13. Winsford Circuit

Situated in mid-Cheshire, a centre of the salt-mining industry, Winsford is a town of 11,000 people. Originally the Winsford Circuit formed part of the Winsford and Tarporley Circuit, this Circuit was divided in the year 1899, and Winsford henceforth became an independent Circuit with its own Superintendent Minister.

The Circuit then consisted of five Societies—Station Road, High Street, Chester Lane, Chester Road and Meadow Bank. Subsequently the Church at Chester Lane was closed and the building sold. Of the four remaining Churches, two, Station Road and High Street, are in Winsford itself, whilst Chester Road and Meadow Bank are situated in the immediate locality. The membership of the Circuit has remained fairly constant, and at present is 308. Both Station Road, with 109 members, and High Street, with 172 members, are vigorous Societies with a large number of adherents.

Meadow Bank, which is two miles from the town, is a good Society with 32 members, whilst Chester Road, with 14 members, is bravely carrying on the work there.

Each Church has a Sunday School, and the Schools at Station Road and High Street, with 200 scholars respectively, are rendering fine service. Efforts have been made, and are being continued to organise the work in the Schools along modern lines, the limitations of our accommodation however prevent complete reorganisation. The present strength of the Schools is 80 teachers and 507 scholars. 

In connection with High Street, there is a Young Men’s Memorial Institute erected to the memory of the young men of the Church who lost their lives in the war.

Week-night work amongst the young people takes the form of Christian Endeavour Societies, Teachers’ Training Classes and Social Clubs, which provide suitable fellowship for young people.

Three of our Churches possess flourishing Women’s Guilds, which render splendid service to the Church, and during the present year, a branch of the Women’s Missionary Federation has been formed with promise of greater interest and support of the Missionary cause.

Whilst no events of outstanding importance can be recorded, much has been done to improve the services of the Church. Both Station Road and High Street have now fine organs to assist the worship of the Sanctuary, and the story of the Circuit is the story of the loyal service and sacrificial devotion of men and women who have maintained the ministry and witness of the Church in the midst of their fellows, and who have possessed the great virtues of fidelity and love.

H.F.G.