Methodism in Brindley Ford
Its Beginnings
Prior to 1858 Brindley Ford was little more than a hamlet, but with the opening of ironworks and colliery it grew rapidly in size to house those who came to work there.
Before October 1861 the members of the first Brindley Ford Wesleyan Society met for worship in the large upstairs room above Mr Chadwick’s ironmongers shop, now known as 37 Outclough Road. Easy access to this room was gained by a separate, private flight of stairs and so an ‘Upper Room’ was provided where prayers were offered that God would bless them and keep them a ‘small society’.
A New Church 1861
With God’s help, and in less than three years, they had raised sufficient funds for a church to be built!
The following announcement is taken from the Staffordshire Sentinel on Saturday 2nd October 1861.
“The Wesleyan Society at Brindley Ford, finding that their existing accommodation was too limited for the progressing demands of their cause, have just completed a new, commodious chapel there. The building, which was designed to afford large accommodation at the least possible cost, is a neat Gothic structure in the new English style, capable of accommodating about two hundred persons, with a porch to the front entrance, and an open framed roof, stained and varnished. The work was satisfactorily carried out by Mr Chadwick of Brindley Ford, at a cost of about £500 from the design of MR G.B. Ford of the firm Messrs. Ward and Son, Architects (Hanley and Burslem). The chapel was opened for public worship on Sunday last, on which day Rev. S. Simmons, of Wesley College, Taunton, preached two excellent sermons to large congregations. Collections amounting to £20 was made on behalf of the 'Building Fund'.
A new church ... what a marvellous day for our forefathers!"
From the Handbook produced for Centenary Celebrations October 1961 ...
A New Church 1981
The original church was declared unsafe in 1975 due to dry rot in the wooden roof beams and the church closed.
The church members unanimously agreed that a new chapel should be built and they worked enthusiastically to raise £26,000, which was their share of the total cost of £55,000.
Some friends from the Bethel Methodist Church in Brindley Ford, which had also been declared unsafe for worship, joined in the fund raising activities and became founder members of the new church.
With a spirit of unity the congregation focussed on raising sufficient funds for a new structure and this current building was opened to The Glory of God in May 1981.
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