Tag Archives: Chapel

Arthur Linfoot was a member of the South Durham Street United Methodist Free Church in Sunderland, and a regular church-goer elsewhere when not in Sunderland. He records his attendance at chapel and church services of many kinds throughout his diaries.

31 December 1914; Thursday

Not much to do at work. Tom brought his gramophone over at night. I received 5/61 Christmas bonus. Charlie at work from 5.35 train until about midnight. Went to the Watch service2 with Ernie and Joe after finishing the letter to New Zealand. Mr Chadwick and Joe Speed spoke and Mr Mullens prayed. Pretty good service. I had walk round the town. Walked through Garrison Field with Joe.

THE END3


  1. Five shillings and six pence: = 27½p. 

  2. “Watch service”: the Methodist “watch-night” service, usually starting at 11.30 pm, to see the New Year in. 

  3. It was ALL’s habit to write “THE END”, or some variation thereof, on the last day of each diary. 

27 December 1914; Sunday

Missed chapel in the morning through being late and went to Roker instead. Saw the trenches and the new gun. At Sunday School in the afternoon and got on pretty well. My turn at children’s service and managed best I have done for a long time. Sang two carols at night. A Mr Joe Barnes sang solos. Had short walk round. Willie Carr and †Aunt Jimmy† to tea. Wet night, didn’t go far.

20 December 1914; Sunday

At chapel at night and at School as usual. Walked round the streets first thing because I was too late for chapel. A bit trouble at night through Miss Bigwood taking it into her head to assist the carol singers without consulting the choir. We sang “And the Glory” wrong. Mr Mullens preached in the morning and a stranger at night because Mr Chadwick was ill again.

6 December 1914; Sunday

At chapel in the morning. Sung Jackson’s1 Te Deum. At Sunday School and got on fairly well. Lent Reverend MacDonald Stalker’s2 Life of Christ. Went with Charlie at night to North Bridge Street Presbyterian Church choir and helped in “Let the call of the Lord”. Good singing, nice church, poor preacher. Wild night. Missed Willie. Read a bit and wrote up diary. Tried Charlie’s new song over. At North Bridge Street Church.


  1. William Jackson of Exeter, composer, 1730-1803. 

  2. Stalker’s: J. Stalker “Life of Jesus Christ”, 1891 (now ISBN 9780766170469). See also The Life of Jesus Christ and Arthur Linfoot’s Library