A brief history

St. John's has the distinction of being the thirteenth oldest Methodist chapel in continuous use in the UK. The chapel, built of gritstone and slate, dates from 1782, and is a grade 2 listed building. John Wesley, who was a regular visitor to Hayfield at that time, is believed to have opened it. Its history is intertwined with the life of the village.

The adjoining Sunday school was established in 1795 in a garret in Market street, and moved to the present schoolrooms in 1884. As well as biblical studies the teaching then included the 3 R's.

The chapel's Pipe organ dates from 1878 and the interior was refitted in 1908, when the porch was also added. The beautiful stained glass windows were inserted as a memorial in the 1950's.  A photo gallery of them can be found here). More recent additions have been the pulpit and lectern falls, commissioned from Juliet Hemingway (other customers include the Archbishop of Canterbury and Sir Cliff Richard!). The interior has recently undergone extensive redevelopment. 

The chapel has been in continuous use as a place of worship for the last 219 years, by candlelight, gas light and electric light. Its congregation has worn crinolines and miniskirts.

Today it is a focal point for worship and service.

Tomorrow it will grow and develop to God's praise and glory.

We believe we are called by Christ to enable this beautiful building to serve the needs of our village and beyond in the third millennium. 

If you wish to help us then please e-mail or write to us at our postal address. 

We also have a more detailed history in book form available. Contact us if you would like to purchase a copy.