Hinde Street Methodist Church facts for kids
Hinde Street Methodist Church is a special church in Hinde Street, Marylebone, London. It's a very old building, first built between 1807 and 1810. Later, it was rebuilt in the 1880s. It's so important that it's a "Grade II listed" building, which means it's protected by Historic England because of its history and architecture.
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A Look Back: The Church's History
The First Church Building (1810)
Methodists have been active in London's West End for a very long time. They used a chapel in West Street from 1743. Even John Wesley and Charles Wesley, who started the Methodist movement, preached there.
In 1808, land was bought in Marylebone to build a bigger church. This land was a bit swampy near the Tyburn stream. The architect, Rev. William Jenkins, was a preacher who also designed churches. The new church opened in 1810 and could hold about 900 people. It had two balconies and was nicknamed 'The Dutch Oven' because of its unique shape.
Charles Wesley lived nearby, and his children were part of this new church. Hinde Street became known for having some of the best Methodist preachers. The number of members grew quickly, reaching 1,100 by 1844.
The Sunday School
One of the most important things the church did for its community was the Sunday School. It started in 1810 and was the first Sunday School in Marylebone. By 1817, it had 758 members. About 500 children would come to the basement schoolroom every Sunday.
In those early days, the Sunday School taught children to read and write. This was very important, especially for poorer children, before there was free public education for everyone.
The Current Church Building (1887)
The old church building was taken down. The church you see today was built by James Weir, an architect who was also a Methodist. It opened on 29 September 1887. The building has a classic front, a tall spire, and its inside looks much like it did when it was first built.
It is considered one of Weir's best designs and is also a Grade II listed building. The round balcony and tall central pulpit were common in Methodist churches of that time. The beautiful east window was added in 1929 by Francis Spear. The organ is mostly the original one from 1864, updated in 1910 and 1983.
Today, the minister leads the service from a lower platform. This helps them feel closer to the people in the church. In 2014, a new entrance with glass doors was built. This made the entrance area more open and easier to see from the street.
A Changing Community
Over time, many families moved out of the West End. The area became home to more young adults and students who often moved around. In the 1900s, this became a key feature of Hinde Street Church. It attracted many students and young people starting their careers.
In 1945, the church became a main spot for the University of London Methodist Society. This group grew to about 700 members in the 1950s and lasted for 50 years. Today, the church still has many young adult members. Some even live in two special homes run by Hinde Street.
The Church and the West London Mission
Until the 1970s, there were three big Methodist churches in Central London: Central Hall Westminster, Kingsway Hall, and Hinde Street Church. In 1972, Kingsway Hall was sold. The West London Mission, which helps people in need, decided to move to Hinde Street.
From 1980, parts of the Hinde Street site were updated. New offices were built for the Mission. From these offices, they could run their many social work programs. Today, the West London Mission has its main office at 19 Thayer Street, connected to the church. Its social work continues actively, helping people in different parts of London. The church community at Hinde Street supports this important work.
The Church Today
The church holds three worship services on Sundays. These are at 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, and 6:30 PM. It believes in an open and thoughtful type of Christianity. It focuses on helping people in the present time, as Charles Wesley once said.
In 2000, the King's Cross church, with its growing Chinese community, joined Hinde Street and the West London Mission.
The church supports two Christian communities connected to it. It also has programs for students and young adults. It runs a weekly drop-in for people experiencing homelessness. It also offers a Winter Night Shelter. There is a social and study group, and a lunch hour meditation. The church is part of the West London Mission. Together, they run seven social work projects that help people who are homeless or facing difficulties.
In 2015, Hinde Street Church became part of the Inclusive Church movement. This means it welcomes everyone, no matter who they are. During weekdays, 69 different support groups use the building. About 800 people come each week for support and spiritual guidance.
