Ripon, a medieval market town with a collegiate church in the valley of the Skell, became the centre of a new diocese in 1836. In 2014 the three Anglican dioceses of Bradford, Ripon and Wakefield merged to form the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales.
The first Methodists suffered 'much harsh and unlawful treatment' and John Wesley wrote to the Dean of Ripon (who was also a local magistrate) on their behalf on 9 July 1766. A Methodist chapel, Ebenezer, was opened in an existing building on Coltsgate Hill in 1777. John Wesley records two visits to the town. On 2 May 1780 he records that the 'new preaching-house was quickly more than filled.' On Wednesday, 25 June 1788 he was en route from Thirsk to York. A new chapel by the Leeds architect James Simpson was opened on Coltsgate Hill in 1861; there was also a substantial Wesleyan Day School opened in 1871 across the road from the chapel, probably closed c.1940 and now apartments. A WM mission, opened in Water Skellgate in 1889, is now used by another denomination.
Ripon replaced Thirsk as the head of the WM circuit in1794; Thirsk was subsequently separated from Ripon in 1811 and Boroughbridge in 1887.
With the Kilhamite secession, Ripon became an early centre of the Methodist New Connexion; at first in the Leeds Circuit, it became the head of a small circuit in 1842. Initially a chapel was used down a narrow yard in Skellgate which it is claimed was opened in 1795. Was the congregation already in existence when the secession took place in1797? A new chapel, Zion, Blossomgate, was opened in 1860. On its closure it was used by the Baptists who have since replaced the original building.
The Hull PM Circuit first missioned the town when William Clowes preached there on 4 March 1820 and amongst those converted was Moses Lupton, President of the Conference in 1880. A chapel was opened in Priest Lane in 1822 enlarged in 1844 and replaced by Allhallowgate in 1881. Ripon became a branch of the Hull Circuit in 1820 and a separate circuit in 1822. The Bedale, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Middleham, Pateley Bridge and Thirsk circuits were all formed from Ripon.
Following Methodist Union rationalisation took place as circuits merged. The closure of all the chapels, except Allhallowgate which was extended, enabled a new church being opened in Harrogate Road in 1959. A series of further circuit mergers has now created the Ripon and Lower Dales Circuit, which also includes Bedale, Boroughbridge and Masham.
John Wesley's Journal:
'2 May 1780. We came to Ripon, and observed a remarkable turn of Providence. The great hindrance of the work of God in this place has suddenly disappeared, and the poor people, being delivered from their fear, gladly flock together to hear His word. The new preaching house was quickly more than filled. Surely some of them will not be forgetful hearers!'
25 June 1788: 'Believing the little flock there wanted encouragement, I took Ripon in my way to York, and gave them a strong discourse on the story of Dives and Lazarus. Many strangers seemed greatly astonished, and I believe they will not soon forget what they heard, for God applied it to their hearts…'
Entry written by: DCD
Category: Place
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