Beccles Methodism.pdf

John Wesley first preached at Beccles in 1776, describing it as a dull place, but returned in 1786 to find a more receptive audience. The Methodist congregation met in various locations, including a possible meeting place at the Old Cockpit, but this is disputed. A Wesleyan meeting place was registered in 1830 and a chapel built in 1833. The congregation faced competition from other denominations and experienced disruptions, but continued to grow. A new chapel was built in 1872 and the circuit boundaries were reorganized several times. The Primitive Methodists also established a presence in Beccles, with a chapel built in 1847 and a new one in 1873. The two Methodist groups eventually united and the chapels were closed or sold, with the congregation combining with the United Reformed Church to form the Methodist and United Reformed Hungate Church.