Bethel Chapel, Shelf facts for kids
The Bethel Chapel is an old and important church building located in Shelf, a village in Yorkshire, England. It was built in 1853 and is a type of Christian church called a Methodist chapel.
Next to the chapel is a graveyard where many people have been buried. Since it opened in 1852, over 4,900 people have been laid to rest there.
History of Bethel Chapel
The Bethel Chapel was built in 1853. We don't know who exactly designed or built it. Over the years, the building has been updated. For example, in 1995, new bathrooms, a kitchen, and an extra floor were added. Many of the original box pews (which are like enclosed seating areas) are still there today.
When the chapel first opened, it was part of a group called the Wesleyan Reform movement. This lasted until 1873. After that, it joined another group called the United Methodist Free Church. Today, it is still an independent Methodist church, meaning it runs itself.
Famous People Buried Here
The graveyard at Bethel Chapel is the final resting place for some interesting people.
- Joseph Jagger: He was known for a famous event in 1881 when he "broke the bank at Monte Carlo." This means he won a huge amount of money gambling.
- Edward Hartley: He was an early politician who believed in socialism. This is a political idea where the community or government owns and controls important things like factories and services, rather than private businesses. Edward Hartley later moved to Shelf.
The cemetery also has graves for at least three soldiers who died in the First World War. One of them was Second Lieutenant A. E. Lord of the Yorkshire Regiment. He was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery and passed away in 1918.
