Protestant Nonconformity in Frisby on the Wreake

Frisby on the Wreake is a rural village standing on the south side of the river Wreake in north Leicestershire, about 14 miles north of Leicester and 5 miles west of Melton Mowbray.

Only one dissenter was recorded in 1706, a Baptist, but there were two Presbyterian meetings held in the houses of weavers who occasionally attended the parish church themselves. By 1709 the Presbyterian meetings had ceased to be held, although there was a Presbyterian living in the parish, and also a Quaker. By 1712 there were two houses which were said to have been licensed for Presbyterian meetings, although no record of the licences has been traced. It was said that they ‘meet sometimes once a month, or once a quarter’; their teacher was called Matthews.[1]

Wesleyan Methodists

A Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was built in about 1822-25,[2] and by 1829 the congregation numbered around 60.[3] The chapel contained 103 free and 37 other sittings. On 30 March 1851 there were services in the afternoon, attended by 53 people, and in the evening, attended by 70. There was a Sunday school attached to the chapel, attended by 23 people in both the morning and afternoon.[4]

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[1] J. Broad (ed.), Bishop Wake’s Summary of Visitation Returns from the Diocese of Lincoln, 1706-1715 (Oxford, 2012), II, p. 815

[2] TNA, HO 129/418/11

[3] ROLLR, QS 95/2/1/44

[4] TNA, HO 129/418/11

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