Chris Heath - Skelmanthorpe, Clayton West & District: A Denby & District Archive Photography Album

The land for the latter was bought on 24 July 1815 from John Moorhouse and sold to Joseph and John Field, being twenty yards frontage to the highway and forty yards back, altogether 800 superficial square yards at 1s per yard, amounting to 40. The deed was made for the land on 28 July 1815. The signatures are John Moorhouse for the first part and the second part by Timothy Bentley, common brewer, Lockwood; John Buttery, Stump Cross, Batley; Jos. and John Field, Skelmanthorpe. John Hartley gave and carted the stone from his own quarry for the front of the chapel, the remainder being taken from the towns quarry, which was then situated just above the Garrett. Built in 1815/16 at a cost of 1121, there were seats in the gallery for 220 and in the bottom 72. The President of the Conference, the Rev. Richard Reece, conducted the opening service. The chapel was heated by a round iron stove and services were held by candlelight. The singing was led by an orchestral band, though an organ was introduced around 1860. The Sunday school was established in 1840 and classes were held in the old chapel until 1874. In 1875, the ground on which the Sunday school was built was purchased and the new school erected. Mr Richard Field contributed one fourth of the total cost of 800. Scholars attended on Sunday mornings, from 9 until 12am, afternoons, 1:30 to 4pm and discipline was strict. By 1896 serious structural problems had been noticed and the decision was taken by the Trustees to demolish the building and re-build on the same site. An estimated sum of 1800 was required and found by Mr Samuel Field and other trustees and members. On 22 May, 1897 the Central Methodist Church was formally opened, the service being conducted by Rev. Albert Clayton, with the Skelmanthorpe Flag of Freedom blowing in the breeze.

The following is an example of some of the lectures held in the building over the years:

1826 John Turton, of Skelmanthorpe, took his wife, Mary, to Emley in a halter and publicly sold her at the Cross for two half crowns. The purchaser was a William Kaye, of Scissett.

From Pobjoys history of Emley:

It was during Feast week in 1826 that John Turton sold his wife Mary at Emley cross for 2 half crowns to William Kaye of Scissett. What Marys reaction was to this summary disposal of her person we are not told, nor whether anyone protested on her behalf. At any rate, it is nice to know that after Kayes death she returned to her lawful husband and lived in apparent happiness with him for the next thirty years.

1837 James Raynor Stephens, a Chartist leader, addressed a meeting in the Towns Quarry Edge, of Skelmanthorpe Moor.

Kenworthy of Shelly, was killed on Clayton West Feast Monday while fighting with Dick Booth in the backyard of the Grove Inn, Skelmanthorpe. Booth was sentenced to six months imprisonment.