Marwood Methodist Church
Our Minister - Rev. Jonathan Froggatt Telephone: 01271 812574 e-mail: jonathanfroggatt9@gmail.com
For information about services and hall bookings please contact Christine Smith 01271 850364
SERVICES FOF MAY 2023
7th May - Sue and John Kendall (HC)
14th May - Rev Jonathan Frogatt
21st May - NO SERVICE - PARISH CHURCH
28th May - Mr Peter Edwards
SERVICES FOR JUNE 2023
4th June - LA
11th June - Deacon Joan Cole
18th June - Rev Jonathan Froggatt
25th June - Flower Festival Rev Robert Manning and the Jubilee Singers 3pm
MARWOOD METHODIST CHURCH 150 YEAR CELEBATIONS
Please read the letter below from Rev Jonathan Frogatt
Save the date for the FLOWER FESTIVAL and SERVICE WITH LADIES CHOIR over the weekend of the 24th and 25th June
Flower Festival - Saturday 24th June 10am - 4pm and Sunday 25th from 11 am. Refreshments available.
The Service on Sunday 25th June led by Rev Robert Manning with the Jubilee Singers. Tea to follow.
ABOUT US!
2023 - This year our church is celebrating its 150 year of Methodism.
The Methodist movement started in Marwood in 1806, with the first service held at Blakewell Farm, the home of the Laramy family. Twenty years later in 1828 the decision was made to build a chapel. The Chapel was completed at a cost of £164 and opened on Good Friday 1829, the land having been bought for just one guinea or £1. 1.0p i. This chapel is now the private dwelling next door but after the new Church was built was used for Sunday School, suppers and other events.
In 1872 it was proposed that a new chapel should be built. The ground cost £36 and was purchased from John Alford. The new chapel incorporated an auditorium with two bay north and south transepts. The opening service took place on 9th October 1874 exactly one year after the foundation stone was laid.
In 1958 Mrs Annie Gubb donated a stained glass window to the chapel in memory of her father, John Smith, who had been a preacher on the Ilfracombe circuit for over 50 years. The window aptly depicts John Wesley, one of the founders of the Methodist movement.
Much has changed over the last 150 years since the opening of the first chapel at Marwood. Services in recent years have included Harvest celebrations – including a lively auction of produce, candlelit carol services, pet services and the Blessing of the plough. In normal years, a strawberry cream tea takes place in June.
John Wesley’s Rule
Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as you ever can.
Nonconformist churches were also built in Muddiford, Middle Marwood and Whitehall in the 19th Century. Families worshipping in these chapels were buried in theFamilies worshipping in these chapels were buried in the churchyards surrounding the Methodist Church in Prixford. This tradition continues today.
The Churchyard by the original church is the oldest and the new churchyard started to be used in 1979.