|
Mount
Zion, Ogden, Halifax. Timeline |
| 1738 |
Conversion of
John Wesley |
| 1748 |
John Wesley
preaches at the Old Market Cross in Halifax. James Riley of Bradshaw
hears him and begins Methodist meetings in his house. |
| 1772 |
Rev. Atley preaches
at Bradshaw. He is detained there by heavy snow, and the congregation
decide a Chapel might be built at Tod-moor green. |
| 1773 |
The Chapel and
adjoining cottage was opened in 1773, by the Rev. Thomas Taylor, and
was known as Mount Zion, Bradshaw. The Chapel was the same height as
the Chapel house. It was also known as Bradshaw Chapel. |
| 1774 |
Wesley came
to visit and stayed in the cottage on the 22nd of April 1774. Wesley "rode
and walked to Bradshaw House (MZ), standing alone in a dreary waste.
But although it was a cold and stormy day the people flocked from all
quarters" |
| 1778 |
!st burials?
Susannah and David Spencer of Ovenden. |
| 1979 |
Wesley visited
Halifax to settle a dispute over the angel blowing a trumpet over pulpit
sounding board. Removed! |
| 1784-1824 |
Mr James Butterfield,
Chapel Keeper. |
| 1784 |
Sabbath School
founded at Mount Zion? Was in the old chapel, until 1816. |
| 1790 |
John Wesley
paid his last visit to Halifax and preached at Mount Zion. He was then
a frail 87 years old. |
| 1791 |
Death of John
Wesley. |
| 1992- |
Problems about
whom could administer the sacrement |
| 1796 |
Kilamite Agitation'
causes a split in Methodism. Rev. Taylor excluded from the pulpit at
Mount Zion. |
| 1797 |
A small group
left the Wesleyans and became New Connexion under the leadership of Alexander
Kilham. At Mount Zion the Kilhamites were very strong and they
ousted the Wesleyans who went to a barn across the road. |
| 1801 |
Death of Joshua
Cockroft, the author of the well known hymn - 'This is the field, the
world below.' - Buried in an un-named grave by the sextons door. |
| 1811 |
The 'Primitive
Methodist Church' founded. |
| 1815 |
The 1773 church
was demolished and the present building was put in its place |
| 1816 |
The first Sunday
School was built and the lower storey was a day school. There was a staircase
on the outside. |
| 1824-1848 |
Benjamin Bates
Doorkeeper. Died aged 60. Joseph Wilson assisted |
| 1828 |
Graveyard extended. |
| 1830 |
By 1830 the
number of scholars had risen to nearly 600. These would be adults as
well as children but it is quite remarkable that in an area which is
semi-rural there would be so many attending. Many must have walked long
distances to get there. |
| 1841 |
There was another
split at Mount Zion when a small number of Barkerites left the society. |
| 1850-1890 |
Sexton and Chapel
Keeper. Simeon Priestley. Lots about him in Told By The Dial. |
| 1870 |
Day school transferred
to Bradshaw School. |
| 1873 |
The Church’s
centenary services were held on 1st, 2nd and 3rd June, 1873 (Whitsuntide)
when the Rev. E. Gratton preached at the Sunday morning service, his
text on that occasion being the last four verses of Psalm 48, verse 11
commencing “Let Mount Zion rejoice”. Celebrations continued
on the Monday with a performance of Handel’s Messiah and on Tuesday
a large procession paraded the district for two hours with a subsequent
meeting in the Church in the evening. On this occasion there was,
apart from the centenary, great satisfaction to record that the Church
was free from debt. |
| 1881 |
The interior
of the Chapel was done by Leeming and Leeming, and that firm became very
well known. New heating apparatus was installed on a low pressure hot
water system, the previous hot air arrangement having been in operation
for 35 years. The alterations agreed in 1880 cost £655 of which £400
was raised at the time. The debt of £255 on the Chapel was cleared
in 1887 by Ald. Robinson. Organ installed. |
| 1883 |
The Bazaar made £159.14s.2d |
| 1883 |
12 Sankey Hymn
Books £2. 1s. + 4d carriage |
| 1887 |
Mount Zion Dolmen
discovered. |
| 1887 |
Foundation stones
laid in new Sunday School. Architect James Farrar. |
| 1890 |
“Resolved
that smoking be strictly prohibited in the School and that all teachers
have power to speak against.” |
| 1890-98 |
Sexton William
Mitchell. Followed by George Cope. |
| 1891 |
It appears that
gas was put to the premisses as Squire Chapmen was paid for gas fittings. |
| 1892 |
The organ in
the present building was built, by Charles Anneessens et fils, Grommont,
Belgique. |
| 1899 |
Graveyard extended.
