|
Churches ‑ Changes
Resolution 6 Closure of Local Churches
General Assembly receives notice of the closure of the local churches
listed below and gives thanks to God for their worship, witness, and
service throughout their history.
Closure of Local Churches
1 Loftus, Durham & Teesside District
Northern
1.1
Regular Congregational services commenced in the
schoolroom in the centre of Loftus village on November 6th 1827.
Greatly assisted by the friends of Silver Street Congregational church
in Whitby, the pioneers bought a site in Lamb’s Lane (now North Road)
and constructed the first solid building to be known as Loftus
Congregational Church. The first minister was the Revd J
Henderson. This building was used without much alteration until 1906
when the present building was erected.
1.2
This was carried out whilst the Revd T Colledge
Booth was minister. The building stands on the corner of West Road
and Westfield Road and was constructed with an external pulpit. In
1912 a new organ was presented to the church by Mr Andrew Carnegie who
then lived at Skebo Castle and also by Mr W B Brittain.
1.3
In 1972 the congregation became part of the United
Reformed Church and in 1992 at the formation of the East Cleveland
Group it was thought that Loftus would be a participant church in that
group. However Loftus declined this invitation preferring instead to
go its own way. The last minister in pastoral charge was Revd Ann
King who sadly died in August 2001.
1.4
The condition of the building has slowly
deteriorated. Some parts are unsafe and continue to be an insurance
liability. There is a well below the hall, which needs to be pumped
out regularly to prevent flooding. The final church meeting was held
on 25th November 2002 when members decided to close with a final act
of worship and thanksgiving on Sunday 19th January 2003. Revd Norma
Johnson led this service.
2 Chorley Old Road, Bolton
North Western
Leading Bolton Congregationalists opened a school for worship and
social activities in 1895 and a separate sanctuary in 1900. With an
increasing congregation, the school became too small and a new Sunday
School was built in 1931. Afternoon Sunday School classes changed to
morning Junior Church in 1960.
In
1979 the church became a member of the Bolton North Group of ten
churches served by a team ministry and when small groupings were
formed in 1996, Chorley Old Road shared ministry in Trinity
Pastorate. The centenary year was celebrated memorably in 1995, when
work, worship and planning events resulted in special fellowship. The
events included a wonderful performance of Messiah, a Summer Fayre and
a programme for children in August. The Centenary Thanksgiving
Service and a flower festival were highlights of the year and funds
were raised for Guide Dogs.
Quite soon after this, the number of children and adults declined.
Rain damage to the tower and other structural problems in the church
building forced unwelcome decisions. Although sharing the hall with
community uses was considered, it was reluctantly decided to close,
with a final service on 23 February 2003.
3 Weaste, Salford
North Western
On
the initiative of a Congregationalist manufacturer, Henry Lightbown, a
church and Sunday School were built in 1900. This building was soon
not big enough, and a new church was added in 1910, the older building
remaining as halls and Sunday School until burnt down in 1979. The
second minister established it as a Congregational church, from being
known as the Lightbown Memorial Chapel.
The
church was well served by a succession of active ministers,
secretaries and leaders of organisations providing a range of social
activities, including women’s and men’s organisations, a three tier
Sunday School, Boys Brigade, Guides and Brownies. After the two world
wars were golden years when families involved themselves fully with
church life, but later church life declined as numbers reduced. As
the congregation aged, with no young people coming in, remedies were
sought. Changes to the building were
considered, but with only twenty members it was decided to call it a
day.
The
church had been a useful and inspiring enterprise for a hundred
years. Over the years, it had been a centre for the local community
and five men had been called to the ministry.
4 Somerset Road, Bolton
North Western
A
mission hall was planted in Mornington Road, Halliwell, by the St
Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Bolton in 1900, initially to teach
children. With the success of the mission, a church and hall were
built and opened in 1910 on Somerset Road. The fellowship grew,
attracting people of Scottish origin until the congregation was able
to support its own minister independently of St Andrew’s Church. All
the children’s uniformed organisations flourished and there were
meetings for men, young wives and women, and a drama society.
Decline in the cotton industry led to families moving and Moslem and
Hindu families moved to the area. Concern grew about the cost of
ministry and maintaining the buildings with lack of income and
declining attendances. The church joined the Bolton North Group of
ten churches in 1974, but this was felt to strain the continuities of
fellowship and after much debate the a group of three churches was
formed with one minister.
