About History History Timeline History Timeline Year What? 1811 1,000 seat Chapel and two adjoining houses for ministers completed; designed by Revd. William Jenkins, Architect 1851 First pipe organ installed 1862 Renovations undertaken to the stonework frontage and roof 1866 Ground floor benches removed and re-seated with pitch-pine pews to match gallery; staircases to gallery enclosed, and a stained glass screen erected in the entrance vestibule 1874 Malton Wesleyan School opened by John W Ryden, certificated probationer 1882 Replacement 3-manual pipe organ installed by Harrison & Harrison at a cost of £384.7.3d. 1901 John Wills Architects propose further renewal of ground floor seating 1949 New building revisions proposed by Guy Channon Architects, Leeds 1950 The pulpit was lowered as the gallery was no longer used 1952 Further significant changes made to the Choir Stalls and the first two rows of pews removed 1961 Building considered too large for current purpose; decision made to sell the Church 1962 Designs produced by J C Prestwich Architects, Wigan, for new Methodist Church in Malton 1964 Planning approval granted by North Riding of Yorkshire County Council for “the erection of shops, offices or residential flats” on Saville Street Church site 1964 Interest received from Marks & Spencer for the Saville Street site 1965 Freehold site of Saville Street Church offered for sale at public auction by Warmington & Co 1966 Designs by B W Blanchard Architects, Hull, for new Methodist Church in Greengate, Malton 1966 New Church proposal in Greengate abandoned; demolition of current building proposed and plans produced by Anthony Short Architects, Derby, for smaller Church on Saville Street site 1969 Significant amounts of dry rot discovered in the gallery 1970 Demolition plan abandoned; rigid plastic canopy erected over the ground floor sanctuary, eliminating drafts and reducing heating bills as gallery unused since 1950 1974 First historic listing entry 1976 Church listed by DoE as a “Building of Special Architectural or Historic Interest” 1993 Building too large and inflexible for current purposes and new decision made to sell the site 1993 Methodist Property Division gives approval for the sale of the Chapel and school buildings 1994 Tenders invited for sale of Saville Street Chapel; sale not achieved 1994 Revd Mike Smith arrives in Malton and conducts a new review of options; decision made to undertake “substantial alterations to meet the changing needs of the present day” 1995 Secretary of State amends listing from Grade II to Grade II*, hampering scope for change 1995 Initial schedule of proposed works by Peter M McMulkin, Filey, to remove gallery canopy, demolish the rear buildings, remove the historic organ and to carry out renovations 1996 Permissions in place to start works but prevarication and compromises imposed by English Heritage delay start; English Heritage suggests removal of Victorian lobby wall 1997 Ryedale District Council (RDC) approves demolition of three-storey rear annex 1997 Planning Consent granted by RDC for construction of new single storey extension 1998 Work starts on £370k renovation scheme: rigid canopy removed, gallery reinstated, rear annex demolished, pipe organ removed, 3 rows of ground floor pews removed, new glazed screen added on ground floor; kitchenette, vestry and 2 X Church offices added, and new single storey building erected to the rear, with kitchen, WCs, and a meeting room 1999 Church reopens on 21 August, the date of the original opening of the building in 1811 2015 Quinquennial Report first identifies significant structural failure with the main roof 2015 Paul Emberley produces a new vision, based around a growing outreach opportunity in Malton and a dearth of community space in the town 2015 Church Council unanimously decides to explore a new scheme to transform the Church, ensuring its financial sustainability for the future 2016 Project group established to explore a new transformational development scheme 2016 Conservation architects PPIY Ltd of York invited to conduct a feasibility study 2016 Representatives from the community form a working group to review specific needs; Action Planning commissioned to conduct an extensive community audit, survey, and report 2016 PPIY deliver feasibility study and options for the re-development of the building 2016 Public consultation and with community and amenity groups 2017 Review of further options considered, and a preferred scheme devised 2017 Listed Building Advisory Committee (LBAC) of Methodist Church approves principles of a revised scheme 2017 Andrew Hayden appointed as independent organ adviser; suitable redundant organ identified 2017 Church appoints CaVCA as its fundraising partner 2017 Church Council agrees to appoint Henry Willis & Sons Ltd for the £226,500 restoration of the historic Forster & Andrews pipe organ 2018 LBAC supports final scheme plans in April; design details delegated to Methodist Church Conservation Officer 2018 Contractors start work on the roof repair, completing at the end of May 2018 Building re-opens for visitors and special events from 4 June 2018 Fundraising Patron Selina Scott launches appeal, mid-June 2018 Q3-Q4, refurbishment of North Wing for 2nd floor occupancy by Malton Town Council 2019 Building planned for temporary closure again for 14 month major re-development from Q2 2020 Estimated completion and re-opening of the Wesley Centre, by Q3 Manage Cookie Preferences