Few changes occurred to the building over the next 70 years, apart from the installation of some much needed heating in the 1950‘s. However, when the expected expansion of Crawley did not increase the congregation, it became apparent that its use as a Chapel was no longer needed, and it was decided to sell the building. The reason given in the closure application dated June 1969 was that "... the members have lost heart and vision..." The official closure date was set for the 1st July 1969 and in September a letter from a solicitor advised of the exchange of contracts for the sale to a local company of the ‘Former Methodist Chapel at Crawley Down’. It was then that some alterations to the building took place and a brick wall was built around the old Chapel, concealing the exterior. In 1999 the Chapel once again changed hands. The brick wall was demolished, revealing the Chapel once again. The gabled porch was removed, the brick facade colour rendered and an additional gable and large dormer window were added over the old schoolroom. The old Chapel which was built to save souls and under the strict morals of Victorian Methodism of not consuming alcohol or having boxing or dancing on the premises, has been given a new lease of life in the market economy of the twenty-first century. .

By kind permission of Valerie King & Ann Read
Extract from their book Crawley Down - “A brief history”