Web Design: Geoff Roynon |
Last Update: 25th February 2020 |
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.
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. |