Building record MDR13483 - Methodist Chapel (Wesleyan), Saltergate, Chesterfield

Central Methodist Church built in 1870 on the site of an earlier chapel. It is a 2 storey building with Renaissance facade. Ashlar with plinth, sill and impost bands cornice frieze and modillion cornice. The giant portico is advanced under pediment with modillion cornice and palmette finial with 2 Ionic columns and square outer pilasters. The first floor has 3 round arched windows with moulded archivolts separated by pilasters. Ground floor has 3 windows with segmental arches and moulded architraves. 3 advanced 6 panelled doors under portico, set under broken pediments and with moulded architraves. Hanging lamp above each on curved and scrolled brackets. 6 steps approach. At each side of portico, 1 window on each floor, top round arched with archivolt, ground floor flat arched, with moulded architrave under cornice. Red brick sides with modillion eaves cornice, white brick eaves and band at ground and 1st floor sills. (1) According to Bulmer's Directory, the Wesleyan Methodists erected their first chapel in Saltergate about the end of the 18th century, and enlarged it in 1822. This chapel was taken down and the present one erected on its site in 1869-70. It is a handsome edifice of brick with a stone front in the Grecian style. The interior is elegantly fitted up, all the woodwork being of pitchpine. The total cost was upwards of £3,000. (2) The Wesleyan chapel, Saltergate was built in 1870, with Ionic portico and pediment. It replaced a chapel of 1795, which had been enlarged in 1828. (3)