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History of Chepstow Methodist Church up to 2011, written by Tony Watkinson

John Wesley in Chepstow

John Wesley was the 15th child of 19 (3 sons and seven daughters survived) born on 17th June 1703 (on the modern calendar 28th June) to Rev. Samuel Wesley (Rector of Epworth) and his wife Susanna, in the rectory at Epworth in Lincolnshire. He went to school at Charterhouse, and took a degree at Christchurch College, Oxford. Whilst at Oxford, Charles formed a group which became known as The Holy Club, and soon John also became a leading figure. Here they met up with George Whitfield. Because of the way they methodically studied the bible and worshipped, they were nicknamed Methodists.

John was ordained as a priest in 1728 and became curate to his father in Epworth for 2 years. In 1735, with his brother Charles, he set sail for America. On the ship were a group of German Moravians. During the voyage, a frightening storm sprung up, and John was very impressed by the calm and greater faith of the Moravians.

Despite his training and vocation as a priest, he was constantly worried about a lack of conviction. His time in America was, in the main, unsuccessful, and he returned to England with Charles some 2 years later.

John and Charles joined a ‘Religious Society’ in London. On 24th May 1738, John reluctantly attended an evening service in Aldersgate Street, London and was half listening to the preface to the Epistle to the Romans by Luther, when “he felt his heart strangely warmed”.

Wesley had strong views about local people being excluded from the Church, and often voiced his opinions from the pulpit. Eventually he was barred from preaching in the Anglican Church. About this time, George Whitfield was in Bristol, conducting Open Air meetings, and he invited John to join him. So, at the age of 36, in 1739, John came to Bristol. His natural leaning was to the order of many institutions and methods, he was uneasy about preaching outside the pulpit.

George Whitfield was in full flow at these Open-Air meetings, where he preached in the poorer areas of Bristol. Eventually he invited John to preach, and he did so. From that time on, the rest, is, as they say, history. After conducting these meetings, John would meet in homes, but he soon realised the need for premises. The result was that ‘The New Rooms’ were built in Horsefair, Bristol, which became John’s home and base for the rest of his life.

John Wesley travelled on horseback throughout England and Wales, covering some quarter of a million miles. He preached, it is said, over 4,000 sermons, It was not long before he stood on the banks of the river Severn, with his eye on visiting Wales, and on the 12th October 1739, John Wesley, with two Bristol friends, John Deschamps and Anthony Williams, met in the morning at the New Passage on the banks of the River Severn, and looked across the Bristol Channel to the hills of Monmouthshire.


By 4 pm, John Wesley was preaching on the Green at Devauden to 400 people on ‘Christ our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption’. From there, the next day, he went onto Abergavenny, and eventually Cardiff.

The first record of any connection with Chepstow and people becoming known as Methodists, was by John Wesley, who wrote in his journal, March 19th 1762, "I preached to about twelve in the new room at Chepstow. One of the congregation was a neighbouring clergyman, who lived in the same staircase with me at Christ Church and was then far more serious than me." John Wesley records that he did so at Mr. Mosely Cheek’s door. A year later, Mosely Cheek became the first of John Wesley’s preachers from Monmouthshire and most likely from Wales. He was appointed in 1768 to Wales. In 1770 Wales was divided up into three circuits: Pembroke, Glamorgan and Brecon. Chepstow would be in the Glamorgan circuit, which would extend from Llanelli to Calvert in Gloucestershire, about 100 miles distant.

It is almost certain that he preached at what was then No.13 Moor Street, now the site of the police station, because in 1790 No.13 was described as the site of a former Methodist meeting house.

John Wesley preached a second time in Chepstow in 1767. An entry in Chepstow Parish Records dated September 12th 1767 states that “John Wesley visited Chepstow and preached at a friend’s door to a civil unconcerned population”.

John Wesley preached a third time in Chepstow in 1769.


Early Methodism in Chepstow

The records of the early days after Wesley’s visits are scarce. One of the first, if not the first, of the Methodist Preachers appointed to Wales, was a young man from Yorkshire called Thomas Taylor.

