In a desperate effort to make a start on the new building and to pay for the loans on the land it was agreed to put up the old chapel for sale. The asking price in 1913 was £450 but by 1915 when a buyer was found this had dropped to £250. The chapel closed on 27th June and services moved to the Village Hall . A low point indeed for the few remaining members.
Throughout the war years services took place in the Village Hall and efforts were made to raise money but these were not very lucrative and rent had to be paid.
In 1920 it was discovered that an ex-army hut could be purchased for £100 and it would be capable of holding 250 people. The congregation voted 3 to 1 for a £400 scheme to erect one on the Sandhurst Street site and this was then done. The church opened on Saturday 22nd January 1921 and a 12-gallon copper provided tea for all afterwards. The picture shows the hut with Sandhurst Street School in the background.
By 1926 the Oadby Methodists had begun to recover from their misfortunes and a pastor, Pastor Argall , was appointed whose 'boundless enthusiasm and willingness to identify with the common man made him beloved by all.' Spirits rose, the congregation grew and enthusiasm was awakened for the building of a new, permanent chapel. It was hoped to build on the Sandhurst Street site but with the plans for the bypass this was not possible so a new site had to be purchased fronting the new road and this was completed in April 1929.
The Hill Street church in Leicester was to close and a letter promised Oadby trustees a sum of £2000 plus their pews, organ and central heating system. Good news indeed.