William Walker, Minister at Mount Zion |
| 1901 |
44 lengths of
old railings sold. |
| 1903 |
New burial ground |
| 1904 |
New heating
system. |
| 1907 |
Organists salary £1.15s.6d |
| 1907 |
Methodist New
Connection, Bible Christians and United Methodist Free Church, unite
to form the 'United Methodist Church'. |
| 1909 |
The 150th Anniversary
Celebrations were held, the Rev. William Walker being the chief speaker. Rev.
Mr. Johnson, who was minister at time, describes this as a “never
to be forgotten” occasion, for at the Saturday gathering it was
announced that a further gift of £500 from Mr. Enoch Robinson was
to be made, this principal to be invested and the interest to be used
for maintenance of the fabric of the buildings. At the Sunday services,
special music by the Choir conducted by Mr. T. B. Amiss, included “Gloria” and “The
Radiant Morn”. The tune “Accepted Widdop” by
the old Illingworth composer, John Thomas, was sung. Mr. Thomas
was said to have been the first conductor at Mount Zion in 1773. |
| 1914 |
Dog Notice |
| 1915 |
First wedding
Services held at Mount Zion? |
| 1932 |
Methodists reunite
to form the present Methodist Church. |
| 1938 |
The Bi-Centenary
celebrations of Wesley Day saw a pageant in the quarry at Mount Zion,
organised by the Halifax Circuits, of never-to-be-forgotten splendour. |
| 1962 |
Circuit amalgamation.
Halifax North, Ebenezer, Halifax West. Churches: Ebenezer, Bank Top,
Salem, St Thomas St, Northowram, Rhodes St, Trinity, Mount Tabor, Pellon,
Bethel, Wheatley, Nursery Lane, Illingworth, Mount Zion, Bradshaw, Denholme
Clough, Boothtown Rd, Ackroyden, Ambler Thorn, Queensbury. |
| 1958-1965 |
Mr Joseph Kenneth Jenkin and family in cottage. Sexton and Caretaker. |
| 1965 |
Illingworth
Moor and Mount Zion asked to 'consider their position regarding advisability
of separate witness'. |
| 1968 |
Illingworth
Moor request that consideration should be given to uniting the churches
in a new building. MZ decide it is not opportune at this time. |
| 1969 |
The grandson
of the organ maker visited. |
| 1972 |
Proposal: That
Illingworth and Mount Zion should seek to come together and form one
Society. Mount Zion refused. |
| 1973 |
Week of celebrations
commemorating 200 years of worship. |
| 1977 |
Horace Hird's
widow left, in his memory, to the Methodist Conference his collection
of Wesleyana. |
| 1978 |
Rev. R Gollins |
| 1980 |
Proposed and
agreed to close the Sunday School. |
| 1981 |
Residential
planning permission sought for Sunday School. |
| 1982 |
South graveyard
closed for interrments. Sunday School for sale. |
| 1983 |
Sunday School
sold to 'Mr Haley' for £13500 for use as a dwelling. Dry rot had
been found and was too expensive to treat. |
| 1984 |
Rev Will Morrey |
| 1986 |
Graveyard very
overgrown. Endeavouring to keep the paths clear. |
| 1987 |
Rev. Tim MacQuiban |
| 1988 |
MZ Baptisms,
Burials and Marriage records given to Mr Betterage of Calderdale Archives
for safe keeping. These went back to the opening of the Chapel. |
| 1989 |
The state of
the cottage causing major concern. Uninhabitable. Likewise, many problems
in the fabric of the Church. |
| 1989 |
The rododendrons
by the path in the graveyard are getting overgrown. If they were cut
back, there would be a much clearer view of the Chapel. |
| 1990 |
Rev. Stan Brown |
| 1990 |
Struggling to
find a person to fill Organist vacancy. |
| 1990 |
First issue
of the twice-yearly MZ magazine "The Dial", prepared by Murial
Jagger, Friends of MZ secretary and treasurer. |
| 1990 |
Asbestos removed
from boiler house. Local farmer objects to trees overhanging field. |
| 1990 |
Ian Robinson
becomes Sexton. |
| 1991 |
Theft of flagstones,
telephone and lawnmower. |
| 1991 |
Hird Collection
arrives at Mount Zion. Dedicated 26th October. |
| 1992 |
April. First
Open Day, Irene Cunliffe acted as guide. |
| 1993 |
Miss Irene Cunliffe
to be invited to perform the ceremony at the re-openoing of the cottage. |
| 1993 |
Outside toilets
vandalised. Outside lights broken. Slates from outhouse thrown about.
