In October 1921, eleven men from Horton Heath formed a Charitable Trust to purchase the land and buildings that comprised the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. They were all from the local rural and farming community, and between them raised £32-10s-0d to purchase the whole property that had previously been rented from the Shaftesbury Estates.

Over the years the Methodist society at the Chapel has waxed and waned in strength. Recently, due to people moving away, frailty and deaths, the society has declined in number.  A heavy burden on finances and changes to Methodist doctrine at this year’s Conference has brought the society to a crisis point.

At a recent Church Council meeting the worshipping community decided to cease to meet as a Methodist society.

However, the Trust established exactly 100 years ago still owns the property. This unusual situation means that Christian worship will continue. We will effectively be returning to the Wesleyan roots of our forebears.

As a result, from the 1^st December 2021 the worshipping community will be operating independently and need to invite ministers and preachers to lead services. So far, we have received several offers of preaching support for which we are very grateful.

So, rather than an ending we have come full circle! This is a new and exciting beginning for Horton Heath Chapel and we step out in faith trusting that God will bless us if we remain faithful, standing firm on His Word and following the example of Jesus.

Isaiah 43:18-19 ¹⁸“Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. ¹⁹I AM about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”