Lancaster Methodist Church 

The history of the former Greaves church

An account of the Public Meeting of 4 March 1907

From the LANCASTER GUARDIAN, MARCH 9, 1907

WESLEYAN EXTENSION SCHEME.

TWO NEW CHURCHES AT LANCASTER.

MUNIFICENT OFFER BY MR. HELME, M.P., AND MR. R. N. HELME.

       The scheme for the erection of two new churches and schools for the Wesleyan Methodist denomination in Lancaster was formally inaugurated at a great gathering held in the Wesley Church on Monday.  The project has been “in the air” for a considerable period.  For some years it has been felt by many of the leading members that the denomination was not taking its full share of responsibility in providing accommodation for the religious requirements of the population, more particularly in view of the expansion of the town on every side, and the increasing population in the Skerton and Scotforth districts.  At Skerton, where a church has existed since 1869 - a school being added in 1884 - it has long been admitted that the accommodation was altogether inadequate and the buildings unsuitable for the purpose for which they were designed ;  whilst in regard to Scotforth ward, the mission in Westham-street, which served its purpose for a time, was considered too remote from the residential population to be of real utility and was, moreover, ill-adapted to the requirements of a progressive Church.  Want of ways and means, however, blocked for some years embarkation on a bold and aggressive policy ; but in 1903 a step in advance was made by the purchase of a site for a new church and schools on the Greaves Estate, the development of which was then rapidly proceeding.  The site, which has a considerable frontage to South-road, and almost immediately faces Brunton House, cost over £900, the cost being provided from the funds of the successful bazaar held in the Assembly Rooms in 1905, when £1,450 was raised.  A further step in advance was taken in 1904, when a site for a new church and schools at Skerton, with a frontage to Owen-road, and almost immediately opposite the junction of that road with Heysham-road, was purchased, the cost of this site being defrayed by a second bazaar in 1906, which realised a net profit of £632.  The successful services last year in connection with the centenary of Wesley Church gave a further impetus to the movement, and the desire “to make the second century of Lancaster Methodism even more successful and progressive than the first” emboldened the Committee which had been appointed by the Circuit Quarterly Meeting to recommend a building scheme involving a further estimated outlay of about £13,000.  In order to take advantage of an implied promise of a liberal grant from the Twentieth Century Fund - towards which Lancaster Circuit contributed about 4,000 guineas - which would not hold good if the scheme were long deferred, they urged that it should be pushed forward as rapidly as practicable.  Plans for the new blocks of premises, prepared by the Mayor of Morecambe (Mr. Coun. Wright), who has for many years been prominently associated with Methodist architecture in the district, were provisionally approved, and on the 4th of January this year, it was decided to proceed with the dual scheme.  A potential factor in this decision was the munificent offer by Mr. N. W. Helme, M.P., on the part of himself and his brother, Mr. R. N. Helme, to erect the church at Skerton, as a memorial of their late father, Mr. James Helme, who was one of the original promoters and always a chief supporter of the existing Church and schools in Main-street.  Subsequently an appeal was issued, signed by the  Rev. S. T. Bosward, superintendent minister ;  Messrs. J. Gornall and Jas. Dugdale, Circuit stewards ; E. Cardwell, J.P., T. W. Helme, M.A., and M. Standing, treasurers ;  Jno. Watson, J. Gornall, and J. G. E. Clark, secretaries.

      The inauguration of the scheme was initiated by special services on Sunday, when the Rev. S. T. Bosward (superintendent minister) preached powerful sermons before large congregations, the subject in the morning being “Material extension,” and that of the evening discourse, “Spiritual completion.”  On Monday afternoon, a fairly large congregation assembled to hear a sermon from the Rev. S. F. Collier (superintendent of the Manchester Mission), who delivered an eloquent discourse.  Subsequently a tea-meeting was held in the School-room, about 200 being present, the arrangements being carried out by the wives of the Church officials.  A short musical recital in the Church followed, selections being played on the organ by Mr. A. Douthwaite, organist and choirmaster, and solos being sung by Miss Armistead.  In the evening a largely attended meeting, representative of all parts of the Lancaster Circuit, was held in the Church.  Mr. Helme, M.P., presided, supported by the Mayor of Morecambe (Councillor S. Wright), Rev. J. Hornabrook, Secretary to the Conference ;  Rev. S. F. Collier, Manchester ;  Revs. S. T. Bosward, J. Cannell Harrison, and M. E. K. Brockman, Circuit ministers ;  Messrs. E. Cardwell, J.P., R. N. Helme, J. Gornall, J. Dugdale, T. D. Wright, T. Benson, J. C. Haydock, J. Cliff, M. Standing, E. G. Smith, J. Townley, T. Parrington, C. Price, J. Williams, Jno. Watson, J. G. E. Clark, etc.  Mr. W. Perks, M.P., had been announced to attend but was prevented by an attack of influenza.  After devotional exercises led by the Revs. S. T. Bosward and J. C. Harrison,

