Providence Methodist New Connection School-Chapel, Midgley

The Methodist New Connection Chapel at Midgley was opened on Wednesday 12 December 1883 having occupied only nine months in construction. The chapel provided accommodation for 500 adults and the school for 300 scholars. The cost of the building, exclusive of heating apparatus, was £974. The architects were Messrs Thomas Horsfield and Son, of Manchester, formerly of Midgley. [Halifax Evening Courier Friday 12 December 1919 page 4]

VILLAGE CHAPEL – For well over a century organised Methodist services have been held in Midgley, and the present school-chapel, near Scout Head, was officially opened on 12 December 1883. In addition to being an imposing structure, with the chapel part build over the school, this is the only place of worship actually in the ancient village. All through the years the social as well as the religious life of the district has largely centred around the village chapel, and high tribute to its influence was paid when the diamond jubilee celebrations were held there on Saturday. As is the case with many another Nonconformist cause in Upper Calder Valley, the first services were held in a barn and the first school was built in a cottage. The original (Union) school-chapel at Midgely was erected in 1819, and though the cost was only about £400, the local Methodist in those days were so poor that it took them over forty years to pay off the loan money. The present structure erected near the site of the old building, cost short of £1,500. The architect was a former scholar, Mr Thomas Horsfield of Manchester. [Halifax Daily Courier and Guardian 13 December 1943 page 2]

MIDGLEY - New Connection Sunday schools have lately been opened. The buildings have been erected from the plans of Mr. Thomas Horsfall,{sic) of Manchester. The contractors were, mason work, Mr. Thomas Pickles, Midgley; joiners’ work, Mr. Edwin Marsland, of Booth; Slater and plasterer, Messrs. J. & T. Alderson, Luddenden ; plumber and glazier, Messrs. Jonas Alderson & Sons, Luddenden Foot; painting, etc., Mr. Heap Uttley, of Hebden Bridge ; warming apparatus, Mr. J. H. Boulton, of Halifax. The total cost has been about £1,400.  [The Architect 26 January 1884 page 66]

The Chapel closed in October 1994.    It has been converted into flats.

Reference        Halifax Evening Courier Friday 12 December 1919 page 4
Reference        Halifax Daily Courier and Guardian 13 December 1943 page 2
Reference        The Architect 26 January 1884 page 66