One Hundred Years

- and more

CENTENARY OF WELLINGTON ROAD MISSION CHURCH - CITY MISSION PREFACE Over twelve months ago Mr. Dimmock, our Pastor, suggested to the Deacons that if possible a history of Wellington Road Mission Church should be prepared for the Centenary Thanksgiving Services, to be held, God willing, from 23rd to 30th April 1978. Out of interest for the subject and ignorance of the demands of such a task, I offered to attempt to compile sufficient for at least a leaflet, or for printing on to the Orders of Service. It seemed to me then that there was not a great deal of information available on such a lowly, albeit spiritually vital place of worship. How wrong I was! All credit is due to those Deacons of Hunters Lane Church who in bygone years meticulously set down in writing the essential details of the conduct of their Church affairs, and to the Deacons who in recent years preserved these invaluable minute books, and unwittingly contributed to making my research more arduous but infinitely more interesting and rewarding. The outcome of my prayers, delving, meditation, erasions and substitutions is here; much larger than one would ever have expected. My prayer throughout this preparation has been:- "Heavenly Father, prepare me each day for this important task. Take away from me anything that would hinder or spoil this account of Thy work and boundless provision throughout these 'one hundred years, and more'. Make the words factual, interesting and a source of inspiration and encouragement to us all, so that during the time Thou hast ordained for our service for Thee in this district of Wellington Road, we shall, by Thy grace and Holy Spirit, be empowered to spread the Gospel of Thy salvation. " First, I must record with sincere gratitude my appreciation of the assistance given to me by many friends and co-workers at Wellington Road Mission Church. I am indebted to the Rev. F. O. Brown, M. A., Minister of Hunters Lane Church, Mr. H. Shanks their Secretary, and the Deacons for the generous facility afforded me to study their minute books. I am most grateful to the Rev. David V. Jebson, Superintendent of the Liverpool City Mission, and to Pastor J. B. Nixon who have kindly read the manuscript and given me many helpful suggestions. I must express my appreciation of the facilities provided at the Reference Library in William Brown Street where I perused Ordnance Survey maps of Wavertree, Gore's Directories for the 1860's and 1870's and "The Victoria History of the Counties of England Lancashire", volume 3. I am also indebted to Carl Fox, Commercial Photographers, of The Temple, Dale Street, and A & J. McLaine, Jewellers, Richmond Street, who assisted me beyond the normal courtesies of business. Last, but by no means least, to my wife who has so willingly undertaken all the typing of the script and helped so much with suggestions and corrections, my warmest appreciation and gratitude. The story of these "One Hundred y ears - and more," impresses upon us the reality of God's boundless provision as demonstrated in the experiences of hope, opportunity, expectation, frustration, failure, excitement, concern, success, and above all, the abundant blessings of fulfillment in His Service. I pray that God will make this account of the past a source of inspiration to us all for' the present and the future, particularly to the leaders of our children's and young people's activities. James W. Tighe, on behalf of the pastor and Deacons of Wellington Road Mission Church. CENTENARY OF WELLINGTON ROAD MISSION CHURCH WAVERTREE

Sunday School formed – 1869 This Building erected – 1878

John Blyth, founder of the Sunday School in 1869

Mr. A. E. Proffitt, Rev. David V. Jebson Mr. Keith Dimmock President of the Liverpool City Superintendent of the Liverpool Pastor of Wellington Road Mission City Mission Mission Church

Chapter 1 THE BEGINNING

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22 verse 6 These God-given words are inscribed on the memorial stone of the Mission, laid by John Blyth on the 24th Apri11878. The small stone is set near the ground, to the left of the front door of the Church, and its relative insignificance is out of all proportion to the inspired vision of the founder of this Christian work and the gigantic task John Blyth and his co-workers were ready to accept and fulfil for their Master. This however was not the true beginning of the Sunday School and Mission Activity in Wellington Road in the old Township of Wavertree. Mr. Blyth in 1869 opened his home, 'Mill House' Wellington Road, to the children of this country district and formed the first Sunday School. It is not easy to realise that in those days this was an area of farms, nurseries, imposing residences occupied by wealthy merchantmen and notable personalities, humble cottages, and possibly, in 1869 a windmill. I have not yet been able to ascertain whether this windmill existed at that time, but the Ordnance Survey Map for 1840/1845 records the 'Wellington Windmill', the Mill House and the cottages known as Mill Row. All these were sited on what is now the Bisley Street Area and nestled close to a new railway embankment carrying the first railway from Edge Hill to Garston. The embankment at the time of this early survey did not carry the number of railway tracks that there are today and the Wavertree Station had not then been built. I cannot say exactly when Mr. Blyth took over the Mill in Wellington Road, or whether the windmill still existed. It would, however, be fair to presume that the building of the railway embankment affected or reduced the windpower to the Mill and thus rendered it somewhat useless. Gore's Directory of 1860, although not including the streets of Wavertree in its record, refers to one, "John Blyth, foreman miller, of 5 Sandown Lane. " Then in 1862 there is "John Blyth" Confectioner of Wavertree Road". This part of Wavertree Road was in the Township of Wavertree and extended from what is now the Botanic Road area and park, to Wavertree Green (near the present Clock Tower), and was later renamed Road after Sir James Picton. More about Sir James later. The Directory of 1864 records - "John Blyth, Provender dealer, Wellington Road, Wavertree", and in 1865 "John Blyth, miller, Wavertree Mills, Wellington Road, Wavertree". Mr. Blyth's business evidently prospered and in 1871, in addition to his mills in Wavertree, he is recorded also as a corn merchant with an office in 27 Back Goree, down near Liverpool's waterfront and in the heart of the commercial centre of the town; Sometime before the Ordnance Survey of the I 880's, the windmill had ceased to exist and the map of 1893 shows that substantial mill buildings had been constructed. Mr. Blyth's home, Mill House, adjoined the mill and had quite a large garden, which bounded on to Wellington Road. Opposite the front of Mill House was a terrace of some twelve or thirteen cottages, at a right angle to. Wellington Road, (somewhere near the line of Bisley Street), extending to the flourmill which nestled against the railway embankment. Mr. Blyth apparently owned one or more of these cottages.

Unfortunately, I have not been able, so far, to discover anything about the size or style of these mill cottages. Sufficient for us is that having opened his home to the local children, Mr. Blyth found the need for a Sunday School greater than he had foreseen and soon his accommodation was inadequate to meet the increasing attendance. He transferred the school to one of the cottages that, ere long, proved too small, so a further cottage was added to the accommodation in order to continue this successful work. God was indeed using and blessing this endeavour to the extent that in 1874 the attendance for the year totalled 6342 with a weekly average of 132, and the following year the corresponding figures were 7649 and 159. There was a slight drop in attendance in 1876 but the figures surged to 8336, with a weekly average of 170 in 1877. This was to be the year of decision concerning this great and growing work.

Chapter 2 THE FOUNDER

"My sons, be not now negligent; for the Lord hath chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him” 2 Chronicles. 29 verse 11 The size and scope of the work demonstrated by this early Sunday School is commensurate with the vision and selfless zeal of a dedicated Christian man. Mr. John Blyth was, I believe, a life-long and highly respected member of Hunters Lane Congregational Church, Wavertree, and for a great many years an active and devoted Deacon of that Church. The commencement of the work in Hunters Lane was remarkably similar to the founding of the work in Wellington Road. The Rev. Thomas Sleigh came to spend his years of retirement from the Congregational Ministry in the pleasant village of Wavertree. That was in 1836. A few months after his "Retirement" we read of this energetic and spiritually minded man, "he opened one of his own rooms for Sunday Worship, himself conducting services there. " As was the experience of John Blyth of Wellington Road in the 1870's, so Mr. Sleigh found his room inadequate, and was soon seeking larger premises and in a short time the congregation moved to accommodation in High Street. This work was also blessed by the Lord and in only three years the present Church in Hunters Lane was built and opened on 1st October 1839, and formally constituted a Congregational Church in 1841. It was then known as Trinity Chapel. I have gleaned this information from notes very kindly lent to me by the Rev. F. O. Brown, M. A. the present Minister of the Church, and I am extremely grateful to him. I find that the minister from 1858 to 1861 was the Rev. W. C. Stallybrass. The note adds that his son, Dr C. O. Stallybrass became Assistant Medical Officer for Health for Liverpool. This is of personal interest to me for as a boy I worked in a section of his department, and later attended many of his lectures on public health. He was indeed a kind, gentle and sympathetic man, completely unspoiled by the eminence of his achievements or authority. He was born in 1882, retired at the age of 66 years, and died in 1951. The story of Hunters Lane Church, as indicated by the Minute Books of its many, many years of service to the people of Wavertree, must include reference to its concern for the growth of Christian teaching, not only locally, but in other areas of Merseyside and elsewhere. In 1862 the Rev. E. Hassan began twenty-five years of Ministry at Hunters Lane. He came as a student from University and had the qualities of a "Forceful character, and many gifts" and was used by God to build a strong and influential Church. It was during his ministry that Congregational Church was built, largely due to the generosity of the members of Hunters Lane. It was opened in 1867. During this period of what can well be termed Missionary enterprise and endeavour Mr. Blyth's work in his early Sunday School received the sympathetic interest of his Church colleagues. In fact the Wellington Road "cottage" Sunday School was an extension of the work at Hunters Lane. It was at the Annual Church Meeting held at Hunters Lane on 31st January 1877 that the seed was sown which led to the commencement and completion of the new school premises in Wellington Road. The Minster, Mr. Hassan, had, at the Meeting referred to the absence for a number of years of a statement of accounts respecting the Wellington Road School, and explained that this was because Mr. Blyth had been willing to bear all the costs of the work until, as Mr. Blyth said, "there was an opening for an enterprise commensurate with the increasing and urgent claims of the neighbourhood". Mr. Blyth considered such time had now come and moved a resolution he had prepared. After detailing the work and progress of the cottage school, Mr. Blyth proposed "That the necessary steps be taken to purchase sufficient land in Wellington Road for the erection of suitable buildings for Sunday Schools, etc. and as soon as possible. " Mr. John Hicks (a baker and corn merchant in the High Street, Wavertree) "in an earnest speech seconded the resolution and it had many supporters who promised substantial help towards the success of the scheme". I t was considered by the Deacons to be necessary to secure one thousand square yards of land and that the building should accommodate 500 or 600 children "at least". Promised subscriptions at this meeting reached £925. The resolution was put to the Church Meeting and "unanimously and heartily carried". This was surely a moment of great joy for the founder of this work and one of prayerful acknowledgement and gratitude to his Master. Chapter 3 THE BUILDING

