Luton, Wesleyan Chapel 1897

Photo ref: 39723

More about this scene

Religion had been the mainstay of lives high and low for centuries, but the industrial revolution was raising questions and creating pressures and hardships that were disturbing a long-settled order. Above all, the revolution was about new technology, and working practices were changing fast. For centuries, the church had preached that God approved the hierarchy of 'the rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate', but that teaching, too, would change. When Lord Bute left the Hoo, the living was sold to various patrons, who appointed a series of vicars. These included Dr Thomas Peile, who surrendered much of his income to allow new churches to be built: East Hyde in 1859, Stopsley in 1860, and Christ Church in 1860. James O' Neill bought the living for himself when St Mary's had become run down; he remained there for 35 years. St Mary's had been the centrepiece of the old order, but could it remain so? At least its chequerboard walls benefited from a restoration in the 19th century. As the town continued to grow, more new churches were opened: the church at Biscot in 1866, St Matthew's in 1875, and St Paul's in 1892.