In
1992‑93 it was decided to upgrade the church and hall and this was
achieved with much fund raising and effort by 2001. The congregation
was ageing and there were no young girls coming forward to be Rose
Queen after 2000, but there was a warm comfortable church, new
kitchens, toilets with disabled facilities, and a fine timber floor in
the hall. Use of the hall was increasing, when dampness and dry rot
forced a decision to close because of the cost or repairs. It was
recognised that the people, not the buildings, are the church and the
people can move on to pastures new. The final service was held in
August 2002.
5 Ladybridge Road, Cheadle
North Western
The
church had its origins when Adswood and Cheadle Hulme, now busy and
populous, was a scattered village with six farms. A mission from the
then Congregational Church on Swann Lane began in a rented weaving
shed, rented at a cost of one shilling and sixpence a week including
fuel and cleaning. A mission hall opened in 1905, at a cost of £450
raised at the dedication service. This allowed the work in the
district to be extended and the hall was registered as a church in
1950. A former army hut provided for a Sunday School and social
purposes from 1930 until demolished in 1966. A new hall opened in
1966, built largely by the work of Church members, with additional
voluntary help.
The
Church was involved in a number of affiliations with other pastorates
over the years, but gradually the membership had dropped and become
increasingly elderly. A Church Meeting held on 11 August 2002
resolved to unite as a single congregation with the sister church at
Swann Lane, and the fruits of that partnership are now witnessed in
goodwill and togetherness. The mission has returned full circle to
its roots.
6 Allithwaite
North Western
‘The Mission’, as it was affectionately known for many years, was
built in 1908 by a local landowner as a community centre for the
villagers. Hymnbooks for Sunday evening hymn singing were an early
purchase, so it was not surprising that, after the First World War,
the wooden building was acquired by the local Congregational church.
For many years there was one membership roll and minister for the
churches at Allithwaite and Grange‑over‑Sands.
The
Christian Endeavour home at Kents Bank used to provide transport to
the evening service for visitors, but the home closed in the early
1980s, and since then the number of faithful worshippers has declined
rapidly. Efforts to find ways by the congregation to encourage a
stronger presence within the local community did not bring the
hoped‑for results, in part because of the limitations of the
building. A special church meeting at Allithwaite in August 2002
decided with regret that the continued use of the building was no
longer viable. A final service of thanksgiving for the life and
witness of the church at Allithwaite was held on 24 November 2002,
followed by a celebratory tea in the new community centre to thank all
those who had helped the church in Allithwaite.
7 Zion United Reformed Church, Wakefield
Yorkshire
Zion United Reformed Church, Wakefield, at its Annual General Meeting
on 17th April, 2002, resolved that the church was no longer
sustainable and should close and disperse after a final Celebratory
Service on July 21st. This was not entirely negative, as members had
taken a hard and realistic look at its life and future, concluding
that it was better to end with dignity and for members to link up with
other churches. District Council, on 11th July, and Synod, on 12th
October 2002, concurred with this very difficult decision. Most
members have joined one of two other United Reformed Churches and a
significant number joined churches of four other denominations. The
Housegroup, Women’s Guild and Prayer Group continue, symbolising the
positive way this fellowship has dealt with declining numbers of
members.
Zion Chapel had been a place of worship since 1782.
8 Horncastle
East Midlands
The
Independents were active in the Lincolnshire town of Horncastle in
1781, when a William Robinson received a dissenters’ certificate to
use his house for worship. The first chapel was opened in 1821. It
was a time of rich growth, and the congregation soon outgrew its
premises. Under the leadership of John Jackson, a local miller and
baker, and William Parker, a local attorney, a second and much larger
chapel was built. It was opened in March 1822. A vestry and Sunday
School were added in 1825, and the congregation continued to thrive
throughout the successive years. At the turn of the century, the Revd
Thomas Lord was minister for a second time; he was still preaching
when he celebrated his 100th birthday in 1908.
Sadly, the 20th century saw the decline experienced by so many
churches. By the 1970s the congregation was too small to meet in the
main building. In due course the church building and its surrounding
graveyard were disposed of, while the congregation moved to the town
centre Parish Church of St Mary’s where they were welcomed into a
Local Ecumenical Partnership. United Reformed Services continued on a
monthly Sunday evening basis, until last year, when the death of the
last three members meant that the time had come to close the church.
We give thanks to God for this faithful and influential church and for
all its witness, ministers and people over a span of more than two
hundred years.
