Mount Zion Chapel Bicentenary
MOUNT ZION, OGDEN - 1773-1973
For 200 years the clock
on the front of Mount Zion Church, Ogden, Near Halifax, has told the time
accurately, and no one can recall it ever having been repaired.
For the clock, is an
ancient sundial which has long been a pride of Mount Zion congregation. The
congregation has a lot to be proud of. Besides the sun dial the Church
has a beautiful interior and boasts a Belgian organ, of which there are
about six remaining in this country.
Mount Zion began in an
age of cottage industries when packhorses carried cloth made in farms and
hamlets to market in Halifax. Great changes came with the Industrial
Revolution with mills replacing cottages as the centre of the wool trade,
but farming continued. Methodism began at Mount Zion in the age of
religious intolerance, when Methodists were looked upon with suspicion
and even hatred. It was born out of an enthusiastic and contagious
love for the Lord Jesus Christ and out of a fervent desire to share with
others the new life which he alone could make possible. In 1973 it
celebrated its two centuries of witness and hereafter is a story of Mount
Zion written for that anniversary.
THE MOUNT ZION STORY
. . .
1. THE
ORIGIN OF METHODISM
"His gifts of command
stamp him as probably the most striking of 18th century figure
and leave him in the select division of first class leaders of all ages"
so wrote C. Grant Robertson (in his book "England under the Hanoverians")
concerning John Wesley.
To appreciate these remarks
one must remember that the 18th century was an era of great
men, including Marlborough, Nelson, Clive, the younger Pitt and Samuel
Johnson to name a few in England; but above all these Wesley was to have
a remarkable impact, especially when one considers the social conditions
he had to face.
In the 17th century
several small bands of non-conformists emerged from the established Church
and met, often in secret, to escape the jurisdiction of the law of the
land. In 1662 when the Uniformity Act was passed, which resulted
in many clergy being ejected from their livings, the grandfathers of John
Wesley found themselves in disagreement with the legislation.
The moral depravity that
prevailed at the beginning of the 18th century was graphically
described by the work of the artist William Hogarth (1697-1764). His
pictures of scenes in "Gin Lane" illustrated the distress of body and the
suffering caused by gin drinking. In every rank of society moral
standards were low, to say the least, the symptoms being cruelty to children,
unashamed corruption in high places and the crushing poverty amongst masses
of people.
Such was the situation
in which Wesley was destined to work and the real sign of his greatness
was what he did to alter the conditions. By the close of the 18th century
he had won masses of people to be his adherents, so that Wesley's Methodism
became known as the religion of the neglected poor.
Briefly to refer to his
background, he was born on 17th June, 1703 to Samuel and Susannah
Wesley. The Rev. Samuel Wesley was the rector of Epworth, Lincolnshire,
in what was considered a poor living of £200 p.a. It is said that
he was not a good manager, so that with a large family, life had its problems
for the Wesleys. Susannah nee Annesley came from a family of dissenters
and she was well educated. The Wesleys were reputed to have some
23 children of which ten reached adulthood.
John Wesley's escape
from a fire at Epworth at the age of 6 years* and his subsequent education
at Charterhouse School and Oxford are well known, and after gaining approval
from his parents to become a clergyman he was ordained Deacon by the Bishop
of Oxford in September, 1725. His first sermon was preached at South
Leight in January 1716; neither the preacher nor the congregation could
have guessed that this was the first act of a life of preaching.
The work of the "Holy
Club" at Oxford,* his refusal of the living at Epworth, the
desire to work among the colonists, took Wesley to Georgia, but his mission
abroad proved rather disappointing. In his journey to Georgia he
experienced a dreadful storm at sea when he feared he would perish. It
was a group of Moravian Christians on the boat who had a great influence
on his future. He noted that they were calm and prayed throughout
the storm. On his return he contacted them and visited them. On
the 24th May, 1738 Wesley went to a meeting in Aldersgate Street
in the City of London. His journal records that he went reluctantly,
that someone was reading Luther's preface to the Romans and that he experienced
the warming of his heart. He records "At about a quarter before nine
I felt my heart strangely warmed and I felt I did trust in Christ". It
was from this that he began a life of preaching and working with the poor,
imprisoned and those in need.
2. PREACHING
AND BUILDING
The growth of the new-found
way of religion in the Halifax area stems from 1741 when John Nelson, a
stonemason of Birstall, returned to Yorkshire, fired with enthusiasm about
the preaching of Wesley. It would be difficult to imagine any industrial
town in the 19th and the first half of the 20th centuries
without a Methodist Chapel but the number of effective buildings is now
on the decline.
Hearing of Nelson's preaching
Abraham Kershaw in collaboration with Blakey Spencer visited Birstall and
invited Nelson to preach in Halifax, in fact at Skircoat Green. John
Wesley visited Halifax on the 22nd August 1748 and decided to
hold a service in Halfax. He preached at Old Market by the Old Market
Cross to a vast crowd but met violence and interruption and moved to Skircoat
Green. On that day a man called James Riley of Bradshaw Row went
to hear Wesley and is reported to have said "he disturbed my conscience
and troubled my soul". Following this meeting he went to Haworth
and heard Rev. William Grimshaw preach. This was the message which
gave him peace with God. James Riley anxious that his neighbours
should also be blessed urged John Bates, Jonas Varley and Luke Shaw to
go with him to Haworth to hear Grimshaw. After his conversion James
Riley invited Grimshaw to preach at his house at Bradshaw. It is
said the old people attended in large numbers but the children were at
first afraid of being seen at the meetings, although desiring to hear the
preacher they chased up a tree like Zaccheus.
The first class was formed
at the house of John Bates, with James Riley as leader and with Luke Shaw,
Thomas Bates, John Coates, John Parker and Hannah Hodgson as members. These
were the days of small beginnings to a collection of Methodist preaching
houses that was to be built in Halifax and district in the next 100 years.
Five years later a class
formed at Illingworth, and the original class members at Bradshaw, sub-divided
and formed additional classes. The work of class meetings and preaching
services went on over a period of 17 years but in 1772 the effect of the
winter weather was to start the plan for the building of a Church - Mount
Zion.
In the winter of that
year, when the Rev. Atley was taking his planned appointment at the
house of James Riley in Bradshaw, a heavy downfall of snow virtually imprisoned
the preacher, so that he was prevented from returning to Halifax. The people
who crowded the house on the following nights were delighted at the sermons
they heard, plus the fact that they were able to hear so many in the space
of a week. At the conclusion of one of these sermons, some members
stayed on to discuss matters of the times, and during their informal meeting
the Minister suggested that, being so full of zeal and energy, they might
build a Chapel.
Luke Shaw was asked to
work out a scheme, and subsequently waiting upon the Lord of the Manor,
he succeeded in getting a site on some waste ground known as "Tod-moor
Green". The Minister, Mr. Taylor preached at the opening service,
when only the walls had been erected and the roof still had to be put on. The
height of the Chapel was said to be in line with the Chapel House, but
the width was less than the present Church. A stone belonging to
the first Church is still to be seen in the Minister's vestry of the present
Church. "O go your way into His gates with thanksgiving and into
His courts with Praise. Be thankful unto him and speak good of his
name AD1773".
On 22nd April,
1774 Wesley recorded in his journal his visit to Bradshaw: "I rode
and walked to Bradshaw House, standing alone in a dreary waste. But,
although it was a cold and stormy day, the people flocked from all quarters". It
will be noticed that Mount Zion is sometimes called Bradshaw Chapel, although
some distance from the village, but in the Parish of Bradshaw.
Methodist ministers have
long been known as itinerant preachers and for their convenience in most
places a house was built alongside the Chapel. The chapel house at
Mount Zion is no exception, affording hospitality and shelter for all visiting
preachers and their horse. The special room was affectionately called
"The Prophet's Chamber, being used by Wesley and other illustrious preachers
when resting after journeys, sometimes long and trying. The Prophets
Chamber is the upstairs room at the back of the cottage but it would be
bigger in its original state as the present toilet room was later taken
off it.
William Walker records
in "Told by the Dial" that at one end of the room overlooking the burial
ground there was a window of diamond panes, some of which bore autographs
of former Ministers. One pane was highly prized, having been inscribed
supposedly by Charles Wesley: "Time how short - eternity how long.
C.W."
The loss of such items
of priceless treasure we regret, but remain thankful that furniture reputedly
used by Wesley is still to be seen in the Church at Mount Zion. While
considering relics of the past one must, of course, refer to the Dial,
for it was on this theme that William Walker (Minister from 1899-1901)
based his writings on the history of Mount Zion. This sundial still
records the time on the front of the present Chapel, so linking the past
and the present together.
In May, 1790, Wesley
paid his last visit to Halifax and preached at Mount Zion. When news
was given that he would preach at Bradshaw Chapel, it is recorded that
great crowds could be seen wending their ways to Mount Zion, anxious to
see the man they held in such high esteem. The Chapel was packed
with an expectant congregation before 10 a.m. and when Wesley arrived at
1 o'clock the crowds were outside and scattered over the moor. It is said
that Wesley was so frail on this occasion that he had difficulty ascending
to the pulpit and even then he required help from the Rev. Joseph Bradford
and Rev. William Thompson. Wesley was then 87 years old, had become
a frail shadow of his former self, so much so that his memory occasionally
failed him and the sermon frequently had to be prompted. He stayed
the night in the Prophet's Chamber, where the rest and quietness would
be graciously accepted. John Wesley died on 2nd March,
1791, leaving behind him the problems of possible division in his Church,
and we must look forward now to the dissension that followed and the building
of the present Chapel.
3. THE
NEW CONNEXION
The unrest and disquiet
that prevailed before the death of Wesley soon began to show itself in
meetings around the country.
Preachers, trustees and
leaders met together at Honley, and a petition was sent to Conference asking
that measures be taken to conciliate the people, so making the interests
of preachers and people one. In the autobiography of Job Ridgeway, who
was one of the founders of the new denomination, graphic picture is given
of the struggle which took place in formulating ideas which led to secession.
The request for this
matter to be put before the district meeting was turned down; in like manner
the Conference held in Leeds threw out the petitions. To quote again
from the biography, "Thus we were turned out of Chapel, dismissed our offices
and expelled the Connexion, after doing so much to promote its interests
and without anyone having charged us with having done a single action contrary
to the Gospel". Following the rejection of the petitions and the
subsequent expulsion of Alexander Kilham, who was an ardent advocate of
reform, few Chapels were retained by the new Connexion, but Mount Zion
was one. It is in fact the oldest Methodist New Connexion building
still in continuous use. It was somewhat unusual in that the Kilhamites
threw out the Wesleyans it being the other way round generally.
Much may be said of the
privations endured by the pioneers of New Connexion Methodism but the attention
must now focus on Mount Zion - to consider the changes that took place
and the workings of the new Chapel.
At the time of the secession
there were five Society Classes at Mount Zion, the leaders being Timothy
Akroyd, James Smith, Jonas Varley, James Riley and Mr. Greenwood. Most
of the members supported Kilham during the agitation for reform, and it
is probable that much was said by both parties in the heat of discussion
which was later regretted.
Most New Connexionists
had to leave their Churches and find other places in which to hold their
services; in Leeds they met in a Coach House and in Halifax the Rev. William
Thorn left his spacious Church to join a little band in a Northgate room. It
was the minister at the Old Connexion who left Mount Zion and used a barn
across the road, where in 1776 he was said to have preached from the text
"The Lord will provide". At Mount Zion they were almost unanimously
with Kilham and Thorn and although an attempt was made to regain the Chapel,
the attempt failed.
