Chalton Wesleyan Methodist Chapel
Bedfordshire
Chalton is a small Bedfordshire village situated by the M1 motorway north of Luton.
The 1851 Religious Census includes a return for Chalton Wesleyan Methodist Chapel made by Richard Medcroft, Steward. This states that ‘the present chapel was erected in 1836, but there has been religious services held in a house since the year 1800’. The return has 70 Free Sittings, 50 Other and space for 40 people standing. Attendances at worship on Census day were:
| General Congregation | Sunday Scholars | Total |
Morning | 20 | 50 | 70 |
Afternoon | 80 | 50 | 130 |
Evening | 80 | 50 | 130 |
The first registration for Chalton WM was made by Matthew Trevan Male of Dunstable, Superintendent Minister on 9 February 1854.
The Luton Times & Advertiser on 15 February 1904 noted that the ‘first of a series of teas and entertainments’ had taken place the previous Tuesday ‘with the object of raising funds to alter and improve the Wesleyan Chapel’. However, in 1907 a new chapel was built in an imposing position on the outskirts of Chalton at the foot of Carter’s hill.
With a declining membership and finance issues, Chalton Chapel closed in 1981.
Sources and References
Bedfordshire Chapels and Meeting Houses: Official Registration 1672-1901 Volume 75 Bedfordshire Historical Record Society – Edited by Edwin Welch
The Ecclesiastical Census, Bedfordshire, March 1851 Volume 54 Bedfordshire Historical Record Society – Edited by DW Bushby
The Dunstable Methodist Circuit One hundred and fifty years of witness 1843-1993 – Colin Bourne
Luton Times and Advertiser 15 January 1904
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