Baptism records exist from 1787 to the present day with a short gap between 1838 and 1864 (was the book lost?).
Initially they are more frequent than at present as the Chapel served a much wider area.
In the 18th century children were brought from Shepley, Stocksmoor, Kirkburton, Kirkheaton, Skelmanthorpe, Denby Dale, Emley, Clayton West, Cumberworth, High Hoyland, Thurlstone, Dodworth, Holmfirth and Almondbury for baptism at our Chapel, but as each village built its own Chapel the number and frequency of baptisms fell.
Burial records date from 1786.
An original document dated 19th March, 1787 and signed by seven of the original trustees states that - “It is agreed by the trustees of Shelley (preaching or meeting -assumed wording as the document is damaged) house that for every corps buryed here that (there) shall be payed to the said trustees five shillings for all that are buryed in the House, and two and sixpence for all that are buryed in the yard, and fourteen pence for grave makeing”.
Shelley Methodist Church
From the Archives - Births, Marriages and Deaths
In 1881 the trustees authorised one of their members to have the Chapel licenced for the solemnisation of marriages.
The first marriage at the Chapel was between Joseph Taylor and Emma Barden on 30th August, 1882.
