The Methodist chapel dates back to 1891
Christon Bank Chapel in Northumberland(Image: Copyright Unknown)
A Northumberland man is attempting to stop the closure of a 135-year-old Methodist Chapel his family played a key role in building. Farmer John Young from Alnwick says Christon Bank Methodist Chapel is part of his family’s history.
His ancestor, James Young, worked with station master Theophilus Moor in 1891 to build the chapel. The pair approached then-MP for Berwick Sir Edward Grey to ask for land, which was granted to the community for free.
On August 3 1891, the first stone was laid in a special ceremony. Although the land itself was free, the actual cost of the buildings, including furnishings, was £709, seven shillings and four pence.
The Lindisfarne Methodist Church’s website describes the church as a “unique building” that “plays a vital part in village life” and serves as a “reminder that small can be, and often is, beautiful”.
However, the church’s future is uncertain. A statement on the website states: “We have tried over several years to grow and engage with the village but we have not been successful.
“We are reviewing our role in the village and hope we can come up with the right solution.”
While John is not a church-goer himself, his 90-year-old father has attended Christon Bank for decades. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Young explained the importance of the church to his family.
He said: “My father is 91 this year. I have vowed that I will do my best to keep it open in the time he is still on the earth.
“He wants his funeral to be held in the family church. Once you have lost something like this, you never get it back.
“Five generations ago, my family built the church – generations of my family have worshipped there. They got the land from Lord Grey – there is a huge amount of history to it and we have a long history with it.
“The church is struggling. In this day and age, across the whole country religion in certain sectors is dying off and the church haven’t got an idea of how to change it.”
The LDRS has contacted Lindisfarne Methodist Church for comment.
