A CATHOLIC CHURCH was made during WW2. Mr. Walsh (of Walsh’s department store, Sheffield.) who lived at Pool House, allowed the billiard room in one of his outer cottages, (the one nearest to the bus stop, which had a door on the corner) to be used for church services.

In 1669 John Sparrow, living at what was to become the Bar House on Arthington Lane, was the only remaining Roman Catholic in the village refusing to join the Church of England.

(The condition of Elizabeth’s Romanist subjects became more and more perilous. In 1581 a new and most severe penal statute was passed. It was thereby made high treason to withdraw anyone from the Established Church to that of Rome, or of one’s free-will to join the latter.
A fine of one hundred marks and a year’s imprisonment was the fate of any layman who willingly attended Mass.)

OLD WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL on Chapel Row.

Descripton by Architectural historian Peter Thornborrow in 2005: Old Chapel, (Wesleyan Methodist Chapel built in 1839) a single-storied gable-fronted building with a 3-bay symmetrical Classical-style façade with ashlar plinth, plat-band, moulded cornice and a raised broken pediment plaque above a pilastered door case with architrave, arched fanlight and keystone, with to either side 2-light mullioned windows

John Wesley held a meeting in Otley in the open air on 17^th July 1759. It has been recorded that he said he found ” Otley to be a drunken and rebellious place”

Prior to this Chapel being built in 1839, records show that in February 1796 the dwelling of James Thompson of Pool, was licensed for Methodist preaching. These were held at No. 2 Chapel Row, where until recently (c.1960) there was still a pulpit. “The application was signed by Thomas Cooper, James Davison, William Pilling, Joseph Nichols and Ambrose Heath. In 1794 the Society had been included in the Otley Circuit. In 1814 Robert Thornber was leader of the three men and six women who were accredited members. “(Richard Downes)

The numbers reached 26 in 1838 and fluctuated during the 20 years between that number and 14. This was replaced in 1839 when the garden of a cottage at the end of Chapel Row was sold by Michael Nicholson, paper manufacturer at Pool Mills, for £15 to fifteen trustees . Those signing the application were Thomas Hallis, paper maker; Thomas Pullein, labourer: William Thompson cordwainer (all local men) Other influential men from the Circuit, were Dibb, Denison, Craven, Atkinson, Exley, Gill, Kendall, Musgave, Myers, Sinclair, Umpleby and Naylor with Rev. William Sleigh as Minister. Thomas Cooper, James Davison, William Pilling (operating Pool corn mill c.1750), Joseph Nichols and Ambrose Heath (operating Pool Low Mill (paper) c.1798.)

(Leeds Mercury 1807 21st March. William Pilling dies. “we may confidently add he was indeed an honest miller”(grave in St. Wilfrid’s church yard shows his age 74),

The 1851 census return, signed by William Thompson, showed that of a village population of 361, there was membership of 14, with a seating for 40 free and 100 pew rented. The attendances of 19 in the morning and 50 evening with 37 morning scholars and 4 afternoon scholars.(Sunday school)

The 1891 census records Colin Campbell Harrison a Wesleyan Evangelist preacher, visiting Joseph Whiteley, an agricultural laborer.

In 1896 are reports of the Wesleyan Band of Hope playing in Pool.

When the new Chapel on Main Street opened in 1909, the old Chapel was bought on 16 May 1909 by Jane Whiteley for £200 plus professional charges.

The old Chapel was opened as Pool Institute Ltd. on 1st March 1913 by Mrs. J. D. Johnstone of The Tower, Pool, with F.H.Fawkes of Farnley Hall in the chair, but this failed in 1922 (Methodist Church). The old chapel has also been used as a reading room, bible class, a classroom as an extension to the school; for scouts, youth club c.1960 and offices and warehouse for Tankards. Later, around 1970 it was converted into a house

(Information on the northern property adjoining the Chapel. Inadvertently subsidence was caused when building a conservatory onto the Chapel c.2010 when the walls abutting needed re-pinning. When re-plastering in the front room it revealed an archway between the two properties.)

