History of Methodists in Twerton - 20th Century
On the night of 16 January 1941 the church premises suffered damage when a bomb, dropped by a German plane fell on a member’s house in the High Street. Two members of the Sunday School, evacuees from London, were killed and other scholars were injured. An esteemed member of the Church who had just been elected Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School was also killed. The home of another of the Trustees was damaged and a family member killed. In the immediate neighbourhood a large number of scholars and Church members were affected.
Cottages belonging to the Church were so badly damaged they were later demolished. It was noted that these undoubtedly saved the Chapel from serious structural damage. On the morning of the 17th it was found that all the Church windows and doors had gone, that roofs and ceilings were damaged extensively but that the walls and roof timbers were still intact. Hymn books, Bibles, Communion Chairs, Pianos and other transportable items were placed in the vestry at the back which had suffered least damage. The forthcoming Sunday Service and Sunday School were cancelled.
On May 20 1948 the Church was reopened, a service held and tea served to about 130 people. A public meeting, held in the church, was attended by the Mayor of Bath who brought greetings and good wishes from the city.
Soon after this time the Twerton Wesleyan Trust ceased to exist. The Wesleyan people had struggled to maintain their property since 1923, resisting suggestions that they should unite with the Wesleyan Reformers now the United Methodists (Zion). In 1933 however the building was finally demolished and the site sold to the Council for £15. The finances of the church were settled in 1948 and in 1949 the trust was no more.
In 1953 the Twerton Zion Methodist Church celebrated it’s centenary with a service conducted by the Secretary of the Methodist Conference. Members, friends, circuit ministers and past ministers attended the event, which was followed by tea in the schoolroom.
In 1975, Zion Chapel was selected for inclusion in the statutory list of Buildings of Special or Historic Interest.
The Church of God of Prophecy started using Zion’s buildings in 1989 for a Sunday afternoon service and a midweek activity. This arrangement continued until 2004. Over the years we joined together on many occasions including Sunday evening ecumenical services in the Village Hall. Their vibrant worship and their joy of singing will be always be remembered. Their work extended out into the local community.
An extract from the 2001/2002 Annual Report for Zion states: ‘On April 6th 2002 a Covenant was signed between the Ministers and people of both Twerton Zion Methodist Church and Twerton Baptist Church. The signing of this document, which outlines our covenant and pledges, took place in St. Michael’s Church Rooms in the presence of members of both congregations and representatives from the Bath Methodist Circuit, the Church of God and the Anglican Church. Progress continued towards the unity of our two congregations through joint services, in both church buildings, and through the joint Bible Study group.’
Zion celebrated its 150th Anniversary on 11 May 2003. Members, friends and Ministers, past and present were invited to join us for a service of Thanksgiving led by the Rev. John Emmett. It was with great joy that we welcomed so many people to Zion that morning. The service was followed by a buffet lunch in the Village Hall.
© Twerton Fellowship 2011
Registered charity number 1116341
Cottages belonging to the Church were so badly damaged they were later demolished. It was noted that these undoubtedly saved the Chapel from serious structural damage. On the morning of the 17th it was found that all the Church windows and doors had gone, that roofs and ceilings were damaged extensively but that the walls and roof timbers were still intact. Hymn books, Bibles, Communion Chairs, Pianos and other transportable items were placed in the vestry at the back which had suffered least damage. The forthcoming Sunday Service and Sunday School were cancelled.
On May 20 1948 the Church was reopened, a service held and tea served to about 130 people. A public meeting, held in the church, was attended by the Mayor of Bath who brought greetings and good wishes from the city.
Soon after this time the Twerton Wesleyan Trust ceased to exist. The Wesleyan people had struggled to maintain their property since 1923, resisting suggestions that they should unite with the Wesleyan Reformers now the United Methodists (Zion). In 1933 however the building was finally demolished and the site sold to the Council for £15. The finances of the church were settled in 1948 and in 1949 the trust was no more.
In 1953 the Twerton Zion Methodist Church celebrated it’s centenary with a service conducted by the Secretary of the Methodist Conference. Members, friends, circuit ministers and past ministers attended the event, which was followed by tea in the schoolroom.
In 1975, Zion Chapel was selected for inclusion in the statutory list of Buildings of Special or Historic Interest.
The Church of God of Prophecy started using Zion’s buildings in 1989 for a Sunday afternoon service and a midweek activity. This arrangement continued until 2004. Over the years we joined together on many occasions including Sunday evening ecumenical services in the Village Hall. Their vibrant worship and their joy of singing will be always be remembered. Their work extended out into the local community.
An extract from the 2001/2002 Annual Report for Zion states: ‘On April 6th 2002 a Covenant was signed between the Ministers and people of both Twerton Zion Methodist Church and Twerton Baptist Church. The signing of this document, which outlines our covenant and pledges, took place in St. Michael’s Church Rooms in the presence of members of both congregations and representatives from the Bath Methodist Circuit, the Church of God and the Anglican Church. Progress continued towards the unity of our two congregations through joint services, in both church buildings, and through the joint Bible Study group.’
Zion celebrated its 150th Anniversary on 11 May 2003. Members, friends and Ministers, past and present were invited to join us for a service of Thanksgiving led by the Rev. John Emmett. It was with great joy that we welcomed so many people to Zion that morning. The service was followed by a buffet lunch in the Village Hall.
© Twerton Fellowship 2011
Registered charity number 1116341