History of the Chapel Building

Built in 1875, the former Primitive Methodist Chapel in Black Park, North Wales, started with the arrival of coal miners from Staffordshire seeking work at Black Park Colliery and represents an era for local residents of the former mining village that was simple but hard.

The Chapel was built and paid for solely from Miners wages at nearby Black Park Colliery, to the extent that the foundation stones were brought up by hand from the River Dee using only a horse and cart.

Some of the miners were from the Mow Cop area, well known as the birthplace of Primitive Methodism. By talking with workmates and families the 'Good News' was spread. The first House Meeting in 1858 was at the home of Mary and Richard Morris - No. 1 the Barracks (the end house). In 1861 the home of William Parry, a larger cottage near the colliery railway line was used. The next move was to lower Halton, where two adjacent cottages were used. The Directors of Black Park Colliery Co. built a new row of homes (Halton Terrace - 'Fifty Row') and kindly donated No. 19 "To continue services in better accomodation". To build a permanent sanctuary the money would have to come from miners wages. In faith and courage they went forward.

A site was secured and plans drawn. The foundation stones were laid in 1875, the princely sum of £340 being raised. The final cost of the building was £1,056.18s.11d leaving a dept of £570. When opened and dedicated, the first service was The Lords Supper at 7:30 in the morning. By the end of March 1899 the debt had been cleared and it was decided to extend the building. This was completed by 29th June of that year. This was made possible by a screen between the Chapel and the schoolroom that could be rolled back and the pulpit moveable.

In 1912, the freehold of the site was purchased from Chirk Castle Estates for £43.10s.0d. In 1921 members and trustees decided somewhere must be provided for the younger people to go for recreation. Adjacent land was purchased for £150 and a military hut from Park Hall was bought for £52.10s.0d. A committee was formed from the Sunday School, Trustees and the Halton Mission. A donation of £50 was made by the Colliery and was opened by Mr James Darlington (managing director of the Colliery). There were billiard tables and other games, a library, tennis court and a bowling green. In 1934 electrical lighting was installed at a cost of £34. Funds were low, but the Womens Christian Fellowship organised a faith tea and concert to pay for this. In 1936 hymn singing and a broadcast was made from the Chapel. In 1948 renovations were carried out at a cost of £843. Sadly, Black Park Colliery closed in 1949 with many leaving the area to find other employment. In 1968 after the disbanding of the Rhosymedre and Chirk Circuit, eight societies joined the new Oswestry, Ellesmere and Chirk Circuit. The remaining seven societies joined the Wrexham Circuit (7 out of 15 now being closed). 1972 saw another blow to the community with the demolishing of 'Fifty Row'. Black Park Chapel has survived many changes from the original Primitive Methodist Circuit, the first and second Methodist Unions to Rhosymedre and Chirk Circuit and lastly to Oswestry, Ellesmere and Chirk Circuit. In February 1977 the Sunday half hour was broadcast by the BBC. An excerpt from the recording can be listened to by clicking here.

Faced with possible closure twice, it was agreed that a Christian witness would be maintained somewhere in the village. God showed this goodness, we had the faith. God provided what we needed. John Wesley said:

"The World is my Parish"