As John Wesley aged, he was worried that after his death, a quarter of Methodists would procure preferment in the Church, and others would become Independents, with separate congregations. In the event, Wesley was wrong in his fear - the Methodists separated from the Anglican Church and their numbers increased. However, when Wesley died in 1788, there were already some in Methodism who did not altogether hold with some of his ideas, and ‘splits’ occurred. By now, factions were breaking away, mainly on differing views of doctrinal matters from John Wesley.

Divisions

The first breakaway was “The New Connexion” in 1797, mainly in the North of England. Then in 1806 the “Independent Methodists” broke away (still separate today) and in 1807 two men from Stoke and Burslem started having open air meetings again called ‘Camp Meetings’. Conference did not like them, and eventually in 1811, the two men were expelled by Conference and the Primitive Methodists were formed. They became the largest and third offshoot from the Methodists (now called Wesleyans) and spread throughout the country from their beginnings in Staffordshire and Cheshire. The nearest ‘Prims” to Chepstow, as they were known, were at Monmouth.


The Oxford Street building

In 1801, a Methodist Chapel was built in what we now know as Oxford Street. This lane was originally known as Little Lane, but after a number of years following the building of the Chapel it became known as Chapel Lane. As the years went by, the lane became known as Hawkesford Street, and at the present day, Oxford Street. It was described as “A proper place for Protestant Dissenters from the Church of England called Methodists”, as recorded in the Bishops Register on August 4th 1801. Part of the chapel can still be seen at the back of Herbert Lewis’ Store.

The Bible Christians

In 1815, starting in Cornwall, the Bible Christians broke away from the Methodist Church. Their name came from the conviction that all problems can be solved by recourse to the Bible. Their style of worship, theological emphases, and organisation were very similar to the Primitive Methodists. Most of the 15,000 members of the Bible Christian churches of 1851, lived in Devon and Cornwall, though at the time of the 1851 Census, there were fourteen Bible Christian churches in South Wales, six in the Chepstow Area, four in the Trellech and Cwmcarvan area, one in Pontypool, two in Newport, and one in Aberavon. It would seem that the Bible Christians arrived in Chepstow in the 1860’s.

The Bible Christian Movement seems to have used meeting rooms at No. 12, St Mary Street in Chepstow. An entry in their register of baptisms on January 4th 1859 shows the christening of Charlotte, daughter of Nathaniel and Maria Baker at her parents’ house. Another entry on March 11th 1859, records a ceremony at the Bible Christian Chapel, Chepstow. The Chepstow Weekly Advertiser of July 21st 1877 records the laying of the foundation stone of a new Chapel. This was located on the site of the Old Swan Inn, now occupied by Moor Street Conservative Club.


Article from Chepstow Weekly Advertiser 21st July 1877

A NEW CHAPEL - On Monday last, the foundation stone of a new chapel in connection with the Bible Christian denomination, was laid on the site of the old Swan inn, Moor-street. The ceremony was performed in the presence of a large congregation, by Mr. W. Terrett, of Bristol, although the rain fell heavily, and the proceedings were interrupted by some rude fellow blowing lustily upon a brass instrument in a garden near. At three o’clock the party adjourned to the Wesleyan Chapel, where a sermon was preached by the Rev. T.P. Oliver, Chairman of the District, and after this a tea and public meeting took place, which was largely attended. It can be noted that at this time, the Wesleyans made their relatively new premises in Albion Square, available to the Bible Christians for their celebrations.

Article from Chepstow Weekly Advertiser of August 14th 1880 and May 19th 1883

A Dwelling house and Shop at No. 12 for sale, and the Freehold Building recently used by the Nonconformist body called Bible Christians as a chapel for Divine Services.

In 1907, The Bible Christian Methodists came together with several other small Methodist factions, to form the United Methodist Church. At this stage, this did not include the Wesleyans or the Prims. So, the Church in Moor Street now belonged to the United Methodist Church. (The final uniting of the various Methodist denominations did not come together until the 1932 Act of Union, when the United Methodist Church, the Wesleyans, and the Primitive Methodists united under the Methodist Conference and formed The Methodist Church as it is today).

Wesleyan Methodists

Whilst the first Methodist Chapel to be built in Wales was Earlswood Valley (1791) (see Earlswood Valley 200th anniversary booklet, for details on its history), Methodists in Chepstow (our Society) must have been meeting together in the 1800’s, for it is recorded in Chepstow Weekly Advertiser - 29th September 1855 that the 50th (Jubilee) Anniversary was celebrated, (it must have been the Anniversary of the Society).

