LINACRE METHODIST MISSION |
A BRIEF HISTORY OF LINACRE |
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THE EARLY YEARS
Linacre Methodist Mission was founded in 1898 by Mrs. Elizabeth Walker and her son Mr. Albert James Walker. A two up - two down house was bought in Langton Road, Litherland, Liverpool. In a matter of months these premises were not adequate to contain the numbers of people joining Langton Road Mission. The house next door was soon purchased...walls were knocked down and; extended church premises were full to bursting with Bible Classes and Services of Worship, but most of all a thriving Sunday School. As the railway extended through to Waterloo and the docks were expanding into Seaforth there was more and more development taking place around Linacre Road. A great step in faith was taken when the site we occupy now was bought. Langton Road Mission couldn't contain the number of people coming into the Christian faith. |
THE FIRST MISSION HALL AND EXPANSION OF OUR WORK.
In 1900 the first Linacre Wesleyan Mission was built to house a congregation of 500. More and more people came and the work prospered. Countless men, women and children found their Lord in this place and returned week by week to sing their praise and thanksgiving. In 1904 at the Sunday School Anniversary a crowd of three thousand came compelling the Mission authorities to hold the evening service in the open air in front of the Hall. Plans were drawn up to construct a new Mission Hall in front of the existing one to accommodate 1200 and was opened on the 30th September 1905. At the opening service a fire broke out from the ceiling causing much smoke damage and the building had to be evacuated. All hands to the plough for the rest of the evening and through the night....and we were open as usual for business on Sunday |
EVANGELISM AND SOCIAL CONCERN
Every Sunday the place was packed for worship and many events took place every day of the week. Many remember Mrs. Elizabeth Walker after every Sunday evening service walking along Linacre Road looking for those who were destitute. Linacre Mission tended the needy, giving out clothing and shoes and bringing comfort and strength to those who had nothing. The Lighthouse Cafe opened so that refreshments could be bought there rather than at the Public House, because alcohol abuse was one of the greatest evils of the day. In the 1920's Linacre had a Sunday School of 3000 children which met at 3 pm. The Children's Service and the Evening Service both started at 6.30 pm. and were filled to capacity. Our expanding work with young people made it essential for new Sunday School premises to be built - opened in 1914 with a fully equipped gym and special rooms for the uniformed organisations and various groups. The story continues here |