Wisewood Methodist Church - A brief history
In the mid 1960’s the members of Hillsborough Wesley Church in Bradfield Road took the momentous decision that their work on that site was coming to an end and so in 1966 an approach was made to Wadsley Methodist Church to consider amalgamation. A new Church was to be built on Ben Lane funded mainly by the sale of Wesley. Both congregations agreed, with much enthusiasm.
So it was that on the 1st of January 1968 Wisewood Methodist was born. Two strong congregations became one with a membership of over 200 and the new style of governance i.e. Church Council with sub-committees was adopted. Plans were made, the Architect appointed and the way ahead agreed. The old chapel was demolished in 1969 (after 150 years service) and the new Church and extensions to the hall were duly opened in October 1970.
Both churches had had great musical traditions and this became a feature of the Worship with enthusiastic hymn singing and a strong choir offering anthems and other music at virtually every service.
The Sunday School was numerous and very active. The Yellow Carpet Club meeting in the Church on Sunday afternoons, was a lively outlet for the young people. Many other activities were in evidence the more mature age group with over 100 members, many of them not church attenders. There were Boys and Girls Brigades complete with their own band to lead them as they paraded around the district on their monthly parade services. Play groups, Ladies Fellowship, Ladies Guild, Drama Group, Wesley Guild, Youth Clubs all meeting regularly midweek and more recently the Rainbows and Brownies. Some of these groups, having served their purpose, have passed into history, their ultimate value not known to us mere mortals. So we carry on remembering and thanking all those Wisewood Saints who from their labours rest, and try to run the race that is before us (St. Paul?).
The Christian Church is not, in this Olympic Year, engaged in a sprint or even a marathon but in an endless relay race and we carry the baton passed on to us and hope in our turn to pass it forward into the future.
John Garrett