Tebworth Wesleyan Methodist Chapel

Chalgrave, Bedfordshire

Situated on the east side of the A5, Tebworth is a hamlet in the parish of Chalgrave. 

Registration for Methodist worship in Tebworth was first made by John Crosby Leppington of Luton, minister on 26/30 August 1813. Prior to that, the first Society Class in Tebworth was in 1792 when the membership was 18. Another registration for worship was made on 19 May 1835 by Thomas Rogerson of Luton. 

In 1838 a Wesleyan Day School was built that also housed the Sunday School. Four years later on the main road through the village a new chapel was built in front of the Wesleyan Day School. The new chapel was dedicated for worship on 16 November 1842 when the preacher was Rev Dr Beaumont of Liverpool. A programme for the occasion describes an ‘Old dilapidated Chapel’ whilst the new chapel is ‘an Elegant but Plain, Substantial and Commodious Building in the Gothic style of Architecture an edifice somewhat worth of the Noble Object to which it is about to be consecrated.’ It also reminded people of the sacrifices the members had made in order for the building to be made. The new chapel was registered for worship on 4/5 May 1846 by Wright Shovelton of Dunstable and again by Matthew Trevan Male of Dunstable, Superintendent Minister on 9 February 1854. 

The chapel’s return for the 1851 Ecclesiastical return was made by David Roberts, Trustee and Steward. He stated there were 100 Free and 100 Other sittings. The attendance on Census day, 30 March were: Morning – 63; Afternoon – 200 and Evening – 150. The average congregation was 150 in the morning plus 77 Sunday scholars. 

Tebworth’s distinctive chapel was listed a Grade II building in 1980. When the membership dwindled, the chapel was closed in 1989, the last service being held on 5 October.

 

Sources and References

Bedfordshire Chapels and Meeting Houses: Official Registration 1672-1901 Volume 75 Bedfordshire Historical Record Society – Edited by Edwin Welch

The Dunstable Methodist Circuit One hundred and fifty years of witness 1843-1993 – Colin Bourne

The Ecclesiastical Census, Bedfordshire, March 1851 Volume 54 Bedfordshire Historical Record Society – Edited by DW Bushby

Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Record Service – Community Archives website

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