Bispham Methodist Church(Crank Rd/UpHolland Road, Billinge)

 Bispham Methodist Church was founded in the Wesleyan tradition in 1845 by William Holt, a landowner who had inherited nearby Bispham Hall.  

Today, the church has 82 members (any backsliders unrecorded). By 1908 a thriving Sunday School had a total of 161 pupils and 18 staff.  In 1921, average Sunday School attendances were 155. 

The present pipe organ was built by Charles H Whitely & Co of Chester in 1923 although now motorised.  Illumination was by oil lamp until 1928 when electric lighting was installed at a cost of £70. There has been a thriving choir for many years and, as well as the organ, services are now regularly enhanced by our Praise & Worship Band and also an electronic keyboard. 

Although physically prominently positioned, the church is not stone & mortar but people of faith, and it is this which has been reflected in its witness to the community for over 160 years by personalities (clerical and lay, too numerous to mention) who have all had a part to play.

Mission Statement

"We seek to share the love of Jesus through worship, fellowship, service and example".

Worship

Worship varies in style so that throughout the year a range is experienced.  Lay contributions are encouraged, and on the second Sunday of the month there is a Family & Parade Service.  There are also occasional Praise & Worship services and "Songs of Praise" evenings. Here is a picture of the Bispham Worship band at one of our services

Church Activities

Sunday           Worship - 10.30am & 6.00pm

                      Young Church; Creche (When required)

                       Family & Parade Services 2nd Sunday in month - 10.30am

Monday           Brownies  -  6.15pm

Tuesday          "Tuesday Meet-In"  - 7.30pm - (1st Tuesday)

Wednesday     Beavers  -  6.15pm

                        Cubs       -  6.00pm

Thursday          Children's Dance class 5.00pm

                        "Share the Prayer"  6.45pm

                        Communion  11.30am (1st Thursday) followed by light lunch

Friday              8.30am to 10.30am   Circuit Print production of weekly notices for six of our circuit churches

                        and other print requirements, including our quarterly circuit "Link" magazine.

Activities other than those above include:

Church Anniversary:               2nd Sunday in March

Junior Church Anniversary:    2nd Sunday in June

Harvest Festival:                    2nd Sunday in October

Gift/Toy Service                   2nd Sunday in December

Community

The community is well mixed and includes Bispham Hall Scout Estate  a few hundred metres up the road  from the church. 

Two Books to help commemorate the chapel's 150th Anniversary have been published:

"A House Nigh Unto Heaven" by David Lythgoe

"One Man's Pitch"  by David Young

"Wigan Bred" is Dr David Lythgoe's recently published book of poetry.

If you wish to receive further details or a copy of either or both books, or "The Billingers" mentioned elsewhere on this site, please use the webmaster contact address shown below.

Cost of hire of premises:

Main Hall (weekly use)  £25 per session,  (occasional use) £30 per session

Small Hall (weekly use)  £15 per session,  (occasional use)  £20 per session

Annual Weekend away

For over 12 years Bispham has organised an annual church weekend away to Coniston (Lake District), which is now open to all the circuit (and beyond). This focuses on a spiritual themr and involves fellowship, fun and food.