"Except the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it." Psalm 127 verse 1 In almost every enterprise difficulties, some of them seemingly insurmountable, present themselves from the most unexpected quarters, and so it was for John Blyth and his supporters. The first difficulty reported in March 1877, was delay in the purchase of the land because of a "large demand" made by Mr. Anderton (tenant of part of the property), for the inconvenience and loss he contended he would sustain. The demand was later revealed to be £50, a somewhat considerable sum in those early days, and possibly around £ 1000 by today's values. Pears cyclopaedia, first published in 1897, cost one shilling, and today it is £4. 25p. Mr. Anderton later said he would return part of the money as a donation to the proposed school, so the agents for the sale of the land advised the Church to pay the compensation and the Deacons felt it desirable to accept this advice. John Blyth and twenty-two other men, were appointed Trustees, to act for both Hunters Lane Church and the new Wellington Road School. It appears that this number was increased as there are twenty-six signatures on the Title Deeds. In August 1877 it was recorded that "difficulties and certain stipulations by the vendors were deemed to cause further consideration" of the project. The stipulations were not recorded in the Minutes, but those could well have been linked with new day educational trends, which now presented unexpected problems to the Deacons, causing them doubts, and to "rather favour than otherwise a little hesitation" in proceeding with the new building. Certain stipulations were considered to be too exacting. It is difficult for us today to understand why considerations of secular education should affect the erection of Sunday School buildings, but this was the situation in 1877 in the Township of Wavertree. It seems that day education facilities were mainly in Church schools such as Holy Trinity School in Prince Alfred Road, St. Bridget's School in Bagot Street and St. Mary's School in Rathbone Road, and the Wavertree Board were taking steps to ascertain by local census the true need for additional schools. The Church leaders at Hunters Lane had been for many years deeply concerned about the lack of general education for the poorer children of the district, but were prevented by the Trust Deed of the Church from using their Sunday School rooms for day school purposes. Lengthy correspondence with Mr. J. A. Picton, (later Sir James Picton), Chairman of the Wavertree Local Board since its inception in 1851, and with its School Committee, by Mr. Hassan (Minister), occurred in an endeavour to ascertain the intentions of the Local Board with regard to the establishment of new schools, and to learn what effect such a programme would have upon the proposals to construct a Sunday School building in Wellington Road. The story is as complicated as it is long, but it is sufficient for this account of events to state the conclusions reached by the Deacons when it was subsequently disclosed that the land proposed to be purchased would be conveyed to the Church without any restrictions 'as to day school or other educational work whatsoever. It was therefore resolved to (a) proceed with the purchase of land; (b) to obtain plans and rough estimates of costs of building, subject to acceptance by the vendors;(c) that building be started as soon as subscriptions amounted to three-quarters of the entire estimated cost. The estimated cost of land, building, compensation, furniture, legal and architect's fees was £2,816 - 6s - 0d and it was stressed that £2,100 should be secured before the building was started. What would be the cost today of such a building as this? On 29th November 1877, the estimate dropped to £2,761 when a Deacon reported that Mr. Anderton had agreed to forego his claim for compensation and would subscribe £5 to the building fund. Encouraging progress! Looking back to the remote days of a hundred years ago, it is difficult to comprehend the task of this undertaking, but it will help us to appreciate something of what was involved when we learn that this project was not the only concern of the Church at that time. They had long been involved in Christian work in , being responsible for Sunday School and other activities in a large house rented by them for these purposes. The Minister and the Members of Hunters Lane had also been concerned about the inadequate day school education in this "far off" rural district and had carefully explored ways and means of providing such facilities. However, the construction and opening of Mossley Hill Church, which was consecrated by the Bishop of Chester on 23rd June, 1875, presented new considerations. At a Church meeting at Hunters Lane in December 1877 consideration was given to the proposal by the Mossley Hill Church Authorities to erect new schools, and Church approval was given to the unanimous decision of the Deacons "that in view of pressing claims close at hand, work at such a distance as Mossley Vale, the circumstances of which had so greatly changed within the last few years, might fitly be left to other hands." My reference to this is because of its link with the Wellington Road School development. The Incumbent of Mossley Hill Church agreed for his Church to take over the tenancy of the house in Mossley Vale and accept all its responsibilities. Later a cheque for £20 was sent by the Vicar on account of furniture left in the Mossley Vale School and this sum was added to the Wellington Road building fund. So, in a sense, there is something of Mossley Hill Church built into the fabric of our Chapel. Then, as now, the relationship between costs and subscriptions presented testing problems. In December 1877 gifts had only reached £1,700, a sum considerably short of the seventy five per cent requirement of £2,000 and at the end of January 1878, a further ninety five pounds had been added to the fund - a fairly large sum of money in those days, but still only a third of the balance needed to make up the deficiency. It became necessary to seriously review the design of the new school in order to meet the rising estimates. The plan provided for a stone front to the building, so it was reluctantly agreed to have an all-brick structure which would reduce the cost by more than one hundred pounds. Mr. John Hicks stressed the need of keeping "within our means", and expressed concern regarding the higher overall cost and the risk of the necessary sum to start the work not being reached. He suggested a modified plan on the lines of a small Baptist Chapel in , which had cost little more than £1,000, nearly £2,000 less than the estimate for the new school. Such a modified building, he thought, would meet the need. . Mr. Hassan, the Minister, expressed sympathy with the desire shown by Mr. Hick's remarks, and, to Mr. Hassan's credit, he said he would rather be content with the humblest appliances "than resort to means frequently used for raising money for religious purposes. " Mr. Hassan stressed the degree of "deliberation, patience, care and true spirit of economy exercised by the Sub-Committee and their fellow Deacons ", and having thoroughly inspected the Baptist Chapel referred to, he was of the opinion "that it would hardly suffice for our wants in Wellington Road and was certainly much inferior to the proposed building". A Sub-Committee member assured the Church members that no extravagance was proposed - but "a good, substantial, durable structure adapted to various forms of usefulness" was the sole consideration. Mr. Blyth said he had not thought, at first, of such a building as was proposed, "but looking to God for His help and blessing we might go on. " He also said "Looking back God had done great things for us whereof we are glad and our gladness should lead to faith with respect to the future. " A thought for today! Mr. Hicks, saying that he was in accord with the "liberal and hopeful views as to the success of the undertaking", proposed the following resolution be adopted - "That the lowest tender be accepted - the stone front being dispensed with and the whole structure to be of brick". It was also resolved "that the building be started as soon as practicable; that the Deacons arrange the proceedings for laying the Memorial Stone; that Mr. Blyth be Treasurer of the building fund, open an account and be empowered to pay all accounts. Chapter 4 CONSTRUCTION

"Thus saith the Lord; consider your ways. Go and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified saith the Lord. " Haggai 1 verses 7 & 8 Twelve months after the proposals for a new school in Wellington Road was agreed in principle, Mr. Stevenson, a deacon on the special Sub-Committee reported to the Church that work had started on the 14th February 1878. Please note this date, for it is the beginning of a period of remarkable and rapid progress. However, an unexpected delay was occasioned when the workmen preparing the foundation came upon a sewer laid down twenty-six years earlier and not indicated in any way on the plan of the Vendors of the land. This discovery checked operations. In order to overcome this problem it was necessary to "purchase 80 yards more land at a cost of £15". This unforeseen obstacle was reported to the Church on 4th April 1878. That was the bad news, but the good news was that all the land had been paid for and legally conveyed to the Trustees, and "the building was now three or four feet high and the boundary wall was built. " The Architect, John E. Reeve of Wavertree, kindly offered to present a silver trowe1 for the ceremony of the laying of the Memorial Stone - an offer gratefully accepted and suitably acknowledged by the Rev. E. Hassan. The Church meeting of the 4th April 1878 must have been a long and detailed one. Having dealt with the foregoing matters in much greater detail than I can usefully record here, the meeting proceeded to deal with the arrangements for the laying of the Memorial Stone "on 24th April 1878. From the arrangements agreed at this meeting of 4th April 1878, one may picture this exciting occasion. Wednesday, 24th April 1878 the day of the ceremony, is recorded as being an exceedingly bright one and augured well for the coming events. Wellington Road (probably only partly paved), tree lined and with scattered cottages and houses among fields and nurseries, was a kaleidoscope of colours, broken only by the shadows cast by the welcoming sun. If there is any exaggeration in these words, one thing is certain, it must have been a wonderful and colourful day. It was a day prepared by God. A day which had been the subject of much earnest prayer and one in which many voices of praise were to be raised in thanksgiving to Him who had brought them thus far towards the culmination of their prayerful endeavours. The site of the new school building had been tidied up, and more than likely, there were floral decorations around the place where the Memorial Stone was to be laid by Mr. Blyth. It was also necessary to clear and prepare a large area in which the Minister and al1 the Church Officers, notable guests, children and spectators would have the best possible view of the proceedings. Mr. Blyth, the Rev. E. Hassan and the Deacons and ladies were each fulfilling their respective tasks either at Hunters Lane Church or at the Wavertree Town Hall which had been hired for the afternoon as an assembly point prior to a procession from the Town Hall to Wellington Road.

Wavertree Town Hall and John Hicks’ Bakery The number of children alone attending the ceremony was considerable, as the number of scholars in the cottage Sunday School the previous Sunday (21st April 1878) was 171 together with 15 teachers. Add to these the children from Hunters Lane School and one might properly suppose there would be over 300 children and young people in procession. All these children were accommodated in the larger hall of the Town Hall and the visitors and guests in the smaller hall. A half-hour’s meeting was held followed by the forming of the procession, no doubt headed by the Rev. E. Hassan, Mr. Blyth, Deacons and notables, to walk down the High Street, Wavertree Road (later re-named Picton Road) into Wellington Road. The village must have been alive with interest and excitement at such a spectacle and one must conclude that Wellington Road was entirely blocked by the following throng. Unfortunately, I have not been able to obtain any details of the Order of Service, but the Minutes include the instruction, “Details of the ceremony, hymns to be sung, etc., to be determined at a Committee meeting to be held on 11th instant”. (April 1878). Mr. Blyth had been unanimously chosen by the Deacons and Church members to perform the stone laying duty and one feels he must have done so with natural pride and joy, and certainly with humble dignity and piety. He was duly presented with the silver trowel, generously supplied by the architect of the school building. The trowel, with an ivory handle, is beautifully engraved and bears the inscription:- "This trowel was presented to John Blyth, Esq., by the Congregational Church, Wavertree, on the occasion of his laying the Memorial Stone of the Wellington Road Schools24th April 1878". Edward Hassan – Minister, John Bridson, John Stevenson, James Fingland, John Blyth, John J. Howell, Thos. C. Best – Secretary.

The trowel presented to Mr. John Blyth on the occasion of the laying of the Memorial Stone On the underside of the trowel is an engraving of the architect's drawing of the Building, together with "JOHN E. REEVE, Architect and THOMAS TYSON, Builder", who was a member of Hunters Lane Church. After the ceremony, the arrangements for which "were carried out in all their details", the children, guests and officers of the Church and schools made their processional way to Hunters Lane School Room, where a substantial tea was provided from five o'clock to half past six. This seemingly protracted teatime was arranged "so as to accommodate twice as many as usually attend our meetings. " Those waiting for tea or retiring to the chapel after their tea, were pleasantly entertained by organ recitals, and at half-past six a public meeting was held in the chapel, no doubt, after the children' had been sent home. The meeting was supported by "the services of such gentlemen as are in hearty sympathy with our work". Chapter 5 EXPECTATION

"According to my earnest expectation and my hope that Christ shall be magnified " Philippians. I verse 20 We have heard the proverb that a watched kettle never boils, and all those concerned with the progress of the building of the new school must have felt the truth of it. Periodical reports were made on progress, but even as late as the end of August 1878 it was not possible to "determine the time, etc., of opening". However, the proverbial kettle must have come to the boil almost unexpectedly, for on 3rd October 1878, only four weeks later, the Minister announced that the work the Building Committee had directed and supervised was well-nigh complete, and the probable cost of the building was "about £2,900" whilst subscriptions were some £750 short of the seventy five per cent target. A programme of services and events was agreed for the opening of the premises and was successfully carried out in the following way:- On Sunday, 20th October 1878, the children, for the first time, went into the new school for singing. I suppose this was a trial run before the school officially assembled there. On Sunday 27th October 1878, they all walked to Hunters Lane for a special afternoon service, conducted by the Rev. E. Hassan. Morning and Evening Adult Services were addressed by the Rev. W. C. Stallybrass, a former Minister of the Church. A prayer meeting was held in the large hall of the new school on Wednesday, 30th October 1878, which was "largely attended", with Mr. Blyth, Mr. John Hicks, Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Morgan, and Mr. James Tyson, deacons of Hunters Lane taking part. The following day a Public Meeting was held in the Wellington Road School, chaired by the Rev. E. Hassan, when Mr. Blyth presented a Treasurer's Statement on the Building account and addressed the meeting, and it is particularly interesting to note that Mr. James A. Picton, (later Sir James Picton, J.P., F.S.A.) together with Ministers from Rock Ferry, Waterloo, Woolton and Birmingham, "spoke in advocacy of this important enterprise in Wellington Road". The first Sunday' School gathering of the children in their new building was on Sunday 3rd November 1878, with an attendance of 262 children and 16 teachers. On Sunday, 13th July 1879, Mr. Picton gave the address to our Sunday School, and on the 8th October, The Picton Reading Room, William Brown Street, built by Liverpool Corporation at a cost of £20,000 was named after Mr. James Picton "in recognition of his many useful public services, cheerfully rendered to the Town for upwards of 30 years". The Reading Room was opened by the Earl of Derby.