Chapel windows broken. |
| 1994 |
Miss Irene Cunliffe
to help with any pastoral or Heritage problems. |
| 1996 |
13th Oct. Commemorating
200 years since MZ and Illingworth Moor seperated. |
| 1996 |
November. An
equestrian statue of John Wesley was presented to MZ in memory of Mr
A.A. Jagger & Mrs E.N. Jagger by their daughters Muriel & Betty, & son
David. The gift was formally received and dedicated in the service on
24th Nov. See Dial Nov. 1996 for more information. |
| 1996 |
Miss Irene Cunliffe
minuted as present at meeting to report on Heritage. |
| 1997 |
Rev. John Lambert |
| 1998 |
May. Church
building upgraded to Grade 11 |
| 1998 |
12 year tidy
up of graveyard commmenced. |
| 1998 |
250 years Celebration
of Methodism. |
| 1998 |
December. Boiler
condemned. Future Services held in the cottage. |
| 2000 |
March. Mrs Edith
Reeve, a MZ member for 60 yearts, died age 90. (More info in April 2000
Dial). She left a substantial legacy to MZ for the re-roofing and upkeep
of the building, which meant the Chapel could be re-roofed, general repairs
carried out, and redecorating inside and out. |
| 2000 |
June. New central
heating boiler fitted. October. New roof completed. |
| 2001 |
February. Muriel
Jagger died suddenly so sadly was not able to see refurbishment completed.
Irene took over as 'Dial' editor. (See Dial, Dec 2001. May 2001. May
1994) |
| 2001 |
March. Repairs,
internal and external painting completed. Carpet fitted. Dial May 2001. |
| 2001 |
Thursday 24th
May. Aldersgate Day Service, rededication & re-opening of Church
after 18 months repair and refurbishment. Dial May 2001. |
| 2001 |
Website for
MZ. www.mountzionhalifax.org.uk Nov Dial. |
| 2001-2002 |
Chapel refurbished
using inheritance money. Worship in the Cottage. Chapel reconsecrated
at Aldersgate Service, 24th May. |
| 2002 |
28th April.
Gift Day & Songs of Praise. Dedication of kneeler in memory of Muriel & Flower & Advent
ring stand in memory of Mrs Reeve. Dial April and November 2002. |
| 2002 |
Last service
by Rev. John Lambert. Rev Lisa Quamby takes over. |
| 2002 |
40 (yes forty)
members of the North Lancashire Wesley Historical Society came to visit.
They were given a lecture about Mount Zion, then had their AGM, looked
round and had tea. They were extremely interested in the Wesley Display
and Mount Zion Heritage and they enjoyed their tea, when they filled
the cottage. Forty is the limit for a sit down tea!! |
| 2003 |
VISIT OF HALIFAX
ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY - TUESDAY 4TH MARCH, 2003 - ANNUAL LECTURE - DR.
