The roots of Methodism in Windsor are very nearly as old as Methodism itself. It was only four months after John Wesley had felt his "heart strangely warmed", during the famous events of 24th May 1738, that he first preached in Windsor. His Journal records quite simply for Tuesday, 26th September 1738, "I declared the Gospel of peace to a small company in Windsor.". That was the first of 14 visits in as many years.
By 1748 John Wesley makes reference to "members of the society" in Windsor, but sadly there are no records tracing further developments until 1800, when a Mr John Ould attended a prayer meeting in Windsor. He became the mainstay of Methodism in Windsor, and it appears that his house was the society's meeting place. By 1815 membership had reached 26, and in the following year a body of Trustees was formed to arrange for the erection of a Chapel, with Rev Thomas Robinson appointed to be the Minister. A small Chapel was duly built in Bier Lane (now River Street) which was a heavily populated area in those days. The membership clearly grew well in the early 19th Century and a gallery had to be added to the Chapel. Even so, Bier Lane was bursting at the seams. In 1837, larger new premises were opened just off Peascod Street (now part of King Edward Court). Records do not show why the Peascod Street Chapel lasted only 40 years. There were certainly concerns that it was tucked away down a passage off the street, and presumably a more prominent edifice was considered desirable! And so, in 1874, the Quarterly Meeting gave permission for the erection of a new Chapel at a cost of £6,000. How many millions is that at today's prices? But the worshippers raised the money.
A Chapel was built in Denmark Street, Windsor and the first services were held on 29th May 1853. The society did not prosper, World War 1 took its toll and membership dropped. Shortly after the war, the Society decided they could no longer sustain themselves. The Chapel was closed, and sold to the Church of England to replace the Mission Church in River Street, which had become a clearance area. This continued until the 1960s when the area was rebuilt as the Ward Royal housing complex (opened by the Queen on 29th June 1969).
As can be seen in the Alma Road Chapel, the foundation stone of the present Church was laid on 8th May 1876 and the new building opened on 21st February 1877.
The Treasurer's accounts show that the total cost of the new building, including purchase of freehold land and all expenses, was £6,474 14s 5d. £2,000 towards this came from the sale of the Old Chapel, and over £2,500 from subscriptions. By 31st December 1879 the remaining debt had been reduced to about £900. Towards this the Trustees "received the generous offer by the Treasurer of £200 provided the whole amount was realized before August, 1880".
The members were justly proud of their marvellous new Church. It was heated by Grundy's Hot Air Apparatus, with fresh air drawn in at vents on the windowsills. In good Methodist tradition the pulpit was placed centrally, against the south wall, and the organ (erected 27th May 1879) shared the north gallery with the choir for many years.
The Church members were very active. A Band of Hope was formed in 1862 and a "Juvenile Missionary Society" in 1869. There was a flourishing Sunday School. A summer treat became an annual event, including an enterprising but highly successful outing to Hampton Court in 1872. The following year they went to Burnham Beeches, a venue to which they returned again and again. The teachers used to get to the Church around 6.30 am on the day of the outing to prepare the food. Trestles, forms and everything necessary for the occasion were taken with them in coal carts which were borrowed for the occasion!
In 1906 the Church and Schoolroom were renovated, a more efficient system for heating the Church was installed, and the organ was moved from the choir gallery to behind the pulpit. The Mayor granted the use of Windsor Guildhall for services for three weeks while the Church was closed. At the re-opening, the ladies wore elaborate hats and some of the men had top hats. An idea of the occasion might be gleaned from this Church members' river trip in 1909.
Throughout the twentieth century, although some organisations had their ups and downs, many activities continued to flourish. There was a great sense of community. Scouting was introduced to the Church by Mr Frank Soons in 1915. This was followed by a Cub Pack and then Rovers. Guides started in 1926. Although first and foremost a meeting with a devotional character, the Women's Own took time out for outings, such as the one shown here leaving the Church in 1925. The Sunday School summer outings continued, mainly to Burnham Beeches, but in 1930 a daring innovation was a trip to Bognor.
With the Act of Union in 1932, Alma Road Methodist Church became Windsor Methodist Church.
By 1960, the Church premises were showing signs of age, and in 1961 a major renovation scheme was launched linked with the call to Revival. Thanks chiefly to the many regular weekly donations over several years, more than £10,000 was raised, making possible the extensive renovation and re-decoration needed to see the building through the next 30 years.
In the late 1980s there was growing concern about the inadequacy of the Church building, particularly the two-storey Schoolroom section at the rear. After much prayerful study, a large scale Re-Development Scheme was agreed at the daunting cost of £800,000! Under the title Forward in Faith the venture was launched on 3rd June 1990 at a Grand Rally addressed by Viscount Tonypandy. Thanks to the enthusiasm and bright ideas of the Fund-raising Committee, and the dedication, generosity and hard work of very many people, the fund grew and the work began. They were helped very considerably at this time by St Edward's Church, who gave free use of their Schoolroom suite throughout the building phase. And finally, with great rejoicing, the re-developed Church was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen (accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh) on 6th April 1993.
Following the renovation of the Small Chapel at the corner of the Church building, it is open every day for anyone who wishes to come in and pray or leave a prayer request or simply sit quietly for a while. Early morning communion services are also held there.
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To find the cache, go to the given co-ordinates. There you will find a lamppost and a stop valve marker post.
The lamppost number is 00A
The stop valve marker has the number B above the "SV" and CD below.
The cache can be found at N51 28.(A+D)(A-B-C)(C+D) W000 36.(A+D)DB
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For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro.co.uk
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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