June 3rd 1834 was a big day for the Wesleyans, pioneers of evangelical Christianity, when the foundation stone of the Chapel was laid. The chapel was next to the entrance to the military Grand Shaft staircase to barracks above. The ornate entrance was rebuilt in recent times as part of an improvement scheme following the building of the new A20 road. It was the Methodists' third chapel in Dover, the first being in the old Pier district and the second at Buckland. The move to Snargate Street from ‘the Pier’ was a sign of their growing congregations and the need for a bigger church.
A thousand spectators were admitted to the site by tickets for the ceremony. The church opened for services in October the same year (1834) and among treasured furniture was said to be the original pulpit from the Elizabeth Square chapel from which John Wesley had preached about 70 years before.
(May 16 2001: - the pulpit has now been moved to another local Methodist Church)
