South Milford & Lumby

North Yorkshire

The Methodist Chapel - a Brief History

Until the formation of the Selby Circuit in 1812, South Milford was within the boundary of the Pontefract Circuit.
Selby and several other societies were extracted from the York Circuit along with South Milford and others from Pontefract to create the new Selby Circuit.
Records show that a Methodist chapel in South Milford has been in existence from the year 1814. The original, known locally as the "little chapel" was situated in the same place as the present building. It has been described as a small old building with its entrance at the side. The interior had a central pulpit with three steps up to it. Benches were used in lieu of pews. No organ was in place, instead. a harmonium was used as an accompaniment to the hymn singing.
It is not known where services were held prior to the "little chapel" of 1814

The Circuit Plan for November 1813 to March 1814 shows a fortnightly service at South Milford at 9am, the preacher then travelling to Monk Fryston for a service at 2pm.

The foundation stone for the present chapel was laid on Friday September 17th 1875. The estimated cost of the work was £600. It appears the present chapel was built around the old one which was then demolished.

The opening service took place on Thursday 30th March 1876, the preacher being the Rev. George Clough Harvard of Halifax.

Minister: Rev'd Hazel Hanson

Click here to see a list of previous Ministers

Lumby

Newthorpe

Lumby also had a chapel, the cornerstone of which was laid on Monday 10th of June 1871. The plot of land was purchased for the sum of £20 and the cost of the building was £200, accommodating 106 people. By 1912 it had ceased to be used for services, the village being too close to South Milford to support one of its own and in 1940 the chapel was disposed of. The building remained standing and was used as a farm building. The site has now been developed for housing.

The hamlet of nearby Newthorpe also maintained a Methodist chapel. Built at a cost of £249 5s 6d. The opening was on December 3rd. 1889. Due to the low population of the area the final service took place in March 1966.

Credit for this information must go to Richard Moody of Selby who researched the history for a booklet to mark the Centenary of South Milford Chapel, 1876 -1976