John Wesley visited Hinckley on seven occasions and made complimentary references to both the town and his congregations. The 'neat elegant preaching-house' to which he refers in his Journal in April 1783 was the first Wesleyan chapel in the town, opened that year in Stockwell Head. It was enlarged c.1800 and lasted nearly a century before the gallery collapsed in 1876. It was sold and became a working men's club until 1942 and then a youth club. The chapel that replaced it, in New Buildings (formerly Grimms Lane), was opened on 7 November 1878. It seated over 800, accommodating organ and choir behind the pulpit. School premises under the chapel provided for up to 400 children. The premises were refurbished and renovated in 1903. The chapel continued in use until its closure in October 1969, and was demolished soon afterwards.
The Primitive Methodists had made several unsuccessful attempts to establish themselves in the town, including a camp meeting in 1844. In 1854 they bought a chapel, known as 'Ebenezer', in New Buildings, Leicester Road, built by the Strict Baptists in 1802. It was partially remodelled and has been described as 'a simple stuccoed building with round-arched windows and a projecting porch with pediment supported on attached pilasters and architrave'. It later was used by the Leicestershire Rifle Volunteers as an armoury and drill hall and as commercial premises, before being demolished in the 1980s. Its successor in Albert Road was opened in 1884, underwent major renovation in 1922 and is now Hinckley Methodist Church. Schoolrooms were added in 1893 and extended in 1928.
The Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist congregations came together in 1969 in the former Primitive Methodist church.
John Wesley's Journal:
29 November 1743: 'I went on to Hinckley, and preached to a large and quiet congregation.'
21 July 1779: 'About eight, calling at Hinckley, I was desired to preach.'
15 July 1782: 'In the evening I preached at Hinckley, one of the civilest towns I have seen.'
27 March 1783: 'I crossed over the country [from Wolverhampton] to Hinckley, and preached in the evening in the neat elegant preaching-house. So I did, morning and evening, on the three following days to a serious and well-behaved people.'
10 July 1786: 'It rained all the evening; yet we had moe hearers than the house could contain, and hardly a trifler among them. A more serious and well-behaved people I have seldom seen.'
12 February 1787: Though it rained, and the people had no notice till we came, yet the preaching-house was quickly filled; and many, I believe, were filled with peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.'
Category: Place
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