Lancaster Methodist Church 

The history of the former Greaves church

An account of the Grand Bazaar of 1905

From the LANCASTER GUARDIAN, MARCH 4, 1905

 LANCASTER WESLEY CHURCH

 OLD ENGLISH FANCY FAIR

       On Wednesday a bazaar and fancy fair on an extensive scale was opened in the Assembly Rooms, Lancaster, in aid of the funds of the Wesley Church.  It is probable that there were followers of John Wesley in Lancaster 150 years ago, though there is no record of even the nucleus of a church dating back further than 1788, when Lancaster comprised part of the Colne Circuit.  The first preaching place was procured in 1795, and consisted of the upper rooms of two cottages thrown into one, the internal dimensions being 32 feet by 20 feet, situated at the corner of Damside-street and Wood-street.    Since then the history of the Church has been one of continual progress and development.  Increasing membership soon rendered the provision of better accommodation absolutely imperative, and in 1806 a larger Church and Minister’s house were erected in Sulyard-street, at that time known as the Friarage, and here local Wesleyan Methodism has had its headquarters ever since.  The last century witnessed some very remarkable developments.  In 1830, the Chapel was enlarged by the addition of vestries ;  in 1836 it was further enlarged and the interior entirely re-modelled ;  whilst in 1874 the present handsome and commodious Church, providing accommodation for 1,100 worshippers, was erected at the cost of £9,047.  In addition, missions have at various times been established in the outlying portions of the town, the missions in Bridge-lane, on the Marsh, and in Westham-street having for many years been centres of aggressive Christian work.  The development of Sunday School work in connection with the denomination has been equally remarkable.  A Sunday School was first established in 1792, and until 1834 was conducted in the successive chapels.  The subsequent decade saw a succession of removals, first to a warehouse in Mary-street, later to a larger warehouse in Brewery-lane, and then to the old Oddfellows’ Hall in Brock-street.  In 1852, the school in Edward-street, now belonging to the Primitive Methodists, was built, and had the distinction of being the first building erected in Lancaster for purely Sunday School purposes.  The next remove was brought about in 1874 by the provision of School accommodation in the basement of the present chapel, but this arrangement was  certainly not ideal and was never regarded as very satisfactory.  It was not, however, until 1890, that the trustees were enabled, largely owing to the beneficence of the late Mr. Thomas Cardwell, and the generosity of Mr. Councillor Cardwell, J.P., to formulate a scheme for the provision of more suitable premises.  This scheme, which provided for the erection for the present day and Sunday Schools and commodious premises for Church work, was successfully accomplished in 1893, the total cost being £5,685.

      The object of the present enterprise is to raise at least £1,000 to defray the cost of a thorough renovation of the Church, an improvement of the ventilation, and an installation of electric light ;  and also to pay off a debt incurred on the purchase of a site for a new Church on the Greaves.  It was originally intended that the Bazaar should be held in October last, but owing to the multiplicity of functions of one sort or another, a six months’ postponement was agreed to.  For several months ladies and gentlemen connected with every department of the Church and Schools have been actively engaged in preparations for the undertaking, and the outcome of their efforts, as seen on the stalls on Wednesday afternoon, was a testimony to their whole-hearted zeal and devotion to the interests of the Church.  The interior of the Upper Assembly Room had been transformed into an old English village by Messrs. Wilkins and Co., of Liverpool, the peculiar architecture, with its quaint gables and turrets, being most effectively reproduced ;  whilst the artistic arrangement of the stalls and the Puritan attire of the fair superintendents combined to make a wonderfully pretty and charming old-world picture.  The old custom of detailing the articles to be found on the stalls of a bazaar has, happily, fallen into desuetude, but it may be mentioned that amongst the multifarious collection of goods were many articles of exceptional merit, not only by reason of their intrinsic value, but also on account of the time and zeal bestowed upon their production.  A two-storied doll-house, completely fitted and furnished throughout, made by Mr. Fryers, was, for instance, a marvel of ingenuity and patient labour ;  a beautifully worked table-cover, containing the names of 231 patrons of the Bazaar, whose signatures had been collected by Miss Gornall ;  the Bazaar book of quotations compiled by Miss Standing, deservedly attracted attention ;  and there were also a number of paintings and other articles which not only possessed great artistic merit, but reflected the devotion of the workers in the cause they had at heart. The Bazaar is under the management of a large executive committee, comprising Ald. Helme, M.P., as president;  the Revs. S. T. Bosward, J. H. Armstrong and F. F. Bretherton as vice-presidents;   Councillors J. E. Oglethorpe and E. Cardwell, treasurers, Messrs. J. Gornall and J. G. E. Clark, secretaries;  Mrs. Cardwell, Mrs. Gornall, Mr. and Mrs. Haydock, Mrs. Helme, Mr. and Mrs. R. N. Helme, Mrs. Milner, Mrs. Procter, Mr. and Mrs. W. Procter, Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Standing, Mrs. Watson, Messrs. J. Cliff, J. Davis, J. H. Lyon, H. W. Mason, G. Millington, T. Parrington, E. G. Smith and John Watson.  There are nine stalls under the supervision of the following: -

      Sewing Meeting Stall - Mrs. Milner and Mrs. Procter , assisted by Mesdames Earnshaw, H. S. Oglethorpe, Rhodes, Standing, Swindells, Vipond, Warwick, Watson, J. Watson, W. H. Watson, and Miss Parsons.

      Glass, China and Art Stall - Mrs. Helme, Mrs. R. N. Helme and Mrs W. Croft Helme.

      Fancy Stall - Mesdames J. E. Oglethorpe, E. E. Cardwell, H. Cardwell, Driffield, Haydock, Miss Bosward and Miss Skirrow.

      Congregational Stall - Mrs. Davis, Mrs. J. R. Bell, Mrs. Cliff, Mrs. G. A. Gorrill, assisted by Mesdames W. Bell, Clough, R. Davis, Grantham, J. S. Gorrill, Siddle and Miss Leach.

      Sunday School Stall - Miss Standing (secretary), Mrs. Cardwell (treasurer), Mesdames Gornall, B. Gornall, Millington, W. Procter, E. G. Smith, the Misses Armitage, Howson, Millington, Nowell, Richardson, Sanderson and Watson.

      Guild Stall - Mr. G. Howarth, chairman;  Mrs. Carr and Miss Green, secretaries;  Miss Mason, treasurer;  Mrs. Fryer, Mrs. Sawle, Mrs. T. D. Wright, the Misses M. Green, Jackson, S. Mason, Robinson, Shenton, Todd, Watson, Messrs. J. B. Carr, Crellin, H. Dowthwaite, Fryers, Kirkby, Parker, Sawle, C. Thompson, Winston, T. D. Wright and J. H. Lyon.

      Country Stall - Mrs. T. D. Smith, Mesdames Armstrong, Bretherton, Dugdale, Fisher, J. G. Mitchell, Miss Parker and the Misses Smith.

      Adult Bible Class Stall - Mrs. Duxbury, Mrs. Parrington, Mrs. Western, Miss Robinson, Mr. W. Duxbury, Mr. Howson, Mr. T. Parrington, assisted by Mesdames  Caine, Howson, R. Robinson, Sutton, Swainson and C. Western, the Misses Draper, Nelson and Swainson and Messrs. Caine, Dodgshon, Draper, Edmondson, and Rigg.

      Refreshment and Provision Stall - Mrs. W. G. Smith assisted by Mesdames Benson, J. G. E. Clark, Gardner, A. Gorrill, A. Happold, Kershaw, John Mason, Sutton, Till, the Misses Bleasdale, Happold, B. Happold, Preston, Shaw, E. J. Smith, Marie Smith and Thompson.

 THE ENTERTAINMENTS

       An elaborate series of entertainments had been arranged in connection with the Bazaar, there being something to attract and amuse visitors going on continually from three o’clock until the close of the Bazaar each day.  For the purpose of these entertainments the Lower Assembly Room was fitted with a well-arranged stage and artistically draped with curtains.  A feature of this part of the proceedings were a couple of sketches - the popular “Area Belle,” in which the various parts were admirably sustained by Mrs. Ernest Cardwell, Miss Armitage, Mr. Barron, Mr. G. H. Gay, and Mr. A. C. Slater ;  and an exceedingly picturesque and amusing sketch, entitled “Alice, through a Looking Glass,” the parts in the latter being skilfully impersonated by Miss Armitage, Miss Standing, Miss M. Millington, Messrs. G. H. Warwick, F. Bleasdale, C. H. Smith, L. W. Procter, C. Kershaw and E. Atkinson.  On Wednesday afternoon, a concert arranged by Mrs. R. N. Helme and Mrs. W. Croft Helme, attracted a large attendance, and the various items, which were heartily appreciated, included piano solos by Mr. C. H. Smith, violoncello solos by Miss Ethel Johnson, L.R.A.M., violin solo by Miss Rose Smith, songs and duets by Miss L. Brash, L.I.S.M. and Miss M. L. Preston, L.I.S.M., the accompanist being Miss Barkley.  A hat trimming competition for gentlemen, conjuring feats by Prof. A. Stanley, also attracted considerable attention ;  whilst at each performance by the Bazaar Pierrots there was a large attendance and the jokes and funny songs created no little amusement.  The Pierrots comprised Mrs. E. E. Cardwell, the Misses Millington, L. Nowell, Standing, Thompson, L. Wilmoth and Kershaw (accompanist), Messrs. E. Atkinson, H. Douthwaite, W. Duxbury, Jarvis, C. Kershaw, W. Procter, L. Procter, C. M. Smith, and John Watson.  On Thursday a feature of the entertainments was a high-class concert arranged by Miss Emmie Smith, the items including a piano solo by Miss Kershaw, songs by Miss L. Brash, Miss B. Dutton, Mr. J. Irwin Smith and Mr. C. R. Tomlinson, and a violin solo by Miss Emmie Smith.  In the evening a concert was given by the Wesley Church Choir under the direction of Mr. A. Douthwaite (organist), the programme comprising several part songs, a duet by Misses Masheder and Bird, and songs by Miss Masheder, Miss Hornby, Miss Bird, Miss Heaps, Miss Green, Mrs. Carr, Messrs. W. Duxbury, C. Grantham and S. Leyland;  whilst the competitions and other features of the Bazaar were repeated.

THE OPENING CEREMONY

      The proceedings on Wednesday commenced with a public luncheon at which there was a large attendance, an excellent repast being supplied by the ladies in attendance at the Refreshment Stall under the direction of Mrs. W. G. Smith.  There was a very large gathering at the opening ceremony which followed.  The Mayor (Mr. Councillor Heald, J.P.) presided, supported by Miss Bibby, of Liverpool, who opened the Bazaar, and amongst those presen, in addition to those in attendance upon the stalls, were Miss Heald, the Rev. F. F. Bretherton, Rev. J. H. Armstrong, Mrs. Jas. Bibby (Liverpool), Mrs. Egerton Young, Rev. H. W. and Mrs. Smith, Rev. J. F. Cowley, Rev. W. Edmondson, Rev. J. Baxandall, Mr. Councillor Cardwell, Mr. Councillor Oglethorpe, Mr. Councillor Wright, Messrs. W. Milner, F. A. Milner, H. W. Mason, M. Standing, W. G. Smith, G. Millington, T. J. Wilkinson, R. Siddle, J. Leach, E. G. Smith, J. Gornall, R. Gornall, Jas. Watson, A. Mason, T. Shenton, J. Duxbury, T. Skirrow, A. Happold, T. W. Helme, G. R. Weekes, T. D. Smith, W. Clough, Mr. and Mrs. Chirnside (Hest Bank), Mrs. Hodgson, Mr. T. D. Wright, Mrs. T. Whinnerah, Mr. F. Skirrow and Miss Skirrow (Roeburndale), etc.  The proceedings were commenced with the singing of a hymn, after which the Rev. H. W. Smith offered prayer, and a portion of Scripture was read by the Rev. F. F. Bretherton.

