is a plain building, standing on the east side of Frodsham-street. It is capable of containing several hundred persons, and has a burial ground in front; it is one of the oldest dissenting places of worship now existing in Chester. Clarkson, in his ‘Memoirs of William Penn,’ says, “Among the places he (William Penn) visited in Cheshire, was Chester itself. The king (James the Second), who was then travelling, arriving there at the same time, went to the Meeting House of the Quakers to hear him preach.” In George Fox’s journal, there is an entry which proves that the Quakers have existed as a distinct society in Chester for about 200 years. Under date 1657, he writes: “From Wrexham we came to west Chester, and it being the fair time, we staid there awhile and visited Friends.” The resident members of this society are now very few, and the service is seldom performed.
The Primitive Methodists
have a small chapel in Steam-Mill-street, erected about the year 1825, and the members of the society appear to be on the increase.
The Roman Catholic Chapel
is situated on the west side of Queen-street. It is a small but good brick building, with a Doric portico, supported by four light stone pillars in front, and was built in 1799. The chapel is now found to be too small for the congregation, and the erection of a larger edifice is contemplated, when the requisite funds can be provided. The Rev. J. Carberry is the present priest in residence.
The Presbyterian Chapel
is situated in Pepper-street. It was erected, in 1827, by the Baptists, but the congregation becoming very small, it was closed some years ago. In 1846 it was reopened for Presbyterian worship, and has continued to be occupied by a small but respectable society. The Rev. W. Hunter is the minister.
ENDOWED AND CHARITABLE SCHOOLS.
The King’s School.
This school was founded by King Henry the Eighth, in the thirty-sixth year of his reign, for twenty-four boys to receive £3 4s. each, who are appointed by the Dean and Chapter. By the charter it is ordained, “that there shall ever be in our church of Chester twenty-four boys, poor and friendless, to be maintained out of the income of our church, of good capacities and given to learning if possible; which, however, we would not have admitted before they can read and write, and somewhat understand the rudiments of grammar; and this at the discretion of the Dean and Head Master. And these boys we will have maintained at the expense of our church until they have made some tolerable proficiency in the Latin grammar, and have been taught to write and speak Latin, for which end they are allowed the term of four years, or, if the Dean or Head Master see cause, of five and no more. But we order that no one, unless he be a chorister of our church, be elected a poor scholar that is under the age of nine years.” Some important alterations have recently been made in the management of the school, which have very considerably increased its efficiency. We are happy to find that the inhabitants of Chester are availing themselves of the great advantages provided by this excellent institution. The course of instruction has been made such as to qualify the scholars for any of the literary professions or commercial pursuits, embracing as it does all the elements of a sound mathematical, classical, and general education. The Head Master is the Rev. J. Harris, M.A. The chorister boys are educated apart, by a master expressly appointed for that purpose by the Dean and Chapter.