Wrexham Circuit
Transcription of Article in the Christian Messenger by Rev. J. Grainger
LYING at the foot of the Welsh hills, in the centre of a district rich in minerals, stands Wrexham, the Metropolis of North Wales. It is here that “Caer Fantell,” the mantle fortress or “sheltering camp,” stood. On every hand there are evidences of the struggles which occurred between the Welsh, Saxons, Danes, and Normans, and within a three mile radius are forts and dykes which indicate the strife and warfare of former days. In the immediate vicinity is to be found some of the finest scenery North Wales can offer. The beauties of river, woodland, glen, and mountain scenery abound, and the wealth of nature is in evidence on every hand. On the “field of Challenge” stands our new Church and schools, indicative of the conflicts fought and the victories won during the last ninety-six years.
Primitive Methodism was introduced into Wrexham in March, 1821, by the Burland Branch of the Tunstall Station. The pioneer preacher was John Ride. On entering the town he began to preach in the open-air and soon a crowd gathered and listened to his message. So favourable was his reception that in the evening he was able to conduct a religious service in a house, and from that day our Church has ministered to the people. What an enthusiast John Ride must have been! His was a wonderful personality; his life was characterised by a boundless energy, and a great passion for preaching. From village to village, and town to town, he went scattering the Gospel seed which was destined to be productive of a greater spiritual harvest than probably he dreamt of. In March, 1822, Huxley was made a Branch of Burland Circuit. The Branch consisted of twenty-five places, including Tarporley, Tiverton, Wrexham, and Chester. It had three Travelling preachers, T. Sugden, W. Sanders, and Ann Stanna, and twenty local preachers.
The early years were full of sacrifice, anxiety, and trial. The work was missionary in the real sense, and often it was a struggle against tremendous difficulties. It was only the dogged perseverance and tremendous faith of our fathers that enabled them to persist and triumph. What sacrifices those early preachers made! How self-denying they were in their toil! They had to travel long distances, and often they would walk thirty miles on the Sabbath and preach two and three times. Though the seed was sown often in weariness and weakness, yet great triumphs were witnessed in the conversion of the people. Possessed by a spirit of enthusiasm which grew out of personal religious experience, they were superior to every obstacle, and proof against all persecution. These heroic men penetrated into all parts of North Wales and established causes. In sparsely populated districts, and sometimes on the top of mountains such as Bwlchgwyn, they would establish a Society in some cottage or barn. They were mighty soul-winners and no record can fully estimate their service and devotion. Even to-day one often hears of the triumphs of the earlier years.
It would perhaps have been a good thing if we had established Welsh causes as well as English. The true Welshman loves his own language and delights to worship in his own native tongue. There is a good deal of emotion in the Welsh temperament, and they certainly do enjoy their religion. Their worship provides full liberty in song and sermon, and to hear them sing will oft-times move one to the depths. The language question was one of the difficulties that confronted our preachers and they would find it no easy matter to make their message comprehensible. It is now too late to alter our methods in this respect and so we must proceed as before. The younger people are much more familiar with English and we can hope even for better results in our work.
As a Circuit, Wrexham has known the light and shade; sometimes full of promise, and at other times in troubled waters. Our early history is full of romance and pathos. Space will not permit the telling of the story of ninety-six years. The usual method of evangelisation was followed, namely, open-air preaching and then cottage meetings, and eventually the building of a sanctuary. The first Chapel was built in 1832 in the Beast market at Wrexham at a cost of £200, and here our people worshipped for forty-seven years. Though small, yet it was well-built for it stands to-day in front of a great open square. It was in the Beast market where Rev. Geo. Stansfield preached to over two thousand people whilst they were waiting for the arrival of Moody, who was visiting the town to conduct a mission. Even while the great evangelist was being driven on to the ground yet the people shouted for Stansfield to go on with his sermon on Daniel, so great was his influence and power over the people. There were giants in those days and Wrexham has shared their ministry. Of course, like most circuits, there have been times of depression and periods almost of despair. To Chester Circuit we are greatly indebted, and no mother could treat her daughter more kindly. Through the darkest days there was a strong and loving hand stretched forth to help, and to encourage. At first Wrexham was a mission, then it became a part of Chester Circuit. We became a Branch in 1868, during the ministry of Rev. William Goodman, and for him the first Circuit house was secured towards the furnishing of which Chester gave £20. In 1872 we became a Circuit, and Rev. John Aspinall was the first Superintendent. To-day there are seven Societies on the plan, whilst in 1862 there were twenty-two. A number of places have gone to enrich other stations, and a few have for various reasons been given up. The second Chapel in Wrexham was situated in Talbot Road, and was built in 1879, during the ministry of Rev. J. Calvert. This was a great advance on the Beast Market, but eventually it too proved inadequate for progressive work, and in the year 1909 a new site was purchased for £560 in one of the most desirable and commanding positions in the town. Although no money was in hand when the land was purchased, yet with a wonderful sacrifice and supreme courage the Church unanimously agreed to build the new Sanctuary in 1911, and the Schools in 1915, at a total cost of £5,000. It would be quite invidious to mention the names of those who gave of their time, money and strength in the great enterprise. Never a minister had more loyal, devoted, and self-sacrificing people; all had a mind to work and gave of their best. The results have far exceeded our highest expectations, for since the opening of the new Church our membership has nearly trebled, and our Sunday School has more than doubled the number of Scholars, and the debt has been reduced to £2,000. Sir William Hartley has taken a real interest in our work and often encouraged us by his generous gifts which have totalled nearly £250.