All the leaders, stewards
and principal members joined the New Connexion so claiming the right to
choose for themselves the form of church govenance they thought most suited
to their needs. The cause of Methodist New Connexion progressed and
in 1815 the old Chapel was demolished and replaced by the present Chapel.
By 1830 the membership
had prospered and increased to over 200, whilst the Sunday School was said
to have nearly 600 scholars. Prosperity continued until 1841,when
Mount Zion was again rent by a division called the Barkerite agitation. These
problems centred around Rev. Joseph Barker, who was stationed at Illingworth
but also had the care of the Ambler Thorn Society. Much could be said about
Barker and his opposition to authority; charges were laid against at Conference
re his non-conformity to Infant Baptism and the Lord's Supper. The
resultant loss to Halifax Methodist New Connexion Societies numbered many
members, including some 60 from Mount Zion. The pecuniary resources
were also crippled, yet three years later the membership at Mount Zion
raised £200 to buy a new organ.
It would appear from
the history of Mount Zion that apart from leaders and teachers, Chapel
Keepers ranked high on the list of importance. At the time of secession,
James Butterfield, who served for forty years in this capacity put strong
guards at the Chapel doors each Sunday to restrain the old Connexion in
their efforts to regain control. It is recorded on his memorial that
he was Doorkeeper for 40 years - departed this life 16th May,
1824. Benjamin Bates, who succeeded him, was Chapel Keeper for 24
years and died on 14th September, 1848. It was in 1850
that the doyen of all Mount Zion Chapel Keepers was to arrive in the person
of Simeon Priestley. An account of his life and work for the Lord
will follow in a later section.
Many records and writers
refer to the Bishop of Mount Zion, no less a person than John Chambers,
who was a founder of the Sabbath School, a Class Leader and Preacher. He
was born in 1775 and departed this life on 18th April, 1858,
being 60 years a Class Leader and 59 years a Local Preacher on the same
plan. To have preached no less than 8,000 sermons was no mean task,
he also travelled upwards of 20,000 miles in visiting the sick and preaching
the gospel, baptised some 6,000 children and interred about 4,000 persons. His
gravestone can be seen behind the Chapel.
In those days it was
customary to have teas at baptisms as well as at funerals, but not too
elaborate in comparison with those of later days. Currant cakes were
generally the food provided and it was not uncommon for the minister to
be given an extra one after officiating. It is said that one Chapel
trustee once remarked that John Chambers had received enough cakes to pave
the road from Mount Zion to Keighley. His sermons were said to be
of the old school, although no definition is to hand to say exactly what
the criterion of the old school was. Firstly, secondly, etc.
was his pattern with most sermons reaching seventhly or eighthly at a minimum
so to what length, breadth or even depth in comparison with modern preachers
and their sermons, one can only surmise.
4. TEACHING
IN THE SABBATH SCHOOL
Sunday School teaching
commenced in 1784 in the old Chapel, this being the venue until 1816, when
the first School premises were built. These took the form of a two
storey building on the site of the present Sunday School, the lower room
being used for a day school.** The development of the Sunday School
which was said to be one of the earliest in the country, has a great deal
to commend it, for it gave many children their first genuine education. In
most early Sunday Schools the children used sand trays for drawing out
shapes and making letter and word formations.
In Walker's "History
of Wesleyan Methodism", it is stated that the Wesleyan Methodists were
the first to introduce these institutions in the Parish of Halifax, one
being formed at Bradshaw before 1790; a fact which tends to confirm the
date of 1784 at Mount Zion.
The Halifax Sunday School
Union was formed in 1819 and its first Annual Report states that Sunday
Schools were first established in Halifax in 1792 under a "committee of
gentlemen". The discrepancy in the dates would suggest that Bradshaw
was not fully accepted as a part of Halifax.
