A History of
Trinity Methodist Church,
Tonge Fold,
Bolton
(1811-2004)
CONTENTS: (Click on appropriate item)
In 1986 Mr W Glyn Jones (a member at
Trinity) wrote, compiled and produced an excellent publication about the history of
Trinity in time for the centenary year of 1987.
This volume is now out of print and Glyn has consented to his work being reproduced on this website including some photographs that were not able to be included in the book. An attempt also has been made to continue the story of Trinity and bring it up to date.
The Minister at Trinity in the centenary year was Rev Brian R. Jones and this reproduction should begin with the Foreword written by him followed by Acknowledgements and Preface.
Foreword
Dear Friends,
It is a great privilege to be able to share my thoughts with you at this time of Centenary celebrations, to be able to look back in wonder and awe at all that lies behind, and look forward with the confidence of faith to whatever lies in the future.
As you read this book and possibly share in the celebrations this coming year, I hope you can discern the finger of God at work in these past 100 years. I hope you can catch a glimpse of the faith of our forefathers who held high the flame of faith not just here at Trinity but in our sister churches as well, who share in this witness but are no longer here. Above all, I pray that you will catch the sense of dedication without which there would not have been a church here for the past 100 years, and without which there will not be a church here in another 100 years.
Will you come and share in the dedication of the past, and dedicate yourself to the future, that the next 100 years may be years for God in this place of worship we call Trinity?
May God be very real to you as you read this book of witness.
God bless you all,
BRIAN R. JONES
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
In the process of
compiling information for this history of Methodism in Tonge Fold I have received
considerable help and encouragement from many people. When the project was first
discussed, Mrs. Anthea Purdy, Mr. Peter Disley and Mr. Brian Ogden were appointed as an
advisory sub-committee to consider the plans for publication. I am indebted to them for
their observations at various stages. Mr. Derek Setford has produced the splendid cover
design.
In 1972 the Rev.
Donald Smethurst arranged for all Bolton Circuit books and documents of historical
interest to be collected and deposited in the Bolton Library Archives. Mr. Kevin Campbell,
the Bolton archivist, has meticulously documented this treasure-trove of local Methodist
history. I am indebted to Mr. Campbell, and to Mr. K. Bell and other members of the Bolton
Reference Library staff for their assistance during my many visits. I am also grateful to
the Rev. Bryan H. Baker, Supt. Minister of the Bolton Circuit for his assistance in making
available documents still in the Circuit safe.
Entering the
Methodist Archives in the John Rylands Library in Manchester was like entering an
Aladdin's cave of Methodist history, and the staff there were most helpful. In the span of
a hundred years many secretaries have written many thousands of words in many minute
books. I particularly appreciated those with legible handwriting! The monthly Trinity News
Letter has been a useful source of information for happenings since 1970. Thank you,
editors Peter Disley, Susan Waddington, Gordon Keir, Brian Ogden, Paul Roberts, and
typists Barbara Tyldsley, Audrey Price, Janet Rigby and Jean Leach. The Bolton Chronicle,
the Bolton Evening News and the Bolton Journal have also been valuable sources. I am
equally grateful to those who have shared with me their memories of the past. Of course
money had to be found to finance the publication. Thank you to the generous donors, and
all those who have generously contributed to the various Centenary appeals. I have also
appreciated the continuous encouragement and limitless patience of my wife. Thank you to all those Ministers, and Methodists
of Trinity, whose work make the substance of this story.
W.G.Jones
PREFACE
Manchester Wesley Conference
29th July 1887
“Endeavour, brethren, to understand your church, and let her have your hearty, loyal love. Read her history, note particularly her origin, spirit and work, seeking her peace and prosperity. Let her reputation be ever safe in your keeping, and enter into her work as you may be able.”
JOHN WALTON, M.A.
President
ROOTS
The area known as
Tonge Fold originally comprised the two hamlets of Tonge Fold and Tumbling Fold, the
latter being about half a mile to the east of the original Tonge Fold. A Local Preachers
Plan of 1811 refers to services being held in Tumbling Fold once a fortnight at six
o'clock on Sunday evenings.
Little is known of
Methodist activity in the area for the next forty years. However, a plan of Wesleyan
Prayer Meetings dated 1831 notes a group of fifty-four Prayer Leaders who conducted prayer
meetings throughout the circuit. One of these was a Richard Baddows of 2 Tonge Fold.
In 1847 a
band of workers from Ridgway Gates and Bridge St., Chapel held visitations in the
locality. It was after these visits that services were held in the cottages of a William
Nuttall and John Haslam. Later the Sunday School was held in the parlour of the 'Dog and
Kennel', an Inn which was the centre of many of the community's activities. Meetings
subsequently lapsed and it was not until several years later that enthusiasm was revived
by a mission from Wesley Chapel, Bradshawgate, (later known as King's Hall). Following
this mission, premises in Longworth Street were rented from a Mr. James Longworth, (better known
to locals as 'Jimmy Lop'.) These premises consisted of two old cottages with the dividing
wall knocked down. During the week the room was used as a day school for children up to
seven years old. These premises were first used in 1858 and the first Sunday School Supt.
was Thomas Pollitt, often referred to as the 'Old General'.
More light
is thrown on those early days in a letter written in 1908 by a William Foster of
Barrow-in-Furness, who was ninety years old at the time of writing. He referred to the
Sunday School and Mr. Pollitt, then continued:- "A number of men were appointed to attend
regularly. One of the set of prayer leaders was appointed to assist in the teaching, I
being one of the number. Though in my ninetieth year I am still young at heart and deeply
interested in the things of God."
On 20th May 1867
there took place a meeting which first discussed the building of a school-chapel on the
site where Trinity now stands. The Rev. Peter McCowan was in the chair, and the following
Trustees were appointed: Thomas Walker, Charles L. Jackson, Joseph Reyno1ds Wood, Mark
Snell, William Broad1ey, Edward Walker, Charles Heaton, James Walker, Thomas Pollitt, David
Brown, George Rathbone, Edward Ward, Isaac C1eworth, Jesse Pollitt, William Coop Junior.
When they met again on 4th March 1868 they laid down the following terms of payment for
work to be done under contract for the building:
£125 to be paid
when the building is half way up.
£125 to be paid
when the principal beams are on.
£125 to be paid
when the roof is completed and floor joist laid.
The remainder to be paid when all is
completed to the satisfaction of the building committee.
The chapel was a
one-storey building with pews in the centre, classes being formed down each side.
Class-rooms for young men, women and infants were placed at the rear of the building. The
pew rent for the first five rows was one shilling per seat, the next row one shilling and
three pence, the back seats one shilling and sixpence per quarter, rents payable in
advance. The Sunday School paid a rent of £15 p.a. The first chapel keeper was James
Valentine, who was paid £7 p.a., wages to be paid quarterly. In September of the
following year he was replaced by Thomas Nuttall, the wage being increased to £8 p.a.
Apparently a succession of chapel keepers did not relish the prospect of long-term
employment in that capacity, and steps were taken to lighten their duties. On 30th July
1870 it was resolved that 'A small gate be placed in the fence on the south side of the
ground opening into Bury Road for the convenience of the chapel keeper in bringing water
from the well'.
In spite of many
set-backs in the early years, the Trustees were intent on planning for future growth of
the society. In March 1876 they passed a resolution to "Purchase what amount of land
is needed for the erection of a new Sabbath School." Negotiations were arranged with
Major Starkie.
THE ABBEY,
WHALLEY, 1ST MARCH, 1876.
Dear Sir,
I have received your letter, intimating your wish to take an additional plot of land on the Bury
New Road side in Tonge, for the purpose of enlarging the Wesleyan Chapel, bounding that
and the Tumbling Fold Road, and I write to ask
how many yards of additional frontage you are anticipating taking, from the corner of your present plot on the Bury New Road. I
take it that you want a slice across the
land from one road to the other. If you will kindly furnish me with this
information, I will go over to Bolton and look into the plans in reference to the Road etc.
In your former lease Mr. Starkie reserves the power
to get the Coal under the plot, either by himself or his lessees, without being deemed
a trespasser, and I suppose you would not object to similar terms, providing he agrees to let you
an additional plot, or would you prefer
to buy as much coal as would ensure the
present and future buildings from injury.
I remain,
Yours
truly,
Thos. Hopwood.
Thos. Walker,
Esq.,
Clarendon Terrace,
Bolton-le-Moors.
...............................................................................................................................................................
THE ABBEY, WHALLEY,
24th March, 1876.
Dear Sir,
Major Starkie will
not let the land you apply for adjoining your present Chapel, unless you will take it with
the risk of his Lessees getting the coal from under it when they approach it in their
ordinary course of working, so that it is no use me giving you the price of the quantity
you ask for, until you inform me that you will accept it on these terms.
I remain,
Yours
truly,
Thomas Hopwood.
Thos. Walker,
Esq.,
Clarendon Terrace,
Bolton-le-Moors.
.............................................................................................................................................................
THE ABBEY,
WHALLEY,
5TH APRIL, 1876.
Dear Sir,
I have your letter
this morning defining the quantity (250 yards) of additional land that you require
adjoining your present Chapel at Tonge Fold, and undertaking to run all risks that the
buildings intended to be erected thereon, may sustain through the coal being hereafter
gotten from under the same.
After I have had an
opportunity of laying your letter before Major Starkie, I will give you a decisive answer
to your application.
I remain,
Yours truly,
Thos. Hopwood.
..............................................................................................................................................................
Further negotiations ensued, and at a Trustees' meeting held in December 1876, Mr. C. Brigg, solicitor acting for the Trustees, informed them that Major Starkie had agreed to modify the lease, by inserting a clause to the effect that no entry should be made upon the surface to get the coal under the site of the chapel. There were to be ten more years before the building we now know as Trinity began to take shape.
