Members of the community came together, from Friday the 9th to Sunday the 11th October, to celebrate 50 years of the Methodist Church in Shildon, marking the milestone with a celebration of its history and the people who have been part of its story, writes volunteer community reporter, Rachel Fitch.
For some, the anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on decades of friendships, family occasions and memories made within the church’s walls.
Among those remembering the past was Barbara Meifield, who fondly remembers the beginning of the Methodist church building in Main Street, Shildon, when all the churches in the area came together. “We raised money to build it. We sold paper bricks so everyone bought a brick for the building. It brought people together and we hope this celebratory weekend will bring people together as well. We are here for the community.”
A floral display, created by the church in collaboration with Kathryn Hume of Forget Me Not Flower Designers and Flower School, has brought together people from across the Shildon community. The 24 individual displays have been sponsored by local businesses and families in memory of loved ones, while local schoolchildren have also contributed their own autumn-themed oasis rings, adding a further touch of creativity to the celebrations.
Speaking in the Auckland Chronicle on 14th October 1976, the Reverend Arthur Candeland said, “with a new building for worship, we look forward in hope and faith to the next 100 years.”
Reflecting on the Reverend’s words 50 years later, Church Council Secretary John Hodgson considers how the church is now halfway towards that centenary milestone. He believes that the continued support of the local community will play a significant role in shaping the future of the Methodist Church in Shildon and ensuring it remains a valued part of the area for the next 50 years.
When speaking to the local people, the church’s role as a community job is a recurring theme. From the Crafty Chatty Café Scheme on Tuesday afternoons, regular coffee mornings and the Kurling Club and a monthly Men’s Group, the church offers a welcoming space for people of all ages to come together. These activities provide opportunities to build friendship, reduce social isolation and strengthen connections across the community.
The premises also provides a base for non-church groups such as the Shildon Community Bus who uses the premises for their office, the Shildon Baden Powell Scout Group and Bishop Auckland Choral Society, further demonstrating the church’s place at the heart of community life.
John Hodgson states, “It’s a golden anniversary for us. The church still looks good, it’s weathered better than the rest of us! But it’s not just about the building; it’s about 50 years of memories, remembering those who are no longer with us and welcoming those who have joined us over the years. Through youth clubs, adult activities, weddings, baptisms, funerals and providing a spiritual centre for the town, we must have impacted hundred of lives in Shildon.”
As photographs capturing 50 years of memories flash across the big screen, the Brick Alley Lego User Group brings a different kind of creativity to the celebrations with its Lego displays, showcasing another of the many ways people come together through shared interests in the community.
As the church celebrates its 50th anniversary, the memories shared, the activities on offer and the contributions of local people, demonstrates that its story extends far beyond its walls. Halfway towards the centenary envisioned in 1976, the celebration honours not only the church’s past, but the community that continues to shape its future.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
