Chapels tour will be led by Ned

The finest chapels in the Black Country will be visited as part of a special one-off coach tour. The guided tour will explore five places of worship and will be led by esteemed Black Country historian Ned Williams, who has devoted the past four years researching chapels in the area.

It will include Upper Ettingshall Methodist Church, Upper Ettingshall Road, Wolverhampton; The People’s Mission Hall, Swan Street, Netherton; The Salvation Army Church, Merredith Street, Cradley Heath; The Cave Adullam Baptist Church, Beach Road, Blackheath and a visit to a “surprise” tin tabernacle.

Mr Williams, author of Black Country Chapels and More Black Country Chapels, has organised the tour for the public as well as students at the Wolverhampton branch of Workers’ Educational Association (WEA).

It departs from Faulklands Street coach park, Wolverhampton, at 9.15am and returns at 5.30pm on Tuesday (May 15).
“It will be the first ever tour of Black Country chapels, each with different architectural styles, and representative of a variety of local non-conformist denominations,” said Mr Williams. “Chapels are only usually open on Sundays so this really is a unique peek inside these varying styles of chapels.

“Many people are quite intimidated by places of worship and are frightened to explore them by themselves.

“This tour will hopefully break down those barriers.”

Mr Williams told how he had become “enthralled” by chapels during his four-year research of the topic, and was keen to share his enthusiasm with those students he lectured. His third installment of Black Country chapels comes out later this year.

Based at the Adult Education College in Old Hall Street and Darlington Street Methodist Church, the WEA runs courses on a wide range of topics for adult learners.

Lunch will be provided on the day at the brand new Salvation Army Citadel, in Cradley Heath.

Members of public can also join the trip which costs £21.50. Call Maureen Moore on 01902 674493 for more details.