New Swannington Wesleyan Reform Church
Built in 1906, this chapel was part of Swannington until 1936 when New Swannington was absorbed by Coalville Urban District Council.
New Swannington Wesleyan Reform Church built in Church Lane in 1906
Churches in the Wesleyan Reform Union are not part of the Methodist Conference
Stone Laying Ceremony – Saturday 21st July 1906
The Leicester Daily Post of the 23rd July reported:
NEW SWANNINGTON
Wesleyan Reform Church
Nonconformity making headway in the Coalville centre. The Wesleyan Reform Church of New Swannington, at a cost of, roughly, £700, are building a place of worship, and Rev. A. Holland, of Ellistown, on Saturday, presided at the pleasing function of stone-laying.
The rev. gentleman was supported by the Rev. S. W. Twiggs, Mr. J. W West, C.C., Messrs. S. Wilson, W. Brotherhood, and others. After prayer by Mr. West, and the psalm, – “How amiable are Thy tabernacles,” the chairman congratulated the members of the Reform Church of New Swannington on the enterprise, and wished them God-speed.
He announced that Sir Charles McLaren (on behalf of whom be laid a stone) had forwarded a cheque for £10, wishing the workers success. (Applause) Stones were also laid by Mrs. E. Leech, of Griffydam : Mr. and Mrs. Bath, of New Swannington: Mr. and Mrs. Haywood, Griffydam ; Mr. Wm. Billings, New Swannington (on behalf of the members of the church); Mr. Wm. Brotherhood (on behalf of the Band of Hope Society); and Mr. Ald.H????, of Hugglescote.
In the course of the proceedings Mr. Chas, Rowell, of Spring-lane, spoke of the movement and its necessity. – Mr. Holland apologised for the absence of Mr. T Steward, and thanked those who had laid the stones and had assisted. – Mr Wilson moved a vote of thanks to the chairman and friends, which was seconded by Mr. A. Brown, and carried.
Note – Sir Charles McLaren was the Member of Parliament.
Death of joiner Samuel Joseph Wilson – Wednesday 3rd October 1906
The Nottingham Journal of the 5th October 1906 reported:
JOINER’S FATAL FALL
FROM A CHAPEL ROOF AT COALVILLE
A fatal accident of a very distressing nature occurred at New Swannington on Wednesday evening, when Samuel Joseph Wilson, aged 43, a joiner and cabinet maker, of Providence-place, New Swannington, lost his life through falling from scaffolding inside the Wesleyan Reform Chapel.
It appears that he contracted for all the woodwork of the chapel, the stone laying for which took place about ten weeks ago, when Wilson, as a prominent member of the community, took as active part. On Wednesday afternoon he was engaged in match-boarding the roof in company with Mr. Bath. who was gratuitously assisting the deceased, his friend. Both were at a height of about 25 feet from the ground. So far as Mr. Bath could see it the suddenness of the accident, Wilson was reaching for some match boarding and disappeared from the platform, probably missing his footing.
Mr. Baker, bricklayer, of Coalville, and his server, at once went to Wilson’s assistance. He was unconscious, and was removed to his home a hundred yards away, where Dr. Burkitt, of Whitwick, saw him. No bones were broken, but the injured man did not recover consciousness, and died about three hours after the accident.
Church Opening Ceremony
The Melton Mowbray Mercury and Oakham and Uppingham News of Thursday 22nd November 1906 reported on the Saturday 17th November opening ceremony.
NEW SWANNINGTON
New Wesleyan Reform Chapel – The opening ceremony of the new church of the Wesleyan Reformers of this place was performed on Saturday afternoon by Miss Chester (Swannington), and was largely attended. Mr. Newbury (Whitwick), in the unavoidable absence of Mr. J. W. West, C.C. through bereavement, presided at an evening meeting.
The whole proceedings were marked with great heartiness, notwithstanding the cloud which was overhanging the church owing to the accident which took place in the building some weeks ago, whereby the “leader” of the chapel, whilst working on the roofing, fell and was killed. In memory of their departed friend, a number wore black, whilst the room was draped with crape.
At the opening ceremony there were present, besides Miss Chester and the Rev. A. Holland (Ellistown), circuit minister, Councillor W. Brownlow, Mr. Marsden (Doncaster), Mr. Newbury, Mr. F. Goddard, Messrs. Toon, Rowell. Billings, Bath, and others.
The building will cost about £600, of which £100 had been raised, and it is hoped to obtain £50 during the special services of the next three weeks. The architect was Mr. F. Goddard. of Goddard and Wain, Coalville, whilst some of the contract work was done by members of the church, who were greatly assisted by the voluntary help of others. – The opening services were continued on Sunday, when Mr. Marsden, of Doncaster, preached.
Winter Bazaar
Melton Mowbray Mercury and Oakham and Uppingham News Thursday 30 December 1909 reported on the bazaar on Tuesday 28th December.
NEW SWANNINGTON WESLEYAN REFORM CHURCH
BAZAAR IN AID OF THE FUNDS
On Tuesday afternoon Mrs. W.Moss, of Swannington, opened a bazaar in the Wesleyan Reform Church at New Swannington, in aid of the church debt, and the Rev. A. Holland, at Ellistown, also assisted. The building had been decorated for the event, and presented an attractive appearance.
The Rev. A. Holland, in opening the proceedings, said he was glad that they were making such progress, and further were delighted to meet their friends of other churches, which was evidence of unity and good feeling. There was a was a time when there was some aloofness between the churches, but that was giving way.
He was also glad to see evidences of progress in connection with the cause there, and he wished it an abundance of good work for the community. They desired to raise £50 by that bazaar towards the debt of £75, and he had the most sanguine expectations that the result of the church’s efforts would be realised. It would give them an impetus to wipe off the debt and proceed to work for a schoolroom adjoining the church. They were pleased to see Mrs. Moss, whose work they all recognised in Nonconformist circles.
Mrs. Moss expressed her interest in that movement, and said she had the greatest pleasure in opening the bazaar, and wishing it every possible success.
Mr. Charles Rowell, of Swannington, moved a vote of thanks to Mrs. Moss, which Mr. T. Rowell seconded. and Mrs. Moss, in replying, advised those present “to set to buying now.”
The following were the stall-holders: First stall (drapery), Miss Billings and Miss Pepper; second stall (drapery), Miss Billings and Miss Sears; third stall, Miss Kendrick and Miss Young; flower stall, Miss Jarvis (Whitwick); refreshment stall, Misses E. and F. Bayliss, Miss E. Billings, and Miss Bath; toy stall (young men). Mr. G. Brotherhood, Mr. Waterfield, Mr. Swift, and Mr. J. Rowell. Miss L. Rowell superintended an extra toy stall. The stalls were laden with article’s of a very useful character, for the most part warm clothing for children. A good sale resulted, and it is hoped that in the two days’ effort, more than than £50 will be the outcome of an enterprising village effort.
Note – The Mrs Moss would be Annie Moss, widow of the builder Walter Moss. Annie lived in The Grove, Swannington (the orange house opposite the 1930s village hall).