Extracts from the Wharfedale Observer:

10^th June 1881 “Whitsuntide Activities The Wesleyan Methodist met at the chapel (Chapel Row) where a short address was delivered. After the service the scholars paraded the village and sang some very pleasing tunes in capital style. They afterwards returned to the Chapel and were provided with and excellent tea. Later on in the day the scholars and teachers journeyed to Mr. Atkinson, Arthington House, where sports were freely indulged in and a very pleasant evening spent. There was a trip to Redcar on Monday morning and a few villagers were booked from Pool.” (presumably by train.)

8^th June. 1883 “School Treat. “Through the kindness and liberality of Mr. & Mrs. Pullein, the friends, teachers and scholars of the Wesleyan Methodist Sunday School were taken last Saturday to Almscliffe Crag.” Soon after one o’clock “the whole party began singing from their favorite hymns” “games such as Jolly Miller and Prize Ball, etc. were indulged in”.

7^th May 1886 “Pool Wesleyan Chapel alteration and Sunday school. Contractor desirous of tendering for proposed new school and alterations and reseating of the present Chapel will please send their names not later than Saturday 8^th May next. A.Marshall, Architect, Otley.”

WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL now known as the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Below, a description of the Methodist Church in 2005 by Architectural Historian, Peter H. Thornborrow during his preparation for being designated a conservation village in 2009.

“Methodist Church of 1909, (erected to plans by Mr. H. S. Chorley of Leeds) a stylish stone building also built with snecked masonry having features typical of its Edwardian period: its gable embraced by square towers that rise up above its coped gable, small tapering windows with cuspid heads set either side its Arts & Crafts-style doorway set in a planted-on pediment gable between off-set buttresses, with a 3-light cuspid window with sentimental head above. Its side elevations have 3-light mullioned windows articulated by off-set buttresses. Its rear has an exposed rendered Gothic-arched gable where the building was left unfinished, possibly in the hope of the need to extend the chapel, which did not happen.”

The foundations of the new Chapel were laid on 11th July 1908, built on land given by the Atkinson family. “Mr. & Mrs. Isaac Atkinson had lived at Arthington House and worshiped with the little congregation at Pool.” The foundations for the present Chapel were laid by, Elsie and Oliver Atkinson, Miss Margaret Jackson, Mrs. William L. Whiteley, The Circuit Stewards of the Otley Circuit (Messrs. W. H. Moss and J. Cole, Jnr.) Mrs. William Pullein, Miss Turnbull, Mr. J. S. Shaw, Mrs. William Patrick, The Ladies of the Sewing Meeting, Mr A. Busfield Otley (on behalf of the Local Preachers of the Otley Circuit) and Children of the Sunday School. The building opened 13.4.1909, replacing the Wesleyan Chapel on Chapel Row which had been built in 1839.

“The Opening Ceremony on Easter Tuesday 13th April 1909 brought forth a manifestation of the best spirit of Methodism. In spite of rain that fell pitilessly as the hour of the Opening approached, there was a great rally of Methodists of Pool and district. The hymn, “Great God , Thy watchful care we bless” was sung in front of the Chapel.”

“Mrs J.C.F. Atkinson of Burley-in-Wharfedale, opened the door of the new building. In a few minutes the congregation filled the Chapel and the Opening Service continued.” Mr. W. L. Whiteley presented Mrs. Atkinson with a gold key in the form of a brooch. The Chapel seated 125 people.

Lighting was by acetylene gas by Tankards of Pool with contractors Cowling & Son of Menston (masonry) and Stephen Kaye & Son (joinery) again of Pool.

In 1910 it was stated that “W.L.Whiteley was a strong supporter of the Pool Wesleyan Chapel.”

In an effort to reduce existing debt after the building of the Wesleyan Chapel, on the first anniversary on Easter Tuesday and Wednesday March 29th and 30th, 1910 a Grand Bazaar was held in the Pool National school opened by F. H. Fawkes of Farnley Hall. The present Chapel was built to the design of H. C. Chorley, Leeds architect, described as being built in a ”lovely arts and crafts manner” and a ”fine small building of high quality” (David R. Morris 2009). The original plans for the chapel envisaged a much larger building in due course. The present small schoolroom and vestry were intended to form a transept and the back wall is of single brick, as it was intended that the chancel should be added later. William L. Whiteley was one of the prime movers in the scheme to build a new chapel to replace the old one. (Memoirs, David Whiteley)

Invitations were issued for the stone laying ceremony of the Pool Methodist Chapel which took place in 1908. It stated that the North Eastern Railway Company “have kindly consented to stop the new Harrogate Autocar Train, leaving Otley 2.24 p.m. at Pool, on this occasion.”

