Bride Methodist Chapels

From O/S Plan III.6

Bride Primitive Methodist Chapel 1843

Trustees: Taken from Minute book of the Ramsey Circuit (Primitive Methodists), 1863--87.
Registry of Trustees of the Chapels in the Ramsey Circuit. [MM MD 12534/1]

Bride Chapel, New Trust Deed, Sept 30^th 1880.

Old Trustee, Robert Kewin, Regaby Gate.
New Trustees. William Christian, Smeale. Died Nov^r 8^th 1887 Buried K.Bride churchyard Nov^r 12^th 1887
Edward Christian, Bride.
William Skinner, Crosbie, Bride.
William Mylrea, Kirk Andreas.
James Morrison, Kirk Andreas.
Edward Callow, Kirk Andreas.
Thomas Kewin, Regaby. Died Feby. 6^th 1900. Buried in Andreas Churchyard Feby. 9^th 1900.
John Cain, Regneash, Regaby.
John Kewin, Bride.
John James Corlett, Ramsey.
Joseph Looney, Ramsey.
Joseph Corlett, Ramsey.
George Joseph Teare, Lezayre.

Bride Wesleyan Methodist Chapel II 1877

dated 28 Oct 1801;Thomas Radcliffe(Ballacondry)sells for £5(Manks) to Daniel Joughin(Cronkbane),Thomas Christian(Ballnahain), John Kneal(Ballagarrett), William Castill(BallaKamain), John Chistian(Jack) - all of Kk Bride - those premises of land at east end of parcel of intack called Camaishers Croft - 20 Manks yards in front by the road leading to Balla-yuan-aig and in parallel with it backward as far as the croft extends, adj Mrs Lucy Copland on east + south, my lands on west and way leading to Balla-yuan-aig on north, together with house thereon erected known as the Methodist Preaching House - methodistically settlled; Witt Wm Lace, George Cowle; setting quest place 0.5d rent

By 1818 Thomas Radcliffe and Thomas Christian were dead - thus two new trustees were needed - also one of the trustees needed to be named as the new 'tenant' to be entered in the rent books.

NSS May 1820 19

dated 18 Dec 1818;recites that Thomas Radcliffe(Ballacunder) by deed dated 28 Oct 1801[NSS May 1803 19] sold a plot of ground whereon a Methodist chapel was erected - sd Thomas Radcliffe continued as nominal tenant; sd deed required additional trustees to be appointed on death or departure of existing trustees to keep up 7 trustees - sd Thomas Radcliffe and Thomas Christian being dead, Charles Cowle(Ballavarkys) + Daniel Garrett(Glascoe) both of Kk Bride appointed trustees - sd Charles Cowle also appointed nominal tenant;; Witt John Mercer, Thos Christian 'x';

By the 1870's it was clear that the building was too small - Isle of Man Times, Saturday, 10th January 1874 reported:

The anniversary festival of the Bride Wesleyan Sunday School was held on New Year's-day. After tea in the schoolroom, an after-meeting was held in the chapel, which was crowded almost to suffocation. Mr Daniel Joughin presided, and the meeting was addressed on various topics by Mr Teare. of Kirk Michael; Mr Cry ; Mr F. E. Murphy, CM., Bride ; Mr Teare, Ramsey, &c.
A first-rate choir sang a capital selection of music under the leadership of Mr Kerruish.

The following evening was devoted to a tea party, and for arrangement of business for the present year in connection with the Sunday School. Mr Cry was unanimously elected to preside. The officers for the year were next enrolled, and in conclusion a proposition was introduced by the President to erect a larger and more commodious building for the accommodation of the increasing congregation, who are on many occasions crowded together most excessively, to their uneasiness and inconvenience. He suggested that early steps should be taken to provide in time for the growing wants of the parish, and that a subscription should be commenced immediately.

His cry was heeded as within 3 years a new chapel was erected on the same site - Mona's Herald, Wednesday, 9th May 1877 carried a lengthy description:

"Queen's weather" reigned supreme on Monday last, and enabled the members of the Wesleyan Methodist Society resident in Kirk Bride and neighbourhood to open their new and picturesquely situated chapel with appropriately solemn inaugural services that induced a crowded congregation to assemble.
...
The chapel has a not imposing exterior, being devoid of tower or steeple, and having no architectural embellishments, buiilt upon the site of the first structure used by the Northern Wesleyans, it occupies fifty feet by twenty eight, and is in every respect a creditable sample of local handiwork. The former chapel, which accommodated about a hundred and fifty worshippers, was demolished for the most pressing of reasons—decay and uselessness, the results of an existence from time almost immemorial The ground upon which the present building has been erected has been purchased from Mr Drinkwater, now resident in Naples, with whom negociations are in progress for the securing of additional frontage an equivalent amount of land at the sides of the chapel being tendered in exchange. The ground rises abruptly from the village post-oftice and smithy, and advantage has been taken to build both chapel and school basement.

