BEACON HILL METHODIST CHURCH
Beacon Hill Methodist Church
Holyoake Avenue
Barrow-in-Furness
LA13 9LH
Sunday Services
Morning Worship: 10 a.m.
Sunday School is held on the second Sunday of the month, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Evening Worship: 4 p.m. (winter) or 6 p.m. (summer)
There is ample parking space in a dedicated car park next to and behind the church.
There are a number of steps up to the front church entrance. Step-free access for disabled people is at the side of the church.
We have disabled toilet facilities and a loop system.
On Sunday
Morning Worship 10.00 am
The service lasts for around an hour and refreshments are served afterwards.
Approximately once a month the service includes the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Sunday School is held on the second Sunday of the month, 10.00 – 11.00 am
Evening Service 4 pm (winter) or 6 pm (summer)
(check the current edition of Newslink for details)
This is held in the Wesley Room and is a smaller, more reflective service.
We use the Good News Bible and the Singing the Faith hymnbook.
Midweek Activities
Events led by church members
Prayer meeting Alternate Tuesdays 4.15 pm
Fellowship group Four sessions a year on Mondays 7.30 – 9 pm
Held at Harvest, Advent, Lent and summer. Each session consists of four meetings, and includes Bible-based discussion, hymns, prayers, often a simple craft activity, sometimes a film – and always food and conversation.
Coffee morning Last Thursday in the month 10 – 11.15 am
Parents and Toddlers Wednesday 1.30 – 2.45 pm
Monday Magic Alternate Mondays 1.30 – 3.30 pm
Meetings begin with an armchair exercise session and often include a speaker, quiz or other activity, finishing with tea and biscuits.
MY Group Last Tuesday evening in the month, with various start times.
The Middle Years Group is for ladies of a certain age. There is a very varied programme, including speakers, visits to places of interest and meals out.
Supper Club Once a quarter on a Friday evening, a main course and sweet followed by a speaker.
Uniformed organisations
Monday Beavers 6.15 – 7.30 pm
Tuesday Cubs 6.15 – 7.45 pm
Thursday Scouts 6.30 – 8.30 pm
Other events
Pilates
Monday 10 – 11 am
6 – 7 pm
Wednesday 10 – 11 am
6 – 8 pm
Thursday 6 – 7 pm
Tiny Talk (singing and signing for parents and babies)
Friday 10 – 11 am
Karate
Friday 5 – 6 pm
Events
Coffee and cake after the morning service to celebrate Evelyn’s 90th birthday
Fairtrade Fortnight: the Fairtrade stall and the Banana Party
Thinking about Eco Church.
The children from Newbarns Infants School and various church groups decorated our church with angels at Christmas.
Raising money for Christian Aid and the Leprosy Mission: Soup and Quiz Evening and “Tea at the Ritz”.
Safeguarding
The following statement has been agreed by Beacon Hill Church Council.
Statement of safeguarding principles
Every person has a value and dignity, which comes directly from the creation of humans in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.
Principles
We are committed to:
• the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults
• safeguarding and protecting all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
• establishing safe, caring communities, which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.
We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with safer recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes.
We will respond without delay to every safeguarding concern, which suggests that a child, young person or adult may have been harmed, working in partnership with the police and local authority in any investigation.
We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
Working with the District Safeguarding Officer, we will support risk assessment of those who present a safeguarding risk within a church environment. We will ensure appropriate pastoral care is offered and measures are taken to address identified risks including referral to statutory agencies, suspension and the use of safeguarding contracts.We will recognise and apply the restrictions to appointment laid down in Standing Order 010 of the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church.
In all these principles, we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice.
History
Our origins
Beacon Hill Methodist Church is also named Christchurch after the United Methodist Church which was situated at the corner of Abbey Road and Dalkeith Street and destroyed by enemy action during a bombing raid in World War II. The original Christchurch was built on land gifted to the New Methodist Connexion (also known as the United Methodist Church or Bible Christians). The original Christchurch and ancillary premises cost £8,500 to build in 1875.
The early Methodists were known as Societies rather than churches, as it was not John Wesley’s intention initially to found a sectarian church. The Christchurch Society was formed by people who had come from Dudley and South Staffordshire to work in the iron and steel works. They met in a cottage and held their first open air service in Keppel Street in 1872. Later, a room was rented above the Hindpool Hotel. Three years later in 1875, Christchurch was opened for worship. One of the early trustees, Mr. John Getty, became the trust secretary and treasurer. He was known as a public benefactor and his giving enabled small sums of money to be distributed annually to the poor of the church. Mr. John Olliver, father of Lewis Olliver, was Sunday School Superintendent from 1915 to 1935. He was also a very active local preacher.
