Where's Wesley prayer-place?, Teesdale Mercury

Where's Wesley prayer-place?

Jul 24, 2002

IT is a case of now you see it, now you don't over the historic Wesley recess in the Hole in the Wall brasserie now being converted by the Endeavour Housing Association in Barnard Castle.

Endeavour's housing services director confirmed on Tuesday morning that the recess has been covered over and is no longer visible because its location and building regulations had rendered this impossible. The works

had been done in full consultation with the planning department, she added.

"It is there and it is intact and preserved but we have covered it over with appropriate materials to ensure it remains intact," she said.

Concern over what had happened to the small gothic recess on the first floor had been raised at Friday¹s district planning meeting by Coun John Hinchcliffe. Planning officer, Trevor Watson, had said his recollection of the planning consent had been that it would be retained as a visible feature and he would check it out.

But when builders showed the Mercury around on Sunday, there was no visible sign of the recess, from where Methodist John Wesley is historically said to have preached in the 18th century.

Angela Lockwood, Endea-vour Housing Association's Housing Services Director, told us on Monday that the new development, which provides affordable housing in an area where prices are soaring, had retained many of the original features including stone stairs and beams. The association and architects who designed the scheme were very much aware of the sensitivities of local people and the importance around the historical recess with association to Wesley, and did what they could in order to maintain this ttractive and historical feature.

"However because of design difficulties it was mpossible to maintain it as it was. In conjunction with Teesdale District Council, who sought government advice, we did the next best thing and have kept it safe and intact as an integral feature of the building. Unfor-tunately this means that it cannot be viewed externally, but we do intend fixing a plaque adjacent to the building," she said.

Town historian, Alan Wilkinson, said it was very disappointing that a significant historical and architectural feature had been covered over,

which was the only reminder of the building's past as a religious meeting place at a time when it was the only one in the town except the parish church. He would investigate further, he said on Tuesday morning.

He personally did not know of any historical evidence about whether John Wesley had used the recess or not, but the feature was reminiscent of a prayer cupboard and it was very possible that it might well have been used by someone kneeling there to pray.

The Hole in the Wall had previously been used as a restaurant. Said Angela Lockwood: "It was in a very poor condition when we took it over, had been empty for some time, and we took great pains in conjunction with

Teesdale District Council to come up with a design which expressed the character of the original building and surroundings.

"We have been involved in a number of developments in the area ­ all designed to improve the quality of life for local people, and to give them the opportunity of living in affordable accommodation that is of the highest standard. The appearance of this particular stone building has been greatly improved and enhanced ­ and we hope that both tenants and the surrounding community will take pleasure from it."

As we went to press, Angela Lockwood told us: "We are currently in discussion with the local council's planning department to see whether there is a way in which we can expose the recess internally to make it a feature within the building."