On 21st
February 1885 a committee was appointed to 'Confer and take into account schemes for the
new premises.' Twelve months later a Trustees' Meeting was called to review the plans and
consider several estimates. The General Committee agreed to a grant of £2,900 if, in addition to the £500
already promised, the Tonge Fold Society could raise another £500. To raise one thousand
pounds in a Society such as Tonge Fold was no mean task. Nevertheless the financial
challenge was met, and it was agreed that the stone-laying ceremony would be on Saturday
1st May 1886. Messrs Pearson and Seddon were appointed to purchase the trowels. Messrs J Joseph Brickhill, Charles L. J Jackson, Thomas T. Pearson, and
Thomas Walker were invited to lay the foundation stones. It was also agreed that there
would be a tea in the Silverwell Lane School, and a meeting in the school under Wesley
Chapel. In fact the ceremony of the laying of the memorial stones took place on Saturday
15th May. In it's issue of that day the Bolton Weekly Journal announced the events to be
held in the week ahead:
“Today the memorial stones of the new Wesleyan Chapel and School, Bury Road, Tonge Fold, will be laid: Hamilton's Exhibition continues the attraction at the Temperance Hall: at the Theatre, 'The Unknown' has a farewell performance, followed next week by 'A Mother's Sin'.”
The mother
of two of our members, (Mrs. Evelyn Lee and Miss Elsie Coop) [n.b.
both now deceased] was present at the tea held in
Silverwell Lane. They still possess her admission ticket.
The following is a
description of the envisaged new chapel and school.
"The
architecture will be in the Italian style, freely treated. The principal front of the
chapel facing Bury New Road will be seen coming from Bolton, and will consist of a central
portion slightly projecting, with a stone pediment, flanked on each side of the staircase,
the whole being executed in patent pressed red brick, relieved with Yorkshire stone. The
front main entrance door will have panelled stone pilasters with carved caps and moulded
bases, archivolt with carved key to the arch. The sides of the chapel and school to the
Bury New Road and Old Road, will be executed in patent-pressed red brick, relieved with
stone dressings. The floors of the chapel and school will be raised considerably above the
roads, thereby adding to the effect. The chapel will be 52 feet by 40 feet wide, and will
contain a central porch, with vestibules and staircases to the gallery over on each side
in the front. The accommodation for 420 worshippers will be distributed in the body of the
chapel and in the gallery over the front porch and vestibules. The woodwork throughout is
to be executed in the best selected pitch pine, varnished. A rostrum executed in figured
pitched pine will be provided, this being within the Communion area. The ceiling of the
chapel will be executed in plaster, boldly panelled with enriched mouldings, the window
heads being finished with plaster imposts and archivolts. The school will be placed
directly behind the chapel and at the end next to Bury New Road. On the ground floor there
is to be a minister's vestry, communicating by a corridor directly with the chapel and
having a minister's entrance from Bury New Road. A lavatory and other accommodations will
be placed conveniently. Next to the minister's vestry will be a large band-room, having
doors into both chapel and school. The school will measure 41 feet by 30 feet and will
have separate entrances from the yard for boys and girls. At the end of the school near
the old road there will be three classrooms, having glazed screens towards the school, and
placed so as to be clearly seen from the Superintendent's platform. Two classrooms are to
be placed above the minister's vestry and band-room at the Bury New Road end, and two
others above the three class-rooms at the Old Road end. In front of these at each end of
the school, galleries are to be placed, three seats deep, for the scholars from these
rooms to assemble during the addresses. The galleries are to be approached by staircases
direct from the school. The whole of the
building will be well lighted and have fresh air inlet flues, the chapel and school having
foul air extractors in the ceilings. The out-side walls throughout are to built with
cavities."
Contractor: R. W. Kenyon
Sub-contractors
Bricklayer James Flitcroft
Stone-masons Messrs. Gregson and
Smith
Slaters Messrs. Hill and
Nelson
Plumber-Glazier Mr. Isaac Jones
Plasterer-Painter Mr. H. Critchley
Carpentry-Joinery Mr. Kenyon
Architects
Messrs Woodhouse and Morley
The
year 1887 was quite an eventful one for Boltonians. In April of that year a statue of
Disraeli was erected in Chorley New Road Park. In June there were festivities to celebrate
Victoria's Jubilee. Some Boltonians however had little to celebrate. Workmen in the Bolton
Iron Trades, dissatisfied with their wages and long hours, decide to strike. On 30th May
the Watch Committee requested the assistance of two hundred County Police. There was
serious rioting and smashing of windows at the Kay Street works. A hundred and thirty
soldiers from Manchester were brought in to clear the streets, and were billeted in the
town. The Mayor issued a proclamation regretting the scenes of lawlessness. Magistrates
closed the public houses at six o'clock in the evenings. After serious night-time rioting
in Kay Street the crowd was
Meanwhile at
Tonge Fold preparations were being made for the opening of a new chapel. The old '68
building had been demolished and while the new chapel was being constructed, the society
had returned to its original Longworth Street premises. When the new building was
completed it was given a new name. From henceforth Methodists of Tonge Fold would worship
at their Trinity Wesleyan Chapel. A second exodus from Longworth Street was about to
begin. At a meeting held on 20th May 1887 the following gentlemen were appointed
Trustees:- T. Walker, T. T. Pearson, Charles Jackson, John Seddon, Robert Fogg, Samuel
Boustead, Alex Menzies, T. Twisse, J. Taylor, J. Pollitt, M. Snell, T. Spencer, N.
Broadley, Abel Mitchell, Ed. Walker, A. Staveley, N. Walker, I. Frodsham, Nathan Ramsden,
G. E. Greenhalgh, W. Mitchell, T. Brown, G. Cleworth.
The new premises
were opened on Saturday 16th July 1887. The Rev. Charles Garnett of Liverpool preached the
Sermon, and this was followed by a tea and public meeting. The Rev. Thomas Chope, Chairman
of the District, conducted the morning service on the Sunday. The Children's Service in
the afternoon was taken by the Rev. J. D. Brash, and the Rev. J. H. Pope of Manchester
preached in the evening.
Nevertheless all
was not smooth sailing and there were intermittent squalls. In Oct 1891 the Sunday School
Committee resolved that "The Trustees have their attention called to the fact that
young children are accustomed to come to chapel without a parent or any person in charge
to look after them, and are in the habit of creating a disturbance much to the annoyance
of preacher and congregation."
Trinity Trustees
were not unaware of their responsibilities. Entertainments, which included the faintest
hint of gambling, were not allowed. They granted the Young Men's Improvement Class use of
the school for a concert on condition that the programme was first submitted to the
Concert Committee. Indeed, after one of their concerts the Trinity Wesleyan Cricket Club
Committee were given a stern reprimand. On 3rd April 1897 it was resolved that "The
Secretary write a letter to the Secretary of the Cricket Club Committee expressing our
desire that they should be more careful in the conduct of entertainment, and to keep clear
of public house assistance." Relationship between the Cricket Club and the Trustees
continued to be somewhat strained during this period. It was customary at this time to
make a charge for use of the piano at social functions. For those connected with the
church the charge was one shilling and sixpence. For 'outsiders' the charge was five
shillings. At the time of the formation of the club the membership was strictly limited to
church members. By this time there was a less rigorous application of this rule, and the
matter was heatedly debated at a Trustees' Meeting held on 12th November, 1902. A letter
was read from the Cricket Club protesting against unfair charge for the use of the piano.
A motion was subsequently carried that the Trinity Wes1eyan C.C. be not regarded as
connected with the Sunday School organisation. It was then moved by Mr. H. Roy1e and
seconded by Mr. T. Ramsden that this Committee offer the Cricket Club the sum of five
shillings, as a gesture that we are not antagonistic towards them as a cricket club. The
above offer was on the understanding that it shall be returned as a fee for the use of the
piano. This was carried unanimously.
Bowling Club circa 1920
The men of the
church also laid a bowling green under the supervision of a professional cricketer called
Si1cock. They built a hut and had seats and flower beds around the borders. Although the
green was not full size it did, in the words of one member, "Afford much pleasure to
players and spectators alike, all without gambling." This had to be given up when the
Primary extension was built.
There were those in
the Sunday School movement who thought that more emphasis should be placed upon the
'improving' recreations, and less emphasis on 'social' recreations. An issue of the Bolton
Journal in 1903 carries a report of an exhibition of work organised by the Sunday School
Union. It quotes from an opening address given by a Mr. J. Boy1e, JP. "The increasing
leisure of young folk nowadays did not help Sunday School work. Much was being done to
attract the attention of young folk, and the excitement and pleasure which amusements
afforded had led to the Sunday School seeming slow and dull." He went on to say that
this led to the formation of Church Social Clubs, but in his opinion these spent a
dis-proportionate amount of time on "mere past-times, games, and like
amusements." He welcomed the Eisteddfod movement as an attempt to re-dress the
balance. Trinity choir must have entered the Eisteddfod referred to. A Trustees meeting of
26th October 1903 recommended that the cost of music incurred by the choir in connection
with the Sunday School Union Eisteddfod be defrayed by the Committee. Seventy years later
the movement was still going strong, and the Trinity News Letter of November 1973,
includes the following:
“We are
pleased to record the following Eisteddfod successes:
Kathryn Ogden
1st in Jam Tarts
Sharon Hunt
3rd in Handwriting
Renee Ogden
1st in Tea-Cakes
Eirlys Setford
1st in Swiss Rolls
Gospel Folk
1st in Folk Singing”
I suspect that
those Eisteddfod choristers included a fair proportion of members who were equally
skilled in the making of jam tarts, tea-cakes and Swiss rolls. No doubt these skills would
be amply displayed when preparing for the annual choir picnics. The Journal of 27th May
1904 includes a fascinating report of one such picnic.
