Laying the foundation stones for the Wesleyan Chapel, Hutton Rudby in 1878

I particularly like the thought of them enjoying their "sumptuous tea" at the end of the proceedings:

Northern Echo: Monday 5 August 1878

Laying Foundation Stones at Hutton Rudby 

Last Friday was a red-letter day in the village of Hutton Rudby.  For some time the Wesleyan Chapel in that place has been rather faulty in repair, and as the site is not a very good one efforts were put forth to obtain the necessary funds to build a new chapel, and have been so far successful that the work has already been commenced, and the foundation stones were laid on Friday last, in the presence of a very large congregation.  

The new chapel is to be Gothic style, erected from designs by Mr Harbottle, of Great Ayton.  The whole of the work has been entrusted to Messrs W. and T. Hodgson, builders, of Osmotherley and Brompton, and promises to prove an ornament to the village.  The dimensions are 46ft by 35ft, with schoolroom behind, and is calculated to afford accommodation for about 230 persons.  

The proceedings commenced by singing a hymn, after which Mr Miles, of Stokesley, read a portion of scripture as a lesson; and the Rev R W Butterworth, of Stokesley, offered a prayer, at the conclusion of which he called upon Mrs Richardson (Mayoress of Stockton) to lay the first stone; Miss Wilson (on behalf of Mrs Wilson), of Hutton-Rudby, to lay the second; Mrs John Kidd, of Edinburgh, to lay the second; and Miss Mease (on behalf of Miss Mewburn, of Banbury) to lay the fourth.  In a cavity under each stone was deposited a bottle containing current newspapers, list of trustees, and coin of the realm.  

In place of the usual presentation of silver trowels, a handsome copy of the Bible and Wesley's Hymns was presented to Mrs Richardson by Mr Peacock, to Miss Wilson by Mr Braithwaite, to Mrs Kidd by Mr William Weighill, and to Miss Mease by Mr Miles.  

After the conclusion of the ceremony, the Rev C H Gough, of Darlington, delivered an excellent address, in the course of which he remarked that it was just about 120 years that day since John Wesley held his first meeting at Hutton Rudby, which seemed to have been a favourite place with him, as no less than eleven distinct visits to Hutton Rudby were recorded in his journal.  

At the close of the address the National Anthem was sung, after which a sumptuous tea was served in the old chapel, to which full justice was done by a large number of people.  

In the evening the Rev C H Gough delivered an interesting lecture on "A Tour in France and Belgium." Mr T E Pyman presided, there being a good attendance.

Note: Thomas English Pyman of Linden Grove, Hutton Rudby, like his father George, was a prominent Congregationalist.