[Part 8 of Mrs Chapman's "Story of Manx Methodism"]

Peel Circuit.

[PEEL: rough notes to be amplified and written up in circuit when books are available.]

After the island (Wesleyan) circuit was divided Peel was linked with Ramsey. Peel was particularly strong in loca1 preachers many of whom walked to Douglas to help there. L.P. minute book, 1895, condemns the use of the railway on Sundays by Preachers.

The first chapel was built before Wesley visited Peel in 1781 for he said, 'our room' was too small and he had to preach on the seashore. The first room was opened about 1770 - where?

Second chapel became Temperance Hall in Shore Road, 1863 Peel members spread out towards Foxdale joining up with the Castletown preachers efforts in Foxdale, Glen Rushen (Gordon chapel now a bungalow). Many other names or farms etc appear on early plans.

Going north they opened a society at Lhergydoo - called then White Strand, and. the chapel, built about 1815-17 was obviously needed because in 1815 they record 30 new members at Lhergydoo. ( Peel the same quarter had. 60 new members)

The circuit also stretched out towards Douglas on the main road and as early as 1817 there is a discussion in the Preachers meeting whether Crosby should be in Douglas or in Peel circuits - a discussion which went on for a century after that!

Crosby is a place of historic interest. We have previously mentioned Robert Aitkin who did much to establish this cause. There has been a strong tradition in Crosby that the chapel was originally Anglican, a chapel of ease for Marown Parish. The Manx Sun (11.10.1833) says this. but the deeds are quite clear. Ailken's efforts for Crosby were in his Methodist period, although The Manx Sun is quite correct in saying he was an Anglican clergyman. The land was given (for 5/-) by his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Eyres, and fellow trustees with Aitken were David Moffatt (who carried on the school at Eyreton Castle after Aitken left the island) Wm Quayle of Ballacotch; Robt Fayle (?Bashaw) Rbt.Cretny, Matthias Bridson, M Williams McClure of Carvona, and John Wilson (draper) with John Kelly of Union Mills, apparently the secretary to the Trust (Deeds, Rolls office Douglas, seen in Septr. 1970) .

Wesleyan Record notes: Dalby, Gordon, Glen Rushen, tea meetings, and. other events strong meeting up to 1914 war. Gordon- good L.P.M. collection in 1920

Dalby: - probably the first beneficiary of the Rank Trust. In 1922 Dalby was in urgent need of roof repairs, and the S.S. Superintendent, Thos. H. Leece of Cronkbourne, Dalby, wrote to Joseph Rank who sent £25. The repairs cost £23! Old Dalby School, 1790 is now a farm building. the second chapel closed in recent years.

Edward. Killey, Foxdale, died May 11, 1920 converted by Wm Faragher Coeilcame, who was converted by Wesley at S Barrule in 1781
Circuit book: 'Barrule to have no more preaching; they take but will not give'

Some P.M. notes

1856 Patrick - members rented a smithy for £1 a year rebuilt on same site when they had chance of buying the land in 1873.

(Note. there is a stone insert in the wall of Patrick chapel which could well be misleading to a Methodist historian.. This was taken from the ruined Earystane Chapel some time in the 1960's and inserted in Patrick wall)

One of Peel's most remarkable evangelists was Phil Clucas of Foxdale an old report says "he had. the strength of three, a voice like thunder, a double row of teeth all round, and he terrified his hearers into salvation. " He had no education , could not even read, but had a prodigious memory for anything read to him once. Eventually he learned to speak English, but usually preached in Manx. He died in 1870.

Peel P.M. Circuit formed in 1863 with a quarterly income of £19. Worked out on average they gave 1½ a week each which was a great sacrifice from a weekly wage of, say, 8/- and. even that dependant on the fishing or farming season's success.

1856 A Chapel at Poortown should properly be called Close-e-Garey says the book. The chapel closed when the people were dispersed on the closure of the quarry

Glen Maye had , in 1877, ten local preachers out of a membership of 79 Glen Maye chapel. 1842
Knocksharry (now a cottage) built 1843 Foxdale built 1862. Peel new chapel: 1875

(more about Peel PM to be added)

Further note of Peel Wesleyan section

- Wesleyan Record. 1902. Peel has too many male SS teachers. "Godly women are needed to help the girls" but only the following year the 'brain drain' began and. they report emigration of male teachers, leaders and Local Preachers each quarter.
In 1910 a happy repercussion to emigration: Henry Kelly, who had trained for the ministry at Drew Theological College, in America, returned for his honeymoon in Peel. The editor of the Wesleyan Record said he hoped the other three who went with him to the land of the almighty ,dollar had' remembered God equally well.