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A (Very) Short History of Methodism in Roundhay

Most of the information for this article was taken from the 1910 Souvenir of the re-union of past & present teachers, scholars and friends of Roundhay Wesleyan Sunday School on it's 33 Anniversary.

The 1st public place of worship in the township was established on North Lane (previously known as Chapel Lane) off Wetherby Road. It was built about 1805 and situated immediately to the left of the drive into Grove House. All that remains now is the lower part of the shell of the building which provides a wall onto North Lane to the South West and the back of the Grove House garage to the North East. The steps up to where the door used to be are still there behind the wooden gate.

1910 Now

A (Very) Short History of Methodism in Roundhay Most of the information for this article was taken from the 1910 Souvenir of the re-union of past & present teachers, scholars and friends of Roundhay Wesleyan Sunday School on it's 33 Anniversary. The 1st public place of worship in the township was established on North Lane (previously known as Chapel Lane) off Wetherby Road. It was built about 1805 and situated immediately to the left of the drive into Grove House. All that remains now is the lower part of the shell of the building which provides a wall onto North Lane to the South West and the back of the Grove House garage to the North East. The steps up to where the door used to be are still there behind the wooden gate. 1910 Now

Immediately to the left of Chapel, as shown in the picture, is an ivy covered building now known as Grove Cottage. The upper rooms of this cottage were used by the early Methodists for their meetings. At the rear of the cottage there is a low brick building which leans against the main cottage - it was here that there were once steps that have access to the upper storey. The picture below of the cottage rear looks the same today as it did nearly 100 years ago. 1910 Now


When, over time, the Chapel proved to be too small, a second Chapel was built a short distance away - on the same side of North Lane and a little nearer to Wetherby Road. Both Chapels were the private property of two brothers, John and Joshua Burton and following their death the property passed into other hands and the Methodists were given notice to quit. By 1910 the 2nd Chapel was demolished, local historians believe to make way for Mayo House, which in later times was demolished to make room for the Mayo Close development. A large plot of land was purchased on Springwood Road and on 2nd July 1873 the memorial stones were laid with the 3rd Chapel opening the following year. Later on a church hall was added. In 1985/6 the 3rd Chapel was demolished and a new one built where the church hall was. The site of the 3rd Chapel was developed into the Manor warden scheme. 1910 Now


The new Chapel pictured below was officially opened on Saturday October 25th 1986 - and 20 years later, in November 2006, the sharing of the building was agreed with St John's CoE Church, previously based on Wetherby Road.