      Ald. HELME, M.P.,  at the outset of his address, regretted he had received a telegram from Mr. R. W. Perks, M.P., in which he said, “Very greatly regret not sufficiently recovered from influenza to attend meeting tonight.  I shall endeavour to come to the opening or some future ceremony.  I heartily wish you a most successful meeting. - R. W. Perks.”  He was sure they would receive that information with as much regret as he did, but when influenza asserted itself, they could not challenge the incapacity of Mr. Perks to fulfil his engagement. He saw him before he left London, a week ago, and arranged the train by which he would travel, and also leave on the following morning, in order to attend the Free Church Federation meetings in Leeds.  All these arrangements had come to naught.  He was also sorry that the Mayor of Lancaster (Dr. Hamilton) was unable to be with them, but if they had not the pleasure of having the Mayor of Lancaster, they were delighted to see the Mayor of Morecambe (Mr. Samuel Wright) on the platform, and welcomed him in his capacity as “His Worship.”  (Applause.)  Proceeding, he said it had been his pleasure to preside at many interesting meetings both inside and outside that Sanctuary, but never had he risen with greater pleasure than he did that night.  (Applause.)  His only regret was that his voice was a little bit uncertain, and he hoped they would bear with him while he did his best under the circumstances.  (Hear, hear.)  It was a truism to say that we lived in a world of progress.  The evidences of that lay all around about them. Whichever direction they turned their thoughts they found they were speedily advancing and making progress, either in the material world, or in the intellectual world, or in the social world.  The condition of the people, speaking generally, was never better than to-day.  They were on THE UPWARD GRADE.

