WEARDALE’S MP, Dr Sam Rushworth, paid a visit to Westgate Methodist Chapel earlier this week.
He was there to see the work going on by Trades 4 Care to restore the Dale’s largest chapel, built to accommodate 500 worshippers in 1871. It was closed down almost 20 years ago and although it was not sold like all the other chapels in the area, it has not been maintained and fallen into a state of disrepair. Not too badly, though, and enough for Charlie Wright, the co-founder of Trades 4 Care, to be able to set his staff and students on the task of bringing it back to life.
While Dr Rushworth was there, the work was continuing and he was shown around by Charlie, appearing to be very impressed with what he saw. Congregations for 150 years sat in the two-storey chapel and listened to the most beautiful and ornate organ that still dominates the vista from all areas. Dr Rushworth heard that the organ has been working again – an organ built in 1920 by Nelson &Co of Durham, which has two manuals. The MP even walked up into the pulpit to view the interior from that prime position. He has offered to put his overalls on and come and physically help with the restoration himself!
WEARDALE’S MP, Dr Sam Rushworth, paid a visit to Westgate Methodist Chapel earlier this week.
He was there to see the work going on by Trades 4 Care to restore the Dale’s largest chapel, built to accommodate 500 worshippers in 1871. It was closed down almost 20 years ago and although it was not sold like all the other chapels in the area, it has not been maintained and fallen into a state of disrepair. Not too badly, though, and enough for Charlie Wright, the co-founder of Trades 4 Care, to be able to set his staff and students on the task of bringing it back to life.
While Dr Rushworth was there, the work was continuing and he was shown around by Charlie, appearing to be very impressed with what he saw. Congregations for 150 years sat in the two-storey chapel and listened to the most beautiful and ornate organ that still dominates the vista from all areas. Dr Rushworth heard that the organ has been working again – an organ built in 1920 by Nelson &Co of Durham, which has two manuals. The MP even walked up into the pulpit to view the interior from that prime position. He has offered to put his overalls on and come and physically help with the restoration himself!
Dr Rushworth said, ““Brilliant to meet with Trades4Care once again, this time at Westgate Chapel. We’re blessed with so many incredible historic buildings across our area, and I’m delighted that Trades4Care are taking on this venture, helping apprentices develop new restoration and craftsmanship skills while preserving our heritage in the community.
I really enjoyed looking around this beautiful chapel, which feels almost frozen in time, knowing it will soon be brought back to life. I’m really looking forward to coming back to meet the team as they work towards completing the project – and joining them on a day off to do my bit!”
The team of workers have uncovered some interesting finds in the chapel, not least boxes full of old music and books as well as interesting graffiti below the organ in a cupboard on the ground floor. Names and dates going back over 100 years are clear and legible. Fascinating pieces of history and featuring many well-known Weardale names. Communion Wine was discovered too as well as a raft of other artefacts. Even the piano in the old schoolroom is interesting in that a label gives its history, being supplied by Brotherton’s of Bishop Auckland – a business that is still going strong.
Service sheets for the funeral of the legendary Methodist Minister David Nixon were found too. David Nixon is still remembered in Weardale to this day, such was his contribution to the people in his time as Minister and after his retirement.
Charlie and his team estimate that the chapel will be able to re-open and play a part in the Upper Dale within around four years.
“We will be holding an event in Westgate Village Hall soon so we can relay to villagers what is happening here and how we propose to take it forward. It can be a very versatile building along with the attached former schoolrooms, that can stage all manner of events,” said Charlie. “We hope to organise that very soon.”
Charlie is very enthusiastic about the project and has the will to see it through to completion. He will be involving many master craftsmen who will work along young people, teaching them ancient crafts that historic buildings like the chapel can benefit from. In the meantime, the work continues…
