History Timeline
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
