Lancaster Methodist Church 

The history of the former Sulyard Street church (now "The Cornerstone")

In 1805 two plots of land were purchased, one on the corner of Friar Street and Sulyard Street for a chapel, the other in Friar Street itself for a Preacher's House. In less than 12 months the chapel was ready for opening, the event taking place on Sunday 13th July 1806.

Initially there was a gallery only at the Sulyard Street end of the the chapel, but in 1815 side galleries were added. Further space was obtained in 1836 by lengthening the chapel to the full length of the site.

In 1852 Sunday School premises were built in Edward Street - before this the Sunday School had been conducted in the chapel (until 1835), then in a room in Mary Street (until 1843), then in Brewery Lane (until 1846) and then in the Oddfellows Hall until 1852.

In 1866/1870 additional property was purchased in Friar Street with a view to extending the property. This made a complete block of property in Friar Street and Sulyard Street (apart from Miss Compton's house) and thus prepared the way for a new and larger chapel, rendered necessary by the steadily increasing congregation. The new chapel opened on December 29th 1874. The Edward Street property was then sold and the Sunday School transferred to the basement of the new chapel.

In 1905, just before reaching the first centenary the chapel was thoroughly renovated. Electric lighting and a complete scheme of ventilation was installed, together with carpets and cushions. At the reopening service in November 1905 the 'new' Methodist hymn book was used for the first time.

The centenary itself was celebrated in July 1906.

In 1876 a day school had been started, growing to 340 scholars in the mixed department and 160 in the infants. This school was transferred to Dallas Road in 1911.

[The above account is based on information kindly supplied by Mrs Nan Savage]

    Last modified: 16 November, 2008

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