Extracts from an account of around 1950 written by Holmes Whiteley, born in 1888 recalled, “The delivery of letters and parcels was much earlier in the morning than it is now. This was by horse drawn Royal Mail van. In those days the driver of the Mail van would give a lift to respectable travellers who happened to be on the road. Local preachers often used this mode of transport to get back to the west end of the Circuit, that is if the parson’s chariot had not been able to pick them up.”

In 1933 William L. Whiteley, a founder member of B. S. & W. Whiteley Ltd. Pool Paper Mill gave land measuring 1,200 yards to St. Wilfrid’s church to enlarge their graveyard. It is assumed that due to the intervention of WW2 the Consecration did not take place until 2nd June 1945.

The Jane Whiteley Memorial Homes was built in memory of the wife of William L. Whiteley opened on 9th June 1934

The homes on Church Lane are four cottage homes for aged members of Pool, built in 1933 for Mr. W.L.Whiteley on land given by him, as part of a “perpetual memory to his wife Jane in so practical a manner.” Originally the homes provided rent free accommodation with preference to pensioners of Pool Paper Mills, now a small rent is charged for other members of the village. The inauguration of the Homes was on June 9^th 1934. Architect John C. Procter, Clarendon Road, Leeds, contractor Michael Booth & Sons, Bradford. A copy of the Trust Deeds was presented to the Chairman of Pool Parish Council Mr. L. N. Everitt. After the ceremony a “Yorkshire Tea” was held in the Methodist Schoolroom. The Homes are now run by a group of Trustees. When the Poole Doles was finally wound up in 1997 the surplus of £81 was donated to the Homes.

First occupants were Jim Dennison, John Gall, Matthew Clapham and Sarah Robinson.

In the present Chapel, as a memorial to Jane Whiteley, who died 10th Sept. 1932. Her husband, William L. Whiteley gave an organ which was dedicated in Nov.1936, built by Abbott & Smith of Leeds. The alter table, pulpit and communion rail made by the “Mouseman” Thompson of Kilburn were provided by Holmes Whiteley in memory of his wife, Kate, dedicated on 24^th July,1955. Nine “mice” can be found in the Chapel.

Acetylene lighting was installed by G.A. Tankard of Pool – “Sunlight Acetylene Generator”. David Whiteley, born 1917, recalled how when a young boy attending a service in the Methodist Church “sometimes the lights would go low and grandfather, W.L.Whiteley, would go out to sprinkle water on the Sunlight Acetylene generator and lights would then go up and the service would continue.” David Whiteley also recalled that “Grandfather was not fond of very long sermons. If he thought the preacher had talked for long enough he would produce his gold watch, snap it open and ostentatiously observe the time. If the hint was not taken the watch would be produced with increasing regularity until the speaker drew to a close.” (David Whiteley Memoirs)

In 1943 a mosaic plaque depicting “The last Supper”, was made by Mr. Edwin Read, stained glass manufacturer of Leeds and given as a memorial to his late wife Laura.

Two famous people who have been connected with this church were Joseph Rhodes Dunwell and Frederick Pratt Green, born in Liverpool in 1903, attended Wallesley Grammar School and boarded at Rydal Colwyn Bay Methodist Boarding school, later for four years working in his father’s leather business. After attending Didsbury Theological College in 1925 was ordained into the Methodist Ministry in 1928. After his marriage in 1931 he served in Pool from 1931-1934. In 1995 he was awardedd the MBE for services to hynmody. He died on 22nd October 2000. He wrote 27 hymns with only Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley writing more.