The upper room will be approached by three steps, leading from the road, with a slight inclination to the entrance. The whole edifice has been designed and built by Mr Robert Corkhill, of Ramsey, and was commenced in August last. It is of Gothic architecture, with an open wood-work roof. The upper room will contain over two hundred and twenty people and the basement about two hundred and fifty scholars. The Sunday School is just now in good circumstances having one hundred children and thirty teachers in attendance. Provision has been made for the utilisation of a modern warming apparatus, which will be in position before the return of cold weather.

The interior of the chapel is tasteful and captivating. The roof is divided into five bays by four frame principals. There are seven windows, with lancet heads, consisting of two longitudinal panes having cusps of stained glass. Surmounting the north end is a handsome circlet of coloured glass, the contribution of Miss Alice Joughin. Over this window and at the rear are Venetian Ventilators. The pews are composed of excellent pitch-pine, and are conveniently and comfortably const»ucted, devoid of ornamentation. A very pretty dado runs around the building, and, being picked out with diamond holes of blue upon yellow ground, has an artistic effecct.

There is a staircase leading from the left of the pulpit to the room below. Behind the organ recess is a Gothic arch, supported by columns coloured like marble, and gilded. The pulpit is pronounced to be the most exquisite piece of wood workmanship in the Isle of Man. It is built of pine after the manner of a rostrum, and is octagon in form. It is faced with six carved panels, of perforated wood on walnut ground. The capitals are carved, and have latticed arches, surmounted by a gilt moulding. At the base is an enclosure fenced by blue railings, for the communion table. The harmonium is a good instrument, aud was purchased from Messrs Alexandre Pere and Fils, of Paris. A handsome edition of Stanesby's illuminated Bible, and a medium octavo Hymn Book, each with a costly morocco binding, the Bible having clasps, bear the inscription, "Presented by Robert Cleator, Ramsey, to the Trustees of the New Wesleyan Chapel, Bride, on the occasion of laying the foundation stone, Friday, 30th June, 1876." The cushion on which these books rest is of red velvet, and was given by Mrs Kinnish, of Liverpool. The cost of the entire building has been eight hundred pounds, six hundred of which had been contributed prior to the inauguration services. Two hundred pounds have been donated by the Messrs Daniel and Mark Joughin, of Bride, and one hundred have been given by the trustees of the late Mr Callister's estate. It is almost unnecessary to add that to Mr D. Joughin and his generous brother is due the success of the undertaking.

Ths dedicatory service was opened at half-past two o'clock, in the presence of a large congregation, and several members of the Wesleyan ministry, among whom I noted the Rev W. T. Radcliffe, who preached ; Rev H. Graham, chairman of the Isle of Man District; Rev E. D. Webb, superintendent of the Ramsey Circuit; Rev Mr Penrith, Rev Mr Charlesworth, and others. The choir consisted of about thirty harmonising voices, including the well-known "Manx-Giant," who towered high over all the occupants of the stalls. Preliminary prayers and hymns having been offered and sung, Mr Radcliffe preached a discourse based upon the verse, " The Son of Man goeth forth as it is written of Him, but woe unto that man newborn the Son of Man is betrayed. It had been good for him if he had not been born ;" Mat., xxvi, 24.

More than one person present endeavoured to "take notes," but I and others were compelled to desist from the attempt. Such an essay upon moral rectitude has never before been delivered in Bride, and the brilliant discourse was, if possible, the greatest of the efforts in this vicinity, of which it was third. At the conclusion of the sermon Mr Radcliffe announced the position of financial matters, adding that the Chapel Committee in Manchester had been very fair and courteous in extending aid to the enterprise, but that there existed a debt of seventy pounds, which must be cleared off by the local membership before the offer of the committee could be adopted. Failing to secure this sum, a loan of a hundred pounds would be necessary, and this would necessitate the borrowing of that sum for ten years, without interest, repayable in ten equal instalments; an amount that would be harder to collect than the whole of the principal debt now owed. He appealed to all for assistance, and he would urge the necessity for help boldly, because he was amongst his own countrymen. The Rev Mr Webb then intimated the arrangements which had been made for the continuance of the dedication services, and expressed the hope that, before the conclusion of the exercises, the whole debt would be defrayed and the chapel placed in that position which all desired to see it in. The amount of the collection made at this service was about ten pounds.

