Coffee and carols one last time at Newbiggin Methodist Chapel

A COFFEE morning with carols marking the coming of Christmas will be a dale landmark’s last.   
Newbiggin Methodist Chapel, the oldest in the world still in use, will hold its final coffee and mince pie morning on Tuesday, December 13. Steward June Luckhurst said the events had been going on for more than two decades.
“It’s an enjoyable morning and it’s an important way of keeping in touch – people pick which carol they want and usually there’s a hymn we sing in between,” she added.
The 257-year-old chapel will close its doors to services for the final time in May next year.
It was built for £61 13s 5d to provide for the spiritual needs of the lead miners working for the London Lead Company.
Methodism founder John Wesley twice preached from the church pulpit in the late 1700s.
But dwindling numbers and an ageing congregation has made it more difficult to maintain its world-renowned status.
“It’s come to a time where we’re all getting older – the other chapels in the area have enough to do without taking us on,” added Mrs Luckhurst.
“At one time there used to be 64 churches but now there are only ten.”
Advent is upon us, but for many the carols morning marks the arrival of Christmas in the upper dale.
Superintendent minister for the chapel, Revd Beverley Hollings, said the final service would be special.
“I do know a number of people say it is the start of Christmas in the upper dale,” she said.
“It’s a warm friendly gathering and something people look forward to – for anyone who has never experienced it this is your last chance.”
The carols and mince pies service starts at 10.45am.