Joseph Rhodes Dunwell (1807-1835, gravestone lies flat in St. Wilfrids churchyard.) from Pool. His father (James Dunwell (1781-1856), was a carrier to Knaresborough on Wed. and Bradford every Thursday living at Pool Farm Cottage till after 1849). Joseph was one of the earliest missionary volunteers to come from the Leeds District. On 15^th October 1834 he arrived in Bristol to travel to the Cape Coast (now Ghana) where he only lived for six months before he died in the country which had the reputation of being the “white man’s grave”. The Dunwell family can be traced back to the Muster Rolls of Otley of 1539. In Otley Parish Register on 30.3.1605 the birth of “Dorithy Dunwell daughter of Xpofer of Poole” There appear to have been at least three brothers of this name around this time. The last member of the Dunwell family, Madge Wainwright, died 10^th March 1977.

1^st wedding to take place in the Chapel was Ennis Whiteley (daughter of Wm.L.Whiteley of the paper mill) to Albert Carradice on 4^th Aug. 1914. (outbreak of WW1)

2^nd wedding in the chapel was that of William Patrick, son of the founder of Peter Patrick & Son, Otley, woodworkers and sawmills, to Miss Paterson, to live at Cartref, Otley Road, Pool.

3^rd wedding on 8^th Sept 1915 was Holmes Whiteley to Kate Cockram of Cranford, Mill Lane Pool.

Owing to the growth of the Methodist Sunday School together with increasing week-night activities of the Chapel and the village, under the leadership given by the Rev. H. Maurice Hart, for an extension, on 19^th Oct. 1929 a stone was laid for the Methodist Sunday School, officially opened on 15^th March 1930. The cost of this building was £1,800. Once again in 1931 a two day bazaar was held realising £300 which more than cleared the debt.

A children’s concerts were given in the new Wesleyan Sunday School one of which was the fairy play which took 40 minutes to perform.

Fairy Play of 1931

In 1931 monthly lantern shows on “The Life of Christ” were being held during the Sunday evening service.

Several members of the congregation lost their lives in both world wars:

WW1

William Stanley Whiteley born in Pool 16.7.1891 died of wounds received in action 3.11.1917. Son Samuel Whiteley of B.S.&. W. Whiteley Ltd. mill.  Gunner in West Riding Howitzer Brigade. Buried at Lyjssenthoek Military Cemetery, Ypes

Thomas William Whiteley born 1883 killed in action in France 23.10.1918.    Only son of Benjamin Whiteley of B.S.& W. Whiteley’s paper mill. Private in Machine Gun Corps. (Infantry) 100^th Bn. Died aged 35. Grave Ref. II.A.11. Buried in Highland Cemetery, Le Cateau, North France

Harry Davey, father of Harold below. Died later of war wounds.

WW2

Harold Davey lived at High Mill . Son of Harry and Ida Davey of Pool. Reported “Missing presumed dead 27^th June 1944”. Lance Corporal in the South Lancashire Regiment. 1^st Bn.  Killed in Normandy buried at Hermanville Sur Mer, France, aged 21. Service No. 14202541. Casualty Thype: Commonwealth War Dead. Grave/Memorial Ref. 4. A. 8.

David Pickard –139528 Flying Officer Bomb Aimer. The aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Muneville-sur-Mer at about 0030hrs on 28 July 1944. Three of the crew managed to bale out of the aircraft, but the remainder lost their lives. Their bodies were recovered and they were buried on 31 July 1944. Married to Hilda Davey. “Hilda spent lots of time in Chapel; in the Sunday School, Guild, as Communion Steward and as a loyal member.  She had a fine singing voice.” (Jane Morris)

Full details of the above casualties can be found under “Living”, “A Village at War”, “Roll of Honour”

During WW2 St. Wilfrid’s Church, Pool Chapel and White Hart were on standby to act as temporary mortuaries if required.

The Country Players were formed in 1947 with their first production, “George and Margaret” being held in the School Room in 1948. “Some blue pencil was required occasionally for some of the plays to satisfy the trustees that they were fit to be performed on chapel premises” (David Whiteley) The Country Players continued to perform using the Methodist School Room, moving scenery each evening from storage in the old chapel on Chapel Row to the School Room, until the completion of Pool-in-Wharfedale Memorial Hall in 1958.

At the 50th Anniversary Meeting of Praise and Thanksgiving held later that evening the now Canon Hedley Hodkin, M.A.,of Manchester was a speaker together with Rev. H. Maurice Hart of Doncaster and Rev. F. Pratt Green, Chairman of York and Hull District) all former resident ministers at Pool.

Sunday July 24th 1955 saw the gift of a light oak pulpit, communion table and rail together with blue carpet and kneeler by the husband and family of the late Mrs.Holmes Whiteley in thankfulness for her life and loving service in connection with Pool Methodist Church. The furniture made by Robert Thompson of Kilburn, Yorkshire (Taken from research by Richard Downes)

At the first anniversary of the Pool Methodist Women’s Fellowship in 1957 they presented to the Chapel the carved oak flower table, again the work of Robert Thompson, (Taken from research by Richard Downes

Around 1900 Jane Whiteley, wife of W.L.Whiteley was keeping all her recipes and household tips in an old, previously partly used book which she had tied with a piece of old material. Some of these recipes were reproduced in a booklet during a recent flower festival held in the Chapel.

THE MANSE “Hazel Lee” No.1 Otley Road – the first of the two semi-detached houses. Acquired in 1931. The first married minister to live there was the Rev. F. Pratt Green, a prolific hymn writer, who, after leaving Pool became well known as a hymn writer being one of the largest contributors to the Methodist Hymn book.

Footnote It has always been the wish of the Whiteley family that the two churches in the Parish would live together as friends. They still give, and have given, much to both churches in the form of information, time, land and bequests.

Homes Whiteley born 1888 recalled in his talk to the village around 1950, “The Churches, which at the time of my youth were two in number, did not work together, there was what really amounted to bitterness between them – whose fault it was I’ll leave it.” “I think the one organisation in the village which showed no ill feeling amongst its members was the Cricket Club. Cricket it is such a leveler and no matter who you are or what your creed you are liable to get a duck”.

OLD POOL BANK WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL There was a small unused quarry workers’ cabin within the old quarry near Far Row cottages on Old Pool Bank. Known as the “Cabin” it was owned by Messers. B. Whitaker and Sons, Pool Bank Quarries, who agreed for it to be used as a chapel free of charge. In 1879 it was put on the Preachers Plan so became used primarily as Old Pool Bank’s Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. The agreement was that it could, in addition, be used by Plymouth Brethren, Church of England and the Salvation Army. (WYAS WY16512013) It was later it was used as Old Pool Bank’s “village hall”, for events such as public meetings, polling station, Residents Association meetings, pantomimes, etc.

By 1894 the number attending the services was so large it became uncomfortably small so it was decided to make much needed improvements. After closing for some months, in October of 1894 it reopened when the building had been enlarged, the walls plastered and colour washed, the ceiling raised, boarded and varnished. It was declared “the building now has a very comfortable and pleasing appearance.” The total cost of the alterations amounted to £73.2.7d. leaving a small sum of £18.9.10d. owing. The cost had been mostly met by Mr. S. Whitaker of Pool Bank Quarries. The Wesleyan’s had “not let the grass grow under their feet” and by November they had almost paid off their debt by holding a tea and service of song. Mr. S. Whitaker lived at Glen Royd, Leeds Road, Old Pool Bank, demolished around the 1950’s.

The “cabin” was demolished by Whiteley’s in the 1950’s. West Yorkshire Archives, Wakefield ref. WYL1165/20/15 for more info. on Cabin.

The cottage to the north of Far Row was extended by Mr. Burton after moving there from Beeston in 1900. He was a lay preacher, preaching in the “Cabin”.

The Chapel was finally closed when the new Old Pool Bank Memorial Hall was opened in 1952.

Puritan Chapel, Bramhope.

Robert Dyneley (1609 – 89) lived at Bramhope Hall, Bramhope. The land had been purchased by his great-grandfather from the Earl of Cumberland and following the dissolution of Kirstall Abbey, which had held the manor for centuries, he built the Puritan Chapel, at Bramhope around 1649. The baptisms were recorded from 1677 to 1881. The grassy area to the right, marks the resting place of many of the Dyneley’s. This can be visited.

(See more under Pool Bank Quarries)