Picton Reading Room It was on 18th August 1881 that James Allanson Picton, received the honour of Knighthood at the hands of H. M. Queen Victoria. In 1884 Sir James presented the Public Clock and Tower to the inhabitants of Wavertree, in memory of his beloved wife. He died at his residence, Sandy Knowe, Olive Mount, in 1889 aged 84 years.

Wavertree Clock Tower Another item of interest, to at least two of our ladies is that the Liverpool College for Girls, Grove Street, was opened by the Countess of Derby on the 29th October 1878 - the week in which our new Mission premises were opened. Gradually various old and new activities and services were introduced, including Sunday evening services, all arranged for the children, but an Adult service held on Thursdays at Hunters Lane was transferred to Wellington Road. The Sunday evening services were very successful, as many as 200 children and young persons attending. There was also an increasing attendance of youths, but very few adults. In May 1879, the grounds surrounding the building were laid out and according to an early plan there was much more space in front of the main doors than there is today. No doubt when Wellington Road was developed, after Wavertree was absorbed into the City of Liverpool in 1895 (Liverpool was created a City on 11th May 1880) some ground was taken from the front of the Mission for road widening purposes. It also seems likely that this work was linked with the laying out of newly acquired land as a recreational park to become known as "The Mystery' because of the anonymity of the donor - said, later, to Mr. Philip Holt. The organist at Wellington Road at that time was Mr. John Hicks, and on 31st January 1883 the Management Committee for Wellington Road stressed at the Church meeting in Hunters Lane, the desire for the appointment of a pastor to work among the many families now dwelling in the neighbourhood of the Mission, and "such a ministry might be secured for little more than £200, and that £ 110 a year, from several donors, had been guaranteed for four years. " The proposal was accepted Chapter 6 ENDEAVOUR

"Wherefore we endeavour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. " 2 Corinthians 5 verse 9 I have already referred to the strong missionary principles and function of Hunters Lane Church, and once the work at Wellington Road had become established, concern and interest in the work at Cambridge Street Mission came to the fore, through Mr. John Stevenson, a deacon at Hunters Lane Church and a member of the Wellington Road Management Committee, who, it would appear, assisted in the work at Cambridge Street. On the 29th March 1883, at a Church meeting which had been convened chiefly to consider a scheme for an enlarged and more efficient work in Wellington Road, an unexpected appeal from Mr. Stevenson called for the amalgamation of the work at Cambridge Street with that of the Church and Wellington Road. He pointed out the financial circumstances and the favourable attendance of 120 scholars in the, Sunday School and of 6080 Adults at services. The working expenses were £30 a year inclusive of mortgage payments. Mr. Stevenson was extremely earnest in his reasoning for this measure, but it was stressed by others that the Church "should be careful lest its enterprise exceed its means".

Cambridge Street Mission, Wavertree It was eleven months of further consideration and consultation with representatives of Cambridge Street congregation and Sunday school before a resolution proposing an invitation be extended to them to affiliate with Hunters Lane Church was considered and lost by 28 votes for the motion and 41 against it. Seven years later, in July 1891 this matter was again considered and resulted in a cordial invitation to the "'friends of Cambridge Street Mission (to be conveyed through Messrs. Stevenson and Charnley), to affiliate themselves" with Hunters Lane. In a reply dated 19th September 1891 and signed by John Stevenson and G. H. Charnley, the invitation was declined with kind but telling firmness. "God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform", and it could not have been foreseen at that time that the Lord would intervene and bring the two Missions, Wellington Road and Cambridge Street, together as co-workers and believers in the Saviour under the Liverpool City Mission. On the 3rd May 1883, it was unanimously agreed that the Rev. William Ellison be appointed the first pastor to take charge of the Wellington Road work. He was reported as being a "kind and genial man likely to have ready access to the poor. " It was also reported that Mr. Ellison was willing to accept £150 a year, and that sum had been guaranteed by the Management Committee. This would seem to be a very satisfactory stipend at the time, since many men were scarcely earning that much in the 1930's. Mr. Ellison resigned on 30th April 1885, possibly through illness. In April of the following year; the Minister of Hunters Lane Church agreed to make enquiries regarding the desirability of securing the services of a missionary, after the character of the Liverpool Town Mission, or the alternative of an assistant minister to work at Wellington Road and to assist at Hunters Lane. Communications from several organisations were considered, including one from E. Habershom, Esq. of the Liverpool Town Mission. From this, further correspondence ensued between Mr. Hassan and the executive of the Liverpool Town Mission, including Mr. Thomas Matheson, President of the Mission. There was a personal conference between the two men in September 1886. It is interesting to note that the Liverpool City Mission Church at Bromborough bears Mr. Matheson's name. Before this matter could be resolved, dramatic and sad events burst upon the Church and its officers in March 1887, which resulted in resignations and threats of resignations from several of the Deacons, including those of the Wellington Road Management Committee; and, alas from their pastor, the Rev. Edward Hassan. The storm seems to have broken upon the rocks of finance and conduct of the Church's responsibilities, including those of Wellington Road Mission. In fact a move was made to obtain the authority of the Church members, to permit the aggrieved deacons and members - some forty of them - to take over the Wellington Road Hall and form a new Church. The group included John Blyth, A. McCulloch, Ed Bridson, F. Newcombe, John Hicks and John Stevenson, and for such dedicated men to be involved indicates the extreme seriousness of the cause and effect of the division. However, the following month a Church meeting approved a motion of confidence in the Deacons, and on the 30th June 1887, after prolonged discussion, it was resolved that the Minister's resignation be accepted and that the above named Deacons and six other gentlemen be empowered to conduct the affairs of Hunters Lane Church until a new minister was appointed. At this time the Sunday morning and evening services at Wellington Road Mission had been the responsibility of Mr. J. W. Bowman, in a part time capacity. He came to Hunters Lane Church from the Wesleyan Methodist Society in 1883 and contemplated entering College with a view to the Ministry with the Independent Church. He entered the Lancashire Independent College in October of that year. Mr. Bowman was, however, able to offer his part-time services to the Church at Hunters Lane and became responsible for certain services at Wellington Road and visiting the families in that district. When he finally relinquished this work in 1887, he was given £25 for his valued services. It was regrettable that the loss of Mr. Bowman's assistance should coincide with the resignation of the Minister, Mr. Hassan who had also conducted some services at Wellington Road - because it was found necessary to discontinue the Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services for a time. These were sad and difficult days - days when hasty and drastic decisions were inevitable and, in some measure, counter productive. One, especially today 2 cannot and should not infer criticism of measures taken so long ago, but those of us who are in authority in the Churches must be mindful of the consequences of our decisions and edicts lest we bring upon ourselves the reproach of our Master who reproved the Scribes and Pharisees with the words "and them that were entering in ye hindered " (Luke 11 v 52). Praise th6 Lord: When He rebukes His followers, it is not to destroy their endeavour, but to chasten and direct. Peter, out of love for the Master and fear for His safety, challenged the declaration by Jesus of His imminent suffering, death and resurrection, thus incurring those awful words of condemnation “thou art an offence unto me; for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men” (Matthew 16 v 23). But Jesus loved Peter and continued to include him with the other disciples, as He exhorted them to deny themselves, to take up their cross and follow Him. More than this, Peter was chosen as one of the three who witnessed the glorious transfiguration of Christ. "Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O Lord " (Psalm 94 v 12) for out of the set-backs and tribulations experienced by the people of the Hunters Lane Church and the Mission at that time, came a new opportunity - a new endeavour . Chapter 7 PERSONNEL

For we are labourers together with God. I Corinthians. 3 verse 9 I feel I have arrived at the most delicate, difficult and, possibly, dangerous part of my narrative. "Delicate" because I do not wish to intrude or offend; "difficult" because it is not easy to obtain all the information desirable concerning many personalities and "dangerous' because either the inclusion or unavoidable omission of certain names may meet with disapproval or disappointment. I pray I shall be forgiven if my endeavours should unwittingly intrude or offend. There will be here those who are strangers to us, those whose contribution to the events of the past one hundred years - and more is either great or small, but nevertheless invaluable to the Lord's work in Wavertree. Sadly, there are those whose names will not appear for reasons related only to their anonymity, humility or relatively recent emergence as Christian workers for the Lord - whom, I pray, will, like Paul " run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith " (Hebrews 12 v 1, 2), and maybe, will be enabled to write the account of a hundred and fifty years - and more. HUNTERS LANE CHURCH MINISTERS' ROLL Rev. THOMAS SLEIGH 1836 - 1848 He was the founder of the Congregational Church in Wavertree Rev. JOHN EDWARDS 1848 - 1851 Rev. NINIAN WRIGHT 1852 - 1858 Rev. W. C. STALLYBRASS 1858 - 1861 Later on he was the guest speaker on a number of occasions at Hunters Lane Church and Wellington Road Sunday School. Rev. EDWARD HASSAN 1862 - 1887 His energies and dedication were instrumental in the Hunters Lane support for the building of the Congregational Church at Woolton and, of course, the construction of the new Sunday School and Mission in Wellington Road, Wavertree. Rev. SAMUEL OWEN 1888 - 1893 Rev. H. T. SPENCER 1894 - 1900 Rev. CHARLES TINLING 1900 - 1907 Rev. H. J. CUBITT 1908 - 1917 Rev. LEWIS H. MILLS 1917 - 1926 Rev. HENRY DONALD 1927 - 1933 Rev. A. E. McDOUGALL 1933 - 1948 The last Minister to be concerned with the responsibilities of Wellington Road Hall, which ended in 1940 Rev. E. J. JENKINS 1948 - 1954 Rev. F. O. BROWN 1955 - The present Minister, came to Hunters Lane Church from the Church in Poole, Dorset - his first Church. He has always shown a kindly interest in the work at Wellington Road.

