Sheffield Eighth Circuit, Yorkshire

Ann's Road, Heeley

Sheffield St Ann's Primitive Methodist chapel
Christian Messenger 1899/371
Henry Adams Memorial Hall
Christian Messenger 1899/371

Transcription of Article in the Christian Messenger by ‘ALPHA’

The village of Heeley, which is now part of Sheffield, was missioned about forty years ago by Bethel Cambridge Street Church. One of the first converts was the late Richard Tomlinson, who lived to render long and useful service to the Church that had its existence first in his house at the bottom of Oak Street. He opened his house for preaching and other religious services, and in many ways helped the cause of God, and showed a loving appreciation of the ministers during the whole of his religious life. Our dear departed friend had a taste for music, a passion for singing, and for years, in these particulars, was the life and soul of the Church. His widow, two sons, and a daughter, still live to render good service to the cause of God. The best organised effort probably in the Connexion for the African Mission is chiefly managed by the eldest son, Harry. The monetary result is a special feature at the United City African Missionary Meeting in September, year by year.

The Heeley infant Church grew rapidly. Mr. S. Walker was converted under the ministry of James Caughey, and joined ‘the Church in the house.’ Mr. Walker was a godly man, and served the Lord with full purpose of heart. It was chiefly by his effort the chapel in Gleadless Road was built, and opened August 8th, 1858. The Rev. Robert Parkes, of worthy memory, preached at 10.30 and 6 o‘c1ock on the opening day, and the Rev. W. Cutts, who continues his successful ministry with us still, preached at 2.30. Twenty years ago the chapel was enlarged and improved at a cost of £900. The history of this place of worship is fraught with many precious memories. In it men have preached, and sung, and prayed with rare, and marvellous power. The darkest of sinners have been enlightened, illuminated, and made to others luminous in the old place. Indeed, the work of God grew and multiplied, till it became a necessity to supersede the old place by a superior and much larger sanctuary in the immediate neighbourhood.

The present new property which is the head of the recently formed new station, called Sheffield Eighth Circuit, is a magnificent pile of buildings. Great and formidable difficulties were removed, and the officials and people were inspired to ‘rise and build’ by the work, and a gift of £500 from our generous friend, Mr. H. Adams. Mr. J. Taylor who was brought up with our people at Dore is the architect. The Church has been called by a clergyman, ‘the Cathedral of Heeley.’ The structure, exclusive of land, has cost Five Thousand Pounds. The opening services were celebrated in the spring of 1897. Other important Connexional properties are managed by the Trustees beside the new chapel. There is the old chapel, (now let to the Salvation Army for £40 per year) there are also thirteen houses and a shop, which are at the side and front of the new chapel, and a manse within a few minutes walk. The whole of this valuable properly is a great advantage to the new Trust, and we doubt not will be easily and satisfactorily managed in favour of the Church.

To-day we have a membership of over 200, 250 scholars, 47 Sunday school teachers, Mothers’ Meeting, Literary Society, Tract Society, Band of Hope, Mission Bands, and other agencies for the salvation and culture of the people. The church choir is very efficient. It is spoken of as one of the best choirs in the city. Mr. E. Jeffs, brother of the Rev. F. Jeffs, of Preston Second Circuit, is the able and indefatigable choir-master. Mr. W.H. Taylor, the circuit steward, is comparatively a young man, but he has built up a large and prosperous business in the manufacture of household furniture. The photos of the other officials we give represent some of the best families in our Church, who have long stood by, and still are standing by the cause in a very honourable manner. The new Church is in the centre of a teeming population, and is well attended Sunday by Sunday. The organ, which cost £525 and has just been paid far, is manipulated with great ability by Mr. S. Freeman, and with the singing is a pleasing attraction.

The Kent Road ‘Adams Memorial Hall’ is the most suitable place for church and school purposes we have ever seen. It is in the same neighbourhood as Ann’s Road, Heeley chapel, and only about half-a-mile from it. This handsome structure, which, as well as handsome is ‘beautiful for situation,’ stands at the highest point of Kent Road. It was built in 1895 and seats 300 persons. The original cost was £1,730, and is the free gift of Mr. H. Adams. It is in the midst of a population of 10,000 people. We have 32 members, 200 Sunday school scholars, 15 teachers, a Band ot Hope, and a prosperous Christian Endeavour Society. There are two other places in the circuit – village societies, Coal Aston, and Norten-beach-Moor.

The prospects of Heeley in particular, and the station on the whole, are bright and cheering. The minister and the people one in purpose, aim, and action, with humbly dependence upon God in all things, can hardly fail to achieve great and impartial results for God and the Connexion in this increasing district. The Lord has wonderfully manifested Himself from the opening of the new chapel, in raising up many generous friends, in the refreshing season of His presence to the Church, in the power and effect of His own preached Word, and the way in which many sinners have been gathered into the fold of His Church.

The Rev. D. Sheen and those who worked with him in erecting these handsome structures in the parish of Heeley in the Brough of Sheffield, Kent Road and Ann’s Road as places of worship, have already cause for great joy and satisfaction.

References

Christian Messenger 1899/371

Comments about this page

  • Further investigation, and a photograph of the tea set, revealed the gift was given to Rev. James and Mrs Marianne Longden. James was a United Methodist Free Church minister who was leaving Oak Street, Heeley, United Methodist Free Church, Sheffield, in August 1897.

    By Geoff Dickinson (24/08/2021)
  • Thanks for your very quick reply. If I could send you a picture would it be of use ? The best guess we have at the moment is Rev J & Mrs Laugden

    By Chris Gould (24/08/2021)
  • Chris,

    A likely candidate is Rev Danzy Sheen. He left Sheffield V circuit in the summer of 1897 to take up the post of General Secretary of the Sunday School Union. Sheffield V was split into Sheffield VIII and Sheffield IX circuits in 1899.
    I will check later this week to see if there is another candidate when I visit Englesea Brook.

    By Geoff Dickinson (24/08/2021)
  • Hi, I’ve got an inscribed silver tea set presented to an outgoing reverend from August 6th 1897. Unfortunatly, the name is difficult to read so wonder if you might throw some light on it. Many Thanks

    By Chris Gould (24/08/2021)

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