Englesea Brook Chapel and Museum of Primitive Methodism

About the museum

Englesea Brook Chapel was built in 1828 for the Primitive Methodists, a working-class Methodist movement that began with a camp meeting at Mow Cop in 1807. Preaching in Englesea Brook had started in 1811 in a farm labourer’s cottage. The chapel was built to look like a house, rebuilt in 1832 with a gallery, and listed Grade II. It stopped being a regular place of worship in the late 1970s, and monthly heritage services are held there today.

The museum opened in 1986 in the Hugh Bourne Memorial School, built in 1914, next to the chapel and graveyard, where Hugh Bourne, one of the movement’s founders, is buried. It tells the story of Primitive Methodism, including its links to trade unions, Chartism and campaigns for social justice. The movement merged with other Methodist churches in 1932.

The collection has more than 5,000 objects, including pulpits and a printing press used by the early movement, the first organ in a Primitive Methodist chapel, and over 100 banners, said to be the largest collection of religious banners in the UK. Displays change regularly, and a museum store opened in 2021. The site is an Accredited Museum and one of four key Methodist heritage sites.

Highlights

• Over 100 banners, the largest religious banner collection in the UK
• Grade II listed chapel of 1828 that looks like a house
• Graveyard with the grave of Hugh Bourne
• Printing press and first Primitive Methodist chapel organ
• Changing exhibitions and digital exhibitions on Primitive Methodism
• Tea room, sensory Peace Garden and children’s corner

Permanent exhibitions

• Museum of Primitive Methodism – The story of Primitive Methodism from 1807, with banners, pulpits, a printing press and objects linked to its founders, shown in the Hugh Bourne Memorial School.
• Chapel and graveyard – The 1828 chapel, rebuilt in 1832, and the graveyard where Hugh Bourne is buried.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Englesea Brook Chapel and Museum (charity)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free; the museum is a small charity and relies on donations, fundraising and grants. School workshops are charged separately (for example £5 per pupil, accompanying adults free).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The tea room and shop are reached by a ramp with handrails. The listed chapel has an uneven path, steps and an uneven floor, with an alternative entrance for visitors who cannot manage steps, and the gallery is reached by steep steps. An accessible toilet is on site. Disabled parking is opposite the chapel. All staff are trained in autism awareness, and staff will guide visitors and describe objects on request. A video and a PDF accessibility guide are on the website. The graveyard has uneven ground.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

Free activity bags with handling objects, trails for younger and older children, a children’s corner with card games, LEGO and Victorian dressing-up, a sensory Peace Garden, a Physic Garden and a sandbox. Family events and craft activities are held through the year.

Getting there & parking

Follow the brown signs. From the M6, leave at junction 16, take the exit signed Alsager, then the first left to Barthomley and continue through the village to the hamlet of Englesea Brook. The chapel and museum are on the left, opposite the graveyard and car park.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

The tea room serves home-made cake, light refreshments and hot and cold drinks, with gluten-free food, and visitors may bring their own food. A patio and a Physic Garden give outdoor seating. The gift shop sells books, souvenirs and traditional toys.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit