Dale Street - Past, Present and Future

Contents: Dale Street Yesterday  The Church Family Today  Dale Street at Worship  Dale Street People Meeting Together  Dale Street in the Local Community  Dale Street in the Wider World  Dale Street Entertaining  Dale Street Keeping in Touch  Making Dale Street Work  Dale Street Tomorrow

Dale Street Yesterday

To those who regularly attend or are associated with The Methodist Church, Dale Street, Royal Leamington Spa, the building is simply and fondly known as ‘Dale Street’.

If you are visiting or coming along to Dale Street for the first time you will immediately have noticed that some parts of the building are relatively modern and other parts are much older. From this simple observation you will have gathered that Dale Street has been subjected to a certain amount of change during its history.

However, while its history could be said to begin with the founding of the Methodist Church by John Wesley in 1738, if in a short review such as this it is necessary to focus more on Leamington Spa itself, then we will discover that Dale Street was not the Wesleyan Methodists’ original meeting place in this part of town. The original chapel on the present site was, in fact, built to replace an earlier one in Portland Street just a short distance away, but by the 1860s that chapel had run into debt and so plans were drawn up to convert it into a school and a site for a new ‘circuit’ chapel and schoolroom was sought.

Old Dale Street Church 1870-1971

The site chosen was that of Cavendish Cottage in Dale Street - these premises being offered for the purpose by a Mr Hyde and Mrs Holy. The dwelling was pulled down sometime after 1867 in order to make way for the original church buildings which included a chapel capable of seating thirteen hundred people. This was opened in June 1870.

In 1932 Methodist Union took place when the Primitive, United and Wesleyan Methodist churches amalgamated to become the Methodist Church, and from then on there was a close association between the Warwick Street United Methodist Church and Dale Street who found themselves in the same circuit. By 1966 members of both churches realised it was not realistic to pay for the upkeep of both churches when one was more than capable of accommodating the combined congregations. It was therefore decided to amalgamate. However, to the regular worshippers of those days there was an awareness that they still appeared to be two separate congregations meeting in one single church, and a sense of unity seemed hard to achieve. It was perceived that this, in part, was due to the sheer size of the chapel and so the positive decision was made to build a new church to meet the needs of the then present day congregation, and the last service took place in the old chapel in May 1971. Whilst demolition was underway and the new church was being built, services were held in the much smaller church hall and worshipping together in this more intimate space began to create the greater sense of unity that was desired, and all looked forward to moving together into the new church which we have today, and which seats around two-hundred and fifty. The new church was opened in September 1972.

The modern part of the building therefore contains the ‘new’ church and community room and was built specifically to integrate with the older part which still accommodates the hall, a number of meeting rooms, and a warden’s cottage.

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The Church Family Today

There has, of course, during the passage of time been many faithful adherents to Dale Street, and not only have the buildings changed but also the people. Change is a constant feature of a church like Dale Street although there are still many who have fond memories and links with the old churches - both Dale Street and Warwick Street - and many are the benefactors both past and present to which a great debt of gratitude is owed. Also over the years there have been the inevitable changes in the clergy which is part of the Methodist system, each new minister bringing with them new ideas and talents which are often reflected in style of worship and the way other activities associated with the church are developed.

Dale Street people are of all ages and over the years they have come to regard themselves as a ‘family’. They are people whose backgrounds and circumstances are many and varied, but they are people who have one thing in common - a place where they may meet. Sometimes they meet simply as friends, sometimes as a wider family circle. They may also meet with God - and often do. As in all families not everyone shares the same opinions, and the views about God and about Jesus Christ as Saviour are also many and varied and yet, this constant seeking of truth is something that unifies. This is why those who have decided that ‘God is not for them’ or are still thinking about the possibilities are still welcomed. Dale Street today is a place for all including those who are still seeking or are just inquisitive.

There are many individuals in the family circle: some often have very little other social contact but find that their involvement with Dale Street, at whatever level they decide, helps them to live more fulfilling lives. Then there are others who belong as whole families, enjoying the social and worshipping life as families within the wider family.