It was a pleasure to feel that things were going right, and amongst the general advancement there was a determination to strengthen the weak places and to study the highest interests of the nation, especially the poorer and less capable portion of the people.  They asked “What is the vital force behind all this upward movement ?”  They would all agree with him when he claimed that Christianity stood unchallenged as the great uplifting force that was making the world better day by day.  (Applause.)  The revelation of the personality of Christ was the key stone of all this progress, and as they were faithful to Him and His teaching, then they were secure.  Nothing could be finer or could ever surpass the command which He gave “Thou shalt love the Lord Thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself.”  This was the key of the message of Christianity, and it was for the support of that, with all the delightful altruism it embodied, they were meeting that night to endeavour to see how far they could develop within the good old town of Lancaster efforts to improve the condition of the people.  (Hear, hear.)  Never were such efforts being put forth as now.  There was an earnestness of purpose running and pulsating through every nerve of organisation and civilisation.  Collectively much more might be done, but they could not trust all to legislation.  They could not trust administration, whether national or municipal in character, to do everything.  The conditions of life might be improved by collective efforts, but the latter usually dealt with the material side of life.  There was a higher and nobler side to life, namely, the spiritual which could not be dealt with except through the individual.  Therefore the Church in all its varied branches was striving to reach the hearts and lives of the individuals.  Amongst the Churches they stood, yielding to no-one in their desire to endeavour, as far as they could, to fulfil Divine command, and to do His work.  (Hear, hear.)  That was not a meeting called to discuss the differences that existed between the various branches of the Church ;  suffice it to say they gave to everyone the freedom and the right to follow Christ, as his conscience directed, just as they claimed for themselves.  (Applause.)  As they surveyed the history of the past, they, as a Methodist Church, had studied the Word of God as the foundation and revelation of God’s will to man, and they had established their Church polity upon it.  They were satisfied with it themselves, and desired to test its suitablitlity for the needs of the country and the world still further than they had ever done yet. They took their place amongst the Free Churches in the land, they were a NON-SACERDOTAL CHURCH - (hear, hear)  their ministers were not priests.  (Hear, hear.)  They claimed that the Divine Grace could not be transmitted by human agents as such.  (Hear, hear.)  They refused to believe that the bestowal of spiritual grace depended on the finger tips of any man being placed on the people.  (Applause.)  They regarded as a priceless possession the heritage which had been won for them by the efforts of their forefathers, and which they would endeavour to maintain.  Whilst their ministers might be skilled in theology and they looked upon them as leaders, at the same time they refused to accept their interpretation of Scripture as infallible, declaring that the Bible itself, instead of being a “dangerous book”, as they had heard it described in some quarters recently - was the book on which their faith was based.  (Hear, hear.)  They preached the message of love to man it contained.  The hearts of millions had been gladdened by its message, and nothing else would so uplift the life and develop the character of the individual, and make him strong in the highest precepts of humanity, and at the same time secure material improvement under all circumstances where those precepts were followed.  Their pulpits proclaimed the glad evangel of God’s mercy, unfettered by doubt.  There was no uncertainty in the declaration of the truths that were preached from the pulpits of their Church. They preached a living and loving Saviour, they preached the doctrines of the Divine Fatherhood, and the indwelling spirit of God gladdening the hearts of men with the knowledge of conscious association with Him in loving relationship.  These were some of the doctrines that they proclaimed from their pulpits.  They also remembered that “faith without works is dead,” and, taking the parable of the Vine, their Saviour said :  “I am the Vine, ye are the branches.”  They believed in the happy and glorious privilege of present association with their Redeemer, and it was in order to spread His Love in the hearts of individual men and women that they as a Church felt they must be up and doing, so that they might be true to the great vocation to which they had been called.  As a Church they were engaged in a FORWARD MOVEMENT, and their Connexion was never never more alive than at present.   Everywhere by combinations of churches, one associated with the other, the strong was trying to help the weak.  As a Connexion their churches were impressed with the idea that whilst the population was increasing and whilst wealth was increasing, so their duties increased also, and they should endeavour as a C hurch to live up to the responsibilities they felt rested upon them.  He need not remind them that a few years ago they determined to herald the advent of the Twentieth Century by putting their organisations into the best possible form so far as monetary arrangements were concerned.  They rejoiced in the effort that was made to raise one million guineas.  The friends in Lancaster threw themselves nobly and heartily into that work and succeeded in taking a very handsome share in it.  (Hear, hear.)  In the sum of 4,000 guineas which they received in the Circuit, they gave evidence of an interest that was not selfish and not immediately local, but a desire to do their part to assist the work of the Christian Church throughout the world.  Of the total sum, something like £300,000 was handed over to the Chapel Building Committee, and Mr. Hornabrook, its able secretary, was there to tell them something about it.  By means of that fund, Chapel building extensions had been promoted to the extent of £4,000,000 sterling.  That night they intended to do something to increase that large amount.  Last July they held an interesting gathering in that Chapel to celebrate the centenary of the building of the old premises that were situated on that site.  Mr. W. Milner presided on that occasion, and gave a very interesting account of the work they had done.  He was asked upon that occasion to speak on the work that lay before them, and that night he would fulfil some of the ambitions he previously gave utterance to in their name.  He was thankful to be able to say that as a Church they were determined on great things.  They had met that night in order that they might inaugurate a great scheme for the erection of TWO NEW CHURCHES upon which they decided sometime ago must be secured on the south side and also on the north side of the town.  When the sites came into the market, as the result of building operations, they managed to secure two good plots of land each on the main road, one on the Greaves and the other at Skerton.  Then they had to wait in order that they might consider the question of ways and means.  Their resources were limited but their intentions were sound.  They knew the Chapel Building Committee, in administering the Twentieth Century Fund, were prepared to assist them in the work by a grant, and understood they were reserving a sum of £1,000.  There were a great many claims for the sums of money which they had to disburse, but with all the applicants they were very pleased to manage to keep that little nest egg, in the hope they would be able to avail themselves of it.  The years had rapidly passed, and the demands were greater than the Committee could meet, but thanks to the friends in court, the £1,000 was kept for them.  A year ago, they got a hint that unless they were able to claim it very speedily all applications would be dealt with and the grants closed.  They did not like to contemplate the loss of the £1,000, their large donations were not so numerous as to let them afford to lose such a sum.  Many meetings were held, and much consideration given to the subject, but it was felt that the cost of erecting Chapels and Schools on these two sites was beyond what they could possibly undertake.  They were forced to the conclusion that they must either wait several years, or otherwise they should have to divide their schemes, and only build on one of the sites.  Methodism had in the past in other places flourished by going out of the towns, and building Chapels and Schools in the suburbs where the people had gone to reside.  The question that came before him was “Should we be justified in building premises on the Greaves and leaving our good friends at Skerton in their old premises ?”  In Skerton they had a vigorous Church, and had a set of most loyal and most self-denying and earnest workers that any church need desire.  (Applause.)  He was speaking in the presence of some Skerton friends, and he did not want to say very much  because they had not met to compliment each other.  He thought the idea of allowing Skerton to remain unaided whilst building premises up the Greaves was intolerable, yet he dare not give up the idea that it was their duty to go up the Greaves and build a House of God, to give people living in such numbers on the south side of the town an opportunity to go there.  Therefore they were face to face with both schemes, but had not got the means.  What was to be done ?  He wrote to Mr. Hornabrook and asked him if he would help them, if they made a desperate effort to try and carry both schemes through, by giving them a larger grant from some of the sources of income they were receiving ?  He replied that the offer from Lancaster was one he would endeavour to accept, and he was there that night to tell them what he was going to do through the Committee with which he had to deal.  (Applause.)