"The choir,
with a few friends, had their picnic on Whit-Friday, Windermere being the rendezvous.
After climbing arrest Hill, the party breakfasted prior to sailing to Ambleside, where
wagonettes were waiting to convey them to Coniston. On arrival, various places of interest
were visited, and on the invitation of the vicar, a special service was held in the Parish
Church, at which the choir sang good, old-fashioned hymn tunes.
On leaving Coniston, rain began to descend, but it failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the party, who arrived at Bolton having thoroughly enjoyed the outing."
It would be
interesting to know the names of the 'good old-fashioned hymns’, which they sounded
forth at Coniston. Both choristers and congregations at Trinity have been continuously
conservative in their choice of hymns over the years. At an Annual Trustees Meeting in
1912 the following resolution was carried:
"Mr. J. H.
Cleworth be thanked for his past services as choirmaster and deputy organist, and be
appointed at the usual honorarium. Also that he be specially thanked for the old
Methodist tunes we have had during the past weeks. The Trustees hope that in the future,
tunes such as the congregation can join in be chosen as far as possible." In more
recent times a similar sentiment has been echoed by a chapel steward renowned for his out
spoken comments. On hearing an unfamiliar hymn tune he would approach the organist with
"Where didst tha getten that tune from. Didst getten it from rentbook?"
Organ recital
was given on the new organ by Arthur E. Jones, F.RCO., Organist and Choirmaster of the
Parish Church, Farnworth. Mr. J. Makin became the appointed organist, sharing the duty
with Mr. J. H. Cleworth. The Trustees now felt that the appointment should be put on a
business-like footing.
On 5th February
1898 they resolved that "An honorarium of £3 per annum be paid to the organist, with
a notice of three months on either side, and that the blower be paid £1 per annum."
Dare to be a
Daniel
Dare to stand
alone
Dare to have
a purpose firm
Dare to make
it known.
Equally well
remembered will be
A greater
delight life will never bring
Than the
touch of my lips on a crystalline spring.
The first ten
years of the new century were certainly years of growth.
In addition to the Band of Hope there was the formation of a Wesley Guild Meeting
in January 1904. Its programmes of
Devotional, Musical, Literary and Social activities were planned to strike a balance
between 'improving' and 'recreational' activities. Two years later the Sunshine Band was
formed, the first Secretary being Mrs. Alice Ingham.
Its aim was to bring a little sunshine into the lives of people who were ill.
Flowers are arranged in the church and afterwards taken out to homes or hospitals. Parcels
of fruit are also taken out after Harvest Festivals. While the Band of Hope and Wesley
Guild have ceased to meet, the Sunshine Band still does a wonderful work. Its present
Secretary is Mrs. Renee Ogden, who succeeded Mrs. Dorothy Robinson when Dorothy left the
district in 1977.
The first decade of
the century must have been a very active period, with enthusiasm reaching its peak in
1908. I have referred earlier to the cottage meetings in 1858. Now fifty years later those
early meetings were celebrated. The precise form that the celebrations would take appears
to have been the subject of some debate. A minute of the Leaders' Meeting held in March
1908 records that on the motion of Mr. W. R. Bate, seconded by Mr. James Haslam, the
following resolution was passed unanimously. "That we intimate to the Trustees that
we approve of the Jubilee of the Church being celebrated, but at this stage do not commit
ourselves to support any specific proposals." The matter must have been eventually
resolved, for the Methodist Times of 30 July 1908 reported on 'Fifty Years of Work and
Progress'.
"For months past the friends of Trinity Chapel, Tonge Fold, in the Wesley Circuit, have looked forward to their Jubilee celebrations, which took place on Saturday and Sunday last amid much thankfulness and rejoicing, mingled with pensive memories for the older folk. A stormy afternoon somewhat reduced the numbers and shortened the route of the re-union procession, which was headed by Revs. Doddrell, Floyd and Mitton, followed by the Victoria Hall brass band and a beautiful new Sunday School banner. This was ,followed by a brave company of friends, from little girls carrying baskets of flowers to old men and women from near and far. Then came the re-union tea in the school-room with three 'sittings down'. At 6.30 began the great Thanksgiving Meeting in the newly renovated church. For nearly three hours we lived in the past or rejoiced in the present, or assured our hearts through grace for the years to come." Rev C. H. Floyd, as pastor, gave some facts about the Church life at Trinity. The average membership per year in the five decades had been 36, 35, 39, 85 and 107. There were now 420 Sunday School scholars, 100 in the Band of Hope, 130 in the Wesley Guild.
After referring to
some events, which I have previously recorded from other sources, Mr. Ramsden wrote:
"This will not
be complete without mentioning the names of some of those who worked valiantly for the
good of Trinity, though it is inevitable that some of them would be omitted, whoever took
on the task. Choirmasters J. H. Cleworth and Mr. John Scowcroft gave yeoman service, as did Messrs.
Rathbone, Walker, Welsh, Knowles and Thomas Thorpe Pearson. Mr. Pearson was a man of means
with the will to use it for the good of the church. It delighted him as the young men's
teacher if they showed signs of improving themselves or becoming local preachers, but only
a few took up that work. Among those were Rev. John Pollitt, Rev. Samuel Fogg, and Mr.
Darius Bradley, who emigrated to New Zealand.
There was also Mr.
Tom Halstead who had the honour of being a Mayor of Bolton, and whose photograph with his
chain of office, along with Mrs. Halstead, hangs in the church parlour. Mr. Wilfred
Ramsden has shown his ability on occasions when the preacher appointed failed to turn up,
and he is also a versatile choir-master. Among other workers rise the names of Mr. George
Constantine, who was an ideal teacher of boys, the brothers Fogg (Robert, Peter, Richard
and Samuel) and their sisters too, especially Mrs. J. A. Haslam: then there was Mrs.
Haslam, father of J. R. Haslam, and a Mr. A. Menzies, a devoted servant who became a
Sunday School Superintendent. Mr. Thomas Makin could be relied upon for getting donations
from the 'gentlemen' of the district for the 'Sermons' and his two sons were James the
choirmaster and John the organist. Mr. Thomas Nuttall was the first of the young men to
teach the men's class in the old school-chapel, but after Mr. Nuttall was no longer
available we for many years relied on such as Messrs. T. T. Pearson, Seddon, Garnett and
others. As regards the Superintendents, I think we were indebted to Mr. William Leigh
for a start in getting our own men to take the responsibility, he being co-super with Mr.
James Haslam. Then after the death of Mr. Samuel Boustead the post has been filled
continuously by the young men of the Sunday School. I recall the names of Ernest Boustead,
W. R. Bate, John Ingham, John Partington, Harold Edge and Herbert Royle. The most recent
have been Mr. Albert Royle, (a most versatile young man), Edward Ramsden, and Charles
Orton. I must not forget
the late Mr. T. Townley Ramsden, my own cousin, who often used his concertina to lead the
singing in the small meetings and I must not forget the Buckley family. Mr. Robert Buckley
helped form a Mutual Improvement Class with Mr. Pears on as President, which led to many
good debates. Mr. Robert Buckley Junior became an active worker after the 1914-8 war but
had the misfortune to lose an arm there-in. Mrs. Buckley and her daughter also did
valuable work. Mr. Evan Halstead, who on his appointment as the Weights and Measures Supt.
for Bolton and District removed from Bury to settle among us, also gave good service. Mrs.
Halstead reached the ripe old age of 90. The ladies of the Church and Sunday School have
always been an asset, especially with their busy fingers in sewing and in preparing for
tea meetings. They helped to cause the debt
on the
building to vanish. That is not to belittle the efforts of mere males. It has been a case
of team work all through.
In winding up this
feeble attempt to do justice to my subject I will refer to Mr. Joseph Edge and Mr. William
Potter for their faithful service. But when particular names are mentioned it isn't
altogether satisfactory. The fore-going has been written in no partisan spirit, but in the
name of God, to do justice to all. Even the Four Gospels narrative could not do justice to
all the workers for our Lord and Master. The major part of this was started in the year
1920, after the said Guild Meeting. I hope it will be accepted in the spirit it is given,
only wishing I could have done it better."
T. Ramsden.
I am now fortunate
enough to be able to refer to an eye witness account of many of the events which happened
at Trinity from the beginning of the century to the point we have now reached in our
story. On the occasion of Mrs. Hilda Ramsden's 90th birthday, I accompanied Renee
Ogden when she took her some flowers on behalf of the Sunshine Band.
Hilda's maiden name
was Makin, and she attended Trinity until her marriage, when she transferred to
neighbouring Castle Hill
"I want to
tell you about the Fogg family. My mother was one of eight in the Fogg family. Her eldest
brother was a Supt. Methodist Minister. When he was young he used to go about Tonge Fold
cleaning clogs and doing errands so that he could get his first bible. It was through the
Walker family that he got to Didsbury College and he was at Didsbury with the Rev. Samuel
Chadwick. The Rev. Samuel Fogg married a Jersey lady-my Aunt Molly and they had four
beautiful daughters. My parents went to that weaving shed in Longworth St. I can remember
my father as choirmaster. We had an organ in the kitchen and a piano in the sitting room. He used to have the little singers at 6.30
every Tuesday night and the choir from 7.30
to 8.30 in our house. My Uncle John was the organist. In my time Mr. Ernest Boustead was
Supt. of the Sunday School, then Mr. Bates.
On Monday night
there was a Band of Hope. We used to say:
There's a little
public house that I must close.
And that's the
little public house that lies below my nose.
On Sermons Days we
used to have open house and had lots of visitors. I remember round about 1900 Mr. &
Mrs. Menzies came regularly and stayed to tea. They gave everyone of the little singers an
orange after service. Lily Seddon was our teacher in Sunday School and when her sister
Alice came home from College she would teach us too.
