It was with mixed emotions that on a warm July Sunday morning in 1983, our congregation with the Sunday School, closed the large doors of our old Church, built in 1835, for the last time. Our spiritual home, which had stood proud, bearing witness for countless Christians, following the Methodist tradition in Newtown since the early 18th Century was to be demolished. After much prayerful deliberation and planning (+ encouragement and cajoling from our minister Rev Derek Bedford!) we were to build a new church, on the original site, which would better serve the needs of the present congregation and community. With a quiet dignity we walked across the bridge to our new refuge. For the next year, through the generosity of the Church in Wales, our morning services would be held at All Saints Church. The rector Rev Brian Jones and his congregation stood that morning at the door of the Church to welcome us and extend the hand of friendship. Our evening service was held at Capel Coffa, Milford Road and all social events held at the Roman Catholic Church. The whole project required personal sacrificial giving and each week we held fund raising events, which were well supported by the people of Newtown. We became experts at Auctions, Coffee Mornings, selling bricks, saving 20p pieces in Smarties tubes and bronze money in jars. All our waste paper was collected by Jean Humphreys and sold to raise money towards the funds. Whenever money was raised, however small the amount, we gave thanks by singing our, by today, Chapel hymn. This is the God we adore In April 1984 – Easter time – our dream was realised and we officially opened our new Church with a service of Dedication led by the Rev Ralph Fennel. His apt text for his sermon, “Wheat that withereth Green” will be remembered by all who were present. We are pleased that our “new” church is well used by the community of Newtown each day of the week. Those of us who remember the 1835 building with its bidding “O worship the King in the beauty of holiness” painted on the wall behind the pulpit hope that it still holds true for our present congregation and that we shall continue to Serve the Lord with Gladness on into the future. And now, more than 30 years on, our kitchen has been extended and modernised and full disabled facilities are provided. This enhances the facilities in our chapel so that we can further cater for the needs of the community. Our mission as a church is outreach and we pray that our vision will soon be realised and we can declare "God in the every day". Margaret Griffith | Forthcoming or Recent Events:Coffee Morning with pancakes on Tuesday 5th March. Maundy Service on Thursday 18th April (time tbc). Church Anniversary on Sunday 28th April. Next Church Council Meeting will be on Thursday 2nd May 2019 at 7.00pm. Chapel Hall and Kitchen available for Hire to the Community - click here for further details.Regular Activities:BIBLE GROUP will be meeting at
Church on the first and third Monday of each month at the later time of 2.30pm.
Weekly Coffee Morning on Tuesdays, starting at 10.00am. Ladies Friendship Club (LFC), 3rd Thursday in month (unless stated otherwise) at 7.00pm - see below for programme. |