Interior, Primitive Methodist Chapel, Cleethorpes, c.1910

Photographer: Joseph Samuel Bullen, Grimsby Date: c.1910 Type: Real photographic postcard

This photograph shows the interior of the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Cleethorpes, with its impressive pipe organ, upper gallery, sweeping staircase and decorative ironwork. The patterned wall coverings, dark wood panelling and ornate ceiling mouldings provide a detailed view of the chapel at the beginning of the twentieth century.

The photograph was taken by Joseph Samuel Bullen, an Irishman who worked as a photographer in Grimsby and Louth from around 1905 until about 1937. His studios were initially in Freeman Street and later in Welholme Road, Grimsby. His photographs provide a valuable record of the people, buildings and everyday life of the area.

A Primitive Methodist chapel was first built on this site in 1857 and was replaced by this larger building in 1877. By the 1970s, maintenance costs had become prohibitive, and a complete rebuild was considered preferable. The chapel was demolished in 1979 and replaced by the present St Andrew’s Methodist Church, which opened on 1 December 1979.

This unposted postcard is in excellent condition. It was acquired alongside a postcard showing the exterior of the chapel from the same seller. Both postcards are now part of the Grimsby & Cleethorpes Museum Collection.