Whitley Methodist Chapel, Melksham Without

Thomas Joyce, a member of the Independent chapel in Melksham opened his house in Whitley for Methodist meetings. In 1809 the meeting in Whitley came under the Bradford Methodists and in 1820 a house, occupied by Matthew Bigwood, was licensed for Wesleyan Methodist meetings. A newly erected Wesleyan Methodist chapel was licensed in 1824 with William Griffiths of Melksham recorded as minister. The chapel however was not owned by the congregation and it remained in private hands until they bought it in 1852. In 1857 there were 28 members and a Sunday School with 30 children and 5 teachers. A new site was acquired in 1867 and a new stone chapel built with 90 sittings. In the 1880s and 1890s membership varied from 19 to 10 and by 1951 there were 7 members. A service is still held every Sunday.