Now I'll tell you when I was
converted. We had a Minister called Rev. Lorne Cornish and we used to meet sometimes with
the older people. I can see some of them now singing with their eyes closed. I used to
look at them and say, "They've got something and what they've got I want too, and I hope I've got it."
Trinity used to
have a good cricket team and their ground was in front of Longworth Street. They used to
call it the crease. There was good old Banny Coucill, who used to play for Darcy Lever, stylish John
Partington, who was Sunday School
Superintendent, and stumper Bob Nuttall who was
the caretaker. We used to shout at the
bowlers when they were over baiting (no balling).
One of the
Ministers I remember was Mr. Fielding. He used to call at our house on his bicycle before
preaching at morning service. My mother would give him a glass of milk and he would put it
on the hob and say to my father "James, I got my feet witchered this morning!"
Hilda Makin
(Ramsden) died in March 1986 at the age of 92.
Billy Booth, who has been attending Trinity
since 1911, was christened by Mr. Fielding. Incidentally, one of Billy's early
Sunday School recollections was of Ada Grundy being one of the teachers. Ada still attends
when her health is good enough. He recalls that Sunday School Attendance prizes in those
days were well earned.
In conversation
he told me:
"We used to
open with a hymn and a prayer. I remember singing Hymn No. 594 in the old King George V
edition to the tune of the Lorelei:
Far out on the
desolate billows
The sailor sails
the sea,
Alone with the
night and the tempest
Where countless
dangers be.
Not the sort of
hymn we would have in our new hymn book. Then the Supt. would tell us a topical happening
and we would go for a twenty-minute lesson. After a closing hymn and prayer we would go to
the chapel at 10.30. Some of the preachers preached very long sermons. A lot of the pews
had little brass rectangles with tickets pushed inside showing the names of families who
rented the pews. If you went into one of them you got a few black looks. After service we
went back into school and met two fellows Fred Berry and Ted Ramsden. They used to give us
Star Cards. To qualify for a star you had to go to morning school, morning chapel and
afternoon school. At the end of the year you had a book prize if you had enough stars. We
also used to have Scripture exams and our teacher was Mrs. Gladwin. I got a book prize
called the Age of Machinery. That was about 1917 and Trinity won the Circuit Scripture
Shield."[n.b. Bill Booth died in 1998]
Many of the men
associated with Trinity at that time were caught up in the tragedy of war. The Jubilee
Souvenir compiled in 1937 by Thomas Holt and Andrew Jardine refers to this:
"Trinity was intimately and tragically associated with the events of the terrible
years 1914 to 1918, when upwards of 120 men in the pride of manhood went to engage in
the conflict. To these, including the 16 who paid the price of heroic service with their
lives, a beautiful bronze memorial tablet was placed in the church. This was unveiled on
Sunday 25th March 1923 by Lt. Col. W. E. Walker, and dedicated by the Rev. W. T. Baker, an
address being given by the Rev. W. Lorne Cornish."
ROBERT T. LOMAX
FRED TAYLOR
DAVID
SHARPLES
WILLIAM POTTER
PERCY
COOP
SAM LEACH
CHARLES G. CHARNLEY WALTER LOMAX
ALBERT
DAVIES
HERBERT LOMAX
ALBERT
BARLOW
WILLIAM BARLOW
ALBERT STONES JOHN HOTHERSALL SQUIRE GUFFOGG WILLIAM STONES
ALBERT WADDINGTON FRED COLLIER JOHN WILLIAMS HERBERT OLERTON
WILLIAM NIGHTINGALE
ARTHUR HASLAM
ROBERT SCOWCROFT
ELLIS
ENTWISTLE
LLEWELLYN JONES
JAMES
MASON
JOSEPH
LEACH
JOHN BARLOW
ALFRED SHARPLES
GILBERT
WADDINGTON
WILLIAM STONES
WILLIAM ASHWORTH
CECIL
HASLAM
FRANK G. HASLAM NORMAN HAMER WILLIAM HURST ROBERT HASLAM, M.B.
ARTHUR BUTTERWORTH
JAMES TURNER JOHN WM. HASLAM ALFRED IKIN ALBERT LOMAX
EDWARD LEACH ROBERT URMSTON FRED LOMAX JOHN WM. TAYLOR
WALTER
WADDINGTON WILLIAM COLLIER
WILLIAM MARSH
FRED
WADDINGTON
JOSEPH COLLIER WILFRED T. HASLAM TOM CARTER WILLIAM HASLAM
DANIEL DAVIES
HAROLD
WADDINGTON
WILFRED BOOTH
JAMES WADDINGTON ROBERT BUCKLEY
JAMES RIDDEL
ROBERT BURY ALBERT KING ARTHUR CARTER HERBERT BURY
JOSEPH A. E. ENTWISTLE
NORMAN A. RAMSDEN JAMES ALBERT WARD JACK MOSS WILLIAM SMITH
PERCY TAYLOR
JAMES
CUNNINGHAM
HARRY KIRKPATRICK
SAMUEL RAMSDEN
WM. D. SHARPLES
THOMAS RAMSDEN
ALBERT
ADAMS
JAMES DICKINSON ERNEST
PARKINSON
LEVI FLETCHER
ARNOLD RAMSDEN
GEORGE
TURNER
HAROLD BUTTERWORTH PETER
KIRKMAN THOMAS
URMSTON
JOHN
E. CARTER
THOMAS H. LOWE
ROBERT WALMSLEY
HARRY DAVIES
A vast iincrease in the number of activities now carried on in the church led to a growing awareness of the limitations of the 1887 building. In 1921 an 'Envelope Scheme' was introduced and over the years substantial sums of money were raised from bazaars and other functions. This money was invested in a Building Fund. By 1927 a thousand pounds had been accumulated. Members of the church lent over six hundred pounds free of interest, and the General Chapel Committee made a grant of one hundred and twenty pounds. With the financial position secure, Messrs. Potts, Hemmings and Topping were commissioned to produce extension plans for a new Primary Dept. It was anticipated that the foundation stones would be laid in the summer of 1928. Weather-wise the choice of date was fortuitous. At the beginning of July more than ten thousand people had gathered on the Town Hall Square for the unveiling of the War Memorial and nearly two hundred people standing in the packed crowd collapsed in the heat. Fortunately the good weather lasted until Sat. 21st July when there took place the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for the new Primary Dept. at Trinity.
Foundation stones were laid by
Messrs. J. A. Haslam, S. A. Boustead, J. Ingam, F. Ikin, J. Haslam (High Bank), J. Miles,
T. Ramsden, Wilfred Ramsden, James Haslam, John Makin, R. Atherton and Mrs. J. Lomax, Mrs.
S. Royle, Mrs. T. T. Ramsden and Mrs. A. Butterworth.
On Sunday 10th
March Special Services were held. The Rev. W. T. Baker of St. Anne's preached in the
morning. In the after noon the Primary Children performed "The Building of a
Lighthouse." In the evening the Rev. Edgar Wallis presided over an 'old sing.' By
the spring of 1931 the whole of the cost of the extension had been paid.
'THE THIRTIES'
The 'thirties' were
not years of unbroken gloom and doom. Children in particular looked forward to the annual
Trinity Field Day. This had a long tradition. As far back as 1892 it was resolved that 'A
Field Day be held on the first Saturday in August in Mr. Green's field, and that Mr.
Fletcher make the coffee and the prices be 1d, 2d, & 3d." It was also resolved
that they get a new cord for the banner. The Field Days were still being enjoyed in 1933,
when Albert Nuttall, Jim Lomax, Arthur Buckley and Albert Royle were appointed as a Field Day
Committee. Many people have recalled for me how they used to join in procession, Brass
Band playing at the front, and march to a field belonging to Lomax's Farm. Children in the
procession would be eyeing the urns of tea or coffee and hampers of food carried on Edward
Ramsden's lorries. Mugs, handkerchiefs threaded through handles for safer holding, would
be clutched fiercely in tiny hands. On arrival at the field there would be races, tea and
buns, and a variety of games and amusements. By
1935 it seems this particular activity was losing its attraction. A committee was set up
to inquire into whether the Field Days should continue. It recommended that they should be
replaced by a trip by train to Southport. This then became an annual event for some years,
organised firstly by Billy Potter, then by Arthur Buckley.
It was in this
decade that a most significant event in Methodist history took place. In 1907 the
Methodist New Connexion, the Bible Christians and the United Free Church had come together
to form the United Methodist Church.
This then existed side-by-side with the Wesleyan Methodists and Primitive Methodists.
The Uniting Conference of 1932 united the Wesleyan, Primitive and United Methodists into
The Methodist Church. From this point on Trinity Wesleyan became Trinity Methodist Church.
One of the consequences of this Union was the birth of the subsequently well-loved
Methodist Hymn Book. This was to be a source of comfort and joy to Trinity congregations
for the next fifty years.
"Trinity
Methodist, having rejoined the League after a long absence, opened the season against
Lord, Hampson and Lord. The combination of the Wallwork sisters and D. Haslam for the
visitors proved too much for the home team. Final scores were:
Lord, Hampson and
Lord
141
Trinity
Methodist
189
The Secretary of
Trinity Methodist is Mrs. Miller. (Mrs. Miller assures me that it is not true that Trinity
Ladies burst into a rendering of "Who is on the Lord's side?" to the tune of
Rachie!).