Rev. F. O. Brown. MA. Minister of Hunters Lane Congregational Church TRUSTEES The Trustees appointed by Hunters Lane Church in May 1877 to act on behalf of the Church and the Wellington Road Building committee, and whose signatures are appended to the Title Deeds of the Mission, were as follows:- Jeffrey Blackler Blackaller of Liverpool - Ship Store Dealer Thomas Burley of Liverpool - Drysalter David Marples of Wavertree near Liverpool - Printer Richard Phillips of Wavertree - Gentleman Archibald Bathgate of Mossley Hill, near Liverpool - Coal Merchant John Blyth of Wavertree - Corn Merchant Edward William Bindless of Wavertree - Merchant John Bonnell of Wavertree - Gentleman Edward Bridson of Wavertree - Book-keeper Joseph Crowther of Wavertree - Plumber Joseph Elliott of Wavertree - Accountant James Fingland of Wavertree - Chemist John Hicks of Wavertree - Corn Merchant Thomas Howden of Wavertree - Ironmonger John Howell of Huyton - Cotton Broker Thomas Leach of in the of Chester - Gentleman Samuel Marchant of Wavertree - Agent Alexander McCulloch, of Wavertree - Stockbroker Jonathan McKibbin of Wavertree - Merchant Alfred Morgan of Wavertree - Accountant Frederick Newcombe of Wavertree - Draper Joseph Parry of Wavertree - Civil Engineer James Smith of Wavertree - Manager of Gas Works John Stevenson of Wavertree - Printer James Tyson of Wavertree - Cotton Broker

It is interesting to note the occupations of these gentlemen and to realise that they were all members of Hunters Lane Church. It is also worthy of note that the purchase price of the first piece of land, 1099 square yards, was £390, and, with the additional piece of about 80 square yards the total cost was £405. The Title Deeds also place prohibitions upon the usage to which the proposed building may be put. They make strange reading today, but may yet prove to be a farseeing provision. The control is that the new building shall not be used or occupied as a beerhouse, public house, blubber house, resin works, chemical works, soapery , tan yard, colour works, herring house, slaughterhouse, or tallow candle manufactury , and that no trade or business shall be carried on in the premises, which can, or may be considered noisome or offensive. These limitations were undoubtedly based upon national or local law intending to control the siting of offensive or other trades which could be a neighbourhood nuisance. THE WELLINGTON ROAD MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE On the 29th January 1879, the Annual Church Meeting unanimously agreed that the small Building Committee, which had hitherto functioned so satisfactorily be the first Committee of Management for Wellington Road Hall. They were: John Blyth, Thomas G. Best and John Stevenson. On the 29th December 1887, the Management Committee was:- John Blyth, Thomas G. Best, John Hicks, W. Evans, T. Jones, F. Newcombe, Henry Partington, Alex Thomson, James Tyson F. Vaughan. Mr. Thomas Howden was added to the Committee in May 1888. Shortly before the Church Meeting of 29th December 1887, Mr. Blyth's wife died and the Chairman of the meeting, Mr. McCulloch, offered to Mr. Blyth and his family "tenderest and most heartfelt sympathy". The Management Committee was elected each year by the Church members to whom the Committee were answerable for the whole conduct of the work at the Mission. The various organisations and their leaders could not undertake expenditure or organisational changes without the approval of the Committee. Social activities and concerts had to be approved and anything done without due consent brought some form of rebuke, the severity ~f which depended upon the degree of the omission or commission. I am not inferring there was a harsh dictatorship, but there was wise, and, I am sure, fair control. The Committee were responsible for pulpit supplies during the times there was no pastor; for the employment and supervision of caretakers; for, dealing with building repairs and maintenance; for ensuring adequate lighting and heating and maintaining the function of an 'impressive' library for the benefit of the children. The purpose-built cupboards for the library were in a room known as "The Library’, but in more recent years called the Vestry, and now the Kitchen. The cupboards were removed sometime in the 1930's, I think it was, long after the library ceased to function. The cost of all the aforementioned responsibilities was borne by Hunters Lane Church whilst the contribution from Wellington Road for 1896 was £17 - 13s - 5d the total offerings for the year. The Committee were also active in the organisation of relief work among the poor or distressed families of Wavertree and in March 1888 there is reference to "the soup kitchen" when Mr. Blyth thanked "all those who carried on the work so successfully and acceptably during the recent severe weather”. Musical and Concert entertainments were almost weekly events in the earliest days of the new school building and whilst a measure of control was exercised by the Management Committee, it was not until a concert organised by a gentleman who is remembered today by the older members of the Mission, was found to be unsatisfactory, that the Management Committee ordered all programmes to be submitted to them before permission was given to hold a concert. Arrangements were made for gymnastics to be taught during the winter, and this popular activity continued, perhaps intermittently, for a considerable number of years, up to about 1930 for men, and unti11938/1939 for the ladies. The last leader of the Men's gymnasium was Mr. Bill Gould, who was a fine gymnast and the champion of South Lancashire in 1929, when he received the Percy Hunt Cup from Lord Derby at the Y. M. C. A. Gymnasium, then in Myrtle Street.

Bill Gould WELLINGTON ROAD MISSION PASTORS ROLL Soon after the opening of the new mission building, consideration was given to the urgent need for a pastor to be responsible for all services and for visiting the families living in and moving into the growing district around Wellington Road. Liberty Street, Ono Street, and Oak Street were first recorded in the Gore's Directory of 1872. Rathbone Road, Ashfield, Ash Grove, Wavertree Vale, Bishopgate Street, and Wellington Grove, were first mentioned in 1871. Not that all these streets were fully built up, but it would seem the number of dwellings was increasing fairly rapidly. A new Wavertree railway station in Wellington Road appears in the Directory of 1876 and one can appreciate that improved passenger transport into the Township would attract 'immigrants' from the increasingly congested districts of Liverpool. The Census of 1871 established the population of Liverpool and the suburbs (, , Park, West Derby) to be 493,405. Of course, there was an omnibus service, which ran its horse drawn way from Castle Street, to, I believe, the top of High Street, Wavertree, and an advertisement in the 1868 Gore's Directory announced the fares to be three pence between Castle Street and Botanic Park and four pence for the, through journey to or from High Street. The Management Committee assisted by the Rev. E. Hassan, made wide ranging enquiries regarding the appointment of a suitable man to meet the need at Wellington Road. An account of the first appointment, the Rev. W. Ellison, is in Chapter 6. Here then, is the roll of pastors appointed to serve the Lord at Wellington Road Mission:- 1. Rev. William Ellison - 3rd May 1883 to 30th April 1885 He resigned, it would appear, because of illness. In 1883 Messrs. D. L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey, the American Evangelists held a two week special Mission in Hengler's Circus - more recently known as The Hippodrome, West Derby Road - which was attended by great numbers of people. 2. Mr. J. W. Bowman, who became a student at the Lancashire Independent College, assisted part-time at Wellington Road from 1883 to 1887. 3. Mr. William Robertson - 1893 to 1898. Mr. Robertson was the first Liverpool Town Missioner to be appointed to Wellington Road Mission, and his appointment was the result of a meeting held on 31st August 1893, between the Wellington Road Management Committee and the Rev. J. B. Bain, Superintendent of the Liverpool Town Mission. It was resolved on a motion by Mr. John Hicks - "That this Church approves of the proposal to appoint a Missionary for Wellington Road at the rate of £40 per annum, to be paid to the Liverpool Town Mission". Mr. Robertson resigned to take up similar work in Southport. 4. Rev. S. J. Jones - 1st March 1901 to 25th January 1903, Pastor Jones was engaged by Hunters Lane Church at a stipend of £150 per annum. 5. Mr. Henry Jacob - 29th January 1903 to 2nd April 1903 He was engaged by the Church in a temporary capacity. The Rev. C. P. Tinling, Minister of Hunters Lane, explained to the Church members "that the Deacons could not, for financial reasons, recommend the Church to appoint Mr. H. Jacob to carry on the Mission work full time at Wellington Road. " On the 28th May 1903 it was resolved by Hunters Lane Church "That the Liverpool City Mission (note the change of title from Town Mission'), be asked to provide a Missionary to carry on the work in Wellington Road at a cost to this Church of £50 per annum. " From this time all pastors at Wellington Road were supplied by the Liverpool City Mission. 6. Mr. George C. Finch - 2nd J July 1903 to 1909 During this time Mr. Finch was also a member and a Deacon of Hunters Lane Church. 7. Edward Arthur Lytle - 1909 to 1929 Mr. Lytle's twenty years at Wellington Road was the longest period of service of any Missioner there, and on his retirement he had completed fifty years valued and worthy service for the Lord with the Liverpool City Mission. When a boy he lost both his parents and at the age of barely fifteen years and unknown to the relatives with whom he lived in Oakfield Road, he went to sea aboard a sailing vessel. Lured ashore in Savannah, U. S. A. by an old seafarer who wanted to 'jump' ship, Mr. Lytle was taken inland and there found work in lumber camps in the backwoods of Georgia and as a mail-carrier, riding the pony-mail through the pine woods of South Carolina, to scattered farms and turpentine camps. Mr. Lytle's jobs were as varied as the many locations in which he sojourned, from working on coastal ships in the Gulf of Mexico to being a supervisor or checker in the cottonfields, where he learned to love and sympathise with the negro plantation workers - a regard which remained with him and was given practical expression of during his Missioner's days in the seaport town of Liverpool. From the southernmost states he worked walked, and sailed his way northwards. It is said that a tragic accident to a workmate brought Mr. Lytle to think once again upon the things of time and eternity, and memories of home caused him to turn his face towards Canada. Some time earlier a letter from his relatives in Liverpool told of a family friend who had not been heard of since leaving Merseyside for Canada. Mr. Lytle was asked to enquire about the friend as he travelled North, and upon his arrival on the quayside in Montreal, to board a cattleboat as a drover and to sail for home, he saw the family friend there, on the same quay. Back in Liverpool at the age of twenty years he was brought to the realisation of his need of the Saviour and there soon followed active participation in Christian work. In 1897 he joined the City Mission, labouring off Scotland Road, then in Everton; followed by duty in Ebenezer Hall, near Walton Breck Road before being appointed to Wellington Road Mission in 1909, where he endeared himself as a spiritually strong, compassionate, gentle man, solely concerned with leading precious souls to his Saviour. Mr. and Mrs. Lytle were made members of Hunters Lane Church and Mr. Lytle was elected a Deacon of the Church. He retired in 194 7 after service in other Liverpool City Mission halls and as Missioner to the City Police and the Work shops for the Blind, He was called to be with his Master in 1952. 8. Robert Thompson - 1929 to 1931

