The History of
North Shore
Methodist Church
In 1875 a Trust was formed to purchase the land bounded by Dickson Road and Cocker Street in the North Shore area of Blackpool. Building then commenced on the Mount Pleasant Wesleyan Chapel, which opened on July 3rd 1888.
In 1899 Major William Hinksman of Lytham gave the Trustees a gift of the land adjoining the site.
On December 29th 1899 a new Trust was formed, and its New Year Resolution was … “To build a large and attractive Church and School – utilizing the whole of the land.”
The original School & Church were taken down and the “TIN TABERNACLE” was erected where the Claremont First Step Community Centre now stands.
February 12th 1901 - “The new Chapel, which the Blackpool Wesleyan Methodists propose to erect at no distant date, upon the site now partly occupied by a school chapel, will, from a perspective design be a very imposing structure. The plans are by Messrs Yates & Paton of Birmingham who were placed first in the competition of which 60 sets of plans were entered. The estimated cost of the new building will be nearly £8,000.”
The Wesleyan school in Dickson Road was used for the last time on Sunday January 28th 1906, after that it was pulled down to make room for the fine new Church to be built there.
Foundation Stones were officially laid on April 4th 1906 by Alderman Joseph Heap J.P. Mrs Farrar, Mr. R. Hughes, Mr W. Robinson, Rev. H. R. Glanville and Mr. W. Thompson J.P.
The Church was to be built by Messrs. S. Butterworth, and the Trustees decided that, as far as possible, the whole of the work be done by Blackpool firms.
April 24th 1907 – THE OPENING CEREMONY
The exterior of the building presents a fine and commanding appearance in the Gothic style - with Accrington Brickwork and Nelson Stone Dressings for Tracery, Windows, Doorways, Weatherings and Copings. The fine Tower, with octagonal spire, is the main feature of the exterior. Mrs. Wm. Thompson opened the Church in the presence of Rev. Albert Clayton, the President of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.
Interior of the Building
The beautiful windows are Gothic Revival Style, with Stained Glass Art Nouveau Type Flowers and Foliage.
The pews and woodwork are made from the Australian wood kerri pine, and the pulpt of pitch pine, with the extensive panelling contributing to the overall picture of a warm and welcoming Church, worthy of the title ‘The House Of God’.
The original organ was situated on the East Side of the Pulpit and the Choir, who were at ground level, and have now given way to the present instrument and choir stalls. The Pipe Organ was built in 1926 in its current position by Messrs. Rushworth and Dreaper of Liverpool, as an Electro-Pneumatic Organ with two manuals and pedals. In 1984 the Organ was rebuilt by Mr. Victor Saville, as a Direct Electric Organ, with Solid State Switching. In 2006 Victor Saville carried out a full 20-year service.
Banners – The two on either side of the transepts, were designed by the Rev. David King and drawn by Mr. Alan Groves. Five members of the Church spent many hours making the Banners.
The third banner, which hangs at the back of the Church, was designed and made by members of the “Thursday Circle” for the Grapevine Café.
On the refurbishment of the café, the banner was brought into the Church.
In recent years the carpet in the whole of the Church has been replaced, and the pew cushions recovered to match. The ‘Thursday Circle’ took this opportunity to design and make new cloths for the Church and Chapel communion tables, also new hangings for the Lecterns.
Listing … on August 27th 1998 the Church became a Statutory Grade II Listed Building, noted as being of special architectural or historic interest.
Restoration … the weather has taken its toll on the exterior of the Building, and urgent restoration work has taken place to preserve the Church for future generations.
The first phase included … The Main Roof, first floor Stonework, first floor Windows and some re-pointing.
This was completed with a substantial grant (75% of the costs) from the Heritage Lottery Fund, through English Heritage, partial refund of VAT through the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme, donations from grant making Trusts, and many fundraising events.
The second phase, started in September 2005 and completed mid-way through 2006, included … repairs to the large window over the main doorway, remaining ground floor windows, ground floor stonework and some further re-pointing.
This work has been possible through a further substantial grant (75%) from the Heritage Lottery Fund, through English Heritage, full refund of VAT on the actual work done (VAT on professional fees is not refundable), and continuous fundraising.
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‘To God be the Glory -
Great Things He Hath Done’ |