Gringley-on-the-Hill: Methodist Church is set to close after 126 years

Sadly due to the gradual decline of church membership and the ever increasing costs, the decision has been made to close the church in Little Lane, Gringley-on-the-Hill, after 126 years of worship.

Its final service will take place on Sunday 1st March at 3pm and will be led by Rev Stuart Gunson, who was a minister in Gringley from 1999 to 2004.

If you would like to celebrate your memories and fellowship or if you have never seen inside the church before an open day is being held at the church on Saturday 31st January between 11am and 3pm.

At the event you will get the chance to reminisce the Sunday School Anniversaries, Harvest Festivals, Chapel outings, fund raising events, Carol Concerts and the life of the chapel.

The church is delighted to say the organ has been reinstalled ready for this occasion and will be played throughout the open day.

There will be a buffet lunch and refreshments available for the visitors between 12pm and 2pm.

If you have any old photographs from the church please take them along with you.

The members of the church would like to thank all those who have supported them through worship, fellowship, maintenance, the coffee afternoons, Parishes Flower Festivals and monetary donations, over the years.

The Methodist Church has been open for 126 years but Methodism has been practices in Gringley for 215 years.

John Wesley recorded in his Journal that he preached twice at Gringley-on-the-Hill when he was in his seventies in 1774 and 1776.

In 1800 the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was established and it was rebuilt and enlarged on the same site in High Street in 1836.

Two years later, in 1838, the first Primitive Methodist Chapel was built on West Wells Lane, serving its community for 50 years.

As the congregation increased there was a need for a new chapel and in October 1888 the chapel was constructed in Little Lane, to be known as Little Lane Chapel.

There was also the Low Street Chapel and these two amalgamated in 1958, worshipping in Little Lane Chapel as this congregation was higher and the building was in better condition.

The High Street organ was installed in Little Lane chapel.

Subsequently, the High Street Wesleyan Chapel was closed and sold.

The combined Methodist Church was part of the Gainsborough Methodist Circuit, which is now the Wolds and Trent Circuit.