The history of Westhouses Methodist Church
The following history of Westhouses church and photographs have been kindly provided by Brenda Smith (church Patron). We are proud to have played our part in preserving the history of this fine church...
"The dedicated residents of Westhouses belonged to the Primitive Methodist Church and met for Sunday services in the waiting room at the Railway Station at Westhouses. They held fund raising events and decided to build a church a little further down Alfreton Road
So in 1897 the church was built. It cost £700 and the debt on moving into the church was £555. By 1920 the debt was paid. For some unknown reason the deeds of the church were put in Youlgrave Glub (Club). The church could hold up to 200 people. All the seats were free, meaning no letable seats. Mr James Creamer was presented with an easy chair on his 70th birthday. He had been connected with the PM church at Stonebroom and came to work on the railway at Westhouses. He was one of the pioneers of Methodism in the village. During the building of the church he was a constant worker and helped in setting out the foundations. He died at the age of 77 years.
The membership in 1899 was 30 but in attendance each Sunday there were 150 people. In 1901 the membership was 32, 15 in attendance. 1902 the membership was 34, 150 in attendance. 1905 the membership was 25 but 190 in attendance. In 1935 the membership was 38. In 1919 there were 15 teachers and 100 Sunday School children.
The organ now standing was installed in 1924 by Albert Keates of Sheffield, and is regularly tuned. Mr Raymond Parkin was born in 1904 and began playing the organ at the age of 11 years. He played each Sunday and anniversaries and concerts until he died at the age of 85. So he played for 74 years."