      The MAYOR, who was very cordially received, congratulated those who had had the arrangement of the room upon the success they had achieved in presenting a perfect picture.  It was something quite unique.  He was not a frequent attender at bazaars, but he did go to them occasionally ;  still he had never seen anything of that kind before.  The decoration of the room and the pretty and unique costumes of the ladies - (applause) - rendered it something which carried one back, he might say, to the middle ages or across the water to Holland or some of those Lowland villages of 300 or 400 years ago.  (Applause.)  When he was first asked by one of their energetic treasurers to take the chair upon that occasion he consented without any hesitation.  It was a positive pleasure to him to do so, not that he was at all fond of bazaars, personally, or that he was anxious for the opportunity of making a speech ;  but he felt that, although there were certain things about a bazaar contrary to his inclinations, if his being present could in any way assist in the success of that undertaking, it was his duty to put aside his personal inclinations and do all he could to help them.  The interesting article on Wesleyan Methodism in Lancaster, which appeared in the Bazaar handbook, showed how that branch of the Christian Church had progressed since it first took root in the town, and the objects of the Bazaar, he took it, were to raise funds to still further promote its growth and extension.  A portion of the money was to be devoted to paying for land for the building of a new Church in that beautiful suburb - Scotforth ;  and he supposed that, having bought the land, as soon as they got the necessary funds they would commence to build.  When that time came he was sure they would put a building on the site that would be a credit to their Church and to the district.  He was afraid in times past - the last 100 or 150 years - builders of churches in Lancaster and indeed in the whole country, had manifested a good deal of indifference as to the outward and interior adornment of places of worship.  Artistic education was one of the great features to which people had devoted themselves during the last thirty years, and he believed it would be impossible at the present time to erect such a place of worship in Lancaster or any other town - he did not wish to draw any particular distinction, but he might say as St. Anne’s church in Moor-lane (Hear, hear.)  They could not get the money to erect a church with no more architectural adornment of outward beauty than that.  Therefore he felt sure that the building they erected would be worthy of Wesleyanism and of the district.  (Applause.)  He had recently spent a few days at Southport, which though a pleasant place was somewhat monotonous, and he was struck more than anything else by the number of pretty churches, and he was assured that most of them were Nonconformist.  They constituted a redeeming feature of Southport and he was delighted to see the improvement in ecclesiastical architecture which had taken place in the last few years.  People went on building churches in various parts of the town. When coming down from his house to Church on a Sunday he met scores of friends, some going to the Parish Church, many to the Wesleyan, some to the Centenary, and others to St Peter’s Churches.  After going together a few paces, they branched off in various directions to their own little places of worship ;  and he had often thought what a happy thing it would be if instead of having to diverge in different ways they could all go together to one central place in which there would be a complete union of all the Christian Churches in Lancaster - they might all gather together in one central and magnificent temple to worship God.  Such a happy day was not likely to come in his time, but he could not help thinking that a time would come when all their little schisms and differences would be swept away and they could worship God in one temple.  (Applause.)  A bazaar was a very effectual means of raising money, and the methods had during recent years been brought almost to a fine art.  The expedients resorted to were almost beyond counting, and they afforded the ladies an opportunity of displaying those manifold charms of persuasion and eloquence with which nature had so generously endowed them.  He had especial pleasure in introducing for the purpose of opening the Bazaar a lady who was a native of Lancaster, the daughter of a Lancaster man, and a member of a family that was very highly respected in Lancaster.  (Applause.)  Miss Bibby’s father was one of those talented and energetic and industrious Lancastrians who had built up a great undertaking in Liverpool ;  and Lancastrians could not help regretting that he and his brother had not kept their energies in Lancaster instead of transferring them to Liverpool.  (Hear, hear.)

 Miss BIBBY, who was heartily applauded, expressed the pleasure it afforded her to open the Bazaar.  Judging by the large quantity of goods on the stalls there would be no difficulty in raising the £1,000 required, and she wished them every success.  (Applause.)

