|
|
The building of Woodside Primitive
Methodist Chapel, near Holly Hall in Dudley, seems to have been paid
for by subscriptions of members of it's congregation. Each of them
paid for a brick, which in return had the name of the subscriber
stamped on it. These were used on the outer brickwork of the Chapel.
One of these bricks, according to one of her relatives, bore the name
of Elizabeth Shakespeare, the grand-daughter of
Benjamin Shakespeare and
Elizabeth Brettle. Elizabeth owned a shop in nearby Cross
Street for many years. Her grandparents had also lived in Cross
Street, possibly in the same building. An interesting
article about the Chapel, which refers to
Elizabeth and her relatives, appeared many years ago in 'The
Blackcountryman' (the journal of the Black Country Society) |
| Until very recently the names on
these bricks were still visible. However, the building ceased to be
used by the Methodists, and was taken over by another denomination. In
renovating the building cladding has been applied to the outside of
the building, adhering to, and covering up the brickwork. It seems
that no one thought to record the hundreds of names on the bricks, so
sadly an interesting part of Woodside's heritage has been lost for
ever. |
The Former Woodside
Primitive Methodist Chapel in 2005 |
|
View from the chapel
into Crossgate Road |
On the left is a modern view of
Crossgate Road, formerly Cross Street. Elizabeth Shakespeare's shop
was situated here.
|
|
