Horsforth church wants readers to relate their memories (From Wharfedale Observer)

Horsforth church wants readers to relate their memories

8:10am Sunday 30th January 2011 in News By Annette McIntyre

Horsforth Central Methodist Church is celebrating its centenary this year – and local people are being asked to help mark the occasion by coming forward with memories, photographs and history.

The building, which is described as a “typical village chapel” was put up in 1911 to replace an earlier chapel on the site which was built in 1846.

The very first chapel catered for a Primitve Methodist community who first met at Dixon’s Fold in Kerry Hill. It became known as ‘Ranters Fold’ – after the nickname given to the Primitve Methodist people.

The present-day church was intended to be a Sunday School room – and the original intention was to build a large church in front of it.

A spokesman said: “How nice that did not occur, because the Church made provision for a garden to its frontage. When Hawksworth Wood Methodist Church joined with Central in 2000, a time capsule was buried and a memorial garden established. The garden is part of Horsforth in Bloom and has received ‘gold’ awards from Leeds in Bloom.”

The church, which has been at the heart of Horsforth life for 150 years is decribed as “small, friendly and very active.”

It is open seven days a week, providing a Sunday school and facilities for rainbows, brownies, guides and rangers. The Horsforth Live at Home scheme is also based there.

The congregation and members will be putting on special events this centenary year, and everyone is welcome to attend. There will be special church services, re-enactments of the ‘Ranters’ days, church outings, Saturday coffee mornings, tea dances and guest speakers.

People are being asked to come forward with any memories and photographs of the church to be recorded and displayed. Anyone with information should contact Mary Cooke on 2586095, or Gerald Ingham on 2586071.