LAST week’s guest church was Hellifield Methodist Chapel in Haw Grove, Hellifield. It is one of the Settle Methodist Circuit, which in addition to the chapel in Hellifield, also includes Bentham, Burton, Ingleton, Newby, Rathmell and Settle.

Hellifield Methodist Church celebrated its 126th anniversary in July 2019, with a Songs of Praise service at Hellifield Station, attended by more than 100 people from across the village and the Settle Circuit. The service was led by Rev Tim Broughton, with the Giggleswick and Settle Brass Band playing the hymns.

The Settle Methodist Circuit website tells us that Hellifield rapidly rose in importance when its small, country railway station was converted by the Midland Railway Company into an important junction with extensive sidings and large engine sheds.

“A large staff of employees was necessary and houses were built for them. In 1886, the Methodist Church arranged for services to be held in a cottage house on Midland Terrace

About this time a large Temperance Hotel was built, and taken over by two ladies who were ardent Methodists. “They wrote to the Joyful News in Rochdale, whose principal, was the Rev Thomas. Champness. He sent evangelists to Hellifield who, with the help of local preachers from the Settle Methodist Circuit, established regular meetings in the hotel. This work prospered and, in December 1891 a suitable site was identified for a new chapel, a scheme that was taken up with great enthusiasm, and sewing meetings and teas were organised to help raise funds."

The new chapel was opened in Haw Grove in 1893.

What about this week's mystery building. It is not a church, but a once important civic building. Suggestions by 8am on Monday to news@cravenherald.co.uk