Wesleyan Chapel Chesterton ©RGL2023

Wesleyan Chapel, High Street, Chesterton

History of Wesleyan Chapel

1858 founding of Wesleyan Chapel

This was the first methodist chapel built in Chesterton.

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Chesterton Methodist Church
29 April 1904

The stone laying was held of a new Wesleyan chapel being built at Old Chesterton to supersede one which has been in use for 60 years and is dilapidated and unsightly. It was first intended to erect it on Chesterton Road facing De Freville Avenue but a site in Church Street was chosen and the builders, Messrs Kerridge and Shaw have commenced operations of a simple structure capable of accommodating 150 persons together with 120 Sunday School scholars. The building was within sight of two other Christian churches but they came in the old Methodist spirit, as friends of all and the enemy of none and would not injuriously rival or detract from their work

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 1904 04 29.

14 October 1904
The Wesleyans have added another to their places of worship by opening a new chapel in Church Street, Chesterton. It is the successor of a building in the High Street which during the latter period of its existence has been difficult to reconcile with conventional ideas of what a place of worship should be. Though doubtless hallowed in the memory of many its defects were numerous. Mr B.C. Jolley provided a piece of land upon which building operations began a few months ago. The architect adopted a Queen Anne style and the result is a pleasing-looking building with an appearance more domestic than ecclesiastical

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 1904 10 14.

18 January 1952
After years of planning, working and hoping, members of Chesterton Methodist Church have at last a building of their own, a new church on the corner of Green End Road and Scotland Road, which was officially opened by Mrs Elliot Ridgeon. Now they have a light and bright building and the friendliness of the many members at the ceremony reflected joy and thankfulness at the completion of the new church. But their struggles are not yet over for they plan to build a school hall and hope one day to build a bigger church.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 1952 01 18.

5 April 1958
Old Chesterton Methodist Church was established in 1951 and has not been big enough: dances and Sunday School sessions have had to be carefully timed so as not to clash. Now their Boy’s Brigade have erected a large hut to be used for drills, meetings and physical training as well as the Teenagers Club where 50 youngsters enjoy in a “rock’n’roll” session. All look forward to the day when there will be a permanent Church to cater for the new housing development in Scotland Road.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 58 04 05a.

23 April 1958
Boys Brigade hut, Chesterton Methodist church

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 58 04 23b.

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Chesterton Working Men’s Club