accompanied the students around the village to visit local residents who found difficulties in leaving their homes. This was very popular in the 1950's
The Sunday School in the 40's and 50's was well attended. There was morning school followed by morning service and afternoon school . The school rooms were well planned with small individual rooms for the various classes and a main central hall with a stage. With two sessions a week it was usual for the children to receive two books as prizes at the end of the year.
Methodism from Primitive
Beginnings
Beginnings
Methodist Church