Shortly before five o'clock the basement was crowded with eager anticipators of the repast provided. Twice was the room filled to overflowing, and I at least heard not one complaint of inattention. Personally I hungered not after rising from the tea which, in consuming, none were otherwise than contented and pleased. Assuredly the caterers of Kirk Bride compare favourably with more pretentious refreshment-providers of town localities. The only economy which was noticeable was that displayed in the utilisation of concert tickets that did service at "a monster meeting" in 1877, the proceeds of which were devoted to the "poor of the parish," and not to chapel-erection. If some ravenous persons succeeded in obtaining duplicate relays of provisions, it is to the credit of their ingenuity. Many people who arrived after the first and second courses of the repast, were fortunately accepted as better late than never At the concert, and public meeting, which opened in the chapel at seven o'clock, there was present a yet augmented audience. The proceedings were opened with prayer, offered by Mr Webb, who delivered a brief but forcible address. The choir, after one false start, sang an anthem with finished execution. The Rev H. Graham spoke pertinently, and lengthily, and was followed by another good effort by the choristers, which was marred by the indecorous foot-stamping of which some one in the audience was guilty.

The speech of Mr Radcliffe was marked by a profusion of humorous recollections, homely sallies, aud touching application. Like his pulpit utterances it was listened to with rapt attention. Fastidiousness itself could hardly discover matter for a queralous grumble, but I was more than displeased that Mr Radcliffe should have found it necessary to sneer at the editor of The National Reformer as " the man Bradlaugh, who calls himself 'Iconoclast' sometimes, and whose followers are a miserable-looking set of fellows," whom he often saw near City Road, in London. Infidelity will never be frowned or satirized out of existence, but will the rather be spurred to retaliate by calm and disastrously efficacious argument. The ambassador of Christ should essentially be a missionary of charity, not a splenetic opponent. To win, not to drive, is the minister's function, I take it.

After a few words from Messrs Webb and Graham, the choir rendered another anthem. Mr John Joughin, local preacher, of Kerrowgarrow, next spoke in a characteristic way, alluding to the fact that Kirk Bride was the best agricultural parish in the Island, and connected that success with the donation of £300 to religious purposes very recently in that parish, in the erection of the school, the Episcopal church, and lastly, the Wesleyan chapel. Mr Joughin concluded by saying, that upon the man who was liberal and openhearted "God would shower down sovereigns." Rev. B. Lawn, of Peel, next addressed the meeting, and the choir again sang. Mr Looney, of Ramsey, then moved a vote of thanks to the choir and the ladies who had assisted at the tea distribution. This was seconded by Mr Lawn, who flattered the choir as most able of all Manx singers. Mr Webb then tendered the vote to the objects of the resolution, aud urged the necessity for filling the chapel at all seasons. A vote of thanks to the enthusiastic ejaculator of frequent " hear, hears" was omitted, Mr Dutton returned thanks on behalf of the choir and himself. The doxology was then sung, the benediction pronounced, and the meeting concluded. The proceeds of the tea. party and meeting amounted to nearly £12.

I acknowledge the courteous demeanour of all connected with the opening services of the Wesleyan Chapel towards the Herald correspondent, but I again remind those who desire Press notices of such occurences, that tickets of invitation should invariably be provided for newspaper " fellows."

I cannot find any deed referencing a sale of land by Mr Drinkwater

Trustees needed to be replaced when their number had dropped to two -

Registered Deed May 1879 21 recites an earlier deed of 1837 which I cannot find but brings the number of trustees back to 7 in readiness for the opening of the new chapel.

dated 6 May 1876;recites by deed dated 8 Oct 1801 Thomas Radcliffe(Ballacunder) sold a parcel of ground near the church to seven trustees of the Wesleyan Chapelthen erected, two trustees replaced in 1818 , after which 5 of sd trustees died (Charles Cowle, john Kneal,John Kneal junr, Wm Castile and John Christian) and by deed dated 22 Apr 1837 with approbation of Rev Thomas Catterick(superintendent) Charles Cormode, John Garrett, John Gawne, Daniel Joughin junr + Wm Joughin (all of Kk Bride) were appointed trustees; since which time Danl Garrett, Daniel Joughin, Charles Cormode, John Garrett and John Gawne have died and with approbation of Rev Benjamin Nightingale Hawarth (superintendent) Daniel Kneale, Mark Joughin, Thomas Kneale, John Quayle and Daniel Joughin junr are appointed trustees in their place; Witt Richd Pass; all trustees sign;
Registry note a further change of trustees dated 1 Jan 1889; ?reg deed Apr 1890 #18

References

Willian & Constance Radcliffe, Kirk Bride Miscellany 1992 Nelson Press Douglas