The non conformist movement in Bilsdale developed in the early 19C. At first people gathered together and met for worship in small groups, rather than in the Parish church. A rift developed throughout the Methodist movement and in Bilsdale the Primitives and the Wesleyans worshipped separately.John Garbut, of Clay House, a member of the Primitive Society, led the singing in the upper room above the Tiger Inn. The Wesleyans, such as John Peacock the blacksmith, William Brotton, a stonemason and John Dale from the Green also met here. They established a Sunday school in the early 1850's. The growth of the sunday school and Wesleyan membership made the building of a chapel essential.
A small plot of land behind the Tiger Inn was bought from Thomas Leng for 5/- a sq yard. The Chapel was built by Nelson's of Swainby a cost of £250 and opened on 8th August 1858. The chapel is described in Bulmers 1890 as "a chapel consisting of one room with pulpit and harmonium". A new schoolroom and tower were added in 1933.
The last service was held in May 2013, and the chapel was sold to a private owner in 2017
More information about the Methodists and the Chapel
Published: 31 October 2017 (Updated: 26 2022)