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The Methodist Church

The Methodist Church dates from the 1700s and was founded by the brothers John

and Charles Wesley, both presbyters in the Church of England. Charles Wesley

became especially famous for his hymn writing, while John travelled extensively

across the country preaching the Gospel.

As Methodism grew, new “Societies” were formed, eventually becoming the

nationwide Methodist “Connexion”. The first Methodist chapel was built in Bristol.

Unlike some Christian traditions, the Methodist Church has no single “Vatican”-style

centre. Overseas Methodist Churches have their own presidents or equivalent

leadership. Methodism has long been organised along democratic lines, with

inclusivity and shared responsibility forming part of its fabric.

As the Church became more established, London naturally became an important

administrative centre, though not exclusively so — Manchester became significant

for Methodist properties. Over time, a number of nationwide Methodist organisations

developed, including Methodist Schools, Insurance, Holidays, Hotels, Homes for the

Aged, the Methodist Recorder, and the Methodist Publishing House.

Built between and completed after the First and Second World Wars were the

Overseas Missions offices in Marylebone. Muswell Hill in London became an

important centre for Methodist youth work. In 1912, Methodist Central Hall,

Westminster, was opened, housing many Connexional offices. Most of these have

since moved to premises in Tavistock Square, London.

Methodism and Change

During the Victorian era, several groups separated from the Methodist Church. One

movement, founded by William Booth, became the The Salvation Army. Another

group, known as the Primitive Methodists, later rejoined the Methodist Connexion.

From the Primitive Methodist Church 1931 Year Book

Resolution on the Mining Situation

“This Conference expresses its profound sympathy with the miners … We are fully

aware of the unsatisfactory conditions prevalent among other workers, and with one

and all this Conference expresses its deepest sympathy and hopes for improvement

everywhere.”

Statistics of the Stations

• Chatham, Gravesend and Sheerness: 565 members

(others in the Medway Towns were listed as “Remainers”)

From the Minutes of the Methodist Conference 1953

The President that year was the Rev. Donald Oliver Soper MA, PhD — later Lord

Soper — well known as an author, pacifist, and preacher at Hyde Park Corner.

Return of Numbers in Our Societies

The Medway Towns

• Junior Classes: 54

• On Trial (training as preachers): 16

• Members: 910

• Superintendent based at Rock Avenue, Gillingham, with three ministers

Chatham Garrison and Naval Port Mission

• New Deaconess appointment

• Junior Classes: 15

• On Trial: 8

• Members: 523

• Superintendent based at Central Hall, High Street, Chatham (now the Central

Theatre), with two ministers and two supernumeraries

Also recorded was Ronald L. Thomas, later minister at Strood in the mid-1990s, who

had completed three years as a local preacher before entering ministry training.

Another former minister connected with Strood was Rev. George Baugh of

Newcastle-upon-Tyne/Gateshead, ordained in 1945.

Methodism in Medway

John Wesley himself preached in the Medway Towns. His stay in Chatham during

October is recorded in his journal. In 1778 he is said to have walked up Strood Hill

followed by his coach. Much of his travelling had been done on horseback, but by

then age had persuaded him to accept the relative comfort of a coach. Tradition also

records that he preached at Angel Corner in Strood, where a Wesleyan Society was

later formed.

The first Methodist chapel in Strood was built in 1878 in North Street. Today the

building is a Sikh Gurdwara. The original Methodist connection and date were once

visible on the façade, although the plaque was later painted over, making the

inscription difficult to read.

In 1887, a growing and confident Strood congregation moved into larger premises on

the corner of Cliffe Road, built in a style reminiscent of the architect Pugin.

The adjacent Wesley Hall was added in 1900. Over the years the Hall served many

purposes, including hosting the church’s youth activities. Children attended Sunday

School there before crossing over to the church for morning worship. Today this

tradition continues through Junior Church and All-Age Services.

A round stained-glass window was donated by George Brooks of St John

Ambulance. The design depicts the St John Ambulance cross beneath a dove

symbolising the Holy Spirit.

Wartime Years

During the First World War, Wesley Hall was used as a hospital. A memorial plaque

remains on the front wall:

“THIS BUILDING WAS LENT AS AN AUXILIARY HOSPITAL DURING THE GREAT

WAR 1914–1918”

Only parts of the accompanying badges can now be clearly read.

During the Second World War, a bomb destroyed a large building in Yoke Close.

The resulting blast badly damaged the church building and even displaced the roof.

Repairs eventually became too costly. By the 1970s the steeple had begun to lean,

and the difficult decision was taken to demolish the church building entirely. The

congregation then moved permanently into Wesley Hall, which became Strood

Methodist Church.

Drama, Music and Church Life

For many years Wesley Hall contained a stage used by the Strood Methodist Church

Players, an amateur dramatics group fondly remembered by many. Peggy Rye

(1924–2016), preacher and Sunday School teacher, recalled:

“People came from all over to see us.”

Money raised from productions supported Sunday School and youth activities. The

plays continued for several decades before eventually being discontinued.

