The Methodist Church

The Methodist Church “Top Chapel”

1906-1981

Pre-1906

The Methodists have had a place of worship in the village from the early nineteenth century. At that time this was a small chapel at the bottom of Chapel Lane (now Barley Close).

In the Chapel, there was a harmonium, played by one of the congregation, and it was always well attended on Sundays.

Before 1841, the chapel also served on weekdays as a little private school, known as a Dames’ school run by two ladies, often widows or elderly ladies, who used a small room in part of the chapel to give some of the poorest children a very basic education up to the age of 10. Parents paid about 1d a week, and were very proud of their children who could manage to read and sign their names and help their parents with basic accounts.

In 1841, when the school in the Parish Rooms opened, this little class closed.

Among the Methodists who worshipped at this little chapel were the Thums families from Church Farm and Park Farm, the Johnsons and the Rileys. They were served by a circuit of preachers, including Rev. Fletcher, Rev V. Thomas, Rev. W. Rider, Rev William Read.

A newspaper report from 1878 reported that Rev Fletcher preached two sermons. In the morning a downpour of rain meant that there were not many in attendance but by the evening every available seat was occupied.

There were many anniversary celebrations at the little chapel. Children were baptised there, funerals were held, though the graveside ceremonies were in either St Alkmund’s or later, St Paul’s churchyard.

A new methodist church built

In the early days of the 20th Century, it became increasingly clear that a new chapel was needed. An architect, Mr. A.E. Eyre of Derby was employed and the Foundation Stone was laid on a site on Alfreton Road.

The church was built of slate and brick. A number of bricks were laid by children, and, on October 3rd 1906 the new Methodist Chapel was opened by Mr H. Raphael, the local M.P.

Three Reverend gentlemen presided: Rev J.W. Neild, Rev. E. Askew, and Rev. Thomas Skillings of Ilkeston

From the Derby Telegraph the day after the opening, we discover that the chapel had:-

• A Service Room with an alcove for choir and organ.

• Seating for 190

• A Minister’s vestry

• A schoolroom and kitchen beneath.

The new chapel quickly became known locally as “Top Chapel”, with the United Reformed Church at the south end of Alfreton Road as “Bottom Chapel”.

In 1909 a bazaar was held to reduce the debt on the building. £78 was raised. Among those helping were Mrs Johnson, Mrs and Miss Thums (probably Elizabeth Thums and her daughter Ada Thums from Church Farm) and Mrs Elizabeth Brindley from Mount Pleasant.

James Brindley and his wife Elizabeth from Mount Pleasant, were both staunch members and workers for the Methodist Chapel and well known for their help and support. Later their son Captain William S. Brindley became a lay preacher of the Belper Circuit (which included Little Eaton) and superintendent of the Sunday school. Both his marriages were celebrated at the Methodist Church: William Brindley was also a County Council representative on the Education Committee for Little Eaton School, for many years.

The Thums families were well known at the church. Ada often accompanied the singing and arranged children’s concerts in the 1920s and 1930s, and,by 1931, Miss Mary Thums, from Park Farm helped to run the Young Methodists group at the church. She was still involved with this group when she became Mary Easter, wife of John Laurence Easter, living at The Hollies on Alfreton Road.

Among other families active in the church at this time were the Piggs family of Alfreton Rd. and later Barley Close. Mary Piggs, the youngest daughter, married Geoffrey Naylor at the Methodist Church in 1951.

In 1953 William Brindley’s wife Constance Hilda died. Her funeral was conducted at the Church, though she is buried at St Paul’s. A year or two later William Brindley married again, Elsie Dorothy, his 1st wife’s sister, but she died 2 years later. Her funeral too was held at the Methodist chapel

Money was always needed. By 1923, £1,030 was spent on alterations.

By 1957, the annual Autumn fair raised enough money for the much needed new boiler.

Methodist Chapel becomes Baines Hall, 1981

The Methodist Chapel closed in 1981. It was bought by Kevin and Daphne Baines and became known as Baines Hall. They, with Kevin’s father Ken, and later with their daughter Marie, were well known show people, entertainers, singers and dancers, entertaining not only the villagers of Little Eaton but also much more widely over the country in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

In 1986 Little Eaton Primary School choir was chosen by Nick and Knock (alias Kevin and Daphne Baines) to sing on their Christmas single, and later on a live B.B.C. concert from Leicester.