We are indebted to our friend, Mr. Henry Harper, Architect, Nottingham, for the beautiful design; commodious and modern premises, which give Primitive Methodism one of the foremost positions in Wrexham. Mr. Harper was also the Architect for Caergwrle Church, which our friends declare to be one of the prettiest sanctuaries in the whole district.
Frood, the second place on the plan, built their first Church in 1843, and the second in 1877 at a cost of £500. Here our Bethel nestles among the hills and we have the only place of worship in the village. The two outstanding characters in this Society were John Evans, and Thomas Cotterill. Both rendered magnificent service ; the former was a father in Israel, the latter was a lover of little children, and to him also must be given the credit of building the Church, and, with other devoted workers, never resting until the debt was removed.
Hugh Bourne visited and preached in the Church, July, 1848, and a tablet is erected in the Sanctuary recording the fact. He also preached at Moss and Wrexham during the same visit. Moss Church was built in 1878 and the present sanctuary was erected in 1898 at a cost of £900, during the ministry of the Rev. J. W. Booth. The labours of such men as John Prince, and John Prince, junr., Geo. Fardoe, and others are evident in the fruitful harvest of to-day. They were men of power and zeal in all that pertained to the Kingdom of God. This Church throbs with young life, is full of promise, and one of the most vigorous in the Circuit. Caergwrle Society owes a great deal to the late Edward and Mrs. Davies. When not an inch of land could be secured in the village these friends came to our aid and gave us both land and Church. The names of Edward Davies and William Bellis, will for ever be associated with this cause. In 1914, the new Church was opened. The total cost was £1,200 and the debt now is £400. For this beautiful village Church we are greatly indebted to Mr. and Mrs. John Morris, who along with the faithful few have for years toiled and sacrificed. This Society is now most progressive and active, and the friends are rejoicing in increasing membership and Sabbath School scholars.
Coedpoeth Chapel was built in 1861 at a cost of £110. This small Society was in the early days strong and vigorous, and at one time the strongest place in the Circuit. Edward Griffiths was known for many miles round as the “little Welsh preacher,” and no Camp Meeting ever seemed complete without him. David Jackson with his sanctified wit, J.P. Drinkwater with his sterling character, and Mrs. Evans with her zeal and piety, all stood by the little cause. Coedpoeth is essentially a Welsh village, and now that the lead mines are closed, and many of the English-speaking people have removed, the faithful few have a hard task before them.
Rhostyllen is one of the most vigorous Societies in the Circuit. The name of Mrs. Ann Rogers will ever live in the history of this Church. For twenty-three years Mr. and Mrs. Rogers opened their cottage for Worship. Through storm and sunshine our sister remained true to the cause. She had a special corner for prayer, and the preacher found in her a true friend. She was Class-Leader, Steward, conducted the singing, and was full of spiritual fervour and power. The family remains with us to-day, and follow in the mother’s footsteps. Mrs. Joy and Mrs. Steen were also great in service and good works. The trio would be hard to equal in any church. They were all true Primitive Methodists, and could neither be bought or bribed. In 1883 the dream of their lives and the vision of their ideal was realised, and the new sanctuary was opened. What distances they travelled to secure donations, and what sacrifices they made! They were mighty in prayer, and truly miracles were wrought through them. Their children have recently cleared off the last £100, and now they are clear of debt, and anticipate even greater things in the near future.
Rhosddu is the youngest of our churches. The property was put chased in 1893 from the Methodist New Connexion during the ministry of Rev. Wm. Smith. It is a monument to the zealous devotion and sacrifice of such men as David Davies, John Davies, and Edward Fisher, who, along with others, stood bravely by the cause, and with a rare optimism and self-forgetfulness, led the faithful few into prosperity and blessing. Many excellent local preachers have come forth from this church and not a few have gone to enrich other Circuits.
From this station a number have gone into our ministry and are rendering magnificent service. Their names are well known – Revs. S. Evans, J.T. Evans, E.A. Steen, William Hughes, and J. Wilson. The Circuit to-day is in a very healthy condition, and possesses the spirit of holy daring and enterprise, and for years has been growing in power and influence. In official life we were never better served, and the Circuit Stewards and officials have witnessed a delightful prosperity. Rev. R. Fletcher, since last Conference, has settled in our midst, and is rendering magnificent service in our pulpits. Rev. J. Grainger is in his tenth year, and has promised to remain till 1920. The membership now stands at 349, local preachers, 28; teachers, 88; scholars, 734; value of Church property, £9,200, with a debt of £2,700. We have reported an unbroken increase in membership for the last ten years, and our Schools are also healthy and progressive. The income for the Missionary Funds this year is £55, which is the record for the Circuit. The Orphanage and other funds are well supported. In young life we are strong. We occupy an honourable place among other churches, and the prospects are full of promise.
References
Christian Messenger 1918/42
No Comments
Add a comment about this page