The church has long enjoyed a rich musical and artistic tradition. Over the years,

banners and textiles have been created by church members and displayed

throughout the building.

Three banners representing the Holy Trinity were produced in the 1980s by Doreen

and John. John, whose tenor solo voice greatly enriched the church choir, was also

deeply involved in helping ex-offenders rebuild their lives.

Other banners celebrate Christmas, the four seasons, Holy Communion, Easter,

Harvest, and the merger of the Strood and Lower Stoke congregations.

One particularly distinctive pink banner was donated by Dr James Dada (1934–

2024), a church member from 1994 onwards. Woven on a handloom in his Nigerian

hometown of Egbe, it bears the words:

“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

Dr Dada held a PhD in Comparative Education and remained passionate about the

education of young people throughout his life.

Restoration and Renewal

In 1985, a top-floor extension was added to the building, partly obscuring the George

Brooks window. The church also underwent significant restoration work. The old

stage and its faded red curtain were removed, and discussions began about

redecorating.

At one memorable meeting, the congregation selected magnolia for most of the walls

and grey for the front wall. Yet the final colour chosen for the front turned out to be a

rich cyclamen pink — to the surprise and delight of many. Thanks to the dedication

of volunteers over the years, Strood Methodist may well be the only pink church

between Medway and Las Vegas.

Attention also turned to the large front window, once hidden behind faded blue

curtains. Behind it lay a storeroom crossed by a mezzanine floor, together with a

broken windowpane completing what many described as “a disgrace”.

Eventually, a creative solution was developed. The window became a mural-like

display showing two islands representing the earth’s hemispheres, surrounded by

flowers and homes from around the world. Across it appear the words of Jesus:

“Love one another as I have loved you.”

Silhouettes of angels frame the design, inspired by a photograph taken in Santa

Maria Maggiore in Rome.

A separate mural was later painted in the Main Hall.

A small plaque near the stairs records:

“These new rooms were opened by Mrs Alice Rye and were dedicated on the

occasion of the consecration of Wesley Hall as a place of worship” (1972)

From the Archives

Church archives reveal changing social attitudes over time. Up until at least 1969,

male Trustees were identified by profession, while women were described simply as

“married woman” or “spinster” — even when they held professional occupations

themselves, such as teacher Gladys Harmer and accounts clerk Peggy Rye.

The 1940 report also records that Trustee W. Day had been awarded an MBE.

Cooling Methodist Chapel closed in the late twentieth century, and its War Memorial

plaque was transferred to Strood Methodist Church. Like many rural Methodist

chapels, Cooling had once served agricultural workers in communities often

overlooked by larger denominations.

Connections Beyond Strood

Strood Methodist Church also shared a small but memorable connection

with Methodist Central Hall Westminster.

Peggy Rye, who had earlier worked at Rochester’s Short Brothers flying boat factory,

later worked in accounts at Westminster Central Hall. She remembered Lord Rank of

the Rank Film Corporation, who served as Honorary Treasurer for the Home

Mission.

Central Hall itself has played a remarkable role beyond Methodism. After the Second

World War, the first United Nations Assembly met there, forcing the congregation

temporarily to worship elsewhere. In 1966, the football World Cup’s Jules Rimet

Trophy was famously stolen from the building. Concerts, broadcasts, and national

events have all taken place there over the years.

For many years the Hall also hosted the “London Weekend”, later known as

3Generate, one of the largest gatherings of Christian youth in Britain.

The Peninsula Methodist Church

In 2005, the Strood and Lower Stoke Methodist chapels formally joined together to

become The Peninsula Methodist Church.

Today, alongside regular Sunday worship, the church occasionally gathers in more

informal ways reminiscent of the early Methodists — and indeed of the early

Christians themselves. Such occasions help deepen appreciation for the work of

local preachers and ministers alike.

Children’s Ministry

Children’s work has always been central to the life of the church.

In earlier years, Sunday School met in old tin huts at the rear of what is now the

church space. These were later demolished to make way for the lower extension.

Children have long been welcomed into church life from baptism onwards,

progressing through Cradle Roll, Sunday School, and Junior Church. Over the years

many groups and clubs have flourished, including Thursday Club, Sunshine Hour,

Adventure Club, JAM Club (Jesus And Me), and VIP Club.

Sunday School outings and residential weekends were treasured experiences for

both children and leaders, with visits to West Watch near Ashdown Forest and to

Deptford among the highlights.

Children also supported the Junior Missionary charity and participated in Circuit

events.

Many individuals and groups shared their artistic, musical, and writing talents

through participation in the Sittingbourne Festival.

References

1. Strood Methodist Church (4/20), 1990 Record. Computer Identifier Number

004/19/10

2. The Journal of John Wesley: A New Selection from Wesley’s Own Account of

His Life and Travels, abridged by Christopher Idle. Lion Publishing plc.,

Oxford, 1983/2003. ISBN 0 7459 5106 6

3. The Primitive Methodist Year Book, 1931. London: E Barrett, Primitive

Methodist Publishing House.