 Mr. MASON proposed a resolution embodying the gratitude and thanks of the workers to Miss Bibby, whom they were all delighted to welcome.  The name of Bibby carried with it associations dear to many of them.  (Hear, hear.)  He remembered that nearly fifty years ago, a somewhat similar function  was held in those rooms, being a supplementary effort to extinguish a debt of £1,650 resting upon the plain and modest Chapel which formerly stood in Sulyard-street.  Amongst the loyal and sturdy Methodists who were in the van of that movement was Mr. James Bibby of Conder Mill - (applause) - who gave the handsome sum of £50.  On his subsequent gifts and graces it was unnecessary to dilate, as they were ever fresh and green.  He mentioned that to show that there was a blessed continuity of love and service to the Church in its necessities, for in Miss Bibby they had the charming granddaughter of their old friend, and opened under such auspices the success of the Bazaar was assured.  (Applause.)

 Mr. M. STANDING briefly seconded the motion, which was heartily endorsed, and acknowledged on behalf of Miss Bibby by the Mayor.

 The Rev. F. F. BRETHERTON, after apologising for the absence through indisposition of the Rev. S. T. Bosward, proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor and Miss Heald for their presence and support, and also expressed thanks to the many friends in Lancaster and elsewhere, especially those of other denominations, for assistance given to the Bazaar.

 Mr. W. G. SMITH seconded the vote, which was carried by acclamation, and was briefly acknowledged by the MAYOR.

 Mr. Councillor CARDWELL (one of the Treasurers) read a letter from Lord Ashton enclosing a cheque for £50, and also announced that Mr. and Mrs. Joseph  Bibby had contributed £21, Miss L. Davies, Carus Lodge, £2 2s., and “R. J. O.” 7s. 6d., making a total of £73 9s. 6d. as a beginning.  (Applause.)

 Subsequently, Mr. Councillor OGLETHORPE announced that Miss Bibby had given a handsome donation of £50. - The sales proceeded.  There was a large attendance throughout the afternoon and evening.

 THURSDAY

       The Bazaar was re-opened on Thursday by Miss Lancaster, of Burnley.  There was again a large attendance, and a great number of articles of all descriptions had been added to the contents of the stalls, a special feature of interest being a full-rigged model sailing yacht, contributed to the Sunday School stall.  In the absence of the Mayor of Preston through indisposition, Mr. Councillor Cardwell, J. P., presided, being supported by Miss Lancaster, the Rev. J. H. Armstrong, the Rev. J. H. Colligan, Mr. T. D. Smith, Mr. J. Davis, Mr. W. Milner, Mr. G. Millington, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Kellet, and many others.  A portion of Scripture having been read by the Rev JH Colligan and prayer offered by the Rev. J. G. Armstrong,

      The CHAIRMAN said they met with mingled feelings - joy that the Bazaar had so far been so successful and disappointment that the Mayor of Preston was unable to be present.  Miss Margerison wrote expressing her father’s regret that owing to a severe cold he was unable to fulfil his promise, more particularly as he had looked forward to meeting the daughter of his father’s old friend, Miss Lancaster.  He also wished the Bazaar every success and enclosed a cheque.  They also regretted the absence of the superintendent of the Circuit, the Rev. S. T. Bosward.  They were glad to welcome Miss Lancaster, especially those of them who knew and thought very highly of her father.  He was a most liberal supporter of every good work, a Wesleyan local preacher for something like sixty years, and on the platform there were few men more popular as a speaker.  His life was a pattern to those around him, for he was made happy by his religion and made his life a religious act.  In Miss Lancaster they had a worthy daughter of a worthy sire, who did not confine her good deeds to her own Church, but whose many works of philanthropy and Christian charity were known to many besides Wesleyan Methodists.  He was glad to announce that the proceeds of the first day’s sales, with donations, amounted to £543 10s. 5 1/2d. ;  and for that day’s proceedings the Mayor of Preston had sent a cheque for £5, their old friend Mr. Wm. Wright had sent £20 and there were also donations from two others who wished to do good by stealth and whose names were not to be divulged.

