Methodist Chapel, Blackpool

The Methodist Chapel on Cocker Street in Blackpool is a proud reminder of the town’s late 19th- and early 20th-century religious life. Its story began in 1875 when a trust secured land at the corner of Dickson Road and Cocker Street to build the original Mount Pleasant Wesleyan Chapel. Affectionately known as the “Tin Tabernacle,” this modest structure served the local Methodist community until 1906 when it was dismantled to make way for something grander. Thanks to a land donation from Major William Hinksman and the vision of Birmingham architect George Payton, the new chapel took shape in Gothic Revival style and officially opened its doors on April 24, 1907.

Built with red brick and ashlar dressings, the chapel features a striking three-stage octagonal tower topped by a spire-an architectural flourish that helped secure its Grade II listing. For more than a century, it served as a spiritual and social hub. Though regular worship services ended in September 2018, the building remains active and community-focused. Since 2000, it has housed the Claremont First Step Community Centre, a local charity providing support and services to residents. The former chapel continues to echo with life, offering a tangible link to Blackpool’s religious and civic past.