A METHODIST CHURCH BUILT IN AN ECUMENICAL STYLE

We chose to build a definitely Methodist building with a certain warmth about it, and not just a piece of imitation Anglicanism, but we chose to build in an ecumenical style in the hope that what we have built will be an acceptable building to any future united Church. For this reason, among others, we arranged the Table and Pulpit as you now see. This arrangement we believe to be fully in harmony with modern Methodism and, at the same time, an arrangement most likely to be acceptable to a united Church. It is our firm conviction that the Christian life needs both Word and Sacrament and that, just as it is wrong to exalt the Sacrament at the expense of the Word, so also it is wrong to exalt the Word at the expense of the Sacrament. This understanding of the relationship between Word and Sacrament, which is really the modern ecumenical understanding, lies behind our arrangement. We have provided an honest, open, Table in the Reformed tradition. We have provided an honest and commanding Pulpit. But we have put the Table in the centre, with the Cross above it, so as always to remind us of the One into Whose presence we are come. And we have put the Pulpit at the side, clearly visible to all and from which the preacher is clearly audible everywhere in the Church, but not in the centre, because we believe that no human being should ever stand in the centre of any Church. And we have enfolded Table, Pulpit and Lectern together in the common embrace of the profile block wall, thus holding together, symbolically, both Word and Sacrament.

A PLACE FOR THE PUBLIC WORSHIP OF ALMIGHTY GOD

We have throughout tried to keep clearly in mind that we were not building a private house or establishment but a place for the public worship of God. Therefore, when we had to economise for financial reasons, we tried deliberately to preserve the quality and standard of what we had planned for the Church and to sacrifice on the other buildings, for we believed that only the best was good enough for God.

Therefore, in determining the size and capacity of the building, we deliberately planned for the ordinary services of worship and not for the special occasions. Therefore we have tried to build a modern, rather than a modernistic, building, for the very latest thing in 1966 can be the very dated thing in 1986. To be successful a Church must have a certain timeless quality about it and this is the quality for which we have been seeking.

Since the Church was dedicated so many folk after walking round, have been heard to say, almost spontaneously, "It feels like a Church. I could worship here". And this reaction has come from folk of very diverse ecclesiastical backgrounds and very diverse tastes and (for that matter) ages. If this is the general response of people to our new Church, then the Trustees, architect and layfolk alike, will have succeeded in their aim.

We often sing in our Methodist Churches-

"We love the place, a God,
Wherein Thine honour dwells;
The joy of Thine abode
All earthly joy excels".

Over the years I have come to realise in my own heart that those last two lines are literally true. For here we may -

"Have a foretaste inly given
How they worship Thee in heaven",

It is my prayer that this may be fulfilled for many who worship in this new Church.

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