      Miss LANCASTER, who was cordially received, congratulated them upon the success of the previous day, and thought they had a very fair prospect of raising the amount required.  She had been connected with many bazaars, averaging about fourteen per year - (applause) - and had never yet been connected with a failure.  She would not like to be, and she did not think they would let her in for a failure at Lancaster.  She had heard someone say that Methodists looked very sober, solemn, and thoughtful from the fact that they had so many collections, but there was not the appearance of that in the Bazaar that day. They did not seem to be tired and overdone in spite of their work the previous day.  It was cheering to meet old friends on such occasions, and she was delighted to meet Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong and friends who had come in from the country districts.  Between Accrington and Haslingden the railway line went up a very steep incline for some miles and then turning the summit dropped down swiftly into the valley.  The people in her district, noting the engines puffing and panting up the incline used to say that they were saying “Can we do it,” and when they had topped the summit and were gliding smoothly into the valley, they said “We have done it.”  In connection with that bazaar they seemed to have almost topped the summit, and she trusted by the end they would be able to say “We have done it.”  She had never seen a bazaar better stocked, and it was a proof that those who were engaged in Christian work had always a little to spare for the furtherance of that work.  In Florence, the city of beautiful architecture, there was a corner building of extreme beauty, and it was stated to have been built for the love and glory of the city.  In that effort they were doing something for the town and the circuit and those who would come after them, and she hoped they would not only be successful but would experience all the joy of service for the Master.  (Applause.)

      Mr. W. MILNER proposed a resolution embodying hearty appreciation of the kindly feeling and interest which had brought Miss Lancaster amongst them, and of the gracious manner in which she had opened the bazaar.  In the person of Miss Bibby, they had the representative of three generations of one of Methodism’s grand old men, and not a word too much was said the previous day in memory of honest James Bibby.  (Applause.)  Singularly enough, he had that day a letter from an old Lancaster minister, the Rev. Thomas Hacking - (applause) - who spoke of the long journeys to Wyresdale, and of the restfulness of the “Prophet’s Chamber” in “that noble man’s house at Conder Mill.”  They had with them that day the daughter of another grand old man of Methodism, and those who had been privileged to know William Lancaster would endorse the sentiments expressed in the words “grand old man.”  Two or three years ago, he went to his reward in the ninetieth year of his age, as a shock of corn ready for the Master’s garner, full of years and honours.  They might justly apply to him the term Shakespeare gave to John of Gaunt “Time-honour’d Lancaster.”  (Applause.)  He was not a mighty man of war, but mighty in case of righteousness and peace, and ever in the forefront in the battle against sin.  Though a native of Burnley, Mr. Lancaster came as a young man to Scorton, where he joined Mr. Fishwick, and spent a quarter of a century of the most active years of his life, doing many acts of kindness and usefulness in the Lancaster circuit.  After referring to the laying of the foundation stone of the Sulyard-street school by Mr. Lancaster in 1892, Mr. Milner said though Mr. Lancaster was gone to his reward, his name was not lost to Methodism, and in his son and daughter they had those who were faithfully carrying on the traditions of a good man.  (Applause.)

      Mr. JOHN DAVIS seconded the resolution, which was carried by acclamation, and was briefly acknowledged by Miss LANCASTER.

      On the motion of Mr. T. D. SMITH, seconded by Mr. G. MILLINGTON, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman.

      The sale then proceeded, the day’s takings amounting to £300 5s. 4d., making a total for the two days of £943 15s. 9 1/2d.

      The Bazaar will be re-opened today (Friday) by Miss Dawson of Aldcliffe Hall, the chair being occupied by Mr. J. C. B. Percy of Manchester.  On Saturday, Children’s Day, the Bazaar will be opened by Mrs. Egerton T. Young of Canada, who will receive purses from over seventy children of the Sunday School and congregation.  Mr. Ald. Helme, M.P., will preside.

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