Methodist Chapel, Coppice Hill, Bradford on Avon

Methodism in Bradford was encouraged by frequent visits by both John and Charles Wesley, preaching in houses, and in open air meetings, and attracting crowds of several hundred. Around 1756 the first Methodist chapel was opened in Pippett (now Market) Street. A Methodist innkeeper, Richard Pearce, had bought and renovated the Maidenhead Inn and built the chapel on the site of its malthouse. John Wesley preached here and the Bradford congregation became the heart of Methodism in north Wiltshire with the Bradford Circuit covering more than 30 places in north Wiltshire, Dorset and west Somerset. In 1818 a grander building was erected on Coppice Hill and the chapel thrived throughout the 19th century. By 1950 the congregation had greatly decreased in numbers and they gave up the chapel and joined the United Reformed Church in 1974. The Coppice Hill chapel is now roofless and has been converted into an open air swimming pool while that in Market Street is now part of the Town Club. This picture shows the Coppice Hill chapel.