9 Tolleshunt d'Arcy
Eastern
In
common with many other villages toward the end of the 19th century,
Tolleshunt D’ Arcy was keen to set up a Congregational Chapel for
those not wishing to attend the Parish Church. In 1881 application to
use a barn was made in which to hold services on Sunday‑evenings
during summer months. By 1887, with a membership of 17, they were out
of the barn and into their own building. Membership numbers increased
to 40, Sunday School began and Worship Services were held on Sunday
morning and evening. Life continued like this until the late nineteen
thirties, but just after the Second World War the Sunday Morning
Service ceased.
In
1972 an AGM was held; 13 Members attended and voted to join The United
Reformed Church. The chapel had a good working relationship with the
Parish Church and in 1985 it was decided that United Services were to
be held one Sunday evening each month, alternating between Church and
Chapel. In 1988, Centenary Services of Thanksgiving were held and
celebrations continued for a week. By 1993 the Sunday School had
ceased and replaced by a joint effort with the Parish Church held in
neutral premises.
During 1996 and 1997 an interregnum occurred within the Colchester
Group. Consequently there were no Church Meetings or AGMs. However,
in July 1998 a Minister was appointed. Unfortunately,
the Membership had reduced to 5 and the question arose as to whether
anything could be achieved by altering the building to make it more
multi‑purpose. Authorisation was given for an assessment of the
building which found that it needed extensive work such as re‑pointing
and rewiring etc. There appeared to be no obvious way forward for
such a small Membership to meet such expenditure. As relations with
the Parish Church were quite close, the Members were made to feel
welcome to worship there.
As
a result of this, resolutions were passed, as required, for the
closure of the Chapel. Worship ceased on the 12th December 1999, when
the Service not only dealt with the closure but also gave thanks for
111 years of faithful witness.
10 Tower Road, Hindhead
Wessex
Life was first breathed into Tower Road United Reformed Church in 1896
following the generous gift by Mr John Grover, a local developer and
builder, of the land and building which was to become Hindhead Free
Church (Congregational). He also funded a second church (Beacon
Hill) just over a mile down the road.
The
original church building was initially used as a general meeting hall
in the care of two super‑intendents, the Revd G B Stallworthy from
Poole and the Revd Alfred Kluht, a retired Congregational Minister.
By 1901 the original hall had been extended to include a new hall and
adjacent manse, along with the installation of electric lighting. In
those days Hindhead was regarded as a very healthy area, similar to
Switzerland, and the church provided a much needed place of worship
not only for local residents but also for the rich and famous who
frequented the area. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and George Bernard Shaw
were regular attenders. The Church was proud to be the first place
of Christian witness in the area.
But
times change. The big hotels have gone and the Hindhead crossroads
have become a traffic bottleneck. We live in an age where people do
not do Church, particularly on a Sunday, and if we are true to our
Christian faith then we need to hear God’s calling that it is the
people and not the buildings which are the Church. To justify two
Church buildings in such close proximity is difficult and after much
prayer, the decision has been taken to focus our attention on the
Beacon Hill site. In so doing, our vision is to create an ecumenical
worship/ community/Christian centre.
The
lives of many hundreds if not thousands of people have been changed
and enriched by the life and witness of Tower Road United Reformed
Church. We give thanks for all those who have served the Church so
faithfully during its long history, from those who have stood in the
pulpit to those who have kept it clean.
In
closing the Church, we are merely ceasing to use this particular
building for public worship. The people who are Tower Road will live
on. Some will take their gifts and skills to other congregations in
their local communities, others will join with their sister Church at
Beacon Hill. The important thing is the witness continues and that
witness will be stronger because the congregation of Tower Road have
been courageous enough to hear God saying “your work here is finished
– I want you to work somewhere else” and to answer that call.
11 Woodhall Farm, Hemel Hempstead
Thames North
In
response to the growth of housing in the Woodhall Farm area of Hemel
Hempstead and encouraged by the Church of England, Revd Henry Gordon
(United Reformed Church) established a church centre in 1975 in a
converted private house. The church was successful in gaining new
members but though valiant efforts were made by Mr Gordon and the
succeeding ministers to build a stable congregation, this was
frustrated by a highly mobile population. Efforts were made to
establish links with the nearby LEP of Grovehill (RC, Baptist, CE),
but although this was achieved in practice, formal arrangements were
not concluded.
More recently the establishment of an Ichthus Fellowship in the area
of Woodhall Farm has attracted many of the young families and the
number worshipping at Woodhall Farm Church Centre has declined. In
December 2001 a church meeting decided that the church should close
and a last service was held on 24 March 2002. Most members have
transferred to Grovehill LEP where they have been warmly received by
the Anglican vicar.
