Chapel at Raithby Hall facts for kids
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Imagine a special place that has stood for a very long time, where people have gathered to worship for centuries. The small Methodist chapel at Raithby Hall in Raithby by Spilsby is exactly that kind of place. It is the oldest Methodist chapel in Lincolnshire, a county in England, and one of the oldest in the entire country! What makes it even more amazing is that it was opened by John Wesley himself, who was the founder of the Methodist movement. This historic chapel is still used today, keeping its long tradition alive.
Building a Special Place
The chapel was built in 1779 by a wealthy Methodist minister named Robert Carr Brackenbury. He lived at Raithby Hall and decided to build the chapel right above an existing stable. This means the building has two main parts: a stable on the ground floor and the chapel on the floor above. John Wesley officially opened and dedicated the chapel on July 5, 1779. The entire building, including both the stable and the chapel, is considered very important historically. It has a special protection status called Grade I listed, which means it's a building of exceptional interest.
A Place for Services
John Wesley, the famous founder of Methodism, actually led a service at this chapel on July 3, 1788. Imagine being there to hear him speak! Even today, the chapel continues to be a place of worship. It is now part of the Mid-Lincolnshire Methodist Circuit, which is a group of Methodist churches in the area. Occasional services are still held at the chapel, allowing its long history of worship to continue.