A MUNIFICENT OFFER

They would excuse a personal reference.  (Hear, hear.)  That was a time for speaking plainly.  It was no use talking unless they could as far as possible act accordingly.  They had now come face to face with the circumstances, and knew that it meant going on with the two schemes.  The erection of the two chapels carried with it the obligation and the necessity of employing every right method  for raising money.  They must have the schemes paid for and the premises out of debt, in order that they might turn the sources of generosity to the maintenance of an extended ministry, and be able to sustain the spiritual work of the Church.  Bricks and mortar did not constitute churches, they were desirable and necessary, but their idea of a church was a company of believers ;  it was for the development of the spiritual work of the Church that they were met to consider.  Finding they must carry the scheme to a successful issue at once, he discussed the question with his brother, Mr. Robert Helme, and, recognising the difficulties which beset them, they decided that if the friends would build and complete both schemes, they would pay for the erection of the structure in Skerton.  (Loud applause.)  They would remember the interest his late father took in the work at Skerton, he having been closely connected with the establishment of the present church in Main-street.  (Applause.)  They were to build two chapels and schools, which together with the site would cost from £15,000 to £16,000.  They had paid £2,000 for the sites, and were now face to face with raising the sum necessary to build them.  From £13,000 to £14,000 was still needed to erect the premises that would be worthy of the cause.  With full confidence he recommended this scheme to their adoption and the sympathy of the friends, and invited them to enter into it with the spirit that dominated their fathers.  He counted it as a great privilege to be able to take part in the building of that church thirty years ago.  That night they missed the faces of many men from whom they should have had the guidance they were so willing and able to give.  They missed those recently taken from them. Mr. Wright was ever at the front in the erection of various chapels.  He was no longer with them, but his sons were there.  (Hear, hear.)  Mr. T. D. Smith was not with them, but his sons were there.  (Hear, hear.)  Mr. Henry Mason would have been with them with all the young men supporting him, but he had been called away.  Their friend Mr. W. H. Winder was too weak to be with them, but they knew how he helped the Centenary Fund.  They could not tell how long they might be spared.  He felt that the time had arrived when they should be asked whether or not they would take that forward step in the history of Methodism in Lancaster.  Let them put their hearts into the work, and remember that sympathy was the key to success.  By enthusiasm, and earnestness of purpose, and kindliness of spirit all could do something.  The “widow’s mite” was ever put before them as an evidence of generosity by Christ Himself.  He appealed for personal service, and with confidence he asked them to take up the scheme, which in outline,  he had put before them.  Let them pray God’s blessing might rest upon them, and that their Methodist Church might be crowned with a greater measure of spiritual power in the future than it had ever known in the past ;  and that their Church might be amongst those in the town - there were others working for the same end - which were truly spiritual and progressive.  Let them try to do their duty in carrying to the people the Message of God’s love to man, and try to do all they could to influence the hearts and lives of the people, and the conditions under which those lived who were around them.  (Loud applause.)

