A REQUEST to delve into the archives of the Fitzhugh Library has inspired an exhibition on Methodism in Teesdale.
Officers from the library, which houses a wealth of material relating to Teesdale’s past, was asked for help by the North East Methodist History Society and decided to celebrate by putting on a display.
At its heart is research done by the late June Luckhurst, a steward at Newbiggin Chapel, who undertook a comprehensive study of all Methodist chapels in the dale
Cath Maddison, from the library, said: “We have a large amount of material on the Newbiggin chapel because of June.”
Colleague Lorne Tallentire, who is a Methodist lay preacher, added: “It was the oldest Methodist chapel still in continuous use in the world. In the 19th century there were two branches, the Wesleyan Methodists and the Primitive Methodists and they both had a chapel in Middleton. Newbiggin was a Wesleyan Methodist chapel.”
Described as a detailed display of Methodist memories, a section has been dedicated to overseas missionary appeals, including examples of colourful early Methodist collection boxes and tins.
Items gifted to the library after the death of Hannah Hauxwell also form part of the exhibition, including memorabilia from her uncle Tommy who was a lay minister, and a postcard from her grandmother featuring the touring Fisk Jubilee Singers from America, dating back to the 1870s.
Ms Maddison said: “We have more than a couple of Bibles that were given as a gift by the London Lead Mining Company. They were Quakers, but they encouraged all children to go to some sort of Christian education and these ones are to children who went to the Methodist Sunday schools. They didn’t have to be Quakers at all. I think it is lovely.”
The Bibles date back to 1883 and 1855.
Also of great interest are photographs of pantomimes that were organised by the Middleton Methodist chapel.
Mr Tallentire said: “They ran for quite a considerable number of years, things like Cinderella. A lot of the people in the village were involved in them. They would last maybe two or three hours, they were not short at all. They were very popular at the time.”
The North East Methodist History Society will be visiting the library on Saturday, July 13, and the exhibition will continue until the Heritage Open Days in September.