It is interesting to
note that Simeon Priestley, a man who was to figure so prominently in Mount
Zion's affairs at a later date, was born in 1815, the year before the first
Sunday School was built.
The strength of the Sunday
School had by 1830 risen to nearly 600 scholars, a fact which could suggest
that the premises would be quite inadequate as regards size, and suggesting
also that a great deal of travel was experienced by those attending both
Church and School.
Over the years at Mount
Zion many interesting habits and customs have been perpetrated; for instance
in the early days of the Sunday School, beer was brewed for the Whitsuntide
Treat - as to how and why this practice ceased, the records do not show.
The Halifax Sunday School
Union was founded in 1819 and to commemorate the birthday of Robert Raikes
on 14th September, 1831, the Sunday School authorities in Halifax
and District held a Jubilee in the Piece Hall.*** This commemoration
became a feature of Sunday School activity in Halifax and district and
was well supported by the Mount Zion teachers and scholars:
6th June,
1876 - 48 teachers and 250 scholars from Mount Zion
26th May,
1885 - 42 teachers and 180 scholars from Mount Zion
27th May,
1890 - 28 teachers and 174 scholars from Mount Zion.
The fact that the ground
floor of the old school was used as a day school did not detract from the
desire to build a new Sunday School; we must also remember that this took
place before the Education Act of 1870. An extract from Sunday School
Minute Book 6th November, 1886 reads: "Resolved that a
meeting of School and Congregation be held to devise means of raising money
for a new school".
The definition of Sunday
School classes is worth noting, being described as first and second class
Vestry Class and Elementary class. People remained in Sunday School
classes into adulthood.
A Mr. James Farrar was
architect for the new Sunday School building, to be built on the site of
the old school at a cost of £1,081. The foundation stones were laid
on 13th August, 1887; the Rev. M. Bartram, Chairman of the District,
presided, names of people participating being duly recorded on the stones.
Extracts from the Sunday
School Minute Book during that year and later are worth noting:
15th May,
1887 - "Resolved that the Annual Walk take place on Whit Monday and that
we have a tea instead of currant buns. Resolved that the cricket
club members walk with us and lend us the use of the field".
This would appear to
be the first recording of any sporting activity connected with Church or
School.
6th June,
1887 - "Resolved that we have 20 large bills, 100 circulars and 1,300 hymns
for the Anniversary". One can but presume that "1,300 hymns" should
read hymn-sheets, but even on that assumption a large congregation was
expected for a Sunday School Anniversary.
19th March,
1888 - "Resolved that Simeon have school cleaning with assistance of our
young men and that he has 4/- per week for the same."
There would be no doubt
that the Simeon recorded here would be Simeon Priestley, who arrived at
Mount Zion in 1850.
2nd January,
1889 - "Resolved that S. Priestley, J. First and J. Greenwood, come into
school to see to order being kept." "Resolved that J. L. Bairstow
be Harmoniumist".
24th February,
1890 - "Resolved that smoking be strictly prohibited in the School and
that all teachers have power to speak against."
21st July,
1890 - "Resolved that the question of 'Gass' be left to some future date."
9th January,
1893 - "Resolved that the charge for funeral teas be 1/-, this figure includes
only fuel."
10th December,
1894 - "Resolved that misbehaved scholars should have their prizes lowered." It
would appear that not all children were well behaved even in those days
of discipline.
9th December,
1895 - Mount Zion Sunday School Institute's formation was approved by the
Teachers Meeting of the Sunday School. Some 16 conditions were laid
down for observance, e.g. "That it be conducted on strictly moral
lines, and that smoking, tobacco chewing and obscene language be liable
to the penalty of expulsion. That all playing of cards, dominoes
and all games not approved by the Stewards of the day be strictly prohibited."
During these latter years
of the century the Cricket Club continued its activities in addition to
the Institute and the formation of the Bank of Hope.
1st January,
1900, the alternate Sunday teaching system was adopted, suggesting that
help in the Sunday School was above maximum requirements, so that the work
was spread into two groups of teachers.
