This chapel used to stand in Darby End, a part of Netherton, and is a good example of a Black Country Methodist chapel. It originated from a Sunday School started by the local community in the late 1700s.
This community was largely made up of families from Belper in Derbyshire. One of these families was named Darby, hence the area became known as Darby End. They were attracted to the area by mining and iron manufacture. As well as a place to work they needed a place to pray and meet friends. First meeting in each other's houses, provision of a permanent chapel became essential. The Darby family bought a plot of land on Northfield Road and in 1828 work began. "Providence Chapel" was named after a chapel in Epworth, Lincolnshire and it was affiliated to the Methodist Connexion.
Services were distinct in their strong, rousing sermons; a preacher once threw his glasses into the congregation and another fell from the pulpit whilst preaching! The chapel was a social centre for the community; there were events every evening. Saturdays were "pleasure days" when they might go for a walk in the woods or a picnic.
In 1971 a proposal to convert the chapel led to a detailed surveyor's report; the building was suffering from subsidence caused by underground shafts, deterioration of brickwork due to smoke from foundry hearths and a dangerously high local water level. Sadly, the funds needed could not be gathered and the chapel was closed on 25th August 1974. The Museum was offered a number of artefacts from the chapel. A visit to view the items however, led to the idea of restoring the whole building on the Museum site. The process of dismantling the building was carried out on 15th September 1979 and the Chapel was dedicated in its new home.
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| Reference: | 529 |
| Keywords: | Darby End Community Sunday School Northfield Providence Methodist Connexion 1970s BCLM |
| Archive Ref: | Marketing Photograph Collection |
| Updated: | 6/9/2001 11:35:49 |