Belonging to Dale Street in no way commits anyone to worshipping here on Sundays. Many who are involved with an activity or group do worship on Sundays - some often at other churches. But there are also those who might only attend a Sunday service and then have very little other contact. Others again might feel all the contact they need is that it is their place to go just to celebrate Christmas Day, or they decide they might only want to help with ‘Daley Sketches’, a show which the Scouts and Guides produce every other year. The important thing is that all who come for whatever reason, whether regularly or only occasionally, should be able feel that Dale Street is a family to which they belong.

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Dale Street at Worship

The central activity of any week is Sunday worship when all are welcomed.

Sunday Services are varied but are usually based on the traditional Methodist format of the ‘five-hymn sandwich’ with Bible readings, prayers and a sermon.

As Methodists the hymns of Charles Wesley and other prominent hymn writers of yesteryear continue to be enjoyed, but also many of the more modern hymns by writers such as Graham Kendrick are also firm favourites.

Inside the Church

Services are usually led by our own minister or other ordained ministers and local preachers from around the Leamington Methodist Circuit. From time to time other guest preachers are invited to lead. The 10.30 Sunday morning service is always the busiest with the 6.30 evening service - held twice each month - being quieter with a more reflective atmosphere.

Once a month the sacrament of holy communion is celebrated at both morning and evening services. For many who are experiencing church for the first time or are still learning about their personal faith the communion can be a strange or distracting ‘ritual’. However, there is no requirement for anyone to participate in this part of the service, and for those who do not wish to, or feel they are not ready to share, their presence in church is nevertheless welcomed.

Each quarter, generally on the third Sunday of the month is a morning Parade when members of the various Scout and Guide groups take part in the service. This is an important occasion for boys and girls, both young and old, to continue to be present as part of the wider family, and also a service when it is hoped parents, who would not otherwise attend church, might feel more at ease in doing so. In other months, this Third Sunday service is generally "All Age Worship" with Junior Church staying in the whole service.

Junior Church meets every Sunday morning, sharing the first part of the main morning service as a family before moving to their own classes which are run by a dedicated team of adults. The teachers operate on a rota basis thus ensuring they are able to share regularly in a full service. A crèche for babies and toddlers is also run on a rota basis by parents thereby ensuring all parents can also benefit from regular worship.

Many people come to Christ through their contact with Dale Street and all who wish to confirm their faith publicly and become ‘members’ are encouraged to do so. The minister arranges a short series of classes from time to time for those who need further insight into the implications of membership. There is, of course, no requirement for anyone to be received into ‘membership’ - there are at any one time usually more people on the ‘community roll’ - i.e. those who are associated with Dale Street and have not been confirmed - than confirmed members.

Dale Street is not an isolated church - far from it. As a town centre church it belongs to the Town Centre Churches Covenant thereby affording ecumenical contact. Once a month the Sunday evening service is shared with the other member churches - Anglican, Catholic and Methodist/URC - and, in turn, each plays host. Members also share an occasional social activity and invitations to support each others’ special occasions are usually extended. A series of study meetings together is also now an annual Covenanting Churches event during Lent.

Also, as a Methodist Church, Dale Street is one of several which constitutes the Leamington Circuit. It has sister churches in Kenilworth and Warwick and some of the outlying villages. It has been something of a tradition that the Dale Street minister is also the Superintendent minister with overall responsibility for the Circuit.

The Church is also a member of Leamington Christians Together to which all the main denomination churches belong and there are a number of occasions when all come together to worship or to celebrate special occasions.

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Dale Street People Meeting Together

As would be expected, as well as Dale Street being a place where people come together to worship, it is also a place where church oriented activities take place. These include regular meetings of the Women’s Fellowship and the Prayer and Praise Breakfast group.

Family Weekend at Cleobury Mortimer

Other Dale Street groups do not meet on the premises, or only rarely, but enjoy the hospitality which is offered by many individuals in their own homes. These include regular meetings of a number of Bible or discussion groups, and also the Midis ladies group (although occasionally men are also permitted to join them!)

Most years a family weekend away is also held. This is a very popular event when valuable time can be spent together at a retreat or other venue for discussion, or to study in more detail Christian ideas and trends.

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Dale Street in the Local Community

Many Dale Street people are committed to the community work that is associated with the church or based on the premises.

Age Concern Lunch and Day Clubs are operated three days every week by Dale Street volunteers. Many elderly residents from around the area are provided with the opportunity to enjoy sharing a few social hours and a meal together. Volunteers also transport those who come to and from their homes either by car or the Age Concern mini-bus.

For many years Dale Street volunteers have also provided a Christmas Day lunch in the hall following the family service, to which many elderly or otherwise lonely people are welcomed with transport being arranged as necessary.

Dale Street has close links with Homewood - the local Methodist Homes for the Aged which provides residential and respite care. Many of the support group known as ‘Friends of Homewood’ are Dale Street people, and several of the residents regularly attend Sunday worship, again they are collected and returned home by volunteer drivers.

The Leamington Lifeline Alarm Trust which provides emergency telephone contact for many elderly or housebound people is a local charity originated by a Dale Street member and much of the volunteer support needed to operate the charity comes from within the church family.

And Dale Street is a place for youth. Scouting and Guiding for all ages is sponsored by the church: for girls there are Rainbows; Brownies and Guides; for boys, Beavers; Cubs and Scouts; and for those who are older, Explorers. All of these groups make full use of the premises including the cellar which, to some extent, has become these uniformed organisations’ ‘own’. The youngsters enjoy the full range of training and activities which the Scouting movement offers under the watchful eyes of dedicated leaders, many of whom are Dale Street people. Every other year they all come together to produce their own gang show known as ‘Daley Sketches’ in the church hall.

Dale Street has become the venue for a regular ‘Mothers and Toddlers’ group, and other groups such as a ‘Keep Fit’ class makes frequent use of the hall. The church has its own Badminton club which meets weekly, and rooms are usually available for hire for many who just need a space to meet - whether it be a rock band wanting to rehearse or a Yoga group. During local and national elections the Community Room is also used as a polling station.

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Dale Street in the Wider World

The Lifeline Alarm Trust is just one of a number of charities - whether local, national or international - which are actively supported by Dale Street.

Others include the Leamington Christian Mission which provides food and spiritual sustenance for many who find themselves homeless in town, and Binswood Lodge - a safe haven for young women who have encountered difficulties.

The National Children’s Homes Action for Children providing support and services for deprived children of all ages is always well supported and the annual ‘Carols by Candlelight’ concert in aid of NCH is almost something of a legend.

Christian Aid is another major charity with which Dale Street is much involved. Every year a considerable volunteer force is mobilised to participate in the nation-wide house-to-house collection and other events such as the Mayor’s charity walk.

Many other charities both associated with the wider Methodist church and other individual concerns are also regularly supported, and retiring collections at communion services are directed to a number of good causes. On the third Sunday each month, a Traidcraft stall is run in support of fair trade with the third world, and various charity cards are usually available for sale on these and other days.

Over the years the Venture Scouts (now Explorers) have established something of a tradition in working with groups abroad. In the past contacts have been made and projects undertaken in countries such as Sierra Leone and Romania - the wider church family encourage and support these enterprises, and in some cases become involved more practically.

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Dale Street Entertaining

Every two years, the Scout and Guide Group produces their own show - ‘Daley Sketches’.

2001
		1991

“A Lad in a Manger” - Christmas 2000

Daley Sketches, of course, would not be possible unless there was a performing space, and this is just one of the times when the church hall comes into its own. The hall is licensed as a theatre and is available for anyone who is interested in drama to put on a show or play.

For many years Dale Street was well known for producing plays and pantomimes in the church hall, then in the more recent past it has successfully staged a number of Christian musicals within the church itself.

Anyone who has an urge to develop this type of activity is given great encouragement - both the hall and church are capable of accommodating lighting rigs and sound systems to suit any type of production.

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Making Dale Street Work

A Working Party

Clearly Dale Street’s mission is one of Christian witness, but it also has other objectives in terms of service which is based on its Christian principles. It is therefore God’s work that takes place and this will always rely on leadership which comes from within the family.

Leadership is provided by the minister and, insofar as the main worship activities are concerned, by five church stewards and the organist. These are supported by communion stewards and door or welcome stewards together with a number of lesson readers and others who participate in services from time to time. Executive decisions are made by the elected Church Council which meets three times each year, supplemented by more regular meetings of the church stewards and minister. Appointments of officers and stewards are made through the Annual Church Meeting. A regular Consultation on Worship committee - which is open to all - is convened periodically to discuss the format and direction of worship.

The general running and upkeep of the premises is vested in the Property and Finance committees, while other groups are charged with looking after the wider church family concerns and the monitoring of pastoral work.

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