Church Home History
History 1814 - 1865
Wesleyan Methodism in Harpenden can be traced back to 1814 when, twice on Sundays, meetings were held in a row of cottages in the High Street - called Chapel Row. There is rumour that John Wesley preached in the village but no positive records! . While Wesleyan Methodism was practised in the village. Primitive Methodism was confined to the area named Bowling Alley, about a mile south of the centre of Harpenden, which, today,is named Southdown.
In 1865 a chapel was erected on a site which cost £15. In those early days, the congregation sat on plain deal forms facing a raised pulpit and the choir benches. At the back of the chapel stood the harmonium. Light entered through plain glass windows and gas burners provided additional light. A slow-burning coke stove produced the heat.
'Click' on the dates underlined below to find out what happened to the building.
1814 - 1880 1888 - 1890s 1890 - 1960s 1970 - The Future!
Roll of Honour
This is a copy of the list of names in the Chapel who fought in the First World War. Those with a '*' by their name are identified on the Roll of Honour as 'Now in Glory'
Bates Percy
Chalkley Bernard
Chalkley Albert
Chalkley Arthur
Chapman Edward
Deamer Bert
Deamer Edward
Fowler Thomas
Fowler George
Fowler Horace
Fowler Harry
Freeman Alfred
Freeman George
Fellows Alfred
Gray Edwin
Howe George
Howe Stanley
Hawkins Leonard
Hawkins William
Continued
