Wesleyan Methodism at Kempston West

Kempston West Methodist Church July 2007

The origin of Methodism in Kempston is not known. An early associate of John Wesley's, William Delamotte, had visited Bedford in 1739 and probably helped to sow the first seeds of the new church. Wesley himself first visited the town in 1753 at the invitation of disillusioned Moravian William Parker and in later visits formed the first Bedford Methodist Society in what later became St.Paul's Methodist Church. It seems possible that Methodism spread to Kempston from this source.

It was usual for nonconformist meetings to register with the Quarter Sessions or the relevant Archdeaconry. The first such registration in Kempston was in 1799, with the archdeaconry, of the house and premises of John Burr [ABN1/1]. The dwelling house of Ann Burridge was registered in 1804 [ABN1/1] and the house of James Ames the next year [ABN1/1] whilst two years later the house of Samuel Favell was registered [ABN1/1]. It is quite possible that each of these registrations was for a Wesleyan Methodist meeting.

In 1831 the house and barn of Joseph Savile was registered by its owner [ABN1/2, ABN2/262 and ABN3/3, 111] as a meeting place for nonconformists.  He had purchased the house, which stood in Water Lane, the previous year from a man named Pratt. In 1839 Savill sold it to eight trustees who intended to erect a Methodist Chapel on the site, making it likely that Savill was himself a Methodist. The first trustees were: John Brown of Bedford, butcher; John Smith of Bedford, plumber; J.W.Allison of Bedford, cordwainer; James Henman of Stagsden, farmer; David Henman of Bromham, farmer; William Robinson of Kempston, shopkeeper; John Britten of Kempston, labourer; Rev.Max Wilson, the superintendent minister. This chapel was registered in 1854 by William Henry Clarkson of Harpur Street, Bedford, the superintendent minister (a registration cancelled in 1904). In 1858 it was decided that a new chapel was needed and the following year it was decided to sell the old chapel but this did not happen for two years at which time it was purchased by Thomas Robert Brown. Meanwhile land with a frontage of 40 feet had been purchased by the trustees from James Brittain on which to build a chapel, in the event this was not used and the land was sold to Talbot Barnard, the Bedford banker, on 24 Oct 1860.

The new chapel in the High Street was opened on the second Sunday after Easter, 22 Apr, 1860. The chapel was registered in 1861 by Charles Carter of Harpur Street, the superintendent minister. An organ was installed in the gallery in 1877, at a cost of £40, replacing the old harmonium. This chapel was licensed to conduct marriages in 1890. In 1896 the chapel was re-seated and the organ was moved to the east transept at a cost of £18. The organ was overhauled again in 1909.

In 1882 the roof was repaired in addition to more minor renovations, all for a cost of £20 and four years later much greater improvements cost nearly £200. In 1893 a vestry and porch were added and the church enlarged costing £337. In 1958 a modern kitchen and cloakrooms were added at a cost of £1,500. Further alterations and renovations occurred in 1967.

Sources 

- MB12: Circuit Stewards' accounts: 1817-1837;
- WL227: conveyance of cottage from Joseph Savill to Methodist trustees: 1839;
- WL89: abstract of title of Joseph Allen Piggot to former chapel premises: 1839-1875;
- WL228: cottage insurance policy: 1839;
- MB6-7: Appointment of Circuit Stewards including Kempston: 1841-1866;
- WL229: consent for sale of old chapel by President of the Methodist Conference: 1859;
- STuncat353: deeds to land purchased for a chapel but not used: 1858-1884;
- P60/8/2: Kempston All Saints vestry minute book noting rating of new Methodist meeting house: 1859;
- MB16: Circuit account "Chapel Buildings": 1859-1878;
- WL230: conditions of sale of old chapel: 1860;
- WL231: conveyance of old chapel by trustees to Thomas Robert Brown: 1861;
- POE119/1: chapel noted in abstract of title of 13/15 King William Road, Kempston;
- MB2116: Kempston West baptism register: 1871-1926;
- MB1784: Circuit Schedule Book including Kempston West: 1949-1975;
- X414/31: service sheet for reopening of chapel: 1967