      The Rev. J. HORNABROOK, in the course of an interesting speech, said he had known Lancaster Methodism for 30 years.  As secretary for the Liverpool district many years ago he had grateful memories of the first synod held in Lancaster, and throughout the district it was always felt that they could rely on Lancaster for the exhibition and practical manifestation of the Connexional spirit.  If ever there was any doubt it was once and forever dispersed by their noble contribution to the Twentieth Century Fund.  (Hear, hear.)  The Chairman had said they contributed to that Fund in no selfish spirit, and now was the time of recompense. If the Lancaster Circuit had not raised so large a sum of 4,000 guineas, the Committee could not four years ago have set aside - not £1,000 because that exceeded the possibilities of the case at that time - £700 for the Lancaster scheme.  Of course, they intended to supplement that, and if Lancaster would only move, so far as the Committee were concerned, they would get all the help they expected, and perhaps more.  (Applause.)  When he received the letter from Mr. Helme, containing the offer on behalf of himself and his brother to erect the church at Skerton, involving some thousands of pounds, if only the Connexion would help them to carry out the other parts of the scheme, he felt he would almost move heaven and earth to get that church at Skerton.  It was too good an offer to lose, and it was made with a simplicity and straightforwardness that quite captured him.  It seemed to be an honest attempt to deal with a great spiritual problem, and he knew that if they put before the Methodist people a statesmanlike and practical scheme, they generally rose to it. He was able with the consent of his Committee to promise £1,500 towards the cost of these two churches.  They had increased the grant from the Century Dund from £700 to £1,100 and he had secured the consent of the Committee to make a grant of £400 from the Chapel Building Fund towards the first three-quarters of the cost of the scheme, so that they were in as good a position as if the whole £1,500 had been voted from the Century Fund.  Beyond that, though he was not there to pledge absolutely anything further, there was a reasonable prospect of realising a hope that they would be able to send them at least another £500.  (Applause.)  The scheme was to extend over three years, and its success depended upon the spirit in which they entered into it.  If their desire was simply to extend the borders of the Lancaster Circuit, or they were seeking merely the aggrandisement of Methodism, they would not accomplish much ;  but if they sought only the glory of God and the extension of His Kingdom the success of the scheme was assured.  They wanted to realise the fullest measure of their responsibility.  Although in Lancaster Wesleyan Methodists had done well they were not making the provision that should be made or doing their full share towards the evangelisation of the town. They had a population of 42,000.  The late Wm. Arthur once said that Methodism should provide for 10 per cent. of the population, but in Lancaster they had not provided for 5 per cent.  He was not blaming them, but merely showing that there was ground for a further appeal.  They were living in the midst of the most wonderful chapel building epoch that Methodism had ever known, and in that respect the Liverpool District held the premier position for the last ten years and certainly for the last half century, and it  was eminently fitting that Lancaster should endeavour to do its share in the work of extension.  (Applause.)

      The Rev. S. T. BOSWARD said he was thankful to see the inauguration of that noble scheme.   The Methodists of Lancaster were a very interesting and loyal people.  They had many admirable qualities, living together very peaceably and without variance and hypocrisy ;  but they had one great fault, and it was that as a church they were not aggressive enough.  He had been comparing Lancaster with some other towns he had known.  Darlington, with a population of 44,000 had two circuits and four or five churches ;  Lincoln, a cathedral city, with a population rather less than Lancaster, had two circuits ;  Bedford, 35,000, had two circuits and three or four churches ;  Luton, with 36,000, had two circuits, five strong churches, one or two smaller ones, and the last time he was there they had a scheme in hand for erecting two more.   If Lancaster carried out this scheme their one fault would be to a great extent removed, and after what they had heard, he thought the scheme was quite feasible.  He put the full cost at £16,000.  Towards that they had the noble promise of the Chairman and his brother ; the prospect of help from the Chapel Committee to the extent of £2,000 ;  they had already in hand with the sites £2,500 ;  and there was a bazaar in prospect which would bring in another £1,500.  Then there would be the stone-laying and opening ceremonies - in fact he had reduced the whole thing in his mind to about £2,500, which was not a great burden for Methodists to clear away, so that when he came to see them at some future date, he hoped to see this scheme carried out, and maybe a new chapel in the Marsh and another at Carnforth.  (Laughter and applause.)

      The Rev. S. F. COLLIER delivered a characteristic address, abounding with interesting reminiscences and anecdotes of his work at the Central Hall, Manchester.  His remarks were frequently interrupted by the announcement of contributions towards the Building Scheme.  Blank promissory notes extending over a period of four years had been placed in the pews, and as these were filled up and handed to the stewards the amounts were announced by the Chairman or one of the treasurers.  Skerton congregation, Sunday scholars and teachers promised £300, and including this sum and a collection of £30, the total amount subscribed and promised during the meeting reached £2,473 15s. 0d.

      Mr. Coun. CARDWELL, J.P., briefly expressed the thanks of the friends to the speakers, and a highly successful meeting was closed with the Doxology and benediction.

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