The Methodist Church in Black Park, North Wales, started with the arrival of coal miners from
Staffordshire seeking work at the Black Park Colliery.
Some were from the Mow Cop area, well known as the birthplace of Primitive
Methodism. By talking with workmates and families the Good
News was spread.
The first House Meeting was at the home of Mary and Richard Morris - No. 1 the
Barracks (the end house) in 1858. In 1861 the home of William Parry, a
larger cottage near the colliery railway line was used. The next move was to lower
Halton, where two adjacent cottages were used. The Directors of
Black Park Colliery Co. built a new row of homes (Halton Terrace - 'Fifty Row') and
kindly donated No. 19 "To continue services in better
accomodation". To build a permanent sanctuary the money would have to come from
miners wages. In faith and courage they went forward.
A site was secured and plans drawn. The foundation stones were laid in 1875, the
princely sum of £340 being raised. The final cost of the building
was £1,056.18s.11d leaving a dept of £570. When opened and
dedicated, the first service was The Lords Supper at 7:30 in the morning.
By the end of March 1899 the debt had been cleared and it was decided to extend the
building. This was completed by 29th June of that year. This was
made possible by a screen between the Chapel and the schoolroom that could be rolled
back and the pulpit moveable.
In 1912, the freehold of the site was purchased from Chirk Castle Estates for
£43.10s.0d. In 1921 members and trustees decided somewhere
must be provided for the younger people to go for recreation. Adjacent land was
purchased for £150 and a military hut from Park Hall was bought
for £52.10s.0d. A committee was formed from the Sunday School, Trustees and
the Halton Mission. A donation of £50 was made by the
Colliery and was opened by Mr James Darlington (managing director of the Colliery).
There were billiard tables and other games, a library, tennis court
and a bowling green. In 1934 electrical lighting was installed at a cost of £34.
Funds were low, but the Womens Christian Fellowship organised a
faith tea and concert to pay for this.
In 1936 hymn singing and a broadcast was made from the Chapel. In 1948 renovations
were carried out at a cost of £843. Sadly, Black Park
Colliery closed in 1949 with many leaving the area to find other employment. In 1968
after the disbanding of the Rhosymedre and Chirk Circuit, eight
societies joined the new Oswestry, Ellesmere and Chirk Circuit. The remaining seven
societies joined the Wrexham Circuit (7 out of 15 now being
closed). 1972 saw another blow to the community with the demolishing of 'Fifty Row'.
Black Park has survived many changes from the original Primitive Methodist
Circuit, the first and second Methodist Unions to Rhosymedre and Chirk Circuit and lastly
to Oswestry, Ellesmere and Chirk Circuit. In February 1977 the
Sunday half hour was broadcast by the BBC. An excerpt from the recording can be listened to by clicking
here.
Faced with possible closure twice, it was agreed that a Christian witness would be
maintained somewhere in the village. God showed this goodness, we
had the faith. God provided what we needed. John Wesley said: