Bishop’s Waltham United Free Church Centenary Celebrations – Feb 2010

 

The congregation of Bishop’s Waltham United Free Church has recently celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the opening if the church building in Basingwell Street in Bishop’s Waltham. On Sunday 21st February a Centenary Praise service was held and Revd Tom Stuckey, former President of the Methodist Conference, was invited to preach.

 

The service was followed by a delicious lunch in the church, after which a birthday cake was cut by the Minister, Revd David Moss and the Circuit Superintendent, Revd Bryan Coates.

 

The following Saturday, 27th February, a candlelit Edwardian Songs of Praise was held. Members of the church and visitors wore period dress to enjoy an entertaining Magic Lantern show. Mr Stan Roberts of Bishopstoke Methodist Church presented the evening and spoke about the beginnings of Primitive Methodism. He and his assistant showed a wide variety of slides, and a selection of hymns from the period were sung, using the words projected by the Magic Lantern. Joe Hallam played the organ.

 

The adaptability of the building, which is used as a sanctuary for worship each Sunday, a dining room for church family meals, a café for regular Coffee mornings and a theatre, would amaze those who opened the doors of St Paul’s Primitive Methodist Church for the first time on Tuesday 25th February 1910.

 

The celebrations continue with a dramatic presentation about John Wesley, in May and a Flower Festival in July.

 

BWUF Centenary Gallery

 

Feel free to browse through my photos below. You can click on any image thumbnail to expand it.