Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Collingbourne Kingston
The Wesleyan Methodist chapel was originally built in 1819. When the religious census was taken in 1851, the chapel was supported by large congregations. The morning service was attended by 143 people, the afternoon service by 274 people and the evening service by 240 people.
In 1914 a new medium-sized red-brick chapel was built on the south side of the existing building. There are two photographs in 'Collingbourne Kingston a photographic view 1900-1950s' by Mary May. One shows the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone. This was an important event in the village. The photograph shows flags flying and lots of ladies in their best dresses and hats. The second photograph was taken on July 17th 1914 when the chapel was officially opened. The architect who designed the chapel was Mr. S. Watson of Caversham; it was built by Messrs Grace and Sons of Clatford at a cost of £900.
At this time the May family were staunch Methodists. John May and his son Alfred were lay ministers, while Alfred's wife Florence played the harmonium and led the Sunday school. For a while both the old and the new buildings were used, not only for worship but also for meetings and social activities. At some point the original building was demolished; it last appears on a large scale map dated 1969.
By 1985 the congregation was too small to enable the chapel to remain open. It closed and was sold to become a private house.
In 1914 a new medium-sized red-brick chapel was built on the south side of the existing building. There are two photographs in 'Collingbourne Kingston a photographic view 1900-1950s' by Mary May. One shows the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone. This was an important event in the village. The photograph shows flags flying and lots of ladies in their best dresses and hats. The second photograph was taken on July 17th 1914 when the chapel was officially opened. The architect who designed the chapel was Mr. S. Watson of Caversham; it was built by Messrs Grace and Sons of Clatford at a cost of £900.
At this time the May family were staunch Methodists. John May and his son Alfred were lay ministers, while Alfred's wife Florence played the harmonium and led the Sunday school. For a while both the old and the new buildings were used, not only for worship but also for meetings and social activities. At some point the original building was demolished; it last appears on a large scale map dated 1969.
By 1985 the congregation was too small to enable the chapel to remain open. It closed and was sold to become a private house.