Bethesda Methodist Chapel, Hanley

Bethesda Methodist Chapel stands in Hanley, a town in the West Midlands. Built in the early 19th century, it replaced an earlier chapel from the late 18th century. Designed by a local amateur architect, the building follows the Italianate style with a stuccoed façade and slate roof. It was expanded in 1859 and 1887, becoming one of the largest Methodist chapels in the UK. The chapel was listed as Grade II* in 1972 but fell into disrepair after worship ended in 1985. The chapel’s history reflects the growth of Methodism in the region. In 1779, a congregation was expelled for supporting Alexander Kilham, who founded the Methodist New Connexion. Led by figures like William Smith and Job Meigh, the group built their first chapel seating 600, later expanded to 1,000. The current building, completed in 1819, seated 2,500 and was designed by J. H. Perkins. Robert Scrivener later added a colonnade in 1859. Inside, the chapel features a grand organ on the gallery, originally built in 1864 and restored after theft. The interior includes a tiered gallery supported by cast iron columns and an octagonal pulpit beneath the organ. The rear apse and Flemish bond brickwork add to its architectural character. Plans now aim to transform it into a centre for education and performances under Re-Form Heritage.