OUR HISTORY PAGE
 
 
By kind permission of Norman Ellis
 
the OUTWOOD WESLYAN’S The Weslyan Methodist movement in Outwood was almost certainiy started in Crosslands Farm at the bottom of Newton Lane, and the first Weslyan Methodist chapel in Outwood was built near the top of Newton Lane in 1841. The style of the building was fairly typical of village chapels of that period, and featured a central aisle with boxed pews, which were placed on either side of a slightly raised pulpit. A harmonium was used to accompany the singing, and a rather dangerous looking solid fuel stove provided the heating, the chapel which was enlarged in 1879 seated approximately 150 worshippers. Over the next few years the congregation grew and in 1892 consideration was given to erecting a new and larger building, this finally came to fruition in 1900. The last services at the old chapel in Newton Lane were held on Sunday 9th February 1902, It must have been with mixed feelings that the congregation said goodbye to the oid chapel,which had been their place of worship for the past 61 years. The new church was given the go ahead and a piece of land at the corner of Outwood Park Estate in Leeds Road was donated by Mr Robinson Bramley The stone laying ceremony was held on October 24th 1900, ten stones were laid by various members of the church including the Rev G Mason who was the minister at Newton Lane. The church was completed on the 10th February 1902, two days before the opening ceremony. The new Weslyan Methodist Church was officially opened on Wednesday 12th February 1902 by Mrs W Kilner of Finsbury Park London. The Weslyan Methodists had every reason to be proud of their beautiful new Church, which was designed by architects Messrs Garside and Pennington of Castleford and the builder was John Armitage of Outwood, the late gothic architecture incorporated the best double pressed red bricks, with Huddersfield stone dressings. The west window which depicts Jesus blessing little children was given by Mr and Mrs R Bramley of Outwood Hall, in memory of two of their seven children, Robert aged 8 who died on the 3rd September 1897 and Ina aged 6 who died 4 days later. The east window illustrates Christ Ascension and was given by Mr G Kenworthy in memory of his wife Grace who died in January 1901 and sadly did not live to see the chapel completed. The small windows around the church were presented by members and adherents and show monograms in centre shields. The seating capacity for the new church was approximately 350. The chancel, which was raised above the general floor level, accommodated the choir stalls. The yearly cycle of events at the church began with the Sunday School Prize Giving, followed by the Church Anniversary. The Sunday School Anniversary took place at Whitsuntide and later in the year came the Harvest Festival. As the 1930s approached discussions were held between the Weslyan, Primitive, and United, Methodist Churches which resulted in Methodist Union in 1932, the Weslyan Church became St Johns after the founder John Wesley. In the late 1950s and early 60s the congregations at Rehoboth, Bourne, and St Johns began to decline, and all three churches struggled financially, and as a result, in a few years time Methodism in Outwood would change forever. In 1966 the question of amalgamation between the three Methodist churches in Outwood was raised at circuit level and finally in 1969 amalgamation went ahead , St Johns Church was chosen for future Methodist Worship. The last services at Bourne and Rehoboth were held on the 10th May 1969 Bourne was sold to the Salvation Army for £2432.70p Rehoboth was Sold to The Roman Catholic Church for £4077.43p Land owned was sold for 11,141.39p St Johns was renamed Parkside Methodist Church, due to its proximity to Outwood Park. sadly a few members and adherents, not being happy with the merger, chose not to attend Parkside. In 1992 Lofthouse Gate Methodist Church closed its doors and a few members of the congregation joined Parkside. 2002 saw the hundredth anniversary of the church and special services and events were organised. The minister at the time of amalgamation was the Rev D Bostock, who returned to the church to conduct the evening centenary service. TO HISTORY ARCHIVE