Article from Chepstow Weekly Advertiser - 29th September 1855

ANNIVERSARIES - On Sunday last, the Wesleyan Methodists held their 50th (Jubilee) Anniversary. In the morning the Rev. John Harding, of Newport preached. T. Thompson, Esq. of Piercefield Park, in the afternoon addressed the children of the Sunday School who, on this occasion sang three appropriate hymns.

New Premises in Albion Square

By 1855 (some 54 years later), the Wesleyan, as it was then called, in Oxford Street, had become too small for the congregation, and so it was decided to sell the premises, and build new premises in Albion Square. In the issue of the Chepstow Weekly Advertiser, dated June 23rd 1855, the Oxford St church placed an advertisement for the sale of the premises.


The site chosen for the new church was in Thomas Street, which was in a poor area of Chepstow. There is some evidence to suggest that there had been excavation work, probably to recover rock for building purposes, the resulting space then apparently being used as an ash tip. Before the completion of the sale, work had already commenced on the Albion Square Church, constructed in the Gothic Revival Style. Inscribed in stone over the front doorway of the new premises, was the date 1855 and the words “Wesleyan Chapel”. The date over the existing doorway of our Church today still reads 1855, but the wording is now covered up with a board inscribed “Methodist Church” otherwise the building appears in its original state.


Opening of Albion Square

Article from Chepstow Weekly Advertiser - 10th November 1855

Opening Services to be on Thursday, 22nd November, when The Rev. G.B. Macdonald of London will preach in the Forenoon at 11 o’clock and in the evening at 6. A Public Tea Meeting will be held at half past Three o’clock in the Bank Buildings. The following Sunday, 25th November, Rev. J. Harding will preach in the Forenoon at half past Ten and in the Evening at Six o’clock, and J.N. Knapp Esq. (of Newport) will preach in the Afternoon at half past Two o’clock.

The following Sunday, 2nd December, the Rev. J. Lomas (Late President of the Conference) preached. The following week, the Chepstow Advertiser reported on these events. The Celebration of the opening of Albion Square Wesleyan Methodist Church was a great cause for celebration. By this time, all but £200 had been raised towards the building costs of £1260 16s 5d. The debt was cleared within 2 years, an achievement which made possible the consideration of further development. This took the form of a schoolroom, with a vestry and two other small rooms added later.

Our church in 1855

The pulpit was centrally placed in the sanctuary under the stained-glass window, the communion area being enclosed by a semi-circular rail. The original communion table was still in use 125 years later. A set of choir pews faced the centre, with a small pipe organ standing in the corner. This was serviced by a lad who was paid 3d to pump it. Displaying commendable ingenuity, the designers managed a seating layout to accommodate 250 people, about 80 more than at present. Obviously, comfort had a low priority. Each family had its own pew and for this privilege, they paid rent, their names being shown on a card inside the pew door which was thoughtfully provided with a bracket to accommodate umbrellas.

Impression of how the interior must have been at the time of the opening of the Albion Square Wesleyan Methodist Church, painted by Jack Vallis.


A Growing Methodist Church

Finally, under the Act of Union 1932, the Wesleyans, together with the Primitive Methodists, formed The Methodist Church as it is today. The church, in fact, seemed to reflect the generally difficult period of the late ‘20’s and the 1930’s. For many years finances were very lean, with collections as low as 15 shillings (75p) per Sunday, and it was necessary to make several "special efforts" to pay their way. In 1933, after many meetings, it was decided that the "United Methodist" Church in Moor Street (now the site of the Conservative Club) should be sold, and the members joined Albion Square. Following the sale of Moor Street Church, it was also decided to purchase a new pipe organ. The organ came from Worcester, but the cost, plus fitting a new motor and alteration of the Church, came to double the proceeds, so it took two years of continual efforts to pay for it. The stewards even started a wastepaper collection to augment finances. Contrary to expectations, the amalgamation seemingly did not result in any real improvement, and by 1936, the membership was only 58 with an average weekly attendance of 10.

