One resident remembers Chapel Times:

Most children of Hilcote went to chapel. Morning service at 10.00 am, afternoon at 2.00 pm. Mr Samuel Davis was one Superintendent, he was very strict.

Mr Davis had had an accident at the pit, as a result he had lost one arm and all but his little finger and the one next to it of this left arm. Mrs Davis' writing was perfect. We children had to keep quiet while he regulated the chapel clock. Every now and then he would put his fingers up and say "Shush! Shush!" till he got the clock on an even tick. Mr Davis had two daughters Marion and Mollie, both came to chapel. Joyce Theakstone, Raymond, Joyce and Norman Ottewell came with them.

Most Sundays the Sunday School had a preacher. Mr John James Pass was one; Mr Stanley Mansfield another, he would start on a religious theme and then say, "I will tell you a story, it's a true story." I'm sure a sigh of relief would echo round the room. Mrs Mansfield would bring his daughter Margaret with him, she always wore a school girls hat. He had been in the 1914 - 18 war for which he had won the Military Medal. He passed away in his late nineties.

The preachers would stay at different houses in New Street for tea.

The biggest event of the chapel year was the Anniversary, always the second Sunday in May. We would march round on the Sunday morning to the band. One of the men who walked a the front was Mr George Ford Senior. His father Mr William Ford was at one time Superintendent of the Chapel, a plaque is on the chapel wall to commemorate this.

The Anniversary services were held two Sundays running, the chapel would be packed with worshippers, people came from miles away and the amount of collection taken was unbelievable.

Treats were held in the chapel, the seats were turned into tables, we had to take a cup etc. Races were held in Mr Dalton's field.

Then there was Sunday School Prize Day. We all had a blue star card, which was stamped with a star mark for every morning and afternoon we attended. I remember Sam or Harry Waller would do this. At the end of the year, we would receive a book presented by a well-known member of the village.

Sam was drafted into the army, when on leave he would take us for a sermon. Later, in civilian life, he would teach so many boys in the chapel porch.

The girls had different teachers such as Frances Bains, Cissie Watson and Jessie Buxton.

This year the Chapel celebrates 130 years of worship. (2007)

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