former Argyle Pottery Works, Burslem

former Bethel Methodist Church, Burslem

photo: May 1988

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Former Bethel Chapel dated 1824 but with additions of 1875.

Brick with stuccoed dressings, and plain tiled roofs. 5 bays, the outer advanced, with arcaded single storeyed range linking them, and containing paired rounded arched doorways and outer windows, with triglyph frieze and moulded cornice over. Upper windows have semi-circular heads, and are linked by continuous band forming hoodmoulds.

Pediment over central bays with inscription on tablet "Bethesda Chapel, 1824". Additional blocks of 1875 to left and right, with stuccoed pilasters and heavy parapet, and central windows in full-height arched recess.

Side elevations of 3 storeys and 6 bays, the outer bays stressed with pilasters. Sash windows with margin lights in first storey, 2 panes elsewhere, all with flat arched heads. Stuccoed cornice to parapet.

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Standing on the corner of Waterloo Road and Regent Street East (renamed in the early 1950's to Zion Street).

Built in 1824 as the Bethel Methodist Church. This chapel with its five bays and the bay pediment, was built at a time of religious fervor. The wings provided space for schoolrooms and the preachers house. Originally the facade, like the sides, was of brick; stucco was added much later. The impressive galleried interior sat a thousand worshipers, at a time when Burslem's entire population was not much more than 12,000.

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