Skipton's Wesleyan chapel is 150 years old

Along with the sale particulars of the listed building with its grand neoclassical facade, complete with ionic columns, was the condition that under no circumstances was it to be used as a drinking establishment.

The condition went further - stipulating that the building not be turned in a boxing venue, a gambling joint, or Heaven forbid, Skipton's first lap dancing club. In fact, it could not be used for anything that could potentially cause a "nuisance".

The building was duly sold, done up and is now offices, and so far, has not caused a nuisance to anyone.

Its current function, however, would no doubt have surprised those who gathered 100 years ago to mark the building's 50th anniversary, who must have thought at the time it would always be a place of worship, so popular was Methodism at the time.

It was more than a year into World War One when in September, 1915, many leading Wesleyan Methodists gathered to celebrate its 50th jubilee. There were some very interesting reminiscences, reported the Craven Herald, and a source of satisfaction to the younger generation to hear their elders talk about the "good old days".

Although there were not a great deal of people at the event, they had come from far and wide, including from London, Colne and Morecambe.

The history of Wesleyan Methodism in Skipton went back to the great religious revival of the 18th century, reported the Herald, and was led by men of very different theological views. They included the Wesley brothers and the Rev Benjamin Ingham, grandfather of TH Ingham, of Marton House, near Skipton. Mr Ingham was the founder of the Inghamite Churches, many of which were to be found 100 years ago in Lancashire., including at Gisburn, Tosside, Grindleton and Colne.

Methodism was introduced to Skipton in 1763, and John Wesley was said to have made his first visit to the town on July 24, 1766. He visited again in 1774 and 1782, peaching in Skipton, Grassington and Pateley Bridge all on the same day. In those days, Wesleyans at Skipton met for worship in each other's homes in Mr Garforth's Mill, and in a building in Coach Street. Later, a room at the Devonshire Arms Hotel, which was to become the Brick Hall Hotel, was used.

In 1791, a chapel was opened, it was said at the expense of Mr Garforth, in Chapel Hill. It was described as unimposing, but suitable for requirements, and in 1811, it was enlarged, if not totally rebuilt. A lease of the ground was obtained for 50 years, from May, 1812, and an extension of 21 years was granted in 1864. While work was taking place, worshippers used the banqueting hall at Skipton Castle for divine service. A young Irishman by the name of Maccullagh came to Skipton in 1841, preached his first sermon at the Embsay Chapel, was proposed for the Ministry in 1842 and eventually rose to the Presidential Chair.

The idea of another and larger chapel was first mooted in 1861 and after some controversy, the Water Street site was selected. The foundation stone was laid on February 9, 1864 and the chapel opened on September 22, 1865. It cost almost £4,000 - about £140,000 in today's money. Two years later an organ was installed, it was later replaced with a more modern instrument.

At the turn of the century, several successful bazaars were held in connection with the church, raising £2,700. On April 22, 1890, the principal stones of the new school behind the chapel were laid. The school was completed in a year, and cost more than £3,000. Among those who had gone out from the circuit into the regular ministry were the Rev JG Tasker, then president elect for the conference, while others had gone to Canada and Australia.

The jubilee gathering of 100 years ago heard that the chapel had been much-needed, because of overcrowding in the old chapel on the hill. At the time, every department of the church's work was carried out strenuously, with six bands of men and women going out into the community every Sunday and during the week, visiting Union Square, Mount Pleasant, Gargrave Road and Spring Gardens.

Every Sunday, six teachers from Water Street School would also go out to Carleton, Cracoe and Hetton, in order to strengthen the cause in the country. In those days, all the preachers were young men - a fact much appreciated by those at the gathering, who gave a loud "hear, hear". Also recalled was an old lady, Ann Shuttleworth, who lived at the bottom of Millfields and although in receipt of "parish pay" had been one of "God's Saints".

A Mr Laycock said he must have been one of the last preachers at the old chapel; he had since preached 38 times in the new one, and also in Gargrave and in Long Preston. His grandmother had been born in Bradley and was a Methodist in John Wesley's time, when Skipton would have nothing to do with Methodism.

He also recalled a John Wilkinson of Keighley who in 1787 was the first Methodist in Airedale. At the age of 70, Wilkinson, who mended shoes for John Wesley, would tramp to his appointments, there being no trains, stage coaches or gigs. Another remarkable man was James Oddy, one of Wesley's early preachers. He had lived at Keighley and had died there, but had been buried in his birthplace, Glusburn. Mr Laycock said he had recently preached in Glusburn where he had been moved by the number of men sitting in the pews dressed in khaki uniforms. He felt they had shamed some of those present by their willingness to lay down their lives.

The meeting also received an update on the financial position of the chapel, and that the trustees were asking for £500 - there was a debt of around £225 and on top of that, £250 was needed for renovation purposes. They had already received £113 and a collection during the evening raised a further £32, with another £7 collected after the following Sunday sermons.