Ebenezer Chapel, Wakefield

Ebenezer Primitive Methodist Chapel is in a sorry state. It was built in 1880 to replace an earlier structure from 1838. Of the first chapel, its leaders commented:

“Since the opening our congregations have been great beyond our most sanguine expectations”

This helped justify the present building which could accommodate 200. Sadly, it closed in the 1960s, and despite various attempts to use it as a health club, and a theatre, and to knock it down completely, it still sits there, forlorn and tired. The two doorways which appear halfway up the building were once connected to the ground level with matching staircases; these seem to have been removed at the start of our century.

Ebenezer means ‘Thus far, God has helped us’ and has a goodly, Old Testament heritage. Yet look at it now. Even the smallest level of sanguinity would not have expected this as the lovely building’s fate. God is indeed still with His people, and neither will He ever forsake them, but he owes little allegiance to denominations, buildings or societies.

Then the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. Ezekiel 10:18

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