In the same year
they reached the second round of the Bolton Royal Infirmary Competition, being beaten in
that round by the Musgrave Spinning team. The high point in the season was their
appearance in the Sunday Schools League Cup Final. Again I quote the Evening News:
"The Final between St. Patrick's and Trinity Methodist took place at Musgrave's Ground, Lowndes St., and drew a fine crowd. Trinity, against their more experienced opponents, could realise only 65 and followed on. At the second attempt they managed 79, B. Wallwork with 18 being the highest scorer. St. Patrick's with a score of 174, carried off the trophy for the third year in succession."
It is always
difficult to strike a balance between spiritual and social activities which satisfies all
members. Consequently there arises a clash of interest between non-church attending
members and those brought up in the traditions and values of the church. We have seen how
in 1912 conflict arose between the Trustees and the Cricket Club. A similar situation
arose in 1937. The Trustees resolved that "The Secretary of the Social Club be
informed that the Club will cease to open in the afternoons, also during Divine Service
and Class Meetings, but will continue to open at 7 p.m." It was also agreed that the
Rev. P. S. Bea1e, the Chape1 Stewards, and the Secretary, should meet the committee of the
Social Club to discuss the discipline of some members of the club. There were times too
when there was some discord between Church and Sunday School. In September 1937 the Secretary of the Sunday
School Council was requested to send a letter to the Secretaries of the Jubilee
Celebrations protesting against the "indifference shown to the Sunday School
concerning the arrangements for the Jubilee Celebrations." The climax of these
celebrations was a Great Re-Union of Past and Present members, Scholars and Friends on
Saturday 25th September. 1937. This was followed by special services on the Sunday, when
the preacher was Rev. W. Bards1ey Brash of Didsbury College, Manchester.
It is perhaps
fitting to conclude this section with a tribute to a man whose Superintendentship spanned
the period from the beginning of the century to the beginning of the Second World
War. It appears that one evening, 'Billy' Bate was dared by his high-spirited
companions to disrupt a Prayer Meeting being held at Trinity. He went to scoff, but
stayed to repent, and for the next thirty-eight years gave testimony to his
conversion. Some of the older members have recalled his fondness of Sankey hymns,
and how they would often sit enthralled as Billy would take off his jacket as a prelude to
dramatising some familiar Bible story. At a Sunday School Council meeting in Sept.
'38 it was resolved that "Mr. W. R. Bate be appointed an Honorary Sunday School
Superintendent." This honour is unique in Trinity's history.
Trinity was born in
the year of Queen Victoria's Jubilee. Its own Jubilee co-incided with the year of the
Coronation of King George VI and Elizabeth. The highlight of the town's celebrations was a
grand military parade at Leverhulme Park. Many of the Tum Fowters who witnessed that
colourful spectacular were soon to be caught up in the less glamorous side of life in the
army. Less then twelve months after the pageant, Bolton was building its first fully
equipped air-raid shelter with a capacity for seven hundred people. By July 1938 half a
million sand bags had been stored in Bolton, and Bolton's first air-raid alarm had been
tried out. Trinity Trustees had their own 'early warning' system. They resolved that in
the event of an Air Raid Warning during Divine Service they would arrange to have some one
on the lookout and these would advise the congregation of any danger. If the position
became dangerous, they would take cover in the cellar. There was certainly one 'close
shave' in the vicinity, and near to Trinity's traditional Sermons Day too. The Bolton
Evening News of 5th May 1941 reported, "There were several casualties, and premises
were badly damaged, when bombs fell on corporation houses in Long Lane, Breightmet. "
"I came to
Trinity on my first Sunday in Bolton, which was in August 1944, and was fairly regular in
attendance. I sang with the choir at the Harvest Festival that year. The organist at that
time was an elderly man called Cleworth, and the Minister was the Rev. Samuel McCutcheon.
I recall that he beat me at snooker. This was to my great surprise for at that time I had
no idea that Ministers were human beings! I remember we were also invited to a Men's
Fellowship Club. The fellowship and encouragement of the church at Trinity were important to me
at that time, though I had not made a full Christian commitment. That came later. The
McGibbon family were very good to us, also the Potters, and others whose names I cannot
remember. I could so easily have 'wandered' at that time. Trinity was very important to me
as a place of preparation and nurture for my future entry into the Ministry."
While the dropping
of bombs in nearby Long Lane fortunately proved to be an isolated local incident, there
were many families in Trinity who personally experienced the sorrow of war. Some had loved
ones who were killed: others had loved ones who suffered as prisoners-of-war. The special
'Service of Thanksgiving' to mark first of all the cessation of hostilities in Europe, and
later the end of the war in the Pacific, must have been very moving occasions. There is a
poignancy about extracts from the following two meetings.
Nov. 1946 The Trustees resolved
that "We have a memorial tablet in memory of our boys who gave their lives in the
war, and the names of John Pye, Harry Goslin and Stanley Ramsden be inscribed upon
it."
ury Rd., Belvoir St., Dunstan
St., Hilton St., Tonge Old Rd., Romer St., Edditch Grove, Clarendon Rd., Hind St., Colenso
Rd., Bury Rd., Crompton Way, Sawley Avenue, Staton Avenue, Jethro St., Ainsworth Lane,
Bury Rd., Chapel.
Plans were also
being made for the Youth of the Church. At a Sunday School Council meeting in January 1945
it was suggested that a Youth Club be formed under the leadership of Harold Haworth. In
the same month the Trustees' minutes recorded that "The Rev. S. McCutcheon read a
letter and rules from the members of the Youth movement, the principles of which were
approved by the Trust, and that the times and rooms required would be suitably arranged by
the chapel stewards." Some three months later a Trustees' minute revealed a problem
not unfamiliar to present leaders John Bird and Graham Tyldesley. It was noted that
"Several members have complained of unseemly behaviour on the part of certain members
of the Youth Club. The Youth Club leader reported that he had found out the culprits, who
were not our own scholars, and had given them a talking to." It was resolved that the
Youth Club be closed during the months of July and August, and that a rota of wardens be
arranged to assist Mr. Haworth.
While
the early years of the post-war decade saw an upsurge in the life of the Sunday School
generally, there was a particularly noticeable increase in the numbers attending the men's
Sunday Afternoon Class. There were a number of possible reasons for this, not least of
which was the qualities of the speakers. Under the Presidency of Arthur Buckley and with
Billy Miller and later Glyn Jones as
Speakers' Secretaries an attractive list was compiled annually. Alf Booth, even during his
busy period as a Member of Parliament, regularly addressed the class, as did the Rev. J.
W. Packer while Headmaster of Canon Slade School. Education Officers, Prison Visitors,
Representatives of the Bolton Council of Churches, the Y.M.C.A., Ministers and Local
Preachers from our own church and circuit, wove a rich tapestry of topics that fostered
lively discussion and debate. The renowned Rivington poetess Phoebe Hesketh even took
courage in hand and addressed a packed gathering of males on the pleasures of writing
poetry. Then there were the 'Men's Week-ends' - nights of Music Hall, Pantomime or
Minstrel Shows. Hilarious scripts by Albert Royle and Joe Ramsden: Men's Choruses led by bass profundos
Billy Booth and Albert Nuttall: comedy by John Parry, that n
ot only had audiences roaring with
laughter, but on one memorable occasion had a senior citizen chasing down the aisle to
retrieve the false teeth that had catapulted from his open mouth: Joe and Glyn with four
hands on one piano: and all brought together under the magical musical direction of 'our Joe.' But what a transformation took place on
Sunday mornings. Voices, which on Saturday evenings had enraptured the audience with
warnings about the temptations of "Cigarettes and whisky and wild wild women"
would now, in Sunday best, swell forth renderings of Rachie, Ebenezer, Bryn Calfaria, or
some such popular favourite. There was, as well, a less publicised welfare aspect of the
class. Members who were ill received regular visits, and not infrequently members
suffering economic hardships were unobtrusively helped from available funds.
While the men sat
in the gallery on one side of the school, they were confronted by members of the ladies'
Sunday afternoon class on the opposite side. There existed a healthy rivalry between the
two groups in relation to the size of classes. The Sunday School secretary would sit at
his table in the centre of the stage and call out the class names. Class leaders would
respond with the numbers present. Members of the classes would wait in eager anticipation
as men and ladies' leaders shouted out their numbers over the sea of young faces seated
below. Mrs. Bertha Miller recalled for me her many years of active association with the
class.
es were often performed by Elsie Coop
(who was often referred to as a 'proper caution'), Annie Ramsden and Bernice Brooks.
Interspersed with the sketches would be such choruses as '0 Peaceful England,' and 'In the
Gloaming', with solos from Ada Grundy, Bertha Howarth, Phyllis Taylor and Ethel Stanley.
For many years the accompanist was Gladys Taylor.
This was
also the era which saw the raising of the school leaving age, and the birth of the
Secondary Modern School. Education Authority buildings were inadequate to meet the
immediate demands for extra accommodation. Thus began a mutually beneficial relationship
between Trinity and Tonge Fold Secondary School. At a special Trustees' Meeting held on
November 26th 1949, it was resolved that "The trustees here-by appoint William Hurst,
Harold Edge, Waiter Nuttall and James Richard Haslam to be
empowered and authorised to sign on behalf of the Trust, an agreement between the Trust
and the Corporation of Bolton Education Dept., leasing certain parts of the school
premises for use as a day school for educational purposes." The resolution was
carried unanimously and forwarded to Miss A. Halstead, Solicitor, to enable the agreement
to be drawn up.
Musically
the decade was significant for the appointment of two organists whose future length of
service and dedication was to prove exceptional. During the war years a number of
organists had deputised during the absence of the officially appointed organist, Mr. S.
Taylor, who was in the Forces. In March 1946 the Trustees minutes recorded that due to the
resignation of Mr. S. Taylor, Mr. Joseph Taylor was appointed as Organist with Miss Brenda
McGibbon as Deputy Organist. Forty years later Brenda still gives devoted service. The
qualities of 'Joe' have become legendary at Trinity, and this will be referred to later.
