Loons' Dale Meths

The Methodist Church at Kirkby Lonsdale meet in a simple nonconformist chapel constructed in an Early English style with its thin lancet windows. A datestone, describing it as Wesleyan, helpfully offers the year 1834. The Wesleyan branch of Methodism merged with the Primitives and Uniteds in 1932, so these older names survive in records and architecture only.

I understand that the members of the Kirkby chapel very recently voted to diversify its offerings in the wedding market:

‘Kirkby Lonsdale Methodist Church is delighted to be able to conduct same-sex marriages on its premises and has received the relevant permissions from the GRO.’

Truly, this congregation is as much Wesleyan as I am ancient Briton. The great preacher of evangelical revival and Biblical authority would baulk at his name appearing on such a building. Churches and denominations essentially reflect the fallen natures of those who administer them: they bend, warp, dilute, corrupt and deviate.

And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken. 1 Samuel 4:22

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