Closure of Chapel
Tadcaster Methodist Circuit Quarterly Plan
The Methodists had tried to bolster their position by looking for a better building within Stutton to compete with the Anglicans spacious new purpose built Chapel compared to their cramped converted cottage. In 1902 they petitioning Sir Wm. Edw Vavasour, the owner of Hazlewood castle and much local land, for a new site/building and whilst he appears to have been sympathetic to their cause nothing came of it.
So the last service was held and on the 28th August 1905 the contents of the Chapel were auctioned by Messrs. Thomlinson & son, Auctioneers of Easedike, Tadcaster. Details of the sale are as follows:
Wood sold for 10d
Rostrum sold for 2 s 6d
Benches sold for 4s 6d
Less Commision of 10d
Less cost of carting 1s 6d
TOTAL 5s 6d
Auction Receipt for Chapel Content 28th August 1905
The closure of the Chapel caused some friction between the Trustees of Wilkinson Family (the property was held in trust for the children of Samuel Wilkinson) and the Methodists. The Trustees wanted the Methodists to pay to have the Chapel converted back into dwelling-house stating in a letter dated 12th August 1905 that “I still think in Equity that you should carry out the arrangements made when the Cottage was converted into a meeting house i.e. reconvert into a cottage”. The response of the Methodists does not survive but a further letter from the Trustees dated the 17th August sums up the feelings "I am sorry that any friction should have taken place with respect to the Cottage. Best thanks for your kind wishes."
The Final Receipt for the Methodist's Rental of the Cottage, dated 17th August 1905
Following the closure the Wilkinson Family took back the full property and converted it back into a two bedroomed dwelling house. They inserted a narrow central wooden staircase replacing the outside Chapel stairs and it was let to Mr. Morran of Stutton. So came to an end a major chapter in the history of the cottage and of the village. The Chapel had provided the first permanent religious building within the village and had been actively used for over 75 years.
Modern view of the staircase inserted in 1905 when the Chapel closed
In 1906 Annie May Wilkinson bought out her brother and sisters share of the property and it is beleived started letting the property through an agent in Leeds called David Smith.
1908 Ordnance Survey Map, Stutton - Cottage Marked Red