There has been no such continuity evident in the position of choir master/mistress. Ethel
Stanley had taken the post during the later years of the war, and on her resignation in
1946 the post was taken by Joe Taylor. This dual role of organist-choirmaster was not one
which he particularly enjoyed, and by 1949 the choir was having one of its periodic
crises. Indeed, on February 21st a special Trustees Meeting was called to consider the
situation, and the following record of the meeting was noted: "The Trustees and Mr.
J.R. Taylor met to consider the appointment of a choirmaster. They covered the ground of
ability, qualification and willingness or otherwise of our own people at Trinity, and also
went as far as to consider advertising for a choirmaster, but very little headway was
made. After a long discussion, and in the closing stages of the meeting Mr. Wilfred
Ramsden volunteered to take on the duties of choir master for 12 months, providing he was
relieved of the office of Society Steward, and that the choir would support him." A
meeting took place with the choir on 4th March. It was recorded that "There was a
good attendance and the choir promised to support Mr. Ramsden." Wilfred Ramsden
proved to be a wise choice and continued for the next six years.
The climax of this
period came on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October, 1957 when the church celebrated its
70th Anniversary. On the Saturday, with Mr. Wilfred Ramsden as Opener and Mr. Arthur
Buckley as Chairman there was a successful social gathering. Miss Anthea Taylor spoke on
behalf of the youth of the church. There was singing of favourite hymns accompanied on the
piano by Mr. Glyn Jones, and participation in games organised by Mr. George Taylor. The
Sunday services were conducted by the Rev. R. A. Merriman, and included items by the
Choir, led by Mr. J. R. Taylor.
The decade ended
with the celebrating of the 80th Anniversary of the Church. This has fortunately been
fully recorded, and I quote from the minutes:
"The
celebrations commenced with a Social Evening on Saturday October 7th. The Rev. Harold
Mason. M.A., B.Sc, welcomed members and gave a short address during which he spoke of the
great record of the past 80 years, and stressed the importance of looking to the future.
Mr. Wilfred Ramsden, the oldest surviving male member, spoke about "What Trinity has
meant to me," and Mrs. Julia Phethean represented the younger members, speaking on
the same subject. A special birthday cake was cut by Mr. Ramsden and Mrs. Phethean.
Entertainment was provided by Mrs. A. Grundy, Miss E. Stanley, Mr. J. R. Taylor, Mr. W. G.
Jones, Miss Nancy Howarth, Miss Hilary Jones and Mr. Graham Jones. Mr. Brian Ogden
organised games and dancing. The celebrations continued on the Sunday when the preacher
was the Rev. J. A. Bennett, a former Minister much loved and respected for his work at
Trinity."
Proposals for
extensions and alterations to the Sunday School were first discussed in 1972. At a meeting
of the Church Council, Mr. G. R. Taylor proposed that "The Society elects a Steering
Committee to work out a draft proposal for possible extensions or alterations to the
existing premises at Trinity." After a number of meetings it was agreed that a plan
and costs of alterations to the Sunday School structure should be drawn up. At the Annual
Trustees meeting in September 1974, Mr. William Whittaker presented a detailed plan
which he had prepared. After a great deal of discussion and sometimes heated argument, the
following resolution was narrowly carried:- "The Trustees agree in principle to a
scheme for the adaptation of the existing building at a maximum cost of £17,000, which
with grants would commit the Society to finding a maximum of £14,000 by 1976."
Meanwhile Clive and Rodney Taylor conducted a house visitation to assess the response of
members to a request for covenants for the building fund. After considering this and a
financial report from Rev. Donald Smethurst and the Treasurer Mr. Ian McGibbon, the scheme
presented by the appointed Architect, Mr. G. Aldridge, was adopted. The Rev. Donald
Smethurst was requested to submit the scheme to the Chapel Department.
(a) Re-thinking
ways in which activities could be organised.
(b) Adaptation of the present premises for
more suitable and economic use.
"The
Chairman reported that the builder had been paid, and that prices had been obtained to
complete the plastering work in the main hall. The Secretary read a minute of the Building
Steering Committee at its last meeting, in which it was stated that the Committee had
completed its task, and wished to now pass on its future duties to the Property
Committee." The request was approved and the Steering Committee dissolved”.
In 1970 we had the
birth of the monthly News Letter, brain child of Peter Disley, Peter being joint Editor
with Susan Waddington. Susan was succeeded by Gordon Keir. Present Editors are Brian Ogden
and Paul Roberts. Youth activities were well
catered for in this period, with Brian Ogden, Clive Taylor, Jeff Fernley, Gordon Keir,
Peter Disley, Harry Purdy and Keith Waddington as leaders of various groups. An
appreciation of some aspects of the youth work in this era was voiced in the following
News Letter contribution.
"I don't know
if you are aware of the tremendous work which goes on at Trinity each Tuesday night. The
Youth Club attracts about SEVENTY teenagers who normally have no contact with the church,
and who at some time during the evening receive the Gospel message. Please pray for this
work and the work of the leaders Jeff Fernley, Clive and Rodney Taylor, Graham Tyldsley
and John Bird."
While the youth of
the church received plenty of attention, other age groups were not neglected. Parents of
babies christened in the church were kept in touch through Cradle Roll visitors. While the
Sunshine Band helpers visited all age-groups, the Ladies Wednesday afternoon class did
similar work for their members, particularly the older ones who were ill or house-bound.
In the News Letter of September 1973, Mrs. Evelyn Lee, the class Secretary, reported that
a presentation had been made to Mrs. Emily Nuttall, who for twenty-five years has taken
flowers to those who were ill or in some sort of trouble.
Unfortunately this
decade saw the end of a long association between Trinity and the Scouts. The Scout
Movement, like the Church, was seeking a new image which would help meet the needs of the
new age. This led locally to some conflict of interest between the leaders of Scouts and
Church. Matters came to a head when the Scouts introduced methods of fund-raising which
did not accord with the tenets of Methodism. In spite of numerous meetings between Church
and Scout representatives the differences could not be resolved. In 1972 the Scouts moved
to new premises and ceased to be sponsored by Trinity. This prompted the following letter
from Mr. Jack Disley.
"For some
thirty years I was Group Scout Master of the 51st Bolton Trinity Methodist Group. Just
after the Arrows Park Jamboree I became really interested in scouting. After training I
came to Trinity, where Jack Kennerdel was Scout Master and Hi1da Pollitt Cub Mistress.
Shortly afterwards they married. After a time I took over as Scout Master. I recall such
names as A1bert Nuttall, Gordon King, the three Edge brothers, A1an Booth, Johnny Pye
(later killed during the war) and A1an March. In 1939 there was Rona1d Moss, Walton,
Arthur and Jack Tay1or - and we had summer camps at
Lynton, Lynmouth and Minehead. While I was away on War Service Billy Potter kept the gang
together until I returned in 1945. We formed one of the first Scout and Guide Committees
in Bolton under the Chairmanship of Jack Williams, and later Charlie Orton.
Rona1d Moss took
over as Scoutmaster, to be followed by Ted Wa1sh. Boys who were in the troop at that time
were Ian McGibbon, the Tay1or twins, Geoff. Wa1sh and Frank Dearden. At this time we had
an excellent Parents' Committee with Cyril Lancaster as Chairman, Tom Froggart as
Treasurer, and Joe Cain as our champion Christmas card seller! Keith Patterson took over
as Scoutmaster. Geoff. Trainer was Senior Scoutmaster and was followed by Norman Parker.
We had as Cub Scouters Anthony Eaton, David Patters on, Jimmy Horrocks, Mrs. Hood, Derek
Robinson, Jimmy C1ough and Brian Pend1ebury. There have been many who have contributed to
the influence which the 51st had on the boys of Tonge Fold."
Jack Dis1ey was
later awarded the Silver Acorn, one of the highest awards given by the Scout movement.
After a great deal of hard work had been put in, the vacant Scout Hut was put to good use
by a variety of church activities. [Jack Disley died in 2003]
The News Letter of
January 1975 reported:
"May we again
appeal for painters for the Scout Hut on Monday or Tuesday evenings. The painting of the
roof is completed and work is required on the walls. I must say that the painting has not
gone without incident. In fact Gordon (Michae1ange1o) Keir literally threw himself into
the work before Christmas. He fell from his painting position high on the roof, preceded
by his tin of paint, and followed by the plank on which he was standing. The plank missed
his shoulder, and hit him on the head - the hardest part of his anatomy." Fortunately
the damage was not serious. Gordon still continued capably to use his 'head for figures'
for some years after in his office of joint Treasurer. (Gordon was succeeded in this
office by Glyn Jones, who in turn
was followed by the present joint Treasurer, Jim Booth.)
The Guides and
Brownies continued to be active, with Norma Terry becoming Guide Captain in 1969.
Unfortunately the death occurred in 1975 of Elsie Disley. From her early pre-war years as
Brown Owl, through her years as Guide Captain and later District Commissioner, Elsie
maintained her interest in the Guide movement right up to the time of her death.
In this decade too
came the end of a musical era which had for twenty years gained much of its inspiration
from the unassuming leadership of Joseph Rothwell Taylor, LT.CL 'Joe' was a devoted
Christian, a dedicated Methodist, and a talented musician with the highest standards. When
Joe was appointed organist in 1946 his Deputy was one of his pupils - Miss Brenda
McGibbon. Brenda succeeded Joe when he retired in 1970 and for the next four years was
ably assisted by Bernard Pendlebury. Forty years later Brenda (now Mrs. Bancroft) still
gives excellent and devoted service, her duties as organist now being shared with Glyn Jones and Barry Laithwaite.