In September 1923, £100 was donated to the church by John Getty, to be invested with the South Cumberland Building Society, the interest to be distributed to the poor of the church. In 1925, a John Cleator gave a donation of £50 and also a gift of 100 shares in the Barrow Guardian, a local weekly newspaper. These were sold three years later for £37 (from the minutes, 14/10/1930). In August 1934, Lewis Olliver became Trust Secretary.
Christchurch Methodist church at Beacon Hill
When the Beacon Hill housing estate was being built, some members of the original Chirstchurch felt the urge to commence a Sunday School for the benefit of the children then living there. Two of the pioneers of this movement were Mrs. Winter and Mrs. Hodgson and they received permission to meet on Sunday afternoons in Flass Pit Hut. This was situated near the entrance of what is now the school playing field and was used during the week by Barrow Technical School, and in the evenings during the war as an Air Raid Warden’s Post. The first Sunday School was held on the 3rd Sunday in October 1939. Evening services were also held there between 1942 and 1947.
After the destruction of the original Christchurch, the trustees decided not to rebuild in the town centre but, when circumstances allowed, to build a new church on the outskirts of the town where much building activity was already taking place. The Beacon Hill area was looked upon favourably and several sites were considered; and, when Barrow Corporation decided to build a housing estate between Flass Lane and Croslands Park, the present site was offered to the trustees by Barrow Co-operative Society. The land was purchased when money became available from the War Damage Commission and two wooden former army huts were bought from the military authorities. The huts were erected on the site that is now the church car park. Water services and electricity were installed, while the pews, pulpit and communion rail were salvaged from the old Christchurch.
The opening ceremony was performed by the Mayoress, Mrs. M. Brazington, on 31st July 1947. The Sunday School was transferred from Flass Pit Hut and both Sunday School and evening services were well attended. It became a lively, active church and many names come to mind, such as Mr. Maurice Edwards, Mr. Leslie Dixon, Mr. Tabern and others who worked with the young people both on Sundays and during the week.
In 1953, the former Primitive Methodist Church, situated at the corner of Forshaw Street and William Street, was in some financial difficulty due to the state of the building, the schoolroom being below ground level. After much consideration, it was decided that it would close and the membership transfer to the new church at Beacon Hill. The combined membership meant that the temporary buildings were full to capacity; and, on special occasions, services had to be relayed to those outside who were unable to be accommodated! The need for new premises became urgent. As the land had been purchased and money was available from the War Damage Commission and the sale of Forshaw Street, it was decided to obtain permission from the planning authorities and the Methodist Church and press ahead with the new building.
The New Church
The plans were drawn up by architects Messrs. Wadham and Parker and local tradesmen were used in every area. Mr William Hull of Rawlinson Street was employed as the main contractor, electrical installation was given to Hartley and Bramhalls of Cavendish Street and all joinery work – apart from the woodwork brought from the old Christchurch – was done by Fletchers of Carlisle Street. It was always the intention of the trustees to build the church first and then add a church hall later as money became available. A stone laying ceremony for the church took place on 8th October 1955, the foundation stone being laid by Mr. Lewis Olliver, and the church was officially opened and dedicated on Saturday 25th August 1956. The doors were opened by Mr. L. Dixon and the service was conducted by the circuit ministers who were the Superintendent, Rev Kenneth Eustice, Rev Harry Facer and Rev Edward Sainsbury, the church minister. The building was dedicated by the Chairman of the Carlisle District, Rev Robert H. Brown. The foundation stone for the church hall was laid by the oldest member, Mrs. E. Clamp, on 25th May 1963 and the hall was opened and dedicated on 7th December in a service conducted by the circuit ministers who were the Superintendent Rev Ronald Tointon, Rev Kenneth Crossland and Rev Ramsay Moore, Minister in Charge. The opening ceremony was performed by Alderman R. Sands Crossfield and Mr. J. Parnside and the hall was dedicated by the Chairman of the District, Rev Earnest Hardy.
The New Church in figures
War Damage revenue for Christchurch, Abbey Road on 1,333 square yards of land: £10,863
Two army huts purchased and transferred from Ostley House Army Camp: £300
Land (4,050 square yards) bought from the Co-operative Society in July 1946: £607.10s.0d
Deposit paid: £60
Estimated cost of main church building to seat 220 people: £18,000
Estimate for schoolroom / hall: £6,455
The history of Beacon Hill (Christchurch) was compiled by Mr. Jim Bissell and Mr. Alan Davies