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Churches of the British Isles

Gallery: Churches of Kent

by Peter Kessler, 31 January 2020

Thanet Part 17: Churches of Minster-in-Thanet

Minster Cemetery Chapel, Minster-in-Thanet, Kent

Minster Cemetery Chapel stands at the south-eastern end of the cemetery grounds, facing onto the western side of Tothill Street in Minster-in-Thanet. The cemetery did not exist at the time at which the 1892-1914 25-inch OS map was published, while on the 1937-1961 1:25,000 map it was only half its present (2019) size, having since been virtually doubled towards the north. The double-doored entrance to the chapel allows for the easy ingress of coffins.

Isle of Thanet Union Workhouse Chapel, Minster-in-Thanet, Kent

Isle of Thanet Union Workhouse Chapel was located within the workhouse grounds, much of which is now occupied by the houses of Hill House Drive (the entrance of which is shown here) at the eastern junction with Tothill Street. More specifically the chapel was sited where the back gardens meet for the houses on the southern side of Hill House Drive and the northern side of Burgess Close. The workhouse became the PA Institute, and then a hospital prior to demolition.

Salvation Army Church, Minster-in-Thanet, Kent

Minster-in-Thanet Salvation Army Church occupies a deep but narrow slot on the eastern side of Tothill Street, about ninety metres north of the junction with the High Street. The Salvation Army has been active in the village since 1886, although seemingly without a single permanent building. In May 2005 construction started on this brand new £1.1 million, 150-seat, fully air-conditioned church building. Completion was scheduled for mid-January 2006.

Minster Independent Chapel, Minster-in-Thanet, Kent

Minster Independent Chapel stood on the eastern side of Tothill Street, just twenty metres north of the junction with the High Street. The chapel is shown on the OS 25-inch map of 1892-1914 as 'undefined' - independent in other words. Apparently it was no longer in use by the time the 1937-1961 1:25,000 OS map was issued. The building now plays host to a Salvation Army Community Shop, which probably works in support of the Salvation Army church (above).

Minster Primitive Methodist Chapel, Minster-in-Thanet, Kent

Minster Primitive Methodist Chapel stands close to the High Street road, on its eastern side, less than twenty metres north of the Singleton Close junction. It was built in 1870 and is shown on the OS 25-inch map of 1892-1914 as Primitive Methodist. Apparently it was no longer in use by the time of the 1:25,000 OS map of 1937-1961, following the Methodist union. More recently the building housed a Co-operative store, and in 2009 it was converted into four apartments.

Minster Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Minster-in-Thanet, Kent

Minster Wesleyan Methodist Chapel occupies a comfortable plot on the eastern side of the High Street, around forty metres north of the Church Street junction. The chapel was built in 1850, as shown above the entrance. Visible on the OS 25-inch map of 1892-1914 as Wesleyan Methodist, it was still in use by the time of the 1:10,560 OS map of 1949-1961. It was probably rapidly declining post-war attendances that forced its closure. Today it is a private residence.

All photos on this page by P L Kessler. Additional information from Minster Matters, Issue No 170, June 2015.

 

 

     
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