There were two
significant administrative changes in this period. At the beginning of the decade Trinity
was part of the Wesley Circuit, which comprised Wesley, Victoria, Darcy Lever, Edgworth,
Longsight, Tottington Rd., Castle Hill (St. Andrews), Hawkshaw Lane, Breightmet,
Ainsworth, Alder St., and Trinity. The Minister for Trinity also had pastoral oversight of
Wesley and Breightmet. By the end of the decade the Wesley, Bridge St., and Park St.
Circuits had been combined to become the Bolton Circuit. Thus when the Rev. Donald
Smethurst and his successor, Rev. J. Frederick Jones, combined the duties of Minister of
Trinity with that of Circuit Superintendent their attentions were divided between Trinity
plus another twenty-one widely scattered societies.
The
responsibilities of these committees were set out.
Church
Family Committee.
Neighbourhood
Committee.
World
Service and Mission Committees. This will include Overseas Missions, and the various
off-shoots linking us with projects on a global scale, e.g. Christian Aid.
PROPERTY
COMMITTEE:
CARING AND SHARING
In recent years,
through the media of newspapers, television and radio, the national conscience has been
awakened to the existence of poverty both at home and in the Third World. The glamour of
show-business personalities and the ingenuity of twentieth century electronic wizardry
combined to motivate people to part with their money for the alleviation of poverty and
hunger. The 'eighties' have been years of Band Aid, Live Aid, and Children in Need. They
have been years of increased unemployment and 'inner-city' problems. While these problems
are now the subject of much political attention, they have been the concern of Methodists
for many years. Such concern was expressed by John Wes1ey in his Rule for Christian
Living.
"Do
all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places
you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you
can."
This rule is at the
heart of the work of the Methodist Church Home Mission Division. It is a rule of which we
were reminded at our Christian Citizenship Sunday in 1983, when we were privileged to have
with us the Division's General Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Dona1d English. In the afternoon
fifty people sat down at a tea-table conference on "Mission alongside the poor."
Dr. English outlined the proposed scheme to raise one million pounds, and discussed uses
to which it could be put. Participating in the evening service which followed were Rev. C.
E. Belfie1d (Minister of Trinity), Rev. Bryan H. Baker (Supt. Minister, Bolton Circuit),
the Mayor of Bolton (Councillor A1an S. Brigg) and the Bolton Chief Executive (Mr. Peter
Bounds).
National
Children's Home (including the Red Lane Family Centre), Missions to Deep Sea Fishermen,
R.N.L.I., Guide Dogs for the Blind, Birtenshaw Special School, Firwood Special School,
Mencap, R.S.P.C.A., Bolton Society for Brain Injured children, N.S.P.C.C., Muscular
Dystrophy, Methodist Homes for the Aged, Drug Addicts, Fortalice, The British Limbless
Ex-Servicemen's Association, the Bolton Royal Infirmary Centenary Appeal (The Mayor's
chosen Charity Appeal for 1983).
But caring and
sharing means more than just monetary sacrifice. It involves sacrifice of time and
disciplined dedication. It is not only the Welfare State which pursues the ideal of caring
for people from the cradle to the grave. Last year twenty-four children were christened at
Trinity. The happiness was shared among Minister, parents and congregations. Through its
varied activities the church shares with the community its good times and its bad times,
its joys and its sorrows. It endeavours to care for the young, the old, and the
'in-betweens'. Pastoral care by the Minister, Cradle Roll and Sunshine Band visitors,
Saturday morning 'drop-ins' at the Coffee Lounge, various Clubs and Youth Fellowship, the
Brownies' Annual Party for those living alone, the house to house visitations: these are
some of the manifestations of a caring church.
"We have
no mission but to serve
In full
obedience to our Lord,
To care for
all without reserve,
And spread
his liberating Word."
RENEWAL
The Fund Raising
Committee (which has been hard at work throughout the decade) came up with an idea of
music-making of a different kind. The tidy-up which preceded the proposed Sunday School
structural alterations had revealed two pianos which were beyond repair. It was suggested
that there should be a piano smashing competition between lads and dads, followed by a
bonfire and barbeque. No world records were broken, but the winning team succeeded in
putting the broken piano parts through a nine-inch diameter hole in the respectable time
of 14 mins. 4 secs. An enterprise which called for less energy but greater patience was
reported by Mrs. Evelyn Lee in the News Letter of December 1983. Members of the Ladies
Wednesday Afternoon Class had collected a total of 40,000 half pennies for the Building
Fund. It seemed to be a decade when everything that moved required sponsorship, and every
container from smarty tubes to glass bottles required filling with coins.
Meanwhile the
day-to-day upkeep of the church was making increasing demands upon the pockets of the
members. The terminating of the Education Authority Lease in 1981 meant a loss of £35 per
week. The termination of the Clinic Tenancy when the Tonge Fold Health Centre opened in
the same year meant a further loss of income. There had also been a dramatic increase in
the price of oil. Indeed, in one month the chapel stewards were unable to order the
monthly supply because of lack of funds.
Mr. William
Whittaker prepared a very detailed Planned Five Year Maintenance Programme. One of the
consequences was reported in the News Letter of November 1983. "Two major works
carried out through the summer to the outside of the church were completed. The total cost
of painting, pointing and roof repairs was £8,595. The work was planned and progress
supervised by Bill Whittaker."
In 1980 our
Guides and Brownies became officially known as 69th Bolton (Trinity Methodist) Guides and
Brownies, Leverhu1me District, Tonge Division of Bolton. Guide Captain was Kath1een Glen,
Lieutentant was Lynn Stafford, and in the post of Assistant Guider was Norma Terry. The
Brownies officers were Ann Thompson as Brown Owl, Brenda Thompson as Tawny Owl, and Joan
Prytherch as Snowy Owl. In 1982 Kathryn Ogden became the first Trinity Guide to
receive the coveted Queen's Guide Award, and three years later Victoria G1enn achieved the
same distinction. (Incidentally two Trinity members, Janet Broad1ey and Paul Roberts,
received the Duke of Edinburgh Award).
The possibility of
a Boys Brigade was first discussed at Trinity in 1902. It was to be eighty years
before Trinity heard the familiar strains of 'Will your anchor hold?' sung at a Boys
Brigade Service in the church. When our sister church at Wes1ey was unfortunately closed,
their Boys Brigade moved to Trinity. Mrs. F1etcher, Mrs. Hamer, Mrs. Stringer and Mrs.
McLaughlan have all helped in the transition. With Brian Ogden as Captain the 14th Bolton
Company has now made Trinity its home.
The year 1980 was
an important year for the members of the Women's Wednesday Fellowship Group. In its early
days the group received much encouragement from Mrs. Cowell, the then Minister's wife, and
meetings were held at the Manse. These aimed at helping young wives and mothers to meet in
fellowship, and in particular to welcome those who were not members of any church. Later
they began to meet in the homes of members, and finally came to meet at the church. The
group still meets on alternate Wednesdays. The activities of individual members bear
witness to the success of the Fellowship's aims-to call women to Christian responsibility
in the home, church and community. The group includes Sunday School teachers, Brownies and
Guides Leaders, a Church Steward, a Primary Leader, Missionary Secretary, Foster Mother,
Cradle Roll Secretary, and leader of the Sunshine Band. Its continued existence owes much
to the efforts of long-serving Secretary, Mrs. Hilary Fernley. The Re-union Party held to
celebrate the group's 25th Anniversary was reported in the November News Letter.
"On Wednesday
evening 8th October, 55 past and present members met together for a re-union supper. A
photograph album was on display. Also on display was an exhibition of activities, places
visited, and charities helped, all these thoughtfully put together by Mrs. Dorothy Jones.
After supper, Mrs. Bertha Miller cut the beautiful birthday cake she had made. Founder
member Mrs. Miller was presented with a brooch, a small thank-you for all the work she had
done."
Guitar chord
numbers now sit astride the melodies in chorus books, and mean as much to modern
youngsters as solfa did to their grandparents. Present members of the group are Susanna
McGibbon (Flute and Keyboard), Zoe Bird (Flute) David Rowley (Guitar) David Murphy
(Guitar) Simon Murphy (Drums), Helen Jones (Keyboard). Catherine Tyldsley leads the youth
choir which frequently introduces new choruses.
But the most
notable musical happening in the last fifty years of Methodism took place in 1983. In that
year was published what the Rev. Dr. Ivor H. Jones referred to as "The Hymn-book to
take us into the next millennium." The new book named 'Hymns and Psalms' - a Methodist and
Ecumenical Hymn Book, had a mixed reception. The sheer bulk of the book meant that the
piano music-stand had to be extended to accommodate it. Old favourites like 'Sinking
Sands' and 'Holly' were left out. On the other hand, recent favourites like 'Deep Harmony'
and 'Blaenwern' were included. It is true to say that in the last three years our musical
knowledge, like the piano stand, has been extended.
In this year too
there took place an event of much importance to Trinity. On the evening of 22nd May 1983
the Rev. J. Frederick Jones, Mayor's Chaplain (and Minister of Trinity) conducted a Civic
Service following the inauguration of Councillor A. S. Brigg as Mayor of Bolton. It had
been forty-six years since a previous member of Trinity had been similarly honoured. It is
worth noting that 1937, the year when Ald. Thomas Halstead became Mayor of Bolton, was the
year when Alan S. Brigg commenced service as a Methodist Local Preacher. To have completed
almost fifty years of local preaching, to give many years service as Sunday School Supt.
and other offices in the church and to combine this with a busy political life, is no mean
achievement. It was appropriate that a framed photograph of Alan and his wife Mary, in
their Mayoral robes, should be presented to the church during a special service on
Christian Citizenship Sunday.
