METHODISM at this place is of recent date. About the same time the Glossop circuit was formed, the first efforts to raise an interest at Howardtown were put forth. The first preachings were at a cottage at Wren's Nest; then a room was taken over some stables, but the place proved to be too small and inconvenient. The Old Shepley Mill had ceased working, and the bottom room was taken and converted into a preaching room and Sunday School.

The First Wesley Chapel was projected in the old mill bottom. On Good Friday in 1844, the foundation stone was laid. There was a procession, which was joined in by persons from various parts of the circuit, numbering about two thousand people. Medals were struck off for the occasion, and worn by old and young. The ceremony was performed by the venerable Rev. George Marsden, assisted by the Rev. John Randerson and the Rev. J. D. Brocklehurst. Mr. Joel Buxton was the architect of the Chapel. It would accommodate about 500 worshippers, and had a small schoolroom behind it, where a Sunday School was carried on. The congregation increased so rapidly that in a few years the place was too small. A larger Chapel was greatly needed, subscriptions were raised, and plans obtained for carrying out the contemplated design; but there arose a difference of opinion in the congregation as to what would be the most desirable thing to do - whether to enlarge the Chapel or build a new one. This caused considerable delay. The difficulty was got over by the counsel of the Rev. Benjamin Frankland. Mr. Frankland came into the circuit in 1859. He was a practical architect. In various parts of the country he had superintended the enlargement of Chapels and the building of new ones. The Wesley case was at once laid before him, and after duly considering it he declared it would be best to build a new Chapel. This settled the matter, and preparations were at once commenced.

The Second Wesley Chapel, erected on the old site, was also commenced on a Good Friday. The Rev. Benjamin Frankland was the architect. It is a large and commodious building, containing about 1,500 sittings. The foundation stone of the present edifice was laid by S. Turnbull, Esq., of Manchester, on Good Friday, 1858, and on the same day, one year later, it was duly dedicated by the Rev. Thomas Llewellyn. Wesley Chapel and Schools have risen side by side with Howardtown. As manufactories have been started and enlarged, and cottages and shops have increased, Wesley Chapel and Schools have supplied educational and religious means for the people.

The workers and standard-bearers at Wesley have been legion, and it is worthy of note that William Robinson took an active part in the building of both the first and second Chapels, and at the latter his sons rendered yeoman service. The Nields, Atkins, Woodcocks, Hunters, Leeches, Dearnaleys, Olivers, Holdgates, Ernills, Hydes, Woods, Hadfields, Dixons, Nelsons, and many others are honoured names here.

The Fieldings, for several generations a talented musical family, have wielded the baton at Wesley ever since it was built. Mr. Enoch Fielding, who was born at Valehouse in 1823, came to Glossop in 1844, and for 34 years he was the honorary organist at Wesley Chapel. The present organist, Mr. H. Fielding, succeeded his father at the age of seventeen, so that father and son have been the only organists Wesley Chapel has had in its history.

The Jubilee Services in 1895, when Professor Slater paid a visit to his old haunts, will long be remembered. The Day Schools, of which Mr. H. Lindsay Hudson ("Harry Lindsay") is the talented master, continue to flourish.

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