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
Our faithful unchangeable friend
Whose love is as great as His power
And neither knows measure nor end.
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
