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History of Birstall Methodist Church |
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by John Kilby. July 2008.
Although a Sunday school was in existence in 1841, it was 1847 when the first Wesleyan Association Chapel was built on Wanlip Lane. It was a stone plastered Chapel with a thatched roof and was situated just to the rear of what is now 23 Wanlip Lane, possible quite close to an old Medieval or Saxon path from Front Street through to Wanlip Church. However, this chapel did not remain for very long because in the 1860’s friends of the chapel met each Sunday in the tenanted home of John Green, just where the present Earl of Stamford is. We assume that the former chapel had suffered damage and consequently many fund raising events were organised and a parcel of land owned by Miss Whiles on the corner of Front Street and White Horse Lane was leased to the Trustees and the third place of worship for the Methodists was built and opened in 1870. In 1901 the loan for this plot of land on Front Street was paid off and the Trustees at that time all signed the deed for the abstract title of the land. The small chapel was on the first floor of the premises and underneath was chapel schoolroom. At the rear of the chapel there was a small cottage flat where the chapel keepers lived
The early years of the 1900’s were busy and congregations began to increase again. In the 1920’s fund raising again began to accumulate and land, on our present site, owned by Bert Cole was purchased with the help of a generous gift and loan by Mr William Hallam. This fourth Chapel was opened in 1930 and was able to accommodate 250 people in the church and 200 in the schoolroom.
Birstall grew in population during the 1920’s and before very long it was necessary to think again about building on the adjoining land. A fund raising scheme was opened in 1947 for an estimated cost of £18,000. The present church was completed and opened on the 28th June 1958. Grants from J Arthur Rank £5,000; Manchester Chapel Aid Fund £1,000; and £1,000 for the former estate of Hill Street church in Leicester.
Several extensions and rebuilds have taken place over the last 50 years. In 1963 the Concert Hall and Stage were rebuilt and the large Fellowship room added. The old pipe organ became unserviceable and in 1973 a new American Allen organ was installed. 1994 we completely rebuilt the old chapel (coffee shop) and included offices and classrooms on the first floor. During 2003 we refurbished the Church itself at a cost of £109,000 and as recent as 2007 we installed a new boiler system costing £27,000. Thanks to the continued support of many members and friends we hope to continue to maintain and upkeep the premises so dearly dedicated to the work of God in this part of his world.
During all this time we have never failed in our continued financial support to many outside charities and organisations.
Commemorative stones of the 1847 and 1869 are presently set in the walls of our present Church.
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