Revival

By the early days of the Second World War, however, a marked improvement became evident largely due to the growth of a very strong youth section. The minister was Rev. Geoffrey Joycey, who later served as Chaplain to the army before moving to Canada and joining the United Church.

The approach of the 1955 Centenary prompted a series of renovations. The organ was completely overhauled after 20 years’ service. As well as re-slating the roof, rewiring, replacing windows and painting doors, new notice boards were ordered. In an attempt to increase comfort, the pews were remodelled which resulted in a reduction in the capacity to 200. The cost was £1760, the Trustees being guarantors for a loan from the Chapel Committee. It was 1964 before this debt was finally cleared, by which time a further expenditure of £620 was incurred with the discovery of dry rot in the gallery. The 1960’s saw an increase in the population of Chepstow with the building of Llanwern Steelworks which necessitated the provision of housing for the workers. The opening of the Severn Bridge in October 1966 also brought more people into the area which proved to be convenient for commuting to work in Newport, Cardiff and Bristol. As a consequence of these developments, new life was being brought into the Church. While this was to be welcomed, it became increasingly evident that the schoolroom could not provide an adequate base for future activities, so once again discussions about funding became crucial.


Methodist Premises up to 1975

A. The Old School Hall

B. 2 small meeting rooms

C. Kitchen

D. Toilets (access outside from the left)


Improvements in the 1970s and 1980s

Though the Church Trustees had discussed the reconstruction of the schoolroom several times, plans had to be shelved because of funding problems. At the 1974 AGM, the trustees were faced with an ultimatum - either we build now, or we shall never afford to rebuild (inflation in the ‘70’s was rampant). They were still reticent about the Church’s ability to pay for, and build, a new hall. A compromise resulted. It was agreed that the building would cover just over half of the available free land behind the church, and that most of the work would have to be carried out by voluntary labour.

Building on a Shoestring!

By late summer 1975, the demolition of the old schoolroom was under way, but the limited funding available meant that the building had to be constructed as cheaply as possible, so considerable use was made of second hand materials which included important items like the steel roof trusses.

The fruits of their labours were soon apparent. At a total cost of £8,000, the new hall was opened in April 1976.

It provided the same space as the present hall with, for the first time, a proper kitchen and toilets. The new facilities made possible a greatly increased use of the premises by the various sections of the church and outside organisations. The formation of the Boy’s Brigade in March 1979 by Ray Lee was a typical example. Under the Rev. Ernest Ball’s Chairmanship of a meeting of the Church Council on 25th February 1980 the council approved the formation of the Girls Brigade.

The old organ was situated at the front of the Church, covering up most of the stained-glass window. Early in 1975, it was found that the cost of repair to the pipe organ was going to be prohibitive, and so a new electric organ was purchased, and the older pipe organ ceased to be used. But it wasn’t until 1977, that the pipe organ was removed, opening up a view of the beautiful stained-glass window.


The old pipe organ – retired in 1975 and removed in 1977

The stained-glass window – now revealed


Passageway between Methodist Premises and old third-party buildings - note part of the wall is painted white to try to get more light into the kitchen!

At this time, there was car parking in the middle of the square. Note the stone walls and gate pillars of the church - now gone.


A New Sanctuary

There was no resting on laurels with attention next focussing on the Church itself. The large space created by the removal of the organ, made possible the remodelling of the sanctuary area, which included some refurnishing with a new pulpit, lectern, font, table and communion rails, made by one of our organists, Mr. George Friday. These were arranged in a complete square for communion but were light enough to be moved when the space was required. Half of the rails are still in use.

George Friday also designed and made the Communion rail, a screen round the new organ on the left of the front, and the pulpit on the right-hand side.

Our minister at the time, Reverend Ernest Ball, is admiring the new Pulpit made by George Friday, one of our organists.

On 4th January 1980, a special Church Council meeting discussed the provision of additional rooms at the rear of the Schoolroom, costing £11,000 and the decoration of the church, £4,000. Within 3 years, the building of another large room (with a sliding partition to make 2 rooms) on the final piece of spare ground at the rear of the hall, with the added attraction of a storage shed, went ahead. Meanwhile, the TROGs (The Rather Older Group) was formed to provide a forum for the middle-aged fellowship.


