On Monday we had an ‘Evening of Nostalgia’. We were transported back over the last 40 years, so many memories bought back to life, lots of laughs and a few tears.

Our grateful thanks to Kath and Mick, for all their hard work and many, many hours in research and preparing this video, also for all the photos arranged around the Hall. What a wonderful record of all the love and dedication of past and present members and Ministers of our Church.

Tuesday was a time for our ‘Uniformed Open Evening’ which was most enjoyable, many thanks to all the leaders of these groups, for their dedication and enthusiasm and well done children, we are very proud of you.

Wednesday ‘Viva Minor’ entertained us with a wonderful selection of songs, we were left wanting more. We thank them all for a most enjoyable evening.

We attended a one act play by the WADS on Thursday that also was very enjoyable, (as always), such talent and dedication. We thank you all and look forward to your next production in the autumn.

On Friday Mrs Gwynn and all her dancers put on a superb show; the children were so good and showed real talent. The little ones brought a tear to your eye. Thank you Mrs Gwynn for such a treat.

The opening and dedication on Saturday of the flower festival ‘Music in Flowers’ was led by Rev Jan Tate; the talent of the lady flower arrangers was all on display. The perfume of the flowers on entering the Link was intoxicating. A very big thank you to all who were involved in these spectacular arrangements.

We had a most enjoyable time on Saturday evening with ‘Sounds of the Sixties at the All Night Café’. David Atkinson was DJ and the Welcome to Worship also provided us with music, and many laughs, with a fine serenade from Brian King to Maureen Hart. The ladies in the kitchen provided us with bacon butties, very tasty, thank you to all who were in the kitchen and to all who were involved in arranging this evening.

Sunday morning Noel had arranged for the Choir to enter the Church singing the Hymn ‘Enter with Thanksgiving’ which was the same hymn that they sang for the opening of the Church 40 years ago. This was repeated for the evening service of ‘Songs of Praise’ which was led by Rev Jan; Chris Kite provided, (as always) a very impressive cake, of which we all had a slice to take home. (Very tasty Chris, I had half of Peter’s as well, it was so good).

Monday we were entertained by The Gentlemen Songsters. This was very well attended and it was great to ‘see’ all the fellows as they stood and sang on our new platform, (we now know it is safe). Wonderful choice of music, we are most grateful to you all for a truly enjoyable evening.

Whilst we cannot list all the people who have tirelessly worked to make this celebration such a success, it must be noted that a very special THANK YOU should go to Mick Mearman, Kath Lee the organising committee and to Noel Lee who worked long and hard in the lead up to the flower festival, what would we do without them.

Eileen

It was during the Sunday morning service on the 11th June that I was asked to give an account of how the two Churches, Mount Pleasant and Moss Grove came to build a new Church in 1966, and I was asked to include the details in this Magazine.

In the 1960’s Kingswinford had two Methodist Churches, one at Moss Grove and one on the corner of Mount Pleasant.

Both chapels were over 100 years old and in 1962 fate took a hand when the central heating boiler burst at Mount Pleasant Chapel. The congregation joined Moss Grove Chapel whilst it was repaired, but as time progressed both chapel’s problems became obvious and it was decided after a lot of thinking, talking and praying to join the two Churches together and build a new Church.

With money allocated from a Will benefiting the Stourbridge and Brierley Hill Circuit we bought some land from Mr Kenneth MacMaster, originally used as a cricket field, fronting Stream Road. He was later invited to lay the foundation stone on 26th June 1965 and the new Church was opened on 18th June 1966.

The cost of the building was £50,000. The funds started with a donation from the Smith family, Trustees of Mount Pleasant Chapel. Also local businesses gave donations and there was a gift of £2,500 from a local family unconnected with the Church at that time. The Church members raised thousands of pounds, paying for furnishings, pews cost of £45 each, and windows £80. The big cross outside cost £70 and the Sunday school children bought bricks for one shilling each. These were built into the wall at the back of the Communion table. We held a three day bazaar, concerts and other fund raising events to help clear the debt. The stained glass windows in the Link area were also from both Churches.

As you can see a lot has happened over the 40 years and we hope to continue our witness as a Methodist Community in this area.

Joyce Beard