nd building in
Cagthorpe.

In 1866 a movement was commenced, with a view to the erection of a still
larger chapel, and the present fine building was the result; opened in
1869, with accommodation for over 1,000 persons (1024), at a cost of
5,876 pounds. {70b} The Sunday School adjoining, with large class rooms
and infant school being built in 1875, at a further outlay of 2,578
pounds. The fittings of the chapel are of stained polished deal, the
gallery front and pulpit are white, picked out with gold, the latter
standing upon 4 round-headed arches of light and graceful design. A new
organ was erected soon after the opening of this chapel, at a cost of 300
pounds, and in 1883 the instrument was enlarged and improved.

In 1886 the Centenary of Wesleyanism was celebrated and the occasion was
marked by a strenuous effort to clear off the debt from the Horncastle
Circuit. This effort was supplemented by "Ye olde Englyshe Fayre,
houlden in ye Exchange Hall, Nov. 20, 21 and 22, MDCCCLXXXVIII;" and at a
tea gathering on March 12, 1889, it was stated that the original debt
had, in the previous two years, been reduced to 60 pounds, and since then
the whole had been cleared off, the exact sum raised being 1,526 pounds
2s. 4d.; while, as an evidence of the general prosperity of the Society,
the Chairman stated that in the last 24 years debts had, throughout the
country, been paid to the total amount of no less than 1,226,245 pounds.
{71a}

In 1860 a former foundry show room, in Foundry Street, built by the late
Mr. Tupholme, was acquired through the generosity of Mr. J. Rivett, to be
used as a mixed day school; it had one large general room, four
classrooms, and two large yards, and afforded accommodation for more than
400 scholars. The premises cost 450 pounds, but before the school was
opened some 1,300 pounds had been spent in adapting them to educational
purposes. This has now been superceded by an even more commodious
building in Cagthorpe, on the south branch of the canal, at the corner
near the Bow Bridge, opposite St. Mary's Square, at a cost of 2,500
pounds. It has a very large room for a mixed school, another for an
infant school, with classrooms and everything required, in accordance
with the latest conditions by Act of Parliament. The foundation stone
was laid June 22, 1904, and the school was formally opened Jan. 4, 1905.

A Young Men's Institute was established in the beginning of 1889, by the
Rev. G. Whit