Wignall Memorial Chapel

The first Wesleyan Chapel in Thornton was founded on Thornton Marsh in 1812 and was one of the first Methodist Chapels in the Fylde.  It was a plain barn like building which was lime washed inside and out, and was situated on Ramper Road (Victoria Road) near to the present church.

The 1892 OS map on the left shows the position of the original Chapel.  Indicated in orange is Occupation Lane (Hawthorn Road) and *Briar

 First Chapel - 1892

Road in blue.  The Chapel stood across the entrance to *Lime Grove indicated by the red arrow.

Before the Chapel the Wesleyan Methodists used to meet in Nanny Greenwood’s cottage in Thornton.  Rev J Wright, based in Garstang, covered a huge area including Thornton as a travelling preacher.

Clearer image to follow

In 1892 with the population of Thornton growing, mainly due to the jobs created by the Alkali Works, a new Chapel was needed.  The red brick Chapel was constructed at a

cost of £250 and served for the next 13 years until once again its congregation outgrew it.

In 1905 Mrs Janet Wignall presented the Wesleyan Methodists with a new Church which was to be a memorial to her late husband Mr John Wignall, JP.  The church was named Wignall Memorial Chapel and the earlier Chapel was converted into a Sunday School.

In 1932 the Wesleyan Methodists and the Primitive Methodists merged to form The Methodist Church of Great Britain and today Wignall Memorial Chapel and Fleetwood Road Chapel are joined as one Church with two Chapels.

Wignall Memorial Chapel - 2009

 Wignall Memorial Chapel

Victoria Road East

Thornton-Cleveleys

Lancashire

FY5 5HQ

Further Information