12 Clapham United Reformed Church
Southern
On
9 November 2002 a Service was held to celebrate the Uniting of Clapham
United Reformed Church and St Andrew's
United Reformed Church Battersea and the Opening of St Andrew's
new building.
On
24 November 2002 the final Service at Clapham United Reformed Church
was held in their building in Grafton Square.
We
give thanks to God for the life and witness of the former Clapham
United Reformed Church and wish the united congregation at St Andrew’s
every blessing.
13 Earlsfield United Reformed Church
Southern
The
members of Earlsfield United Reformed Church decided that their church
should close at the end of December 2002. This decision was taken
with great courage and much regret.
The
final Service was on 12 January 2003. The small congregation was
joined by over 100 former members, ecumenical representatives and
friends for this memorable Service of Thanksgiving.
We
give thanks to God for the life and witness of the former Earlsfield
United Reformed Church.
14 Berea, Blaina
Wales
The
first Church was known as Little Berea – the date of this Church is
not known. It became a Baptist Church and closed in 1999. The present
Church was built in 1842 by men bringing stone to the site before they
went to work in coal mines and iron works. It was opened for worship
in 1850 as a Welsh Church.
Berea took an active part in the life of the area between Nantyglo and
Blaina. The Revd David Williams was the first Minister, and his son,
also David Williams, was also minister of the English Congregational
Church in Blaina.
Tragically, depression saw many young people having to move to places
all over the world. Their descendants have often come back to see the
Church where their grandparents first worshipped Jesus Christ. The
Church had many activities — even two meetings each night — including
Saturdays. Sadly the depression continued in the area to the point
where the church was unable to continue; it closed in February 2002.
There were once 23 churches in Nantyglo and Blaina; now only 6 remain,
but the work and witness to the gospel still goes on. We give thanks
for over 150 years of faithful witness.
15 Hannah Street, Cardiff
Wales
Hannah Street Congregational Church was formed in 1866 on the
initiative of the Revd John Davies, then Minister of Mount Street
Welsh Congregational Church, who saw the need for services in English
in the neighbourhood of Cardiff Docks. In a hired room Mr Davies
preached in English and in a short time a Sunday school was
established and a Church formed consisting of 14 members. By 1867 the
Church was sufficiently confident to build a permanent building and in
June of that year the foundation stone of an imposing building was
laid and the Church was opened almost exactly a year later.
By
1912 the Church was feeling the strain of difficult and adverse
conditions. In the words of a contemporary historian the Docks
district was experiencing the ‘migration of the class of persons on
whom our churches mainly depend for support, people of foreign
extraction largely taking the place of British residents’. Church
and congregation dwindled to a point where in 1917 the Church building
was sold. However, the remaining members persisted and the Church
continued to operate from a house in neighbouring Patrick Street where
a Sunday school and preaching services were held. In 1919 the Church
reported 28 members, a Sunday school roll of 105 with an average
attendance of 90. In the post‑war redevelopment of Butetown, by
agreement with the City Council in exchange for certain other
properties, the Church acquired premises and land in Hannah Street
where a house was converted and a Chapel built. Over the next 40
years or so the numbers and influence of the Church declined to a
point where only one member remained, although the Church building was
used for worship by an independent evangelical church. On the death
of the sole remaining member, District Council decided with sadness to
declare the Church closed and to dispose of the property. District
Council has given thanks to God for the service of those many people
associated with Hannah Street over the 137 years of its existence.
16 Neyland
Wales
The
foundation stone of the Bi‑Centennial Memorial Chapel was laid in 1864
and the building work was completed in 1865. As the fortunes of the
town grew with the development of the boat yards and the proposed
sailings to Ireland, the congregation grew. At a Sunday School tea in
December 1898, over two hundred scholars and teachers sat down. The
guiding influence at this time was Revd William Powell who joined the
church in 1888 and whose ministry lasted for over four decades.
In
the 1940’s the chapel became the home of the Neyland Choral Society
and their celebrity concerts – involving the choir and many
internationally known opera singers – were for many years the cultural
highlight in the area.
In
the 1980’s, as a result of dwindling congregations, the chapel, which
had now become the United Reformed Church, became part of the Cleddau
Pastorate involving Tiers Cross, Rosemarket, Hook and Tabernacle
Milford Haven, under the leadership of the Revd David Morgan. It was
on the occasion of his retirement in the late 1990’s that the few
remaining members decided, reluctantly, that the ‘Cong’ should close
its doors after nearly 140 years of worship in Neyland.
