In the second half of the nineteenth century there were further changes
on “The Green”. The Wesleyans
moved to a new site in Fleet Street building both a day school and a Chapel; the
“Wesleyan Chapel and Atherton Schools”. The school was named after Rev. William Atherton (1776-1850)
of Lamberhead Green, in his time President of the Methodist Conference and
Solicitor General of England, with a large part of the building costs being met
by his son, Sir William Atherton MP. Typically,
for the times, the school had two entrances, one for girls and one for boys.
The fact that both doors opened into the same room obviously bothered
nobody.
The
Wesleyans old Chapel premises were first rented, and then bought, by the
Primitive Methodists who later, in 1902, moved to a site in Woodford Street,
Pemberton. At about the same time as the Wesleyans moved a new church, The
Methodist Free Church, was being established in the area and they built premises
in Loch Street, Pemberton, providing both Chapel and Sunday School. Expanding
congregations at the Wesleyan Chapel meant re-designing the interior in 1880,
turning most of it through 180 degrees and adding a Band Room and Minister’s
Vestry.
In
the twentieth century things have changed again.
Methodist Union in 1932 brought the three strands of the Church into
“The Methodist Church” and, with three church buildings within 200 yards of
one another, the problem of over-provision would have to be faced despite old
loyalties and old traditions.
The
first step was a joint Youth Club established in 1939 but the crucial event was
the re-arranging of the Circuits in 1955. Instead
of three circuits, three churches and three ministers there was now only one
circuit and one minister. One
church seemed the next logical step.
In
1960 the nettle was grasped and an amalgamation committee was set up with
representatives from all three churches. From
the existing premises available, the Wesleyan building was chosen (after much
discussion) as the best (i.e. most central) location and amalgamation began in
earnest. In order to make the church buildings feel new for everyone
the interior of the Wesleyan Chapel was re-designed again and turned back to the
way it was originally built with the communion rail at the front and the
Memorial Chapel at the back. Pews
were brought from Woodford Street. The
Church Organ was moved and a new vestry added.
A new entrance was created by adding a foyer and a passageway to link the
school building to the Chapel to make the whole thing one building.
Just as importantly the name was changed and the church became TRINITY
Methodist Church; three churches into one just as the Holy Trinity is three into
one.
The
new Church and Chapel were opened and Dedicated during the weekend of 12th
& 13th May 1962 and have remained essentially the same ever since
apart from the occasional refurbishment of the interior.
In 1998 woodworm and dry rot in the wooden
floor and pews combined to necessitate the complete refurbishment of the Chapel.
New floors, new carpets, new decorating and chairs instead of pews give
us a bright, modern and flexible Church looking forward to the twenty-first
century
In
2001 the schoolroom was refurbished by a team of dedicated volunteers.
It has now a new wooden floor, which keeps the Line and Sequence dancers
very happy and has had a full redecoration. It is a bright and modern
room for all ocassions.
MISSION
STATEMENT
Our
Mission is that we are here to proclaim the love of God to all people, by word
and deed, worship and service.
Our aims therefore are to nurture and care for all our members and
friends and to serve the community’s needs as we are able.
Activities
We
have regular activities at Trinity as well as the occasional special event.
They include:
Sundays:
Morning Worship 10.45 am
Mondays:
Singing Group 7.30 pm
Tuesdays:
Tuesday Friends Fortnightly
Wednesdays:
Mums and Toddlers - 1.15pm term time
Wednesday
Fellowship 7.30 pm fortnightly.
Thursdays:
Weekly Men's leisure club
Fridays:
Friday Club for 4-10 year olds 6.00 pm Term time
Saturdays:
Coffee Shop 10.00 am till 12 noon
We
also try to serve the community by holding other activities such as the
following:
Friendship
Lunches – held every four weeks on Mondays
Blood
Donors – use our premises regularly
Some
of the rooms in the Church are available for hire and details are as follows:
The
large Hall is available at the following charges:
Morning...£30.00
Afternoon
£30.00
Evening £35.00
Usage
of Kitchen £6.00
Middle
Room and Band Room: £20.00 per session
Please
contact Trinity on 01942-221484
The
members of our Church practice Christian Stewardship.
In a nutshell this means promoting the Word and work of God and Jesus
Christ outside the Church and in the Community but also discovering the gifts
and skills of our congregation and using them in a positive way.
We regularly review our Time and Talents and how they can best be used in
serving both Church and Community.
The
hall, over the years it has seen Drama, Choirs, Brass Bands and, on
one memorable occasion, a Rock Band. The
Band then led the service the following morning.
It was different at least! It’s
also been used as a film location for a small independent group making a film
about young people going through drug rehabilitation.
Please Note: Friday and Saturday September 7th and
8th 10.00am to 4.00pm Craft Weekend in conjunction with Heritage Open day
in celebration of Charles Wesley's Tercentenary.