Church Street Primitive Methodist Church Luton

Church Street Primitive Methodist church on a map of 1901

The Primitive Methodist church in Church Street was built in 1879-1880 opposite the entrance to Guildford Street. The first minute book [MB664] notes that at a meeting on 24th March 1879 it was agreed: “That we build a new chapel on the ground in Church Street, Luton”. The chapel was to be of brick with a “Sunday School under the chapel the cost to be about £700”.

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 new chapel was registered on 3rd February 1880 by Robert Ducker of 16 Victoria Street, Luton, minister.

There had evidently been a chapel on the site hitherto as one of the things the committee resolved was that “the new trust take to the old chapel debt” and “Brother Butler be kindly requested to let us have the old chapel until the new chapel is ready and that [we] pay him rent at the rate we are now paying”. The Secretary’s cash book [MB666] notes that the sale of the old chapel made £90. It seems likely that this chapel was a wooden or corrugated iron mission building – such things were not uncommon, the meetings at Ashton Street and Albert Road, for example, began in such buildings.

Church Street formed part of Primitive Methodist Luton Circuit II. In 1932 The Primitive Methodists came together with the Wesleyan and United Methodists to form the Methodist Church of Great Britain. The following year the three Primitive and two Wesleyan circuits were rationalised into two Methodist Circuits, Luton and High Town, Church Street was part of Luton Circuit.

As war neared thought was given that the chapel should be closed due to falling numbers and the poor state of repair of the building. The Leaders Meeting, on 28th January 1939 recommended that the chapel be kept open “having in mind the opportunities that are offered to our people in this area”. They went on: “The Leaders urge that an aggressive policy be adopted, and every way which is open for the extension of the Kingdom of God should be followed fearlessly and wholeheartedly, and the Leaders pledge themselves personally to this” [MB665].

The annual trustees’ meeting on 4th February 1939 agreed: “The Time is not immediately opportune for closing the premises for Methodism Worship”. They pledged themselves to “lead in aggressive work” [MB665]

The chapel closed in 1941. The trustees’ minute book [MB665] notes that on 22nd February: “after a discussion as to whether we remain open, or close, it was moved by Mr. Moody and seconded by Mr. Anstee that the Church be closed. When put to the vote it was carried by a majority of two”. The organ was sold to the former Primitive Methodist church at Mount Tabor for £200.

The chapel building was taken over by the National Fire Service. The NFS gave £1,800 to the church in 1947 for dilapidations during their occupation [MB674]. The chapel was sold the following year for £2,400 [MB674]. The site of the chapel is now [2012] derelict office buildings.

Church Street Primitive Methodist church [MB1694]

Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Records service has the following records for Church Street Primitive Methodist church:

• MB664: Trustees’ minutes including building the new chapel and Sunday school: 1879-1920;
• MB666: Trust Secretary’s cash book: 1879-1924;
• MB665: Trustees’ minutes including closure of the chapel: 1920-1944;
• MB667-669: specification and plans for new gallery, pulpit and choir seating: 1920;
• MB670: plan of hot water heating system: c. 1920;
• MB671: memorandum regarding loan of £150: 1922;
• MB672: memorandum regarding loan of £300: 1930;
• MB3061: Sunday School anniversary booklet: 1935;
• MB3062: Sunday School anniversary booklet: 1936;
• MB3063: Sunday School anniversary booklet: 1937;
• MB453: Baptism register: 1937-1938;
• MB674: compensation for use of the chapel by the National Fire Service and sale of the property: 1946-1948.