Before the building of this chapel, the Methodists of Fangdale Beck and its surrounding area met together for worship in Home groups. The Methodist memberhip had been growing steadily and shortly before March 25th 1920 a public meeting was called to discuss the neeed for a Wesleyan chapel within Fangdale Beck. A committee of about 26 people was formed led by Rev A G Woodnutt of Helmsley. It was proposed that the site of the new chapel be that of the old thatched house.
Col Duncombe and the trustees of the Duncombe Park Estates agreed the gift of land and agreed that the only cost would be that of expenses.
It was decided that collection boxes should be taken around Helmsley and about 16 surrounding villages to raise the necessary building funds. The Committee arranged a Thanksgiving Day service and tea to be held in a marquee. This was organised for 9th June, 1920 and took place in a field loaned by Mr F Featherstone.
Plans prepared by Messrs R P Brotton and Son were to be on show at the second Thanksgiving Day held in the following year on Wednesday 1st June, 1921. The only relevent drawing which has been found is held in the Feversham estate archives. Subscriptions were invited for the laying of stones, the minimum to be £5. In 1920 a pound had an equivalent worth of about £45 in today's money. Other ideas were put forward by the committee for raising money. A bazar and sale of work was held on Monday 7th August, 1922 together with a meat tea at 4'0'clock at a charge of 1/6d a head. Raising of funds through collection boxes, sales of works, talks, teas and the like continued over the next few years.
On February 1st ,1923 the proposed plan of the chapel was submitted to the Committee and it was carried. It was proposed that the design for the chapel would include a tower to comply with the wish and the suggestion of Col. Duncombe. It was agreed that would be so if funds allowed. Plans were presented to the Synod for approval. Permission was sought to obtain stone in the neighbourhood and the supply of stone was put out to tender.
In November 1924 it was proposed that Mr John Garbutt, builder, of Hawnby be asked to quarry stone ready for the farmers to lead. This stone was quarried on the hillside above Malkin Bower. In June 1925 it was proposed that the same John Garbutt was to be asked to take charge of the building. The total amount paid to John Garbutt recorded in Robert Brotten's Job Account Book was £825.
It is said that the last stone to be led down from the quarry was the carved decorative finial and Eva, the young granddaughter of the people who had once lived at the old thatched house, rode on the cart bringing it down.
The Chapel had its opening on Whit Sunday 6th June, 1927.
The last service in the Chapel ws held n September, 1984 and the building was subsequently sold and converted into a dwelling.
source - "Building of the Chapel" committee minute book
Published: 31 October 2017 (Updated: 26 2022)