Mount Tabor Primitive Methodist Church Luton

Luton Christian Fellowship June 2010

Mount Tabor Primitive Methodist church was built in 1897 on the corner of Castle Street and Hibbert Street. It was named after a site identified with the Transfiguration of Jesus. The new church utilised the old Hibbert Street Primitive Methodist church buildings as its Sunday School. Edwin Welch researched the history of registrations in Bedfordshire for Bedfordshire Historical Records Society Volume 75 Bedfordshire Chapels and Meeting Houses [published in 1996] and found that the chapel was registered on 7th April 1898 by John Leach of 8 Stockwood Crescent, Luton, minister. The church was registered for marriages on 18th March 1899.

Mount Tabor was part of the Luton II Circuit. In 1902 the Luton III Circuit was formed with Mount Tabor, Slip End and Markyate [Hertfordshire]. The Hibbert Street "tin tabernacle" was replaced by purpose built Sunday Schools adjoining the Castle Street chapel in 1905 [MB474-479]. The builder was W. G. Dunham of Luton and the tendered cost £2,140 [MB479].

In 1932 the Primitive Methodists came together with the Wesleyan and United Methodists to form the Wesleyan Church of Great Britain. The following year Luton’s five circuits (three Primitive and two Wesleyan) were rationalised into two – called Luton and High Town. Mount Tabor was part of the Luton Circuit. In 1965 Luton split into two circuits, North and South with Mount Tabor being in the Luton South Circuit.

In 1969 Mount Tabor was sold and the congregation merged with the Park Town Methodists who were building a new church at Strathmore Avenue. The funds from the sale of Mount Tabor would go towards the building costs of Strathmore Avenue [MB1767]. The sale was not an easy matter as the uses to which the building could be put were severely limited. The Methodists hoped to sell the premises for £20,000 but eventually it was sold to the Elim Pentecostal church for £10,000 [MB1767]

The chapel’s Methodist registration was cancelled on 20th October that year with its registration for marriages being cancelled on 22nd. In 2010 the old chapel became the home of Luton Christian Fellowship.

Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Records Service has the following records for Mount Tabor Primitive Methodist church:

• MB725: abortive plans and elevations for the chapel: c. 1893;
• MB472: loans for building the chapel: 1897-1925;
• MB470: specification for new organ: 1898;
• MB471: subscription list: c. 1900;
• MB480: questionnaires completed by candidates for the preacher’s plan on Primitive Methodism: 1901-c. 1913;
• MB473: correspondence regarding sale of strips of land belonging to Richard III public house as site for the schools: 1905;
• MB474: photographs of school plans: 1905;
• MB475: elevation of the schools in London Road: c. 1905;
• MB476: details of designs for the schools: c. 1905;
• MB477: estimate of bills and quantities for the new schools: 1905;
• MB478: tenders for erection of the schools: 1905;
• MB479: contract with the builder of the schools – W. G. Dunham of Luton for £2,140: 1905;
• MB481: statement of accounts of Golden Group Fund: 1911;
• MB718: collection journal: 1915-1929;
• MB482: recognition of Rev. G. A. Lucas to conduct weddings at Mount Tabor: 1920;
• MB722: audited copy of accounts: 1920-1935;
• MB719: Finance Secretary’s account book: 1920-1929;
• MB483: alteration of Castle Street frontage due to road widening: 1922;
• MB721: Trust account book: 1925-1933;
• MB720: Finance Secretary’s account book: 1930-1935;
• MB723: financial report: 1936; MB2430: choir minute book: 1946-1947;
• MB724: Finance Committee minutes and accounts: 1952-1956;
• MB484: annual Society Meetings minute book: 1953-1966;
• MB485: Leader’s meeting minute book: 1956-1966;
• MB2994: list of Men’s Circle meetings: 1957-1958;
• MB486: Trustees’ minute book: 1959-1969;
• MB487: class book: 1960-1968;
• MB1694: Impact! a history of Methodism in Luton: 1750-1962;
• MB2431: appointment of new trustees: 1963;
• MB489: disciples roll: 1964-1967;
• MB488: class book: 1965-1968;
• MB3176: Sunday School Council minutes: 1965-1967;
• MB2863: Methodist Trust schedule: 1966;
• MB2864: enquiries to be made annually at Trustees’ meeting after audit: 1966;
• MB2432: use of the church hall as an infant welfare clinic: 1967;
• MB1767: closure of the church and merger with Park Town Methodist Church: 1967-1968;
• MB1767: sale of the church to Elim Pentecostal Church: 1969;
• MB3144: exterior photograph: c. 1969;
• MB3145: photograph of the organ: c. 1969; MB3146-3150: photographs of the pulpit. Communion table, balcony and organ: c. 1969;
• MB1984: sale of the chapel and use of funds towards building the church at Strathmore Avenue: 1969-1974.