17 Tabor United Reformed Church, Maesycwmmer
Wales
Tabor ‘old chapel’ was built in 1829 by a group of Congregationalists
or Independents who had previously worshipped in a cottage near
Gellideg Isaf Farm. The land was leased to them by Mr Henry Thomas,
Gellideg. Its minister in 1830, Revd Harries, was also the minister
of New Bethel, Mynyddislwyn, until ill‑health forced him to give up
his work at Tabor.
At
this time in Maesycwmmer the Welsh language was more in use; this is
evidenced in some of our records in the Victoria Library concerning
its Sunday School of adults and children, and in graveyard
inscriptions.
The
number of worshippers having increased, the 1829 building was enlarged
in 1855 to double the capacity. The earlier building had an entrance
to the gallery from a staircase outside. During the rebuilding the
services were held in a barn on Gellideg Farm.
A
succession of ministers followed Mr Harries until in 1869 the Revd T J
Hughes of Abertillery began a pastorate which was to last many years.
The number of members increased from about 50 in 1869 to 200 by 1904.
Because of this growth, a larger chapel was built in 1867. The
architect who designed it was the Revd Thomas Thomas (or Thomas
Landore), who had developed this so‑called ‘Landore style’ in Swansea.
Among later ministers were the Revd E B Powell, Revd Ivan Jenkins,
Revd Frank Saville and Revd Gerald Smith. Mr Jenkins was a student
pastor at Tabor in 1929 and ordained in 1930. During the 14 years of
his ministry, the church and all its branches flourished. By 1939 he
had enrolled 129 new members, increased the Sunday School to 200, and
the Young People’s Guild to 70. For a while, during the ministry of
the Revd Gerald Smith, Tabor and the English Congregational Church at
Fleur‑de‑Lis formed a joint pastorate. In 1971 Tabor decided to join
the United Reformed Church. During the following years three Interim
Moderators were appointed, the Revd Geoffrey Plowman of Cardiff, the
late Mr John Phillips, and Mr Robert Moverley of Caerphilly, whose
help and support were very much appreciated.
In
1996, the church became part of the United Reformed Church Rhymney
Valley pastorate, together with Bethany, Ystrad Mynach and Van Road,
Caerphilly, with the Revd Shelagh Pollard as pastor. Though her
ministry was brief, the church benefited enormously from her energy
and dedication, and from the worship and fellowship with the sister
churches. Both buildings at Maesycwmmer buildings were listed in
October 1997. The increased burden of maintaining them, together with
the decline in membership led to the closure of the church in 2002.
Tabor gives thanks for its 173 year history of Christian worship and
witness.
18 Zion, Wattsville
Wales
Zion was built as a ‘daughter’ church of Trinity Congregational Church
in Pontywaun when the residents of Wattsville, who had to travel 3
miles to worship in Pontywaun, decided that they would like a church
in their own village. The land was donated by the organisation which
was later known as the National Coal Board and construction began.
The building Zion was intended to be the schoolroom attached to a
larger chapel but there were insufficient funds and the larger chapel
was never built. It is said that the benches which were used as pews
came from the deck of a liner which had been sent to C H Bailey’s
shipyard in Newport to be broken up. Mrs Bailey was an influential
supporter of the Congregational churches in the Newport area and often
offered items to furnish the church buildings in the surrounding
valleys. The first service was held at Zion in November 1907.
Zion was an active church for most of its life with a large Sunday
School and Sisterhood contributing to the worship on a regular basis.
The church was also very proud of its choir which was trained by a
series of highly respected local musicians. In more recent times, the
congregation of Zion joined with the members of other local churches
for monthly worship services and attempted to engage with the youth of
the local community by running a youth club for a time.
The
last decades have been times of great change in the valleys of South
Wales and the demography of the community of Wattsville has changed
recently. This was reflected clearly in the life of Zion: its
congregation grew older and declined in number and the young people
moved away from the area as there was little prospect of local
employment.
A small, faithful group
continued to worship at Zion until, in the autumn of 2001, the report
from the buildings inspector confirmed what had long been feared; the
chapel was structurally unsound and remedial work was prohibitively
expensive. The members held a meeting on 2nd June 2002 at which it
was decided with great sadness that the last service would be held at
Zion on 30th June 2002. The last service was one of thanksgiving for
the life of the church at Wattsville, for its witness in the community
and for the many blessings received by all those who had shared
fellowship in this ‘schoolroom’ over the past 95 years.
top |