We have seen how
in the previous decade there had been structural alterations to adapt the Sunday School to
the needs of the times. It was natural that in preparation for our centenary celebration
our thoughts should turn to the chapel in which we worship. Through the artistic talents
of Albert Royle and the architectural expertise of Harold Haworth, much had been done in
the early post-war years to enable members to worship in the holiness of beauty. The Rev.
George W. Dolbey, in his' Architectural Expressions of Methodism', pointed out that there
is a relationship between the way men worship, and the way men build. The central position
of the pulpit reflected the importance attached to preaching. Many Trinity members will
recall the years when the pulpit occupied the centre of the communion area with a
background of the Ten Commandments in beautiful script. When the church was re-decorated
the pulpit was moved to the corner adjacent to Bury Road. The Ten Commandments were
literally, if not spiritually, blocked out.
Sincerely yours
in God's service,
Chris Belfield - Minister
Peter Disley - Church Council
Sec.
Ian McGibbon - Church
Treasurer
The first service
in the renovated church was taken on 21st September by our newly appointed Minister, the
Rev. Brian R. Jones. Appropriately, it was a
Harvest Festival service. We worshipped
encircled by colour and filled with thankfulness.
One hundred years
ago the founding fathers of Trinity built the church with the "patience of hope and
the labour of love."
In 1987
Our journey pursue."
The Centenary Publication ended with some useful facts and figures
EVENTS
AND SPECIAL
SERVICES DURING CENTENARY YEAR
JANUARY 18th |
Commencing on this
date there will be planned preaching for five consecutive Sunday evenings on the theme
'Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.' |
FEBRUARY 21st |
Slideshow Trinity
past and present |
FEBRUARY 22nd |
Rev. John H. Davis |
MARCH 29th |
Mgr. Bruce Kent |
APRIL 5th |
Rev. Rob Frost |
MAY 3rd |
SERMONS DAY a.m. Rev. Stephen
Wild p.m. Rev. Jack
Dowson |
MAY 9th |
Children's
Disco/Party for children of the church: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. |
MAY 24th |
Rev. Christopher
Hughes-Smith (former President of Conference). |
JUNE 7th |
WHIT SUNDAY Rev. W. Davies of
Cliff College - President Designate 1987/8 |
JULY 18th |
CENTENARY WEEK-END
CELEBRATIONS Tea at 6 p.m.,
followed by entertainment, memories, slides and photographs. |
JULY 19th |
Rev. Brian Jones |
JULY 26th |
Rev. J. Frederick
Jones |
AUGUST 8th |
FLOWER FESTIVAL in
the Church. Snacks available in
the Sunday School, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Photographs of the
past Re-union time |
AUGUST 9th |
Rev. Donald H.
Smethurst |
SEPTEMBER 13th |
Canon. John
Gunstone |
SEPTEMBER 20th |
HARVEST FESTIVAL Rev. Harold Mason |
OCTOBER 31st |
CENTENARY.AUTUMN
FAIR. 11am. - 3pm. |
NOVEMBER 15th |
OVERSEAS MISSIONS
SUNDAY Miss Pauline Webb
(former Vice-President, Conference). [Note Miss Webb was
unable to attend] |
NOVEMBER 21st |
CENTENARY CONCERT |
THE METHODIST
CHURCH -
BOLTON
CIRCUIT 1987
Chairman of Bolton
and Rochdale District. Rev. FRED TURNER
Ministers |
Pastoral Charges
|
Rev. BRYAN H. BAKER,
Supt. |
St. John's, Horwich |
Rev. BRIAN R. JONES |
Trinity,
Breightmet, Ainsworth |
Rev. THOMAS M.
WHITHAM |
Edgworth,
Birtenshaw, Hawkshaw |
Rev. Roy L. NICHOLS |
Longsight,
Tottington Road, St. Andrews |
Rev. ROBERT O.
SAUNDERS |
Astley Bridge |
Rev. GRAHAM S.
BAMPTON |
Westhoughton,
Horwich Moor, Daisy Hill (Westhoughton Development) |
Rev. NORMA B.
COULDWELL |
Halliwell, St.
Peters |
Rev. PAUL MARTIN |
Chorley Old Rd.,
Delph Hill |
Rev. CHRISTOPHER R.
SCOTCHBROOK |
St. Helens Rd.,
Melbourne Rd., Chew Moor |
SISTER MARION
ASPINALL Community Liaison
Nurse |
(Sector Ministry) St. Anne's Hospice |
CHURCH OFFICERS in CENTENARY YEAR
Church Council
Secretary: MR. PETER DISLEY
Church Stewards:
MRS. A. LAITHWAITE,
MR.B.LAITHWAITE, MRS.V.JACKSON, MR.I.MCGIBBON, MR.B.BROADLEY, MR.P.ROBERTS, MISS G.
FIELDING, MISS A.KAY.
Communion
Stewards:
MR. J. BIRD, MRS. M. COLLIER, MR. E. CHEETHAM,
MR. R. TAYLOR, MR.
J. BOOTH, MRS. M. BOOTH.
Property
Stewards:
MR. H. PURDY, MR. L. WADDINGTON, MR. A. BIRD,
MRS. R. MORT, MR.
R. TAYLOR.
Treasurers:
MR. 1. Mc GIBBON, MR. J. BOOTH
Social
Responsibility:
MRS. A. PURDY
J.M.A. :
MRS. E. SETFORD
Direct Giving:
MR. J. DISLEY
COMMITTEE
SECRETARIES:
Family/Neighbourhood:
MRS.
G. WADDINGTON
Finance:
MR. I. MCGIBBON
Mission:
MRS. A. PURDY
Property:
MR. W. WHITTAKER
Worship:
MRS. M. COLLIER
Youth/Uniformed
Leaders MR. G. TYLDSLEY
Fund Raising:
MRS. JANICE DISLEY
CHURCH
MEMBERSHIP: 134
SUNDAY SCHOOL
OFFICERS:
Superintendent:
MRS. G. McGIBBON
Secretary:
MR. I. LEACH
Primary Dept.:
MRS. B. BANCROFT, MRS. V. JACKSON
Beginners Dept.:
MRS. L. STAFFORD
Baptism Secretary:
MRS. B. BANCROFT
Cradle Roll
Secretary:
MRS. J. DISLEY
Adult Class:
MRS. B. MILLER
Discussion Class:
MISS K. ORMROD
Youth Class:
MRS. A. LAITHWAITE
SUNDAY
SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP: 112 (73 children & 39 adults).
TRINITY
MEMBERS ON LOCAL PREACHERS PLAN
BOLTON CIRCUIT
1937
MR. A. S. BRIGG
1953 MR. I. Mc
GIBBON
1953
MISS K. ORMROD,M.A.
1959 MRS. M.
JONES
1966 MR. B.
OGDEN
1967 MRS. A.
PURDY
1968 MISS E.
COOP
1972 MR. P.
DISLEY
On Trial: MR.
BRIAN BROADLEY
On Note: MISS
H. JONES
MISS SHARON
WHITTAKER became a Local Preacher in 1982, prior to becoming a Lay assistant in the
Southport Circuit. [before entering the Ministry]
MR. JOHN JOUGHIN
became a Local Preacher in 1983 and entered the Ministry in 1986.
MR. W. J. WOODHOUSE
completed 50 years as a Local Preacher before his death in April 1986.
CHURCH ACTIVITIES
Sunday: Morning
Worship, Afternoon Sunday School for all ages.
Evening Worship
followed by Youth Fellowship
Monday: Badminton/Social
Club, Boys Brigade
Tuesday: Junior
Youth Club
Wednesday: Ladies' Afternoon Group,
Evening Women's Group (Fortnightly)
Thursday: Luncheon Club, Mums
and Toddlers, Brownies, Bible Class (Fortnightly), Open Youth Club
Friday:
Junior Lads Club, Guides, Youth Club, Supper Club (Monthly)
Saturday: Coffee
Morning, Early Morning Prayer Meeting, (Fortnightly).
House Groups meet
regularly for Prayer and Bible Study.
MINISTERS
1887
- 1889
Rev. JAMES COOPER
1889 -
1892
Rev. THOMAS RATHMELL
1892
- 1895
Rev. T. C. KELLY 1895
- 1898 Rev. F. W.
HARRISON
1898
- 1901 Rev. RICHARD
HALL
1901 - 1904
Rev. W. A. HARRISON
1904-
1907 Rev. J.
ARTHUR TURNER 1907-
1910 Rev. HERBERT
C. FLOYD
1910-
1913 Rev. SAMUEL
J. RUSSELL 1913-
1916 Rev. JOHN W.
FIELDING
1916-
1921 Rev. W. LORNE
CORNISH 1921
- 1926 Rev. WALTER
T. BAKER
1926
- 1927 Rev. JOHN
NAYLOR 1927
- 1930 Rev. W. EDGAR
WALLIS
1930-
1934 Rev. ERNEST
BROWN
1934 - 1939
Rev. PERCY E. BEALE
1939-
1944 Rev. PERCY M.
SMITH
1944- 1948
Rev. S. M. MCCUTCHEON, M.M.
1948-
1952 Rev. J. A.
BENNETT 1952-
1954 Rev. WILFRED
J. HILL, MC., B.Sc.
1954-
1958 Rev. VERNON
C. COWELL 1958-
1961 Rev. J.
LIONEL C. SHREWSBURY, M. A.
1961-
1966 Rev. E. ALAN
ROBERTS 1966-
1972 Rev. HAROLD
MASON, M.A., B.Sc.
1972-
1980 Rev. DONALD
H. SMETHURST
1980 - 1983
Rev. J. FREDERICK JONES
1983
- 1986 Rev.
CHRISTOPHER E. BELFIELD
1986 -
Rev. BRIAN R. JONES
The Rev. R. A. Merriman
served as Minister in 1937 during the illness of Rev. P. E. Bea1e.
1887 - 1900