CITY MISSION STAFF CIRCA 1932 Back Row: A. D. Lennett, H. Hughes (Sen. ), *W. I. Jenkins, E. S. Jackson, *W. J. Hill, A. Murphy, *H. Hughes (Jun. ), F. W. Bartholemew, J. Jones, *Wm. Blundell, R. Russell, *A. E. Lytle, C. McMurrav, J. Kirkpatrick 2nd Row (standing: F. N. Beardsworth, G. H. Warr, Miss Dransfield, D. Pringle, Miss McDonald J. Green, *Miss M. Corkey, W. But trey, Nurse E. J. Graham, R. Buckingham, J. W. Arnold, H. Livesey, R. Lloyd Middle Row (seated): J. Gunn, Robt. Graham (Superintendent), J. H. Bourne (Vice-President) T. Belcher (President), *Edward Lewis Front Row (seated): *Robert Thompson, J. W. Thomas, W. Hudson, J. McKirgan * indicates those who have served at Wellington Road Mission Church 9. Edward Lewis - 1931 to 1933 Mr. Lewis joined the Liverpool Town Mission in 1883 after previous experience as a Wesleyan local preacher in Wales. He was responsible for the work at Beacon Hall, near Edge Hill Church, until his semi-retirement in 1931 when he was sent to Wellington Road in a part-time capacity to conduct services and visit the sick and distressed folk in the district. On 3rd December 1933, a special Service in celebration of Mr. Lewis's fifty years' service as a Missionary in Liverpool was held at Wellington Road Mission Church, when the preacher was T. Belcher, Esq. , President of the Liverpool City Mission. 10. William Jenkins - April 1934 to 1937 11. John William Hill - July 1937 to 1941 Mr. Hill served 38 years on the City Mission Staff and retired in 1964. He was converted in the Railway Mission and after joining the Liverpool City Mission he served in eight missions. Mr. Hill was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the 1914-18 war. He was called to higher service in February 1976. 12. John Stevens - May 1941 to 1942 May 1941 , was probably the most tragic period in the history of Liverpool. German bombers poured down terror and destruction upon the City for seven terrible nights, and we in Wellington Road did not escape. On the night of Mr. Stevens' induction service, sometime after we had left the Church, bombs tore open the front of the main hall, causing great interior as well as external damage. The Lord mercifully over-ruled concerning those of us who had attended that service, but the houses opposite the Hall were demolished, causing the death of a Mrs. Downey, and her son. She was an aged lady, who was a member and one time caretaker of the Mission. A small rear room known as the "double-class" room, was cleared and sufficiently and hastily prepared for services on the following Sunday. It was a long time before we were able to use the large Hall but in the meantime the dividing wall between the two middle rooms behind the Main Hall, was pulled down and the rooms made into a fairly large and useful meeting room, and because of the new, bright paintwork, it became known as the "Sunshine room". Temporary repairs made the Large Hall usable later, but it was not until 1948 that new structural work restored the Mission to its former condition. The old fashioned green walls and dark brown woodwork were changed to light colours and made our treasured place of worship cheery and attractive. 13. Harry M. Hughes - 1942 14. William Blundell - March 1943 to 1953 Mr. Blundell joined the Liverpool City Mission in 1920 and succeeded Mr. Bamfather at Cambridge Street Hall. He also was responsible for Dawber Street Mission and Dovecot Church before his appointment to Wellington Road Mission in 1943, being transferred to Admiral Street Hall in 1953. Mr. Blundell was called to his eternal rest in 1955. Before joining the Liverpool City Mission, Mr. Blundell was Sunday School Superintendent at St. Chrysostom's Church, Everton. 15. Thomas Shaw - December 1953 to 1955 Mr. Shaw was accepted as a Missionary on the Liverpool City Mission Staff in 1934, but first spoke at an evening service in Wellington Road in 1931, on the invitation of Mr. Edward Lewis. He was then on furlough from Missionary work in Morocco, North Africa. Mr. Shaw left the City Mission in 1955 to become the Secretary of the North African Missionary Society, at their Glasgow Headquarters. After retiring from this position he served for several years as a Free Church of Scotland Minister in a lovely Lochside village in Argyllshire. Mr. Shaw is now enjoying full retirement. 16. William Angel - December 1955 to September 1962 17. Alan White - November 1962. Resigned November 1963 18. Thomas Kemp Mr. Kemp, during the period prior to the appointment of a successor to Mr. A. White, conducted the Sunday services and dealt with any special cases among the families in the district. 19. T. D. Geldard - February 1964 to 1967 After service with H. M. Forces during the last war, Mr. Geldard joined the staff of the London City Mission, and worked with that Society for 11 years until he was appointed by the Liverpool City Mission in 1958. Mr. Geldard was first responsible for Admiral Street Hall, and after three years with us at Wellington Road he was transferred to Mitchell Memorial Church. He is now Missionary to Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive and British Rail. 20. Keith Dimmock - June 1967 Mr. Dimmock accepted Jesus as his Saviour when he was sixteen years old and joined the Kensit Memorial Bible College of the Protestant Truth Society two years later, following which he toured the country for the Society, and later became their area representative in the North West. In 1959 he was accepted on to the staff of the Liverpool City Mission, serving as Pastor at Jubilee Chapel and Murray Hall, Everton, before his present appointment at Wellington Road Mission Church in 1967. THE WELLINGTON ROAD COMMITTEE I have already pointed out the great financial responsibility of Hunters Lane Church in maintaining the work in the Wellington Road District, part of which was the payment the Church made to the Liverpool Town Mission, (or the City Mission, as the case may be), for supplying a missioner to work in and from Wellington Road Hall. For one period the Church paid £50 a year, but for all other missioners the annual payment was £40. In 1931 the situation for Hunters Lane worsened and became one requiring immediate review and remedy. Consultations, therefore, took place between the Deacons of Hunters Lane and the representatives of the Liverpool City Mission, which resulted in the Rev. Robert Graham, Superintendent of the City Mission, calling the workers and members of Wellington Road to a special meeting at the end of that year. Mr. Graham first outlined the financial issues, among which was an agreement for the Liverpool City Mission to pay £40 per annum to Hunters Lane - a reversal of the earlier practice of payment by Hunters Lane. He also appealed for greater financial support for Liverpool City Mission Headquarters. Mr. Graham then dealt with the administrative responsibilities arising from the transfer of the present pastor, Mr. Thompson, to . another Hall. The members were told of the appointment to Wellington Road, of Mr. Edward Lewis (then in semi-retirement), in a part-time capacity who would be responsible for services and sick visiting. Mr. Graham invited Mr. Charles Beatson, an earnest Christian worker, Sunday School Teacher and Group Scout Master, to take charge of the supervision of the work and premises in so far as this latter oversight did not include the matters which were still the concern of Hunters Lane Church, and instructed Mr. Beatson to form a workers' committee to co-ordinate and control all activities in consultation with the Superintendent, during the time of Mr. Lewis's stay at Wellington Road. The Committee was formed in February 1932 and comprised:- Mr. Charles Beatson - Chairman of the Committee and Mission Secretary and Treasurer on the instructions of Mr. Graham. Mrs. Gladys Beatson, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Gooch, Mr. James Tighe, Miss Flora Warne, Miss Olive Boyd. Mr. J. Connor joined the Committee a month later. OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mr. Wood 1932 - 1934 Mr. Mitchell 1932 - 1939 Choirmaster for that period Mr. Quiggin 1932 - 1936 Mr. S. Calvert 1933 - 1936 Mr. E. Hopkins 1935 - 1950 Mrs. J. Tighe (née Miss L. Lytle) 1936 - Choirmaster Mrs. J. Hill 1937 - 1941 Mr. Les Crane 1938 - 1948 Mission Secretary for eighteen broken by war months service Mr. George Duffy 1938 - 1940 Mrs. J. Stevens 1941 Mr. Lloyd 1942 - 1953 Mr. J. Martindale 1942 - 1966 Mr. Eric Beaumont 1948 - Mrs. A. Lytle 1955 - 1966 Mr. F. Rooke 1963 - 1968 Mrs. V. Rooke 1963 - 1966 Mr. Len Wilkinson 1963 - 1967 Mr. Fred Crane 1963 - 1972 Mr. Bob Beesley 1963 - 1975 Miss Norman 1963 - 1971 Chapel Steward Mission Treasurer Mr. R. Mackintosh 1963 - 1975 Mr. Reason 1966 - 1968 Mr. C. Powell 1968 Mr. J. Leadbetter 1969 - 1977 Mr. Richard Norman 1971 - 1976 Mr. Phil Staley 1972 Mission Treasurer unti11974 Mission Secretary Mr. David Trousdale 1976 Mr. Ray Paton 1977 The present committee members are under the Chairmanship of Pastor Keith Dimmock:- Phil Staley – Secretary; James W. Tighe - Treasurer and formerly Mission Secretary for some 34 years; Mrs. L. Tighe; Mr. John Connor - formerly Mission Treasurer from 1938 until ill health necessitated him to relinquish the duty in 1963, twenty five years of faithful and pain-staking devotion to this responsible service for his Master; Eric Beaumont; David Trousdale; Ray Paton. ORGAN AND ORGANISTS " praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. " Psalm 150 verse 4 The earliest minutes of Hunters Lane Church record that Mr. John Hicks was the first organist at Wellington Road, but there is no reference to the type of instrument in use. At a Church Meeting on 1st November 1894, the. following letter was read to the members:- Gentlemen: We have pleasure in asking you to accept the organ which we have this day (31st October 1894) placed in your Wellington Road Sunday School and Mission Room. In making you this gift we wish to commemorate the 16th Anniversary of the opening of your Sunday School and also the devoted service rendered by Mr. John Blyth as Superintendent during the last 25 years. Signed George Blyth and F. L. Best Mr. John Blyth and Mr. T. G. Best expressed "their heartfelt pleasure and the thankfulness felt by them at the spontaneous act of generosity manifested by their sons. " The Church with "acclamation" accepted the gift "in the spirit which prompted it. " Unfortunately, there is no description of the type of organ referred to in the letter, but there is good reason to believe that it was a small pipe organ. Firstly, I have heard it spoken of, when I was a young fellow, by older members of the congregation, and secondly, as recorded in the Minutes, when the above letter was read at the Church Meeting in Hunters Lane, the Secretary asked "to be allowed to decorate, at his expense, the arch in which the organ is placed. " The arch referred to is the one behind the platform in the large hall, and the 'decoration' must have been a painted simulated scroll which stretched over the arch and extended beyond it on either side, bearing the text "Praise ye the Lord, for it is good to sing praises unto our God. " (Psalm 147 v I ). The scroll and text were preserved for a great many years and I remember an occasion when the large hall was repainted that the painters had to decorate around the scroll and leave it intact. When the building was refurbished in 1948, following the extensive war damage, the original scroll and text, then sadly aged and dirty, was painted out and a new text in gilt letters adorned the arch "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised." ( I Chron. 16 v 25), but this time there was no scroll. There is no record of what happened to the original organ) but in 1922 there was what appeared to me then, to be a 'new' American organ which stood, at least for a time, on the floor of the hall immediately in front of the platform and the organist sat with her back to the platform. This American organ was seriously damaged during the 1941 bombings and was not used again. As I have already mentioned, the first organist was Mr. John Hicks 1878 to 1889 followed by: - Mr. T. H. Derbyshire 1889 to 1903 Mr. Richard Wright 1903 Mr. Wright was appointed by the Church at a salary of £10 per annum. He was organist and choirmaster for many years, later being assisted by his daughter, Miss Lily Wright. When Miss Wright was not available, Lilian Lytle (now Mrs. Tighe) a schoolgirl and a daughter of Pastor and Mrs. Arthur Lytle played the organ for the services, and since that early beginning, about 1921, she has officiated as principal organist some fifty-seven years-a remarkable record of dedication and consistency. Mrs. Tighe has been the organist for many of the Liverpool City Mission Annual Meetings held at Jubilee Chapel and was organist for the broadcast by Radio Merseyside of hymn singing from Jubilee Chapel in April, 1975. ASSISTANT ORGANISTS - PAST AND PRESENT Miss Lily Wright Miss Flora Warne late 1920's and early 1930's Miss Evelyn Wood 1933 to 1934 Miss Myfanwy Jones who has kindly assisted for over 30 years (now Mrs. D. Nicholson) Mrs. E. Griffiths appointed in 1948 and gave invaluable service until her death in 1968 Miss B. Norman gave faithful and much needed help at various meetings during many years, up to her death in 1974 Miss Ruth Lytle gave many years faithful service as a pianist for the Children's Sunday Evening Services Mrs. Christine Paton who is now giving valued service at the Sunday morning services and in other activities

