Great Glen Methodist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Glen Methodist Church |
|
|---|---|
Great Glen Methodist Church
|
|
| Location | Oaks Road, Great Glen, Leicestershire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Methodist |
| History | |
| Founded | 1827 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Chapel |
The Great Glen Methodist Church in Leicestershire, England, was built a long time ago in 1827. Later, a church hall was added next to it in 1879. This church is a special place for the local community.
Contents
What Happens at the Church Today?
The current minister, or leader, of the church is the Reverend Helen White. You can see an aerial view of the church and its location on Google Maps.
Fun Activities and Gatherings
Besides the regular Sunday morning service at 10:30 am, the church has many activities. These events help people connect and learn more about their faith.
- Saturday Coffee Mornings: Every Saturday morning, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am, the church is a busy spot. People from the village come for coffee and a friendly chat. On the first Saturday of each month, they even serve bacon sandwiches! Many people also use this time for quiet prayer.
- Youth Club: If you're looking for something to do on a Friday evening, the Youth Club meets every two weeks. It's a great way to make new friends and have fun.
- Sparklers Group: On Monday mornings at 9:30 am, there's a group called "Sparklers." This is for parents and their little ones under four years old. It's a joint effort with the Anglican church and meets at St. Cuthbert's.
- Bible Fellowship: Most Wednesdays at 7:30 pm, people meet in local homes for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. This is a chance to explore faith together in a smaller group.
History of the Methodist Church in Great Glen
Methodism is a type of Christian faith that became popular in the 1700s. People who followed different Christian beliefs than the main Anglican Church were sometimes called "Dissenters." In the early 1700s, a few Dissenters lived in Great Glen. Records show that several houses in the village were used as meeting places for these groups.
Many important craftspeople and workers in Great Glen were Methodists. Some of these included William Edgley, a miller; Thomas Batchelor, a bricklayer; and Daniel Allen, a blacksmith. These skilled people were very active in the church.
In the mid-1800s, Kitty Packe, whose husband was the local lord, was concerned about the growing number of Methodists. She preferred people who belonged to the Anglican Church. She once said that she would rather rent a cottage or a farm to an Anglican person. She felt thankful that most Dissenters in Great Glen were Wesleyans (a type of Methodist), rather than other groups.
Another Anglican vicar, Revd H.L. Dodds, was also worried in 1866. He felt the Anglican Church in Great Glen was not as strong as the Methodist Church. He noted that the Methodists had influential leaders like the Haycocks and Mrs. Cooper.
Because many members were skilled craftspeople, the Methodist Church often had its repairs and improvements done for free! These talented members volunteered their time and skills to help their church.
Building the Church Hall
The idea for a church hall started in 1868. It was needed to house the many children attending Sunday School. The building was likely completed at a low cost because so many skilled church members helped. The architect's plans were drawn up in 1876, and the Sunday School opened in the new hall just three years later, in 1879.
It took another 110 years for the next big building project. In 1989, the church and the Sunday School were connected. New toilets, a separate entrance, and another function room were added. This new room was named the Ruth Warner Room, in honor of an important church member from the 20th century.
