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Methodism in Dodworth

First Record

The first record of Methodism in Dodworth was contained in the inscription of a tablet which was originally built into the front wall of two old cottages situated, until their demolition, in Green Road, near the crossroads. The inscription read :

'Token of respect to Joseph and Mary Taylor, the first two Wesleyans in Dodworth, 1748. This humble tablet was erected by their grandson J. C. Sutcliffe.'
This tablet was placed in the south porch of the Chapel after the houses were demolished.

Little appears to have remained on record about these two pioneers.

The records inform us that the first Chapel was opened by Rev. Richard Reece under the direction of John Thornley. The cost including the purchase of the land amounted to £851 9s. 10d. and as a result, the Church Society started off in debt to the sum of £598 6s. 0d.

First Wesleyan Chapel

A short description from a member who remembered the first church

'The first church was built on the same site as the present church. It was a high square building, very plain in appearance from the outside, and, as was very common in those days - it was a gallery church with the schoolroom under the church. It's pews were of the type commonly known as 'Horse-boxes', high-backed and nearly totally enclosed. Family pews and pew rents were the order of the day at that time. The heating was by means of a large stove placed in the middle of the Sunday School and the heat from this was carried through grills in the main church floor'.
First Chapel in Dodworth, 1815-1816

Financial Hardship

The first few years were very hard for the new Society and owing to the gradual decrease in pew rents, the debt increased, until in 1838 it had reached £737 16s. 7d.

Notes from old records:

'The amount required for the regular disbursement of each year's expenditure including interest of old debt, chapel cleaning, coals, candles repairs and incidentals will at a moderate calculation be £10 15s. 0d.
The Trustees are unpleasantly circumstanced in a pecuniary respect since the late Mr. Thornley withdrew from the Society and used his influence and very largely rendered pecuniary assistance in the erection of the New Church, (Church of England) whch hasmaterially lessoned the congregation in the said chapel. The Society connected herewith as members are only 34 in number and are very poor persons.'

Applications for a grant were made to the Chapel Loan Fund Committee but the Trustees were informed that owing to the heavy demands made by similar societues in distress, the Funds were exhausted and the Committee was unable to entertain the request. The Trustees, in despair, started making arrangements for the disposal of the Church and plans were adopted for the building of a smaller one. Then came good news. The Trustees heard that the Chapel Loans Funds had been augmented by a portion of the Wesleyan Centenary Fund to releive the plight of Churches in debt. Grants were obtained that enabled the Society to carry on and by 1851 the debt had been reduced to £50.

The Great Revival

There came a period in the Church history that was known as a time of great revival, a time of growth from strength to strength. The Sunday School held under the old Chapel became too small; a new organ was obtained and several improvements were made in the chapel itself. A new clock was obtained and gas-lighting was installed in 1871. Ultimately the number of children belonging to Wesleyan parents and sympathisers justified the building of the day school and Sunday Schools in 1873.

End of an Era

In 1902, with the Society in a flourishing and healthy condition, the old chapel was in such a bad state of repair that it was condemned by the Urban District Council as not fit for further use as a public place of worship. After a meeting of the trustees, it was decided to press forward with a scheme for the erection of a new church.

1904 to 1954

Wesleyan Chapel in Dodworth, 1904

Preliminary steps were taken to push forward a scheme for the erection of a new chapel. In January 1903 a Building Committee was formed consisting of the Trustees with the addition of Henry Allen , Joseph Cragg, William Clegg, William Denton, William Elvin, Thomas Hydes, James Harrison, George Kenworthy, P. S. Minty, James Oates, William Raynor, I. Hartley Senior, James Senior, George Hamby, J.W. Folks, George Gaunt, J. T. Collins and J. Slack.

It was decided that Joseph Cragg and Henry Allen should act as Secretary and Treasurer to the Committee.

The Rev. T. T. Taylor gave a plot of land adjoining that on which the Old Chapel had stood so that the new Chapel could be sited some distance from the main highway.

After plans had been passed a stone-laying ceremony took place on July 27th, 1903. This was followed by a public tea and a meeting which was addressed by Rev T. Lambert, Chairman of the Sheffield District, the Circuit Ministers and Mr. F. H. Chadwick of Liverpool.

When the new Chapel was opened, of the £2100 required, the sum of £1600 had been raised through fundraising.

Effects of War

The Century opened with the Boer War in progress. This had caused a revival of the coal industry and Dodworth saw the re-opening of the Old Silkstone Collieries which brought quite a number of work people into the village; with Strafford Collieries in full work, the prospects in the area were good.

The coming of the First World War had a serious effect. Quite a number of young men lost their lives.

Wesley Kenworthy in 1954 wrote

' ... one of the brightest features of the latter part of the war years was the commencing of our Sisterhood ... I must not overlook that the men kept our young men together in their sport. ... Young people with musical ability were able to keep a great interest in presenting concerts; that work is continuing ...'

The New Chapel

The new Chapel was opened on 1st April, 1904. A Mrs. Galland of Barnsley formally unlocked the doors and Rev. G. J. Brett conducted the proceedings, supported by Rev. H. T. Smart of Sheffield and Rev. T. Arrowsmith of Barnsley.

Since the opening there were two major improvement schemes.Tenders were put out for the installation of a new pipe organ, and the figure of £650 from Messrs. Nelson and Sons of Durham, was accepted. On 27th June, 1925 the organ was officially opened.

Mr J. T. Folks made the alteration to the Pulpit and Choir Stalls, together with a Communion rail, this was done alongside the installation of the organ.

In 1931, the lighting was converted from gas to electricity, and at the same time, anelectric blower for the organ was installed.

People of Note

In a brochure compiled by Mr. John T. Collins on the occasion of the Centenary in 1916,he states:

'... there is a long list of families who have continued their connection with the church throughout the years. We remember with gratitude the families of Cragg, Clegg, Allen, Folks, Kenworthy and others ...'

Typical Weekly Activities

Sunday

Divine Worship at 10.45 a.m. and 6 p.m.
School at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Tuesday

Youth Club at 7 p.m.
Junior Class at 7 p.m.

Wednesday

Preaching Service at 7 p.m. on alternate weeks

Thursday

Sisterhood at 6.15 p.m.
Young People's Class at 7.45 p.m.

Officers - 1954

The membership was 141 and Junior Members was 3.

Past Ministers

last updated 02/06/03