19th century Primitive Methodist Chapel at Hill Green, Clavering (EHER 81299)

Primitive Methodist chapel at Hill Green, built in 1877 on the site of an earlier chapel dating from 1844. The chapel has a three-bay gabled front of red brick with white brick dressings. The plan and layout of the chapel has changed several times and only the core of the 1878 building survives. The chapel became a Montessori Nursery during the 20th century. The building was assessed for listing in 2010 but failed to meet the required criteria.

NRHE data transfer: The foundation stone for Clavering 'New Chapel' was laid in October 1877 and the chapel was opened in 1878. It closed some years ago when the congregation formed a union with the United Reformed Church (URC) and local parish church. It was sold to pay for the conversion of the URC, and underwent internal conversion to become a Montessori Nursery School. No internal photographs were provided because of 20th century improvements and conversion of the interior. Pevsner records the Methodist Church at Hill Green, 1877, with brick and stock brick dressings, and a 'wheel pump' by Charles Lack & Sons of Cottenham, 1917 (p.246). Historic mapping suggests the plan and layout of the chapel has changed several times since 1877, and only the core of the 1878 building appears to survive. An annex, possibly a schoolroom, visible on the 1921 map is no longer present. From the limited photographic evidence provided, the building retains its outward appearance, although the 'METHODIST' banner retained above the doorway has been painted over, and the nursery school sign covers the lower part of the banner which formerly read 'CHURCH'. The present chapel is the second to have stood on the site, the former dating from 1844. Methodism experienced its greatest period of growth between 1740 and 1840. Thereafter growth was considerable, but decelerating, up to circa 1906. After 1840, because of the greatly increased numbers of buildings erected, and the much large numbers that have survived, progressively greater selection is necessary. According to the Selection Guide for Places of Worship, 10% of the surviving Methodist Chapels in England are listed and date and intactness are key consideration when listing these. <1> The Methodist Chapel, Clavering is of deliberately simple design, but interior features have been removed in the course of 20th century alterations and conversion. Whilst certainly of local interest, the building does not meet the criteria for listing in a national context. <2>