In Horncastle the first chapel, opened in 1821, was a small building, situated on the left side of what is now Watermill Yard, to the north of the town. This proving too small for the growing congregation, a larger structure, an oblong building, with front gable at the east end and a gallery, was erected in 1837; the minister's house being at the west end. This was about halfway up Watermill Road, on the north side, now a stable, but still retaining a pointed window. This building was of the date of the superintendency of the Rev. John Butcher. The residence was found to be too damp to be comfortable, and a house was taken for him in Prospect Street. In the early days of this chapel Mary Crossley, a Revivalist, occasionally preached here. Possibly the services at this time were rather too demonstrative, as they were not unfrequently interrupted by roughs, and the sect acquired the name of "The Ranters."[1] An amusing anecdote is related of Mr. Butcher; he was a somewhat eccentric character, and in the discharge of his intinerant ministrations he usually rode on a donkey, sometimes accompanied by her foal; and a waggish passer-by on the road is said, on one occasion, to have saluted them with the greeting "Good morning, ye three," adding sotto voce, "donkeys."
After a few years this second chapel was found lacking in accommodation and a third building, the present edifice, was erected in Prospect Street, in the year 1853, with sittings for 380, at a cost of about £1,100. As this is a substantial structure, likely to last for many years, we may here describe it. It is of red brick, except the arch of the western door, which has a band of white bricks; the bricks are larger than usual, being 3¼ inches in thickness. The entrance has a double door opening into a lobby, at each end of which is a staircase, leading to the north and south galleries. There is a window on each side of the door, three windows above, and over them, in the gable, a stone, with the inscription "Primitive Methodist Chapel, 1853." At the east end of the interior is a Rostrum, 12-ft. long, divided into two stages, the front one being 8 inches above the floor, the second, behind it, about 4½-ft. high, with access by steps at both ends. The front of this platform has slender piers, supported by lancet arches, with trefoils and quatrefoils between, giving a graceful effect, and painted white, gold, and grey, with a background chocolate in colour. At the back of the rostrum are eight arches in the pannelling. This is said to have been a copy of the arrangement in Bardney Chapel. Over the rostrum is a recess in the east wall, containing the harmonium, which cost 40 gs., and seats for the choir. The sittings in the body of the chapel are of stained and varnished deal. At the rear of the chapel, entered by doors at each side of the rostrum, is a large room for the Sunday School, with two smaller class rooms above it. The erection of this building was due to the exertions of the Rev. J. Haigh, who was appointed minister in 1850, and as an exception to the usual custom, he was requested to continue his ministry for four years. We may add that, at the opening service of this third chapel the ministers present were Rev. J. Haigh, as Superintendent; Rev. T. Fletcher; Rev. R. Pinder, then at Coningsby; Rev. J. Garbutt, Supernumerary, from West Ashby. The Rev. T. Fletcher was appointed as Second Minister in Horncastle, at that time, for two years; he became in 1872 Superintendent Minister for three years, and again 1884 for four years, leaving for Market Rasen in 1888. During the ministry of Rev. J. Haigh in Horncastle, several chapels were built in the neighbourhood.
- ↑ Within comparatively recent times a Primitive Chapel at Thimbleby was commonly called "The Ranters" Chapel.
