According Kelly’s Trade Directory of 1912, the Somercotes Primitive Methodist Chapel was built in 1898 and had seating for 250 worshippers. It was a replacement for an earlier Chapel situated at Lower Somercotes, which was built in 1839, (for which see the separate entry in this database).
The Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser published a notice in their newspaper dated 3 December 1898 which read “A new Primitive Methodist Chapel has been opened at Somercoates, Alfreton, which has cost over £1,000”. A further article appears in the Derbyshire Courier, published on 15 April 1911: “Special services were held at the Primitive Methodist Chapel on Sunday, Mr. G H. Williams of Somercotes being the preacher. Miss Eliza Williams of Somercotes was the soloist, her fine rendering of “Abide With Me” (Liddle), “Angels of Light” (Marshall) and other pieces being much appreciated.”
PHOTO: A photograph of the original Chapel built in 1898
The first Chapel on this site was a brick structure which was built close to the road. Fronting the road it had a small wall with iron railings. It was demolished, around the early 1960s, and replaced by a more modern building which was set further back on the same site.
This new Chapel itself closed about 2005 and has been demolished. Its closure came as a consequence of the building needing repairs, and a dwindling, mostly elderly congregation.
PHOTO: A view of the replacement Chapel, standing further back from the road
There was a small, rectangular building to the right of the 1960s building – which was all that survived of the original 1898 chapel. It is faced with stucco, with an entrance door, and a single pointed arched window at the front. It was in use until the 1990s by a Funeral Directors who took over the premises, as a mortuary chapel. The same Funeral Directors now occupy the site where the Wesleyan Chapel stood on Nottingham Road.