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Methodism from Primitive Beginnings |
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The Primitive Methodist Church was born out of the Wesleyan Methodist movement, itself a result of the evangelical revival of the eighteenth century. At the first Primitive Methodist Conference held in Hull in 1820 there were estimated to be 8000 members, by 1850 this had increased to 100,000. On the 20th September 1932 the Primitive Church joined with United Methodist and Wesleyan Churches to become again a unified Methodist Church. The original Primitive Chapel in Marshside was built in 1832 and stood to the left of the present building where the Florist Shop stands today. The money for the construction of the new chapel, some £1864 was raised by the members, amongst others, the farmers and the cart shankers of the village who donated some of their catch towards this sum. The architect was Mr R Owen of Liverpool and the building was finished in 1878. A school room at the back was added in 1897. Last year, 2002, was the 125 year anniversary and a procession round the village commemorated this with several of the congregation dressed in period clothing. Balloons were released on their return . A display of old photographs was collected from the congregation and mounted for several weeks. There has been a tradition of processions around the streets accompanied by the Marshside Temperance Band mainly on Whitsunday, when the congregation and Sunday School children walked around the village streets stopping at various points where the band would play. Nowadays a small procession walks a short way around the block after the Whitsunday Service. These processions were an occasion when most of the children would get a new outfit, last year's being relegated to second best. On return to the Chapel the children would sit on a stage built above the communion rail and sing and recite for the adult congregation. Each child held a letter of the alphabet, when the organiser held up the same letter the child got up and performed his or her piece. The chapel provided a full range of social activities from Sunday School for the children to outings for the married ladies. There was an annual Sunday School trip and the always popular "hotpot suppers." These were both social and fund raising events. Special concerts by the choir were also held, and many plays and concerts were held in the Sunday School. Weekday evenings offered Christian Endeavour, men's fellowship, young wives group and special events. Harvest Festival was, as in many churches, an occasion when the interior was decorated with flowers and fruit with an enormous baked sheaf of corn as the centre piece. The next day the produce would be auctioned and the money donated to various charities. An annual "Convention" was held at the Mornington Road Church site when members of Cliff College the Methodist training college in Derbyshire would bring their evangelical message under canvas. Many members of the Chapel turned out as helpers and stewards for this, and also accompanied the students around the village to visit local residents who found difficulties in leaving their homes. This was very popular in the 1950's The Sunday School in the 40's and 50's was well attended. There was morning school followed by morning service and afternoon school . The school rooms were well planned with small individual rooms for the various classes and a main central hall with a stage. With two sessions a week it was usual for the children to receive two books as prizes at the end of the year. There was a strong Temperance feeling among the Methodist community. The Temperance Hall was built by the local community in 1884 and rebuilt in 1934, with the wood for the roof being donated by ancestors of the Fleetwood Hesketh family. The hall was used for public meetings, children's parties, magic lantern slide shows and as a Sunday School, amongst other activities. It was used for various Chapel activities for the people who had difficulty travelling to the main church. The
Independent Order of Rechabites The
Independent Order of Rechabites, a friendly society, had,
from the beginning, adhered to the principle of abstinence from
all alcohol. In 1831 it was suggested that clubs and benefit
societies should be moved to schoolrooms, such things having been
previously held in public houses. A Mr Livesey of Preston wrote the first "pledge" to
which 7 men added their names. By 1833 the Total Abstinence
Movement was started in Manchester although some members were led
astray by attending friendly society meetings amongst their
non temperance colleagues. In 1835 Dr Grinrod suggested the
formation of Temperance Friendly Societies. Originally members paid sixpence a week to alleviate distress
to other needy members. It then became also a means to save
for funeral expenses, by paying another sixpence a week to a
burial society. These payments were made on unlicensed premises. The Rechabites were formed with a view to getting rid of
all intoxicating liquor. The name, Rechabite, comes from the 35th Chapter of Jeremiah
verse 6. In Marshside this philosophy fitted well with the Methodist
thinking and there were also juvenile branches of the movement. Local branches were named "Tents". Other temperance groups were also popular. The National British Womens Total Abstinence Union had the "Little White Ribboners" Here parents could sign the pledge on behalf of their children or babies promising to see that their children would abstain during their childhood years and setting a standard hopefully for life. There was also the Band of Hope. This began in Leeds in 1847 with much the same ideals, and also incorporated signing the "Pledge". A Mrs A.J. Carlile, a 72 year old Irish Christian is quoted as saying "What a happy band these children make, they are the hope of the future" There was clearly a great feeling by many individuals that concern for the welfare and nurture of children was of great importance. This was embraced by many of the Marshside community.
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