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The Centenary of the Methodist Chapel

Barwicker No. 58
June 2000


On 14-16 April. 2000, the Barwick Methodists celebrated the Centenary of the opening of their chapel. The occasion was hugely successful, enjoyable and inspiring. and the Historical Society extends its congratulations to all who were involved in its planning and execution. During the whole period of the festivities. there was 'A Celebration of Flowers' by the Barwick-in-Elmet Flower Club (see 'The Barwicker' No.49), a wonderful display in the chapel and schoolroom on the theme of 'The Life of Christ'. On the Saturday evening there was a well-attended and enjoyable concert entitled 'Music for Easy Listening' given by friends of the church. At the Sunday morning service the preacher was Rev. Geoffrey Warburton, a well-remembered past circuit minister. and this was followed in the evening by 'A Celebration Songs of Praise', when the congregation packed the chapel and raised the roof with their singing.

An attractive souvenir brochure, which contained the programme for the 'Celebration of Flowers' and other events, traced the history of the chapel, and included a statement of the position of the church in April 2000. Greetings from the present and past ministers were included.

The history of Barwick Methodist Church has been recorded at length in the Historical Society'S book, 'A Greater Wonder. A History of Methodism in Barwick'. In the later years of the nineteenth century, the old Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. now the Welfare Institute, was too small, inconveniently situated and dilapidated, and better accommodation was needed. It had been opened in 1804, after the money for its construction had been raised by the small Barwick and Scholes congregations supported by the Methodist societies from the neighbouring villages, and they probably built it themselves.

A new chapel was planned - architect designed, professionally built and with considerable financial help from businessmen in Leeds who had prospered through the typical Methodist virtues of thrift, honesty and hard work. It was to be situated in a prominent site near the village centre and built in stone in the decorated gothic style. The architect was Mr G Danby of Leeds, who designed several Methodist churches in the area, and the builders were Mr J Richardson of Chapel town, Leeds, and Messrs H Atkinson and Sons of Leeds, who did the joinery work.

The new chapel was named the William Dawson Memorial Chapel, after the prominent local preacher who had been one of the pioneers of Methodism in the early part of the 19th. century. The new buildings included a chapel to accommodate a congregation of 220, a schoolroom separated from the chapel by a partition which could be removed to give 100 additional sittings, a vestry and a detached caretaker's cottage. The foundation stones were laid on 3 April 1899 before a large gathering of local Methodists and similar numbers were present for the opening of the new chapel on 16 April 1900 by Mr Charles H Kelly of London, an ex-president of the Conference. Inside the chapel was a memorial plaque dedicated to the memory of William Dawson.

The cost of the land, building and administration totalled £3469.1s.0d and a loan of £ 1 000 had to be taken out to help to cover the deficit. By the end of 1903, less than £400 only was outstanding and this Was paid off in the next four years. The building of the new chapel was a spur to greater activity and new classes were established, the number rising to eight in 1903.

'The Marriage in Cana' by Margaret Laine and Elaine Picken
The original photograph is lost. If it can be found, a better copy will be used



Some milestones in the history of the chapel in the following century were:


1907 The Trustees list Was renewed and the new body took over the management of the chapel from the Building Committee.
1915. Gas lighting was installed to replace the oil lamps.
1916. In war-time conditions, the premises were insured against aircraft.
1922 Renovations including decoration. some artistic woodwork behind the rostrum and the provision of a safe were carried out - cost £130.
1926-1936 Or Leslie Weatherhead took the Easter Anniversary Services.
1935 Electricity was installed throughout the buildings.
1937-39 Dr Robert Sangster took the Easter Anniversary Services.
1938 The earth closets were replaced by WCs.
1939-45 During the wartime blackout, most of the congregation remained in the vestry after Sunday service to have refreshments and a sing-song.
1950 The organ was electrified.
1955 New boiler was installed, cost of £65, paid for by 'a friend of Barwick'.
1956 The Trustees list was renewed after almost 20 years. It consisted almost entirely of Barwick members and included for the first time, six women.
1963 15 infra red heaters were installed at a cost of £395.
1965 The cellar was altered to make a coffee bar for the new youth club.
1966. A new Trustees list was created after the breaking up of the Brunswick Circuit and the formation of the Richmond Hill Circuit.
1970 The date of Chapel Anniversary celebrations was changed from the Bank Holiday to 12 April (two weeks after Easter).
Early 1970s. Renovations of the toilet accommodation were made and a new sink and kitchen units were fitted in the vestry.
1973 The organ of Osmondthorpe Chapel was installed. The back of the chapel was altered to create a new vestry and a store room. 1987 The caretaker's cottage was sold at auction for £35,720.
1989 Overhead electric heaters was installed in the Church and Schoolroom. 1990 A sound amplification system was installed at a cost of £1000.
1990 Repairs and replacement to areas of external stonework, together with repointing, at a cost of £13,518.
1993 Gas central heating was installed at a cost of £6,910.
1995 The kitchen was refitted at a cost of £3,224.
1995 Polycarbonate protection to external windows at a cost of £4,250.
1998 The purchase of an electric piano


A hundred years after its creation, Barwick Methodist Church stands proudly in its prominent position in the centre of the village. This fine building has proved to be an excellent centre for church services, the Sunday School, meetings of local institutions (including the Barwick and Scholes Parish Council), social occasions, musical concerts and other entertainments. During the Centenary weekend it provided the dignified back drop for a display of flowers - one of God's finest gifts to us. May it continue in its many roles for years to come.

ARTHUR BANTOFT

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