JOHN HARGREAVES. It was good to have the Antiquarian Society to visit
Mount Zion. It was a very good attendance and they were very interested
in what was to be seen at Mount Zion. There were about eighty present
to hear a lecture by Dr. John Hargreaves which was about the history
of education and ;its relationship with the Church. It is always good
to hear the social and educational input to society of the Church. Mount
Zion had in its first Sunday School a day school. There is a photograph
of that building in the collection. It was a forerunner of Bradshaw School.
During the lecture we were presented with a "parlour" game
which had been used at Mount Zion just before the first World War. It
was very interesting as Dr. John gave us some of the things which it
had included. This rests in the Archives at Halifax Public Library. |
| 2003 |
John Wesley,
Tercentenary Celebration at MZ |
| 2003 |
Handrails fitted
to staircases. |
| 2004 |
Illingworth
Moor use Mount Zion for worship, as their new Church is built. |
| 2004 |
The gable walls
were limewashed, but unfortunately the limewash has all come off and
we are trying to find out what the rendering is made from. It has been
suggested that the wall needs a bonding agent and then masonry paint
but English Heritage will not allow that. These walls are open to the
prevailing winds and stormy weather so are very vulnerable. We press
on. |
| 2005 |
New Loop System
installed. |
| 2005 |
Think Cottage
was reopened after refurb, about now. |
| 2005 |
Rakeover Landscapes
refix faulty crosses on graves. |
| 2006 |
Standing microphone
used for first time. |
| 2006 |
Rev Albert Gayle
joins Halifax Circuit as Superintendent Minister. |
| 2007 |
The graveyard
wall has been repaired near the front gate. The trees were causing it
to bow out. It was decided after good natured local opposition, to retain
the trees, and just repair the wall. It will be interesting to see if
and when it needs repairing again! |
| 2006 |
Irene Cunliffe
completed 40 years as a Local Preacher, all in the Halifax Circuit. Irene
came on to the plan from Rhodes Methodist Church which was in the then
Halifax West Circuit. A service was held at St. Andrew’s Methodist
Church when Rev. Brian Hoare, past President of the Methodist Conference
presented the Certificate and preached. The service was well attended
and was a wonderful event. Irene thanks all those who attended, sent
cards and gifts. |
| 2007 |
June 2007 Dial.
Ideas floated for extension of graveyard and a possible memorial garden. |
| 2007 |
Rev Brian Brown
takes over from Rev Lisa. |
| 2008 |
Mount Zion was
the venue for the Wesley Historical Society Annual Meeting and Lecture
on Saturday 28th June |
| 2008 |
Keighley Tree
Services came to tidy up Mount Zion graveyard trees. They removed lower
and overhanging branches, and thinned out their crowns as neccessary. |
| 2008 |
March - May.
Rev. Pete Taljaard came from South Africa to take Rev. Brian's place
while on holiday in South Africa. |
| 2008 |
Rev Paul Welch. |
| 2009 |
Exterior doors
repainted red. |
| 2009 |
Kitchen Sink
replaced. |
| 2009 |
Congregation
diminishing. What is to happen with the Chapel? |
| 2010 |
Very sad news
of the death of Miss Irene Cunliffe, Mount Zion's staunchest worker and
promoter of our history and Connexional heritage. |
| 2010 |
The British
Institute of Organ Studies awarded a certificate Grade 11, in recognition
of it being a fine example of an instrument by Charles Annessens 1891,
substantially in original condition. |
| 2010 |
Toro Lawnmower
stolen from shed. |
| 2010 |
MZ and other
churches form new amalgamated Calderdale Circuit. Sept 1st. |
| 2010 |
Boiler House flooded from rusty circulation pipe. Sept 17th. |
| 2011 |
Minibus trip to Englesea Brook. June 7th. |
| 2011 |
Permission to extend the graveyard. July.. |
| 2011 |
Some windows replaced in cottage. New secondhand cooker. July/August. |
| 2011 |
New wall to extend the graveyard. Oct/Nov. |
| 2011 |
The Dial taken down to refurbish. Dec/Jan 2012. |
