John Wesley visited Leicester in 1753, and the Methodist Society subsequently formed after meeting on private premises in Highcross Street. It late moved to what was known as the "Old Barn" in Millstone Lane - a medieval building. This was provided for them by Mr. John Lewis whose portrait is now in the Minister's vestry. He, though a Presbyterian, was much interested in Wesley's teaching.
The Old Barn was a thatched room, without a ceiling, and the roof supported by wooden props. Small highly placed windows let in a little light in the day, but the place for evening service was lit by three tallow candles. The Old Barn was later pulled down and a brick building erected on its site capable of holding 100 people. That building is still in existence, but is now used for commercial purposes. It was the oldest Methodist Chapel in Leicester. When it became too small the Bishop Street site (then overlooking the cattle market) was purchased from Alderman William Bishop.
Town Hall Square was still the livestock market when the building was commenced in 1815. At first it was a simple box of brick and stone, with two wings to accommodate the entrances and stairs to the gallery, and was packed with boxes seating well over 1,000 people. Since then there have been many alterations. The extension behind the pulpit for organ and choir was made in 1848; the central door was made and new pews were installed in 1883; the ornate pulpit followed in 1894 and the arched ceiling came in 1919.
In 1894 considerable alterations were made, both as regards the seating accommodation, the erection of the rostrum, and the lowering of the choir gallery. Electric light was also installed. Bishop Street Chapel was the first place of worship in the City to install gas and later, electric light.
The central organ case was made by "Father Smith", organ builder to King Charles 2nd, though the screens at each side date from the enlargement of 1936.
The designer was an interesting figure: Rev'd Jenkins, architect and Methodist minister. The chapel is a beautiful example of classical nonconformity. The facade is dignified yet friendly; the arched windows prevent it from being cold and hard. The original was square (or 'foursquare' as the nonconformists often called their symmetrical chapels). At the front the two flanking sections are entrances to the gallery. Many of the interior fittings date from the late nineteenth century: rows of pews, a big central pulpit and the table and two chairs (a distinctly Methodist feature) within the communion rails.
In 1847 additional land was purchased in the rear, the Chapel extended, and under the Chapel schoolrooms were made, the schools having previously been held in Millstone Lane and Metcalfe Street. Less than thirty years afterwards, the adjacent 'school rooms' were erected which are now known as Pilgrim House.