During the big snow of 1982/3, we had a wedding on a Saturday, and this shows the wedding party going into Church.

The Methodist Church interior at Christmas

The pews had been in the church for many years. Heating was by means of electrically heated pipes underneath the seats - legs occasionally got burnt!


New Neighbours

Clearing the old Bus Station and buildings behind Thomas Street, opened up a vista never before seen. We can see all the buildings of the Methodist Church.

The new Supermarket and Bus Station takes shape. Until this year, no one had been able to see the side view of the Methodist Church

The New Bus Station in Thomas Street, pristine and empty, and the Supermarket finished.


Project ’87 Phase 1

Barely five years elapsed before the building talents of church members were to be required again. The Church Council eventually took the view that it was likely that we would need to modernise and repair our church interior as well as our other premises. The Church Council authorized the development of the Church in 2 phases. Firstly, money raised would be used to redevelop the interior of the Church and secondly a major rebuild outside.

Investigations confirmed that much of the timber under the floor and the balcony support needed replacing, and the area needed improved ventilation. This meant the removal of the pews which would also involve the renewal of the rendering on the lower sections of the walls.

Project ‘87 was born! It brought about a major transformation of the interior, with new lighting, a carpeted floor and chairs. The two side entrances from the front vestibule into the church were replaced with a glass central double door. For the first time, a view of the church interior was possible from outside.

The heating system was upgraded, changing from long electric tubes under each pew seat to a gas fired central heating system. A new hearing loop system was also installed.

One of the many fund-raising schemes involved pledging contributions. Members who participated were given certificates signed by the Right Hon. Viscount Tonypandy, a well-known Methodist and former Speaker of the House of Commons.

Keith Harvey and Jack Vallis add a new brick to the building fund jigsaw.


This first phase had to be done entirely by volunteers.

The first task was to take out all the pews. These were subsequently sold to church members


We found that the supporting posts to the balcony were not in a very good state of repair!

We almost gutted the interior of the Church


Project ‘87 Phase 2

As the church grew in numbers, with the need for more youth activities, more room was urgently needed. This could only mean building upwards! Many fund-raising activities were initiated to meet a formidable target approaching £400,000. The planning envisaged a scheme which would encompass the whole site behind the church with a new building, including first floor accommodation. This entailed the demolition of some of the previous constructions, but because the remaining walls were inadequate to support another floor, we had to have a steel framework designed, which would serve this purpose.

The 1999 Exile

(And the inevitable comparison with events in the bible)

Due to the disruption that would be caused by the major works it was necessary to find alternative accommodation for several months. Prayers were answered in negotiations with St Lawrence Hospital, where a disused ward was available. Everything in the church sanctuary was set up in the ward, so that it appeared exactly the same as in church. It was feared that this six-month period of exile might see declining numbers in the congregation, but rather than weakening the church, numbers if anything increased, providing fresh incentives for the future. Further fund-raising events were held, including a Gift Day on 1st May.

Reverend Graeme Halls prepares for a service in the hospital ward.


We tried to layout the ward in a similar manner to our Church. We worshipped here from March to the end of October 1999.

Photo taken just before demolition

The Boys’ Brigade and the Junior Church met in these rooms, as well as using our main building.


The old 2 roomed extension about to be demolished

The new building was built on the old foundations. However, it was to be 2 stories high, and therefore a steel frame had to be built on deep foundations.


Whilst builders were on site, the opportunity was taken to re-roof the Church. We were blessed with good weather at that time.

A slater works on the top of our Church


View taken from the back of our premises, almost ready for the tiles

Job Done - our premises as seen today

The return to the church family home came in October 1999, with aspirations at last realised in a new building providing superb facilities. The church too, had been refurbished, and additional work on the balcony gave a much-improved view of the sanctuary area. The Church opened with only £10,000 to be found, which was cleared within a year. Presentation of the Built in Quality Award was made by Monmouthshire County Council in 2000, for the building and design of the Church extension.


150th Anniversary 2005

In November 22nd 2005, six years after finishing the building works, we celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the building of Albion Square Methodist Church.

We started our celebrations with a Flower Festival in September


Hazel Williams and Eileen Westlake designed and made this banner depicting the various activities in our Church week.

This shows volunteers working in the new kitchen.