To the work of the Sunday
School in the 20th century, a great deal of which is in living
memory of a few members, and particularly to the Centenary of the Chapel
we now look forward . . .
5. SIMEON
AND HIS CHURCH
Reference has been made
in a previous chapter to John Chambers, one of the founders of the Sunday
School, but we must look at another ‘character' identified with Mount Zion,
namely Simeon Priestley. ****
He was born at Shaking
House Farm in 1815, at the age of 28 he married Harriet Varley and moved
to Farr Burrs, Ogden, where, it is said, he laboured for a short time in
the Primitive Methodist Chapel. "Old Simeon" as he was affectionately
known, joined Mount Zion, in 1850 and moved to the Chapel House where he
lived and served his Master for 42 years It is recorded that he was
tall, lank and spare in build, and thought by many to resemble the late
Lord Beaconsfield. For 40 years, as Sexton and Chapel keeper, he
looked after the dead as well as the living. A class leader, Sunday
School teacher, member of the Choir and Society Steward for over
20 years, he faithfully served, and as a true character he was said to
be no copyist but original. Many old scholars and members would,
if it were possible, testify to Simeon's kindly treatment, especially of
the young, but it is recorded that Simeon did once administer corporal
punishment. The noise of clogs on the stone steps in the old school
had long been a problem and a special meeting was called to deal with the
"clattering daan". It was doubtless an astonishing meeting which
heard Simeon say "Never mind naah, aw settled it all right, ther'll be
noa moor bother. Ha did pause (kick) ont lad th'other neet but gha
hurst mysen mar nar th'lad." "But how was that?" he was asked. "Well,
you see, aw didn't like to hurt him too much so aw took mi clogs off 'afore
aw paused him."
The Sunday School Anniversary,
better known then as "Top o'th Hill Charity" has over the years been the
event of the year for many, and Simeon was no exception. In collecting
for school funds around the district Simeon looked towards "t'new schoil"
and in 1887 this was achieved being a worthy memorial to those who had
carried out the good work since 1784. 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.
Mount Zion was connected
with the Halifax North Circuit until 1889 when the West Circuit was formed,
Mount Zion being included.
The Trust of the Church
has always been independent. In 1880 a new body of trustees were
appointed and immediately decided to have the Chapel repaired. 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.
The question of water
supply to the premises was now considered by the Trustees as a matter of
great importance. The well giving a supply was said to be some distance
away, and the inconvenience to visitors bringing flowers to the graveyard
was a matter of concern.
For a Church to operate
effectively some must administer while others cater for the spiritual needs. Such
was the life and work of Simeon Priestley, who, whilst catering for spiritual
needs, carried out the cleaning of the Church premises on behalf of the
administrators.
On 2nd March
1892 Simeon Priestley died, being buried to the rear of the Chapel in the
grave where rested the body of his wife Hannah, who had died on 23rd June,
1882. The assembled congregation of teachers, preachers and friends
must have been conscious that the end of an era had arrived. The
Rev. J. E. Meir conducted the service with Mr. Eli Horsfall at the organ. A
memorial stone was erected to his memory by public subscription: "By his
quaint humour, striking originality, sterling piety and unwavering zeal,
he endeared himself to all who knew him."
6. MUSIC
AT MOUNT ZION
Music has always been
a feature of the worship at Mount Zion, and mention was made in an earlier
chapter of the part taken in the Piece Hall Commemoration by the massed
voices of the District. Mr. Samuel Longbottom was the first
organist at Mount Zion, holding the position for 22 years. He was
also, at one time, Bandmaster of Black Dyke Mills Band and during his charge
at Mount Zion a successful Choral Society operated. Following the
retirement of Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Bancroft Bairstow became leader of the
Choir but retired on account of ill health in 1880.
Mr. T. B. Amiss then
became Choirmaster leaving for America a few years later but returned and
conducted the music at the 1915 Centenary celebration of the new Chapel.
