Monument record 10041 - Primitive Methodist Chapel, Commonhall Street

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1872-1875, Metric Ten Foot Scale Town Plan of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH6780.

The chapel was the head of the second circuit of Primitive Methodists in Chester, the first being at Steam Mill Street (later George Street) with a later third circuit added in Boughton.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1872-1875, Metric Ten Foot Scale Town Plan of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH6780.

The head of the second circuit was initially based in Pepper Street, then in Cuppin Street, before moving to Commonhall Street. The OS Town Plans of the later 19th century identifies this chapel as belonging to the Primitive Methodists and is thus reasonably also the former Mount Zion chapel and home to a number of different nonconformist faiths in the 19th century.

<3> Lewis C.P & Thacker A.T. (eds), 2005, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume Vii, The City of Chester - The City of Chester, Culture, Buildings, Institutions (Book). SCH6522.

A chapel is recorded on Commonhall Street on 19th and 20th century maps. Documentary sources suggest it was originally occupied by a Baptist congregation between 1777 and 1806, and by the Presbyterians between 1800 and 1837. After that by a Mount Zion Indepedent congregation between 1842 and 1875. After 1875 it was the head of the second circuit of the Primitive Methodists. Although the original building was added in the late 18th century it was rebuilt in 1839 and subsequently demolished in the mid 20th century.

Between 1777 and 1806 the chapel was held by a Baptist congregation originally from Foregate Street. In 1806, the congregation moved to Hamilton Place (CHER 10046). Between 1800 and 1837 it was occupied by a Presbyterian congregation until 1837 when they moved to new premises on Windmill Road. The chapel was subsequently held by Mount Zion Independent congregation between 1842 and 1875 before they moved on to another site on Upper Northgate Street (CHER 10977).

<4> L-P Archaeology, 2015, Weaver Street, Chester. Archaeological Evaluation Report (Client Report). SCH7991.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken in 2015 on land off Weaver Street in advance of a residential housing development. The 2015 evaluation comprised four trenches measuring 2m by 5m. A sandstone wall foundation was identified in trenches 3 and 4; it is thought to represent the northern wall to the former spiritualist chapel replaced by the present church in the 1950's.