So, raising funds for a permanent building was no easy matter and it was six years before the congregation was able to graduate into a “proper church” on the same site, built at a cost of £12,200. Its foundation stone had been laid the year before, by the newly-elected President of the Methodist Conference, Dr Frederic Greeves.

That church, like its predecessor, was an all-purpose building and its flexibility allowed it to be used for social and religious purposes, with a curtained stage immediately behind its sanctuary.    The wooden hut was then left for the young people’s activities – until replaced, in 1978, by a purpose-built Youth Hall, when the hut was finally sold off, as a pavilion for Penwortham Cricket Club.  The new Youth Hall had cost twice as much as the main church building!

That Youth Hall is still in use six, and often seven, days a week, serving the local community and its young people.

The church, itself, though, had quickly become outdated and was eventually transformed into its present modern suite of premises in 1997, at a cost of £150,000, with a new sanctuary (with its stained glass window), new kitchen and toilets, and full provision for the disabled.

A year of festivities to mark the Golden Jubilee of the first church service in 1958 has just been celebrated, but it could be argued that Kingsfold Methodist Church goes back two years further – to that old builder’s hut.

The group photo on page one can be seen in it's full definition and very clear, in the Photo Library in the miscellaneous folder.

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