The original building was a plain rectangle with outbuildings (where the boiler house and upper vestry now stand) for use as stables.
The rectangular form, with the pulpit in the centre of one long wall, is typical of early chapels, many of which were designed by Wesley himself.
In Wesley’s words “It was the best for the voice”, an important consideration in the days before microphones and amplifiers.
The internal layout of the Chapel reflects the form of worship for which it was designed,
i e. Preaching and teaching, sermons, hymn singing and prayer, all of which took preference over the sacraments, and little or no thought was given to special family occasions such as weddings or funerals.
For many years our members, like all other Methodists, continued to attend services and take communion at the Parish Church in Kirkburton, and the first wedding at our Chapel was not until 1882.
Architecture
Shelley Methodist Church
