The 1851 Religious Census was a national survey in England and Wales that recorded attendance at places of worship on Sunday, March 30, 1851, to assess religious affiliation and churchgoing patterns during a period of rapid industrial growth.

These records are to be found at the National Archives. These records are now digitised and online.

I have copied below the relevant information to be found within the Fishlake returns while key points are in bold. The three Chapels are given first because information about these religious establishments are rare, followed by the returns for St Cuthbert’s Church.

Name of place of worship Zion Chapel, parish of Fishlake, district Thorne Union, County of York. Religious denomination Methodist New Connexion. When erected before 1800. Whether a separate and entire building Yes. Whether used exclusively as a place of worship Yes. Space available for pubic workshop free sittings eighty. Other sittings 150. Estimated number of persons attending Divine Service on Sunday March 30 1851.

General congregation morning 30. Afternoon 85. Evening 60.

Sunday Scholars Morning 36. Afternoon 21. Evening none. 

Totals Morning 66. Afternoon 106. Evening 60.

Average numbers of attendants during 12 months.

General congregation. morning 28. Afternoon 90. Evening 60. Sunday Scholars Morning 34. Afternoon 30. Evening none. Totals Morning 63. Afternoon 120. Evening 60.

31 March 1851. Signature Charles Thorpe. Official Character, Steward. Address by post Charles Thorpe Fishlake.

This building used as the place of worship called Zion Chapel is still standing but converted to provide house.

 

Name of place of worship Wesleyan Chapel. Parish Fishlake, district Moorends, York.

Religious denomination Wesleyan, when erected 1841. Whether a separate and entire building Separate. 

Whether used exclusively as a place of worship Chapel also used as a Sunday School.

space available for public worship free sitting 40, other sittings 40. Estimated number of persons attending a divine Service on Sunday March 30 1851. General Congregation Morning no service. Afternoon 40. Evening no service.

Average Congregation 30. Sunday Scholars 15. Total 45.

4 April 1951.

Signature William Priestley. Official Character Trustee. Address by post William Priestley Thorne.

The location of this Wesleyan Chapel is unknown. Unlike the other two it is not mentioned on the 1851 6 inch OS map.

Name of place of worship, Primitive Methodist Chapel. Parish Fishlake, district Thorne, Yorkshire. Religious denomination Primitive Methodist Chapel. When erected 1838.

Whether used exclusively as a place of worship, used as a place of public worship expect for Sunday School. Space available for pubic worship number of sitting provided free sitting 50. Other sittings 50. Estimated number of persons attending a divine Service on Sunday March 30 1851. General Congregation Morning no service. Afternoon 62. Evening 40. Sunday Scholars Morning 30. Afternoon 30. No entry given for average attendance. 

Remarks.

The above statement is as correct as I am able to give.

30 March 1851.

Signature George Dale Official character Superintendent. Address by post Fishlake, Doncaster.

This Chapel is still standing but now used as chapel of rest. The photograph below taken in August 1973.

See my other article  Primitive Methodism in Fishlake and two Preacher in this collection.

 

The church of St Cuthbert’s.

Consecrated  before 1800.

How endowed.

Land £4.

No tithes.

Glebe £12.

Other permanent Endowment £216.

Space available for public worship.

Free settings 420.

Total setting 420.

Estimated number of Devine service on Sunday March 30 1851.

General Congratulation Sunday Scholars. Morning 100. Afternoon 60. Evening none.

Remarks.

No return can be made as to Sunday Scholars. The Sunday School was discontinued on the death of the late Vicar in April 1850. The living was vacant sometime and the present vicar has not been long in residence. The Sunday School is now about to be re- formed.

31 March 1851.

Signature George Ornsby.

Official character vicar. Address by post Fishlake Doncaster.

Rob Downing 1 September 2026.