THE CHOIRS ". . . declare His works with singing” Psalm 107 verse 22 Unfortunately, there is no written record of the history of the Choirs of Wellington Road. It can, however, be reliably stated that an Adult Choir existed in Pastor Finch's time, between 1897 to 1909, and there has not been a period from that time up to the present when a choir was not fully functional. Mr. Richard Wright, the Organist, was also Choirmaster from about 1903 until the mid 1910's, and was succeeded by Mr. Edward Hopkins who also, for several years conducted an excellent Junior Choir which competed in the Liverpool City Mission Eisteddfods in Byrom Hall, in the early 1920's. Miss Olive Boyd (now Mrs. John Dagnall) gave considerable assistance with the Junior Choir at that time and until it was discontinued. The senior Choir comprised over thirty voices and this number fluctuated only slightly over a great many years and into the 1960's, and formed an appreciable part of the United Choirs (drawn from various Liverpool City Mission Churches who sang at the City Mission Annual Meetings). Mr. Hopkins conducted the United Choirs for several years. During a period when Mr. Hopkins was at Admiral Street Hall leading the Choir and supporting Mr. Arthur Lytle's Ministry there, a Mr. Wood became Choirmaster at Wellington Road for two years 1932 . . 1934. Upon his resignation the organist, Miss L. Lytle, acted as Choir leader until Mr. Hopkins returned to Wellington Road in 1935. Upon Mr. Hopkins relinquishing his leadership of the Choir in 1950, and in the absence of any other successor to this popular , experienced and gifted leader, it fell to myself, who had been appointed deputy choirmaster in 1949, to take on the duties of conductor - albeit protem and whatever protem is intended to mean, that period has not expired - in 1978. I was also privileged to conduct the United Choirs at Jubilee Chapel for some thirteen years, aided by my wife who, as already mentioned, played the organ, and very importantly, guided me when enthusiasm over- ran my musical ability. This God given partnership also pertains, of course, in connection with the Wellington Road Choir, and is a symbol of the fellowship and Christian companionship which exists between us all, as we endeavour to serve the Lord Sunday by Sunday. Throughout all the years, the occasions are rare indeed when the Choir has not sung an Anthem or a Gospel piece at the evening services, even though today the number of choristers is somewhat depleted and rehearsals are not always possible. I would like to also mention that Mrs. Kathleen Dobson. a former Deaconess with the Liverpool City Mission and the wife of the late Mr. Noel Dobson, a former Missioner with the Society, gave greatly appreciated help by playing the organ at United Choir rehearsals and at the Annual Meeting at Jubilee Chapel, when Mrs. Tighe was ill for a time. Chapter 8 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not " Ecclesiastes 12 v 1 This 'potted' history of Wellington Road Mission Church opened with the founding of the Sunday School in 1869 and the subsequent construction of the present building in 1878. The sequence of events and the many personalities involved with them seem to have taken us along a rather circuitous path back to the Sunday School. Apart from the early attendance records up to 1881, nothing has been preserved of the detailed conduct of the School, except those matters brought to the fore by the Deacons at Church Members' Meetings at Hunters Lane. Attendance remained relatively steady in 1879, the year after the new School Building was opened, with an average weekly number of 238 scholars, and 20 teachers. The following year, 1880, the average weekly attendance was 270, with as many as 355 being present in August of that year. The average weekly attendance for teachers, however, was down to 18. All the week-day activities V'{ere, at first, geared to the children, such as singing, gymnastics, and other interest programmes, but the main emphasis was on devotional meetings which were extremely well attended by some 200 children. Concern was soon expressed about attracting youths and adults to all the services, but with largely attended children's services on Sunday mornings and evenings, together with the afternoon school, the grown-ups might well have felt a sense of exclusion. However, dissatisfaction with the situation led to Church meeting discussions at Hunters Lane which, among other things, determined the ultimate appointment to Wellington Road of full-time pastors. Later reports indicated a four-fold increase in attendance. I joined the Sunday School in 1922, and my teacher was Mr. Charles Beatson. I am sure Mr. Beatson was never a 'Saul', but most certainly he was a “Paul”. His dedication to and zeal for the Lord resulted in very many young men, including myself, being led to the acceptance of Christ as their Saviour. Previously, I attended some Sunday morning children's meetings to which I was attracted, in the first instance when I saw , on a warm sunny day, a group of youngsters and their leaders all sitting on chairs on the grass outside the Hall, together with an organist sitting at - or was it perched over? - a tiny portable organ. To my great. surprise, the organist was a schoolgirl from my day school class - Lilian Lytle - but neither of us took notice of the other, at least, not then. When I joined the Sunday School, at the age of twelve years, I had every opportunity of looking around the large hall - no doubt, when I should have been paying more attention to Mr. Beatson's well prepared lessons. My remembrance of the hall of those days will be shared by a few of our present - day members and I trust they will not be aggrieved if my recollections are not so clear as theirs. Many folk have been, and are impressed by the design of the Main Hall - its functional yet attractive proportions; its very high pointed ceiling; its pleasing and decorative span of roof trusses 'resting' on stone corbels excellently carved with winged angels. Set in the West wall, above the Porch abutting on to Wellington Road, is a large, beautifully designed leaded window divided into five pleasing panels by sandstone mullions, embellished at the top by three ornate circular windows. Looking at the front of the building from the outside, one will observe a short brick and sandstone buttress on either side of the main doors of the porch, each supporting a sandstone and brick flying buttress which strengthens the West wall. Rising from these flying buttresses and on each side of the large gothic styled window are brick buttresses which, on reaching the sandstone coping of the gabled roof, terminate in slender sandstone pinnacles, standing elegantly to a height above the level of the ridge of the main roof. The top of one of the pinnacles was broken off at the time of the severe bomb damage to the Mission. The front boundary wall at that time, was the second one to be built, and was in front of the Porch. It was constructed by the local authority in 1895 because of the widening and surfacing of Wellington Road, and in a Deacons' report to the Church Meeting at Hunters Lane on the 4th April of that year, it was stated " the whole of the work (on the front boundary wall) to be executed by and at the expense of the Wavertree Urban District Council and to be done to the satisfaction of the Deacons".

Wellington Road Mission Church in the 1920's The main sections of this brick and sandstone-capped wall were some six feet high, but its appearance was enhanced by several panels of railings being set into the wall between brick pillars, and by three sets of matching iron gates. It was a pleasing enclosure but was lost when the building was so severely damaged during the Second World War. The present wall was built at the time of the restoration of the building after the 1939 - 1945 war and was designed to give a more modern and open styling to the front of the hall.

Wellington Road Mission Church today The front of Wellington Road Church now attracts a lot of attention by its two large Poster Boards which always carry a Gospel message to the thousands who travel by daily. Returning inside the Main hall one found the old idea that school walls should be painted green ("it was better for the eyes I remember being told"), applied to Wellington Road Sunday School also. The walls here were a darker shade of green, and "topped" off the dark brown paint of the wood-panelled dado and doors, but one never expected anything different - that was the general practice of the period and into the 1930's. The lighting of the rooms was by gas until 1925, when electricity was installed. The gas lighting was arranged quite decoratively with double brackets on the side walls between each set of windows, and at the end of the room near to the platform. There were single brackets on the wall each side of the platform arch, and four circular-framed pendants, each having four lights, over the centre of the Hall. Altogether there were no less than some 38 burners which the caretaker had to maintain with incandescent mantles, keep clean - with the help of willing hands, and light whenever they were required. In addition to these, there were the gas lights in six back rooms and two passages. For these kinds of duties, together with cleaning the rooms, attending the coal fired heating boiler, lighting open coal fires in four back rooms, sweeping the outside pavements and paths, opening and locking-up the premises almost every day or evening of the week, and being on call at any time, - the caretakers were paid about ten or twelve shillings per week in the earliest days and up to about eighteen shillings and six pence in 1942.

