The early Years of Our Church Building
The following notes were made from the kind contributions given by Glyn Jones, Welshpool, Powys. The Presbyterian Church of Wales, The Historical Society, Aberystwyth.
Our main building was originally opened as a Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. In the 1920’s Calvinistic Methodist chapel of Wales took on the additional name of Presbyterian Church of Wales. Such was the influx of Welsh people at the turn of the century that it was but one of approximately fifty Welsh chapels in Liverpool and the Wirral
Following the launch of a Sunday school and Thursday afternoon prayer meeting, which were held in a local mission room in Brook Street, a temporary room had to be found above a coach house. On 15th Feb. 1892 after some discussion with the Liverpool Monthly Meeting (Presbytery) it was agreed to establish a Church at West Kirby and the Revd O J Owen, Rockferry was asked to provide the oversight. It was agreed in the first instance to build a schoolroom at Grange Road on land purchased for £224 from Stanton Eddowes JP. In October 1902 discussions began with the aim of building a Church and eventually it was agreed to build on the same site near the schoolroom. The opening services were held on the 19th and 20th August 1905 with the Revd Joseph Jenkins New Quay officiated on the Saturday evening, the Sunday afternoon and evening, whilst the Revd W M Jones, Birkenhead, conducted the Sunday morning service. The Revd Joseph Jenkins had been minister at Spellow Lane, Liverpool and was one of those used mightily in the 1904 revival and was one of the leaders at the meeting at Blaenannerch, Cardiganshire, when Evan Roberts was moved by the Spirit. In 1906 the church secured the Revd Griffith Hughes, MA as its minister and in 1910 membership reached 207
On Saturday 31st 1920 there was a fire after the caretaker had been fuelling up the boiler for Sunday, this caused extensive damage to the pipe organ and front part of the chapel. It was, of course refurbished and re-opened 21st May 1921. The pipe organ was replaced by an American organ (harmonium). The new pulpit, of very pretentious design and beautiful timber came from a former Presbyterian Church in Liverpool.
During this time there was apparently a charge for seating in the front half of the chapel –the pew rent- which was from half to one guinea per person per annum. The pews in the back half and in the gallery were free. This system was regarded simply as a means of gaining extra income and not meant to be in any way discriminatory, though human nature being what it is, the effect was certainly a division of classes.
More to follow soon!!!!