History of Methodism in Barrow upon Soar

The congregation was divided, though the majority supported demolishing the old barn - a decision that was ultimately carried out. Plans were drawn up, and construction began at a cost of £900 (approximately £140,000 in today's terms).

At the time, the minister was Rev. H. Land, who also assumed the role of "Building Inspector."

By 1911, the new church had been completed and formally opened, featuring modern amenities such as central heating and gas lighting. A loan had been secured from the Connexional Building Fund to finance the project, and it needed to be repaid. Undeterred, and true to their Methodist spirit, the congregation launched a variety of fundraising initiatives.

In the schoolroom, a panel of inscribed bricks was created, bearing initials and names. The cost was 2 shillings and 6 pence for initials, and 5 shillings for a full name.

The High Street Chapel closed in April 1970, bringing to an end a chapter in which the Wesleyan Church had made a significant contribution to the life of Barrow.

Meanwhile, the North Street Church continued to flourish. At the Trustees' Annual Meeting, an important step toward unity was taken by inviting members of the former High Street congregation to join the Board of Trustees, easing the process of amalgamation.

As the church entered a new era, attention turned to refurbishing the building. The choir stalls were removed, the organ was sold, and the communion area was redesigned. In a meaningful gesture of continuity, wood from a pew in the High Street Chapel was crafted into a cross, which now stands at the front of the church.

Negotiations followed between the Trustees and the owners of The Royal Oak for the purchase of land to the rear of the church. Although the Conservative Club also expressed interest, the Methodists secured the site, later selling the south-west corner to the Club.

At the time, space for the Sunday school and other activities was limited. To address this, a post-war prefabricated building was acquired and erected on the newly purchased land. Financing these developments posed a challenge: the church had already bought the land, refurbished the interior, and purchased and furnished a hall, while now planning further improvements, including a new kitchen and toilet facilities. Support came through a loan from the Circuit Extension Fund, supplemented by proceeds from the sale of the High Street property following the amalgamation. Fundraising remained a constant effort, giving rise to the monthly Mini-Mart—an initiative that continues to this day.

Methodism has deep roots in the village—so much so that it once supported two Methodist congregations: the Primitives (affectionately known as the "Prims") and the Wesleyans.

The Wesleyan Chapel, situated on High Street (now the site of the dental practice), dates back to around 1822. The first Primitive Chapel stood on the site of the present chapel on North Street (formerly Town Street). The Prims originally met in a barn owned by Farmer Priestly, which was converted into a chapel in 1820. Considering that Primitive Methodism was founded in 1810, the Barrow Prims were early adopters—establishing their chapel just a decade later.

As the congregation grew rapidly, a decision was made in 1910 to build a new church. Two potential sites were considered: one at the top of Warner Street, and the other on the original site of the old barn on North Street. By then, The Royal Oak public house had been built, along with a small cottage on what had once been part of the farmyard.

Methodist Union took place in 1932; however, the two chapels in Barrow continued to worship separately for many years thereafter.

In 1952, the High Street Chapel installed a Compton pipe organ—an instrument that was the envy of churches of a similar size and a testament to the congregation's sustained fundraising efforts and dedication.

In October 1968, the Chairman of the District, accompanied by an architect, visited both churches and produced a report recommending that "the two societies should unite and that all services be held at North Street." The principal reason for this proposal was the anticipated sale of the land to the rear, including The Royal Oak. The additional space created by this sale was seen as invaluable for future development.

The derelict Royal Oak had become increasingly unsafe, yet the estimated £750 cost of demolition was beyond the church's means. At this point, local fishmonger George Clarke made a generous and practical offer: in exchange for a strip of land—the width of one room of The Royal Oak adjoining his property—he would undertake the demolition of the remainder.

By 1974, attention turned to the next phase of development. Plans were made to replace the existing hall with a more substantial building, alongside the addition of a new kitchen and toilet facilities. The projected cost was £12,000—a significant sum at the time — but the project was successfully completed.

More than forty-five years later, the church once again embarked on a major programme of improvement. A comprehensive refurbishment of the worship area and the front section of the premises was carried out, creating a more flexible, multi-use space with improved accessibility. The renewed building was reopened in 2020 (refurbishment page under construction)..