Interior of Wellington Road Mission about 1927 Mr. Lytle (left) and Mr. Gooch. Hall arranged for Sunday School. One of Miss Blyth's great concerns during the First World War was the Welfare of the families of men in the fighting services, and these she helped in many practical ways. In addition to this work of Christian charity, Miss Blyth encouraged prayerful and practical interest in the men fighting in France and elsewhere. Groups of ladies made various kinds of woollen socks and other acceptable comforts which were parcelled and sent abroad under the supervision of Miss Blyth. The families of service men were invited to supply photographs of their husbands and sons, and these were placed in special frames and mounts bearing the Union Jack and the name of the soldier, naval or airman. The frames were arranged in panels of ten around the large hall and displayed something like one hundred and twenty photographs which served as poignant reminders of the heartbreak and suffering of war, and directed the prayers of the congregation to a personal as well as a general intercession on behalf of the war-torn nations of the world. The large hall was, as it is today, used for the Junior Department of the Sunday School. The caretaker, with some assistance, had to arrange the forms, into twenty classes so as to accommodate about one hundred and fifty scholars and when Sunday School was over, re-arrange the forms for the evening service. The hymnbooks and Bibles for the scholars were kept in medium-sized wickerwork baskets, one for each class and were placed in the classes by an assistant secretary. The secretary of the School from 1924 to 1929 was Miss Alice Mellor. I was made her assistant in 1926 and Mr. Bill Gould became an additional assistant in January 1929. The two middle rooms behind the main hall (later combined into one room, known as the "Sunshine Room") were used by the Primary and Beginners' Departments, under Miss Blyth's leadership, and each room contained what was called a 'gallery'. The gallery comprised timber 'steps', with each 'step' being a bench seat across the full width of the room. There are still some marks on the wall plaster, indicating the position of some of the timber supports. After the Scout Group was formed in 1926 the gallery in one of these rooms was removed in order to provide more floor space for their activities. Some little time later Miss Blyth re-organised her infants' departments and had the gallery removed from the other room. Primary chairs were purchased about that time and some of them are still being used. The attendance in these two departments ranged from about eighty up to over one hundred on most occasions. The Bible Classes in 1926 were the Senior Ladies' Class with Mrs. A. Critchley (wife of a former Assistant Superintendent of the School) as leader; the Junior Ladies' Class with Mrs. A. Lytle (wife of the Missionary in charge of the Mission), as their teacher; and the Men's Bible Class under the leadership of Mr. Edward Hopkins. Mrs. A. Critchley wrote many poems based upon Bible teaching and testifying to her deep Christian experience. Here is one of them, dated February 26th, 1929 HE IS ABLE He is able, great His power, He can save me every hour . He will wash away my sin, If I yield myself to Him. Hebrews 7 v 25 He is able, yes to keep, If I keep but near His feet. If I trust Him with my all He has said, I shall not fall. 1 Samuel 2 v 9 He is able, when I'm weak To strengthen me and keep my feet, 'Tis then in Him I'm made complete, And I need not know defeat. Hebrews 2 . v 18 If I then would know His power , I must touch Him hour by hour . Prayer must be my vital breath, Until I close my eyes in death. Jude 24 In January 1929, Mrs. A. Lytle, who had already served as a Sunday School teacher for twenty years, was appointed School Secretary and Treasurer, and in May 1959 was presented with the National Sunday School Union Long Service Badge in "appreciation of the devoted service given for fifty years". When Mrs. Lytle became secretary she relinquished her leadership of the Junior Ladies' Bible Class and was succeeded by Miss Edith Thompson, who was the sister of Mr. Robert Thompson, newly appointed Missionary to Wellington Road Hall. SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE SCHOOL ". . . lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee. . . " Exodus 32 v 34 Moses, whom God had chosen to lead the children of Israel out of bondage into the Promised Land, was greatly concerned about their sinfulness and idolatry , and he sought the Lord for His judgement and instruction. God said he would deal with the sin of the people; but, as for Moses, he had to go on leading the Israelites to the place already revealed to him by God. Thank God for His chosen and obedient leaders, and in particular for those servants of the Lord in Wellington Road Mission who have endeavoured by His Grace to lead to Jesus those in their charge. Mr. Blyth, the founder of the School was its Superintendent from 1869 until his death on 17th November 1915, a period of 46 years. In the early days Mr. Blyth or a visiting speaker such as the Rev. E. Hassan, Mr. J . A. Picton, or one of Mr. Blyth 's assistants, Mr. F. Newcombe, Mr. T. Tyson, Mr. A. Young, gave an address to the whole school each Sunday. On the 1st January 1907, Mr. Blyth presented his resignation to the teachers of Wellington Road School because of his ill health. The teachers, who declined to accept the resignation, created him Honorary Superintendent and announced that Mr. Thomas Critchley had kindly consented to act as assistant superintendent "for the time being '. Mr. Critchley, however, continued to hold this office unti11929. On the death of Mr. Blyth in 1915, Miss Mary Blyth was appointed by Hunters Lane Church to be the Superintendent and retained this position until her death in December, 1945. Motivated by the Saviour's love, Miss Blyth passed on that same love to the children and followed the great tradition of her father in devotion and generosity. She maintained a standard in the School which was highly commended by visiting personalities and successive pastors of the Mission and left to her successors an example of dedication and organisation of the highest quality. In October 1929, Miss Blyth appointed a Mr. Dutton as Assistant Superintendent in succession to Mr. Critchley. Mr. Dutton's service was of relatively short duration, whereupon Mr. Charles Beatson acted as the assistant to Miss Blyth. The death of Miss Blyth made a sad impact upon the Sunday School, and when Mr. Beatson was asked by the teachers to become the School's Superintendent, he declined to accept the 'title' in deference to the distinction of Miss Blyth's service. However, he proved to be the perfect successor by the constant demonstration of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; in his firm and fearless emphasis on the need for gospel lessons prayerfully prepared and properly presented; by the regular meeting of teachers after School for prayer and for the discussion of arrangements for programmes and events. I would like to include the following words kindly prepared for me by Mr. Tom Shaw, one of our former pastors. Mr. Shaw first referred to the example set by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lytle as they were used of God in His service, and then he wrote the following moving tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Beatson:- "Mr. Charles Beatson was another worker whose quality of Christian service I was to admire. He was a true servant of God and was thus qualified to serve others. He possessed several spiritual gifts, but to my mind his outstanding grace was that of humility. How unassumingly he walked and worked amongst us, and what a spiritual atmosphere he created in any gathering at which he presided or attended! Mr. Beatson held several responsibilities and by the grace of God he adorned them all, but it would be readily agreed by all who knew him in an intimate manner that his outstanding service was of that rendered among young men in the Scout movement of whom he was their beloved “Ariki” I wonder how many young men have been influenced and introduced to the Saviour by the life and work of this Christian gentleman! "Their works do follow them." And of course it is impossible to think of Mr. Beatson without thinking of his 'helpmeet'. Mrs. Beatson was a devoted Sunday School worker as well as a participator in other spheres of the Mission and one still remembers the thoroughness with which she carried out every duty. The Apostle Paul wrote of the women who laboured with him in the Gospel, and Mrs. Beatson was one who laboured abundantly, and brought forth fruit to the praise of His glory . The consecrated lives and fruitful service of this couple remains so fresh that it seems as but yesterday they were promoted to higher service. 'His servants shall serve Him, and they shall see His face ' (Revelation 22 vs 3,4). " Now the work continues, and we think of and pray for those, especially during this year of centenary celebration, who continue in the service of the Mission, and while aggressive Christian work is becoming increasingly difficult, may they prove like Nehemiah and his fellow bricklayers in Jerusalem, the good hand of their God upon them. "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house " (I Peter 2v 5) After Mr. Beatson was called to Higher Service in 1963 Mr. J. w. Tighe was appointed Superintendent of the School, in September of that year, and served in this capacity until pressure of work and indifferent health necessitated his relinquishing the position in 1971. Mrs. Valerie Rooke kindly agreed to become Superintendent and is still serving in this office in this Centenary year. There are several officers and teachers in, or have been in the Sunday School, who have given dedicated service over a great many years, and it is extremely difficult to single out names for special mention. However, here are those with the longest recorded service:-

Mrs. A. Lytle 1909 - 1966 Mrs. E. Lytle 1916 - 1970 The late Mrs. Gladys Beatson Over 50 years * Mrs. L. Tighe 54 years * Mrs. A. Bowerman 48 years * Mrs. N. Blake 46 years Mr. J . W. Tighe 46 years The late Mr. Charles Beatson 40 years Mr. Leslie Crane 40 years (excluding war service) (an Assistant Secretary) * Mr. Eric Beaumont 38 years (excluding war service) * Mrs. M. Nicholson Over 30 years Mr. J. Connor 1927 - 1960 * Those who are still actively serving the School. Chapter 9 BREVITIES

"By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly " 1 Peter 5 v 12 Although Peter's epistles appear to be fully comprehensive, yet he speaks of the brevity of his message to the Christians scattered abroad - a message conveyed and, no doubt, written by Silvanus at the dictation of Peter. If the message is brief its meaning is fully comprehensible "exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand." The story of the Centenary which has been unfolded is compounded of many parts and incidents, each of them recorded with a necessary degree of brevity. There are those elements of the whole that would not have lost any of their interest had they been told more fully - rather , fullness would, I trust, have given added pleasure to the reader. and a greater appreciation of the events of those early days. I cannot conclude this account of "One Hundred Years - and more" without reference to some of our other activities and events. THE SCOUT GROUP I am deeply indebted to the Group Scoutmaster, Mr. Eric Beaumont, for kindly allowing me to use much of the information he so ably prepared for the Group's Golden Jubilee Thanksgiving Service held on 14th November 1976. The Scouts were formed as a Sunday School Group called the 235th Liverpool by the late Charles Beatson, who, by his example and mighty influence bonded so many boys into a strong Christian Brotherhood of Scouting here in Wavertree. He remained Scoutmaster right through the hardship days of the 30's and on through the grim and difficult war period, and for many years after, building, leading and encouraging boys through Scouting, to serve God, and their fellow men, until he was called to higher service in 1963. The group was formed by him on the foundation of a firm faith in God, and a sincere enthusiasm for true Christian living, and his good life influenced many a young man stepping out into the world. The group was at one time composed of Cubs, Scouts, Senior Scouts and Rovers and flourished for in any years under the new title of l0th Wavertree. It was during this period that our activities and achievements reached their peak, for many camps were held abroad and a new enthusiasm for keen effort and scouting adventure prevailed but still the true aim and purpose of the group was maintained, namely to bring boys and young men to a knowledge of the Lord Jesus, as their Saviour and Friend. It would be difficult indeed to estimate the number of boys who have passed through the Group during these wonderful years, and we rejoice and give thanks to God, for the many who can testify and bear witness that the influence of the Group, and the Sunday School has led them into the ways of salvation1. I have already referred to the Christian influence of Mr. Charles Beatson as a Sunday School teacher and leader, and when Miss Blyth invited him to form the Scout Group in 1926 his only purpose in accepting the request was the establishment of a Christian-influenced group for boys and young men. One of these young men, who, with many of his companions gained one of Scouting's highest awards, the Queen's Scout Badge, and who attended the young men's Bible Class led by Mr. Beaumont, was with a small party who went to a "Youth for Christ" after-rally at which a Billy Graham film was being shown. Richard Dangerfield, for he was the young man, listened intently as he watched the film and soon became aware of God speaking to him about his spiritual need. Richard accepted Christ as his Saviour and was led by Him, through military service in Malaya where he was befriended and encouraged by some missionaries, to enter Bible college, and ultimately to be accepted by the Overseas Missionary Fellowship in 1962 for service in South Thailand. Richard met Dorothy in Thailand as a fellow - Missionary and later they married in South Thailand. They now have three children. Another of the young men of that time, John Anders, after a number of years as a marine engineer in the Merchant Navy, felt the call to service for God, and studied for the Ministry with the Church of England. John was ordained at St. Peters, Woolton, in 1971 and served as a curate in Prescot for five years before becoming the Rector of St. Mary's Church in Wavertree in October 1976. Paul Nener, another splendid Christian, studied at the University and became a doctor. He is, at present applying his excellent medical skills in a Hospital in South Africa, but I am told he is to prepare for ordination in the Church of England. LEADERS OF THE GROUP OVER THE 50 YEARS G. S. L. Charles Reginald Beatson “Ariki” Medal of Merit, Silver Acorn G. S. L. Eric Beaumont Silver Acorn

Scouts Rovers Cubs C. R. Beatson W. Gould “Ariki” J. Tighe S. Hornby E. Beaumont B. Farrar G. Stananought H. Cowle E. Beaumont G. Leadbetter “Chile” R. Mackintosh R. Mackintosh N. Harper P. Connor R. Dangerfield R. Espley L. Wilkinson S. Trousdale J. Anders Miss E. Trousdale N. Kenny Miss J. A. Trousdale P. Evans G. Howarth R. Pheasant F D Crane B. Riley Mrs. J. Crane F. Rooke Mrs. J Wilkinson A. Trousdale Mrs. J .A. Howarth (née Trousdale) D. Trousdale

Presentation of Scouts "Thanks" Badges, November 1966 To (left to right) Mrs. L. Tighe, Mrs. I. Hornby, Mrs. M. Morris and Mrs. G. Beatson, by Mr. Frank McGrath, District Commissioner (right) with Group Scout Master, Eric Beaumont. GUIDES AND BROWNIES A Guide Company was first formed in Wellington Road Mission in 1931 under Miss Dorothy Gould (Captain) and Miss I. Williams (Lieutenant), and continued actively and successfully until 1939. Two of the girls from that company, Vera Hand and her sister Audrey, became the leaders of a new Brownies' group formed in April 1944 and a newly formed Guide Company in October of the same year. In 1949, Miss Grace Bevan came from St. Mary's Guide Company to become Captain of the Wellington Road Guides, and Miss Beryl Stapleton became her Lieutenant. About 6 years later Miss Alma Rimmer took over the Captaincy of the Guide Company. The girls of the Brownies and Guides have always been under the influence of Christian leaders, and a number have come to know Jesus as their Saviour. Some of these girls later became officers with the Brownies or Guides. Mrs. Valerie Rooke, is the present Captain, ably. assisted by Mrs. Joyce Smith. LEADERS OF THE BROWNIES Formerly: Mrs. Elsie Anders (née Franklin) Mrs. Sheila Keys (née Connor) Mrs. Alma Sisson (née Rimmer) Mrs. Irene Jones (née Franklin) Mrs. Valerie Rooke (née Flower) Mrs. Olive Staley (née Mackintosh) Present: Mrs. Judith Trousdale (née Staley) assisted, when necessary, by Mrs. Olive Staley Queens Guides: Jacqueline Lloyd – 1972 Helen Horne – 1977

