Englesea Brook Chapel and Museum

Englesea Brook Chapel and Museum is in the village of Englesea-Brook, Cheshire, England. Built in 1828, the chapel was one of the earliest chapels of the Primitive Methodist movement, and the Sunday school was added in 1914. Since 1986 it has been a museum of Primitive Methodism. The building is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building. In the chapel is a historic pipe organ. The museum contains artefacts relating to the movement, and arranges a changing programme of exhibitions and other events. In the graveyard near the museum is a monument to Hugh Bourne, founder of the movement.

The chapel was built in 1828, and is reputed to be the earliest surviving purpose-built chapel for Primitive Methodism. This movement started with an outdoor meeting in 1807 at Mow Cop organised by Hugh Bourne, and for the following years meetings continued to be held in the open air or in private houses. Because of their enthusiasm the participants were nicknamed "ranters". The chapel was altered in 1832, its entrance front dating from this time, when the west gallery was also installed. The Sunday school was added to the chapel in 1914. The building was restored in 1986, when it was converted into a museum of Primitive Methodism.

The former chapel and school are built in red brick with ashlar dressings. Both have datestones recording the years of their building. The chapel has a symmetrical gabled entrance front, having a central doorway with a moulded surround and a fanlight. This is flanked by a sash window on each side, with similar windows above. The windows contain 4x4 panes, and have stone sills and wedge lintels. The datestone is in the gable. Attached to the right of the chapel is the school. This is in a single storey, and has a gabled porch. The chapel is approached by a flight of stone steps, and in front of it is a wall surmounted by cast iron railings. On 29 January 1979 the chapel and school were designated as a Grade II listed building.

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