Web Design: Geoff Roynon

Last Update: 25th February 2020

This is the Local History page for the Horspath Archaeology & History Group.

This page, and pages linked to this one, will discuss the history of Horspath and the local area from ancient times up to the present.

The majority of the text and images making up this section were supplied by Brian Lowe.


Horspath Chapel & Hub Timeline

1860s

By 1868 Wesleyan worship undertaken in a private dwelling house, "awkwardly placed". William Cooper, farmer, offers a room in a building on Oxford Road. 53 people finance the redecoration.

1871

The new Chapel is opened.

1892

Chapel closed for worship; Brother W Richings reopens the Chapel and worship continues.

1908

William Lindsay, farmer at College Farm, buys a piece of land (40ft x 60ft) from his landlords, Corpus Christi College, for £25, to be the location for a new, purpose-built Chapel.

1909

Chapel built by Mr A E Vallis, of Headington, for £401, consisting of a rectangular room with a small annexe on the south side, all slate roofed.

1910

Licensed for Public Worship on 10th. January, and the opening ceremony performed on 3rd. February. The previous Chapel sold to Merrick Fowler, of the Manor, who converted it into the Parish Reading Room. (demolished just after WW2). Chapel in the Wesley Hall Circuit.

1930s

To the Headington Circuit.

1946

Transferred to the Rose Hill Circuit.

1954

Land extended at the rear, given by Mrs. Lindsay; New brickwork and gates installed on Oxford Road, and opened on 13th. October.

1958

Chapel extended to include a kitchen and a toilet.

1960

Golden Jubilee service held on Saturday, March 26th.

1980s

Chapel and Church forge a link, holding joint services in both places of worship.

2009

Final service held on Saturday, October 17th. after 99 years of worship.

2012

Chapel put up for sale. Friends of Horspath campaign for its classification as a Community Asset to preserve its status as a village building. FOH, SODC, the Parish Council, various grants and individual contributions secure sufficient funding to enter a bid in a sealed offer decision.

2014

June - the Hub is officially opened by the Revd. Rosemary Davies & Revd. Emma Pennington of St. Giles.

2015

Hub reroofed (September).

2018

Chapel is secured for use in the village as a Community Hub. Oxford Preservation Trust gives a Commendation to the project. The Methodist Chapel cross is hung in St Giles Church chancel. The original foundation stones of 1910 are restored. Gareth Malone visits with film crew 2nd. February for a pilot film for an intended series on village halls.

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