The 275th Liverpool Guide Company, 1972 with their officers and some of the former leaders. Mrs. Valerie Rooke (Captain) is on the extreme left of the photograph. The occasion was the presentation of the Queens Guide Award by District Commissioner, Miss Margaret Hayes. second from the right to Jacqueline Lloyd front row, centre Jacqueline was the first in the Company to achieve this high award WOMEN'S MEETING Whilst we have not got a record of the meetings held for ladies on Tuesday afternoons, it is known that such a gathering has been held since 1909, and probably for several years before that. Mrs. A. Critchley, the one-time leader of the Ladies' Bible Class on Sundays, is known to have had charge of the Ladies' Tuesday Meetings for many years up to the late 1920's, and upon her retirement Mrs. A. Lytle became the leader . When new pastors were appointed to Wellington Road Mission Church they made their individual arrangements and in some instances the wife of the Pastor was able to take on the leadership. We are blessed, indeed, in that Mrs. Jean Dimmock, the wife of our present Pastor has accepted responsibility for this meeting. She is a kind, happy and dedicated leader and is supported by a faithful group of helpers each week, and a rota of Christian lady speakers. Recently, upon the initiative of Mrs. Dimmock, a monthly Ladies' Forum was started, and on Thursday evenings various interesting subjects are presented with practical demonstrations whenever appropriate. Of course, the devotional period is the focal point of each 'get-together'. It has proved to be a very popular and successful evening for the ladies. BAND OF HOPE Here is a name which is seldom heard in these modern times, and one wonders whether the dramatic increase in the taking of alcohol should receive much more attention by Christian assemblies. The paramount need of course, is to bring a person to the realisation of their need of the Saviour". For the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. " However, the destruction, or even the diminution of one's faculties, is a matter for grave concern, and there is, today, a vital need for the encouragement of abstinence from the taking of alcohol alongside the preaching of the Gospel of Salvation. The Church and Mission minutes of the past century are dotted with references to the holding of Band of Hope meetings in Wellington Road Hall, and the attendance of more than 200 children on many, many occasions. This was our experience in the 1930's, but in retrospect, one realises that these meetings had become gospel meetings for children with references to temperance few and far between. In fact the name 'Band of Hope' with its particular meaning in those earlier years, had become a misnomer, so that the name simply disappeared from the notices of events, and in recent years has been replaced by "The Good News Club" for the younger children, held on Wednesdays and "Cross Purpose" - a Friday activity and devotional evening for young people. THE RAMBLERS This started as an informal adults' and young people's activity shortly after the 1939-1945 war, and, as the title suggests, it featured walks across the Wirral and elsewhere to beaches or parks where picnic teas were enjoyed and rounders, cricket or football played not only by the Young folk but, also by the young-in-heart. From this summer activity developed indoor winter meetings on Saturday evenings which always ended with a devotional half-hour. The organisation became increasingly formalised as arrangements became detailed and destinations more distant, so that in 1949 duly appointed leaders were approved by the Mission Council and made answerable to the Pastor and Committee. These Officers were Mr. M. Bowerman (Senior), Mr. J. Connor, and Mr. L. Crane. Today, through the changing scenes of life the Ramblers do not ramble, but content themselves with organised coach trips on several of the Bank Holidays. Mr. Leslie Crane has kindly accepted responsibility for the organisation of these successful outings, which are open to all the members of the Congregation. OF GENERAL INTEREST  The large Sankey hymn books - words only - cost two shillings and three pence each in 1939 - about 12p in toady's money, and in 1961 they were six shillings each - 30p in decimal money. In 1977, the cost of the equivalent book, but with smaller and more compact print was about 95p - nineteen shillings in pre - decimal values.  The platform in its' present form, with oak panelled surround, was the result of alterations carried out in 1937. Before this the platform had been enclosed by the original mahogany topped wrought-iron rail with dark red velvet curtains behind the ironwork. When a change was considered necessary, enquiries were first made regarding a new chromium or brass surround, and the cost of a brass rail was estimated at £50. The work, as carried out, cost £23. 2s. 6d.  By January 1940, as the result of reduced attendance at the commencement of the second World War, the General Fund balance was £12 - 18s - 7d.  In 1942, Miss Corkey, a Deaconess on the staff of the Liverpool City Mission assisted the newly appointed pastor, Mr. Harry Hughes, at Wellington Road during his brief stay with us before he left Liverpool. Miss Corkey was responsible for the Ladies' Meeting and for visiting on the district.  The mounting costs of maintaining the Lord's work in this district of Wavertree today, are highlighted by the following resolution in the middle 1950's:" Agreed, that the expenses for the maintenance of Mr. 's bicycle, £2. 8s. 2d, be paid from the General Fund. "  At a meeting held on 3rd February 1935, the teachers were advised that the forms which had been in use since 1878 were in disrepair. It was agreed that the old forms be replaced by 150 chairs to be supplied by Messrs. A. J. Buckingham. The cost of the first l00 chairs was £37. 10s. 0d, and the suppliers offered to pay £ 10 for 40 forms. A number of the chairs were broken in the bomb damage to the Hall in 1941, but the remainder are still in use.  In May 1958, the cost of painting the Large Hall was £148.  Reference has already been made to the financial position of Hunters Lane Church during the 1930's, and its effect upon their ability to meet the cost of maintaining the work. In January 1930 a special meeting at Hunters Lane heard that " the excess of expenditure over income (from Wellington Road) had been met by many generous-hearted benefactors. " Some idea of this difference is expressed in the following statement to the Church:- 1926 - Income from Wellington Road & L. C. M. - £73 Costs £91 1927 - Income from Wellington Road & L. C. M. - £68 Costs £105 1928 - Income from Wellington Road & L. C. M. - £62 Costs £112 1929 - Income from Wellington Road & L. C. M. - £53 Costs £106 During that decade (1930's) an endeavour was made to improve the situation, but Hunters Lane Church came to the decision in 1939 to sell the Wellington Road premises, and after much discussion between the Church authorities and the Liverpool City Mission Executive Committee, together with representations from our own Committee urging the L. C. M. to maintain the work at Wellington Road, agreement was reached and at the valuation set by the Charity Commissioners, £2,500, the Hall was purchased by the Liverpool City Mission in 1940.  From the earliest days of the Sunday School it was customary for our scholars and teachers to join with Hunters Lane School at least twice a year. i. e. on the first Sunday in the New Year and at their Sunday School Anniversary. United meetings would also occur for other special events, and all our visits to the Church entailed some 200 or more children and 30 or so teachers walking together across the 'Mystery' (Wavertree Playground), for the services held in the Church.  The Jubilee Thanksgiving Service was held on Monday 19th November, 1928, when Rev. gave the address . H. Donald, M. A. , the Minister of Hunters Lane Church. The Order of Service reveals a little known fact that weeknight services were being held in Wellington Road before the Mill House Sunday School was started in 1869. The programme includes the following:- “Presentation of cheque. As a result of a promise made to Hunters Lane Church the sum of £120 has been collected by those connected with the Wellington Road Sunday School and Mission. It will be presented to Mr. Donald by Leonard Cunliffe, great grandson of the Mrs. Cunliffe who in 1862 was the pioneer of the week-night services in Wellington Road.”  I have already referred to the damage to the Hall and the destruction of the nearby houses during the 1941 air-raids. Some months earlier tragedy also struck a family connected with the Mission when their house, and others in Wellington Road, were destroyed by bombs. These attacks, of course, were aimed at the railway and bridge over Wellington Road. Mr. & Mrs. Buckley and their son Leslie were killed, and another son, Will, serving with the Royal Marines, but home on leave, was seriously injured. John Buckley, a son serving with the army, was on embarkation leave - destined for Singapore and immediate capture by the Japanese - escaped the bombing because he was visiting friends during the raid. He returned from his visit to find his home wrecked and his loved ones taken from him.  For some twenty-five years a football team has represented the Sunday School in the Liverpool Sunday School Union Competition. Under the direction of Mr. Ron Mackintosh and his brother George, these young men have gained many successes. Mr. Charles Beatson was the Chairman of the team's committee and Mr. George Blake was Treasurer. After the death of Mr. Beatson, Mr. Edward Lytle became their Chairman.  In recent years the Liverpool City Mission have had a marquee in the Annual Liverpool Show where they have sought to evangelise the crowds who have flocked to "The Mystery". This successful witness was' first started by our Pastor, Mr. Dimmock in about 1968, when, with the aid of some of our young men, a stall was erected in the grounds of the Mission close to the street pavement, Tracts in various languages, and other Christian literature were given to the thousands of people who, on the Saturdays, thronged down Wellington Road.  In the opening chapter of this story I pointed out the rural and residential character of Wavertree, where wealthy business men and notable persons had imposing houses. This is well illustrated by the report of the visit to Liverpool in 1872 by H. R. H. Prince Arthur, the third son of Queen Victoria, who came to open the new and the Southern Hospital. The Prince arrived at Broad green Station and was the guest of S. R. Graves, Esq. M. P. at his residence, "The Grange", Prince Alfred Road, Wavertree. "The Grange" was a very large house with grounds on what is now part of the Wavertree Playground, and stood just a little distance away from Hunters Lane. Mr. Graves died a few months after this visit of Prince Arthur and a "Monument Fund" was started in January 1873. A statue of the late Member of Parliament was erected in St. George's Hall and unveiled by the Home Secretary in December 1875.  The administration of a church, the maintenance of its fabric and the 'comfort' facilities such as heating and lighting are dependent in great measure upon those who voluntarily give their time and energy, and Wellington Road Mission Church is certainly no exception to this. Some reference by name has been made to those with certain responsibilities, but there are many who assist the material and spiritual activities of our Church selflessly and oft-times secretly. We pray for God's blessing upon them all as we express our deep gratitude to our joiners, electricians, 'labourers', and our ladies who together with Mrs. Dimmock, attend to the catering and cleaning needs of the Church. There is yet another who needs our continuing prayer and practical support; the one who faithfully proclaims the Message of the Lord to us each week; the man who so often has to step into the gap created by an absent volunteer - our Pastor, Mr. Dimmock.

Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever .Amen. Jude 24, 25 This was the prayer offered by Miss Blyth at the close of the Primary teachers' preparation classes. CENTENARY SERVICES AND EVENTS

Monday, April 17th to Friday, April2lst, 1978 Pastor Keith Dimmock speaks on Radio Merseyside's ”Thought for the Day” Saturday, April 22nd Centenary Tea for the Congregation(by invitation only) Sunday, April 23rd 11 am - Pastor K. Dimmock 6. 30 pm - United Service joined by our friends of Hunters Lane Church and in the presence of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Liverpool Speakers: Rev. F. O. Brown, M. A. Rev. David V. Jebson Tuesday, April 2Sth 2. 15pm - Women's Rally Wednesday, April 26th to 7. 30pm - Deeper Life Services Friday, April 28th Speaker: Pastor T. Lawson Sunday, April 23rd 11 am - Pastor K. Dimmock 6. 30 pm - Rev. David V. Jebson

Weekly Services and Activities Sunday 11 am and 6. 30pm 12. 30pm - Sunday School and Bible Class Monday 6:15 pm Cubs 7:30 pm Scouts Tuesday 6 pm Brownies 7:30 pm Guides 8 pm Prayer Meeting and Bible Study Wednesday 6 pm Good News Club - for children Friday 7:30 pm Cross Purpose - for young people