Rotherham The Unofficial Website An unofficial website about the Town and Borough of Rotherham

Methodist Places of Worship

Methodism came early to Rotherham with the establishment of dissenter's churches and chapels in the 18th Century. It was a great movement for good amongst the poor people and the mining communities who were often ignored by the established church. The Church Of England sometimes had little to do with many working communities other than to perform the necessary rites of hatching, matching and dispatching. Methodist preachers worked hard in and for these communities. There were several different forms of Methodism which, I believe, came more or less together, during the 20th Century. This amalgamation together with falling congregations led to the closure of many Methodist chapels. Many still exist but serve serve other purposes - eg carpet warehouse, antiques shop and so on. Even today many of the Methodist churches and chapels seem to be in the forefront of modern community activities.