The present organ was
built in 1892 by a Belgian firm, Charles Anneessens by name. It has
long been considered, for its size, a most delightful instrument both to
play and hear. Mr. John Anneessens son of Charles, was responsible
for its installation. During World War I he was a refugee at Lindley
and visited Mount Zion to look at his old instrument. In July 1969,
Father Charles Anneessens visited Mount Zion to see and hear the organ
which his grandfather had installed. He was accompanied by Mon. Herman
Roelstracte who played the organ and made recordings.
Mr. Eli Horsfall occupied
the position of organist at the turn of the century and during the 1900's
held a join position with Mr. J. L. Bairstow. On the resignation
of Mr. Horsfall in August, 1907, Mr. H. Boardall took the position temporarily
until the appointment of Mr. Harry Webster.
The reports of the Swedish
Bazaar of March, 1912 suggest again a feast of music including a String
Quartet, comprising Messrs. Calvert Moore, Joe Manger, Sam Bradley and
David Button with Sydney S. Walker at the piano. This effort raised
some £300. Included in this account was the effort of some 30 children
who presented purses to Mrs. Charles Robertshaw who suitably received them
on a Swedish silver tray.
Mr. Sydney Walker was
appointed organist in January, 1912, and accompanied a choir of 50 voices
in faultless style at the Chapel Anniversary on 6th October,
1912. He resigned in 1915 and Mr. John Bairstow of Queensbury was
appointed. Changes during this period were frequent Mr. Sydney Walker
being re-appointed in 1918 to be succeeded by Mr. Lewis Sutcliffe in April,
1919, who at his own suggestion was relieved of the position and Mr. Sam
Bradley appointed.
In October, 1933, 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.
Mr. Sam Bradley resigned
in September, 1927 on removal from the district, but was asked to accept
the position of organist again in August, 1928; at this time Mr. Calvert
Moore was appointed Choirmaster. This dual appointment continued
in a harmonious relationship until the retirement of Mr. Sam Bradley in
1945.
7. IN CONCLUSION
In more recent days at
Mount Zion changes have taken place, both in style and persuasion, but
probably the outstanding event within living memory was in 1938. The
Bi-Centenary celebrations of Wesley day saw a pageant at Mount Zion, organised
by the Halifax Circuits, of never-to-be-forgotten splendour.
The site at Tod-Moor
Green being used for the re-construction of the Dawn of Methodism constituted
a great tribute to one of the older Societies in the district. See
bottom of page for pictures!
The celebration of the
Bi-centenary of Mount Zion will no doubt bring many memories to be related,
more stories to be retold of quaint customs, some of which may now have
lapsed into history.
Many made a day of it
at the Sunday School Anniversary like the two special visitors who for
a considerable number of years had met at the Anniversary. These two "Knights
of the road" who always turned up on the first Sunday in July, arriving
at different times, met in the graveyard and put half a crown in the collection
box. Now they are gone and it is probably true to say that many regular
attenders were unaware of this meeting, and no one can say what inspired
the first pilgrimage. In relating this account, nothing but a fraction
of the history at Mount Zion, it must be placed on record the dedicated
service given by so many faithful souls over the past 200 years. To
the cause of Methodism in general and at Mount Zion in particular they
faithfully served and by their example left a legacy for future generations.
This account of the Mount
Zion story was compiled by Mr. John Bradley in August, 1973.
NOTES:
* There
are prints in the Hird Collection of the Holy Club and the Fire at Epworth
** There
is a photograph in the collection of the original Sunday School.
*** There are
hymn sheets, programmes, medals and pottery in the collection relating
to the Piece Hall Sings.
**** There is an enlarged photograph
of Simeon Priestley and the gravestone can be seen beside the back
gate.
Photographs from The Halifax Courier
and Guardian, Saturday May 28th, 1938. A full page spread!
Photo Credit: Author Unknown
Photo Credit: Author Unknown
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