Methodism has been part of village life since the late 18th century. In 1795, there were five members in the Society; John Richardson, Benjamin Warren, Hannah and Sarah Warren and Jemima Clark. Meetings in those days would have been held in one of the members homes. A Joseph Smith rented a farm, in the centre of the village from the Duke of Grafton and it was in one of his farm buildings that those early Methodists met for worship. In 1815, a certificate mentions the 'dwelling house of Isaac Robbins' as a place where worship took place.
On 14 June 1814, Joseph Cleaver and Bennett Kemp from Greens Norton, George Amos from Silverstone, Robert Cockerill, Thomas Ward and William Timms from Hartwell bought the land on which the chapel stands with the intention of building a chapel. The first chapel had a gallery at one end, which was used by the choir and the 'orchestra' - bass violin, fiddles, clarinet etc. At the other end stood the pulpit, a large construction that, according to one member 'stood high and dry'.
Hartwell Methodist Chapel was registered as a place of worship on 8th March 1854 and as a charity on 22nd December 1881. Although membership at that time rarely rose about 25, Joseph Smith and Thomas Foddy walked to Greens Norton for a Circuit Meeting to ask permission to demolish the old chapel and build a new one.
Somehow, the money was raised and the chapel built and it was opened on 18th November 1889. In 1894, a schoolroom was added to cope with the needs of the children who came to Sunday School.
Throughout the 20th century, further changes took place. Electricity was installed in 1934 and toilets added in 1951. In 1976, much refurbishment took place and the old pews were removed and replaced by chairs.
Sadly, over the last few years the congregation has declined and the Chapel was forced to close at Christmas 2003.