Visitors and church members enjoying the fruits of the kitchen in our well-used hall.

The Celebration Service was held in Victorian costume. A “Family” photo shoot was taken after the service

A DVD and a booklet on the history of this church were produced, and the celebrations included a meal on Saturday evening 21st November at which many members, and previous members who had moved away, returned to celebrate with the current membership. We also had verbal tape messages from one of our members in Australia and from Rev, Geoffrey Joycey, now in his 90’s in Canada. Guests who were members at Chepstow during his ministry in the early 1940’s were thrilled to hear his message.

Now, ten years into the twenty first millennium, the church is a thriving, expanding Christian community offering a wide range of activities, both for the church family and outside organisations. However, the continuum of development goes on with plans for an extensive programme of maintenance and improvements on the front elevation and the forecourt.


In the last 5 years, we have appointed a Family Focus Worker, who is currently helping the Church in outreach through contacts and new ventures in our buildings, including Messy Church on Saturday afternoons on the first Saturday in the month. We also now have a thriving and expanding Boys Brigade (including girls), three Mums and Toddler Groups meeting weekly, a Luncheon Club for Senior Citizens on Thursdays, and the newly opened Beacon Café, open from 10 am to 2 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.


The Methodist Ministry in Albion Square Church, Chepstow, 1850 to 2011

Wesleyan Ministry

Monmouth, Ross, Chepstow & Caldicot Circuit

Year Resident Minister

1851 Rev. Henry Lougher

1851 – 52 Rev. Henry Hayman

1853 – 55 Rev. James Alder

1856 – 58 Rev. John Sharman

1858 – 60 Rev. William Exton

1862 Rev. John Bissell

1863 – 64 Rev. George Buckley

1865 Rev. J. I. Page

1865 – 68 Rev. William Callandine

1868 – 71 Rev. John Killick

1871 – 74 Rev. George Smith

1874 – 77 Rev. W. Cumberland

1877 – 80 Rev. Thomas Evans

1880 – 82 Rev. Thomas Baron

1883 – 85 Rev. J. Etchells

1886 – 88 Rev. Callier

1889 – 92 Rev. Joseph Lister

1892 – 93 Rev. Owen Jones

1893 Rev. William Powell

1894 – 96 Rev. William Callandine

1897 – 99 Rev. J Etchells

1900 – 02 Rev. H. I. Jefford

Wye Valley Mission Circuit

1903 – 04 Rev. E.J. Padfield

1905 Rev. A.J. Bromwich

1906 Rev. R. Cowen

1907 – 08 Rev. W.J. Bull.

1909 Rev. E. Percy Green

1910 – 12 Rev. H.R. Hackforth


1913 – 15 Rev. R.E. Pickard

1916 – 19 Rev. J.C. Hearle

1920 – 22 Rev. E. Farr Basham

1923 – 25 Rev. C.A. Amey

1926 – 28 Evangelist E. Phillipson

1929 – 31 Evangelist H. Farnhill

Methodist Ministry

Wye Valley Mission Circuit

1932 Evangelist E. Carter

1933 – 36 Pastor C. Young

1936 – 37 Pastor J. Hollis

1937 – 40 Rev. Reginald H. Copestake

1940 – 42 Rev. H. Marsden

1942 – 44 Rev. Geoffrey Joycey

1944 – 45 Pastor Neal

1945 – 48 Pastor W.J. Clements

1948 – 51 Pastor H.M. Guy

1951 – 65 Pastor Percy Parkin

Chepstow & Caldicot Circuit

1965 – 67 Rev. Percy Parkin

1967 – 71 Rev. Alfred Olds

1971 – 72 Rev. Arthur D. Cummings

1972 – 75 Rev. Harold. J. Brandom

1975 – 80 Rev. Ernest J. Ball

1980 – 85 Rev. Stephen. J. Bywater

1985 – 96 Rev. Andrew Cordy

1997 – 02 Rev. Graeme Halls

2000 – 06 Rev. Pam Sloman (MLA)

2002 – 09 Rev. Rod Ingrouille

Newport & Lower Wye Circuit

2009 – Rev. Andrew Webster

john wesley in chepstow€¦ · terrett, of bristol, although the rain fell heavily, and the...

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