Religious Faith in Wolverhampton

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Bilston

According to the Methodist Recorder of 1901 Bilston in the 18th century, "was as rough and ignorant; as fond of bullbaiting, cockfighting and other contemporary sports, as easily swayed by ignoble passions; and as indifferent to spiritual matters, as of any towns and villages around it"

John Wesley visited Bilston for the first time on 2nd October 1745 when he preached at the house of Francis Ward.
"It was exceedingly dark when we rode into Bilston… I got out of a quagmire, and leaving them to disengage my horse, walked to Francis Ward's where I preached".

Home of Francis Ward (DX-543/1)

On Wesley's next visit on 21st March 1770 he faced some opposition.

While preaching at the house of Samuel Fereday of Wood Street, a mob gathered with the intention of breaking up the meeting. Missiles were thrown, hitting several of Wesley's followers. One of the mob was about to hit Wesley himself when Wesley cried out: "If I have done thee harm, strike, man!". The attacker retreated, leaving Wesley unharmed.

The first Methodist chapel built in Bilston was on land in Temple Street. The land was given by Miss Loxdale, a lady of wealth and position within the town, and the buiding came to be known as Loxdale Chapel.

Loxdale Methodist Chapel, Bilston, 1784 (E3/LOX/E/1)

Some examples of Methodist activity in Bilston:

Click on the image to enlarge
A notice for Bilston Methodist Chapel, 17 May 1812 (DX-479/61)

Bilston Methodists' 50th Anniversary of William Hackett as a
Local Preacher, 1871 (Y2/BIL/1)

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Memoriam notice for Mr John Etheridge (DX-479/2)

John Etheridge was one of the founders of the first Sunday School established in Bilston during 1798. The school was connected to the Wesleyan Chapel in Temple Street. According to a memoriam card Etheridge was engaged in 'humane and benevolent' objects during the 1832 and 1849 cholera epidemics. He was also instrumental in setting up an adult school, penny savings banks and clothing clubs.

Bilston Welsey Gymnasium, 1906 (DX-543/1)

Bilston Wesleyan Chapel, 1840 (above) and 1890 (below) (DX-543/1)

Oxford Street Methodist Church, Bilston (E3/OXF/E/1)

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