Banner Cross Methodist Church facts for kids
Banner Cross Methodist Church is a special building in Sheffield, England. It's located in an area called Banner Cross. You can find it on Ecclesall Road South, about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) southwest of the city center. The church, its schoolroom, and even the wall around it are all considered important historical buildings. This means they are protected because of their history and design.
Contents
The Story of Banner Cross Church
Building the First Church
In the early 1900s, people realized that many new homes would be built in the Banner Cross area. Before this, Banner Cross was mostly farmland. In 1902, a group of people called trustees decided to raise money. They wanted to build a place for the Methodist community to worship.
They bought land on Glenalmond Road. This was close to Ecclesall Road South. A church and a schoolroom were built there. The total cost was about £3,034. London architects George Baines and Son designed the building. Charles Ward of Sheffield built it. The church officially opened on June 27, 1907. The first minister was Reverend W.H. Wheeldon.
A New Church is Built
By 1921, the church community had grown to 200 members. They needed a bigger space. So, a plan was made to raise money for a new, larger church. This new church would be built right next to the old one. By 1928, they had raised £5,000.
The new church was designed by William John Hale. He had designed many churches and schools in Sheffield before. The builders, W. Marlow and Sons Ltd., were paid £7,434. The first stone for the new church was laid on April 21, 1928. Another ceremony happened on June 30, 1928, with 70 Sunday School children taking part.
The new church opened on July 13, 1929. The old church building then became a larger schoolroom. This allowed the Sunday school to grow. In 1931, a house for the minister, called a manse, was built nearby. A lecture hall was added to the church in 1937. During World War II, part of the church was used as a public library. The schoolroom became a Rest Centre for people. In 1962, the church community became even bigger. This happened when two other nearby Methodist churches closed.
Banner Cross Church Today
The current minister at Banner Cross is Reverend Tim Crome. He is the 20th minister to serve the church since it started in 1907. Reverend Crome began his work at the church on September 1, 2012.
Today, the church is open every day. It hosts many different activities for the community. These include Coffee Mornings, a Parent and Toddler group, and a Lunch and Friendship group. There are also groups like Boys' Brigade, Youth Club, Bible study, Brownies, Rainbows, and Girl Guides.
Church Design
The main church building is designed in the Gothic Revival style. It is built from stone with red brick details around some windows. The church's main tower looks very grand. Some people have compared its look to The Cenotaph in London. The design is simpler than some of Hale's earlier churches. It uses strong shapes and clear lines.
The older church building, which is now the schoolroom, has a different style. It is built in the Arts and Crafts style. It uses rough stone and brick, with smooth stone details. It has roofs made of slate.
