20 Middle Row was formerly a Primitive Methodist Chapel, part of Kensal New Town, developed in the 1840-1859 by Mr Kinnard Jenkins on land between the Great Western Railway and the Grand Union Canal as cottages for men working on the canal, railway, gas works, and Kensal Green Cemetery on the other side of the canal. Kensal Road (then Albert Rd) was the north boundary of his land with West Row, East Row and South Row on the other three edges with Middle Row unsurprisingly going down the centre.
 
Many of the wives of these men worked in a laundry in the area which was often called a laundry colony or ‘Soapsuds Island'. As well as six pubs, the area also had this tiny Methodist Chapel built by Michael Puddefoot in 1852.
 
Although it had long ceased to be used as a chapel, the building appears to be unoccupied in my photograph, and could probably have been bought for a song. Now I think it is part of the premises of a film and TV production company and probably worth several millions.