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Welcome to the Bethesda Methodist Chapel website.

Latest News: Bethesda Chapel is opening free of charge to the public as part of the Cultural Olympiad London 2012 celebrations on Friday 26 September between 4.00 - 7.00pm.  We’d love to see you there

 

The first phase of repairs was completed in late summer 2007. We opened Bethesda Chapel for your inspection for the first time soon after, and it will be regularly OPEN TO THE PUBLIC on the second Saturday of each month from April 2008 onwards.

See our Progress page for more information – and please come along if you're in the area.

Phase II will see further repairs of the interior, the reinstatement of the cast-iron railings and gates outside, and the introduction of modern services. The vestry block will house lavatory and kitchenette facilities.

This website is dedicated to the Historic Chapels Trust's proposal to restore the Bethesda Methodist Chapel in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, and make it available for a wide range of uses.

Bethesda Methodist Chapel is one of the largest nonconformist chapels outside London. It is reputed to have seated up to 2,000 people. Many people have fond memories of Bethesda and want to see it restored to its former glory and open again to the public.

On this website you will find information about the building's history, the plans for restoration, how you can help and how you can get in touch with the Historic Chapels Trust and our local supporters' group.

 

Funding for the creation of this website has been provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone and Stoke-on-Trent City Council also provided financial support towards the first phase of repairs.

Click here to see where we are.

What's new on the website?

1 March 2008 — information on Open Days in 2008, on meetings of the Friends of Bethesda, and on Bethesda's participation in a city-wide video celebration of Stoke

28 October 2007 — 'Nursing service' photo added to this page, and wedding photos added elsewhere

25 September — Report and pictures from our first Open Day, on 8 September

Buy a mug to help our funds!

The BBC's website for Stoke and Staffordshire has some superb 360-degree moving panoramas of Bethesda's interior as it was before restoration started.

The front, Open Day, 8 September 2007

September 2007: Phase I of the restoration works has been completed, and for the first time in twenty years the public can enter the building (click on the photo for a bigger version).
Crowds for a carol service

Crowds assemble for the annual carol service at Bethesda Chapel, c. 1950 (click on the photo for a bigger version)
Perhaps a nursing service?

Perhaps this was taken at a special nursing service? Do you see anyone you know? (click on the photo for a bigger version)
The interior in 1970

This is what the interior looked like in 1970, with its elegant wooden seating, spectacular pulpit and impressive organ front. We hope to restore the current derelict building to something like its former splendour. It's a big job – take a look at the 360-degree panoramas ...
Original design by Function design.
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