Primitive Methodism

The first Primitive Methodist chapel in St.John's Street November 2007

The history of the Primitive Methodists| in Kempston is not easy to understand. Bedfordshire & Luton Archives & Records Service does not have very much about the denomination and the information on their origins in the town comes from a Trustee account book begun in 1940 which gives a distillation of the history to that point. It notes "The appointments of Trustees and the consolidation of the Trust Estate originally took place in July 1854. The Deed was drawn up in harmony with the Connexional Model Deed. In 1898 the original property was sold and the present Chapel erected which is intended as a School Chapel the ground in front being left for the Chapel proper. The Deed was prepared and enrolled Feby 1897 and is after the Connexional Model Deed".

 
Site of the second Primitive Methodist chapel in Bedford Road October 2007

The Primitive chapel is marked on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1882 for Kempston on the south corner of St.John's Walk and St.John's Road. The building still exists but is now a private house called "The Niche". The new Primitive Methodist chapel was registered in 1898 in Bedford Road between Silverdale Street and Margetts Road by Richard Newman Wycherley of 20 Ampthill Road, Bedford, the minister. The chapel closed in 1958 and was used as Newtown Youth Centre for two years until sold in 1960 and is now [2007] a shop called "Sam's Homecare".

Sources

- MB1802: Trustee minute book: 1940-1960;
- MB2115: Trust account book: 1942-1960 with notes of chapel history from 1854: 1854-1960;
- MB1784: Circuit Schedule Book including Newtown chapel: 1949-1958