The Stone Laying Ceremony
At The
Primitive Methodist Church - Queens Road
The 3rd July 1896 was to be a 'red-letter day' in the annals of the connexion and the committee had arranged an elaborate ceremony. The weather on that Wednesday didn't start well with a massive down pour putting the programme under jeopardy. Lucky the ominous grey clouds dispersed and by the afternoon it had turned out quite nice, so much so a hundred church goers made their way from the Gas Works old Chapel across Arbury Road (Queens Road) to where the streamers and flag adorned scaffolding outside the new site.
Mr Taberer and Mr Mallabone were the only committee member left from the original meeting all those years ago, so they were very pleased to praise Reginald in the speeches. They were 'eternally indebted to our highly respected townsman', 'truly he is a man whose heart God has touched'.
After a hymn was joyously sung, Rev T.A McCready (right) the current Primitive Methodist Minister chaired the stone laying ceremony. He handed out trowels to the VIP's and a presentation was made consisting of three hymnals by Rev George Lee of Cheshire. I currently don't have a picture of this stone, but the wording on Reginald's stone was as follows.
This stone was laid
by
R.STANLEY ESQ, J.P
of this town
July 2nd, 1896
Reginald addressed the crowd gathered and spoke about how God had given the Primitive Methodist's the power and belief. He had the great pleasure of giving the church a helping hand, to which he got a round of applause. Mr W Taberer announced that they had a £25 donation from Mr Stanley and £10 from Mr J Foulds, Mrs Henry Lester and Miss Powell. Later that day, as seems custom, 600 sat down to tea at the Wesley School and it was announced that the total already received towards the build was £955 15s 6d.
The Church and School Opening Service
The committee had requested plans to be drawn up by Mr F J Yates, a familiar name in Nuneaton by now. He obliged and here is a description in the Nuneaton Chronicle -
'A modern adaptation of Gothic structure', 'its constructed of Wain's best heather bricks and excellently arranged relief of Bath stone, well carved by capable workmen. On the apex of the roofing, over the main entrance, is a finely carved eagle, and the window is a grand one, the cathedral glass in it, contributing to it beautiful effect of the stone design. Beneath the window is some more fine carving, amid which appear the words on a scroll Primitive Methodist'.
They had accepted the quote by Mr Williams of Tamworth to build the Church and School for £2250. The original plan was to build both separately but instead deciding it would be advantageous to build the School and Church at the same time.
Just over a year later, on the 8th July 1897, the structure was complete. The opening ceremony started at 2:00 pm. Prayers were taken at the old chapel and at 2:45 pm, a stream of people made their way to the new building, ready for the opening of the Church. On arrival Rev McCready announced that Mr Stanley greatly regretted his inability to be present but sent Dr Broadbent (Reginald's nephew) of Leicester to perform the opening ceremony. The Church and the connexion were indebted to Mr Stanley contribution of no less than £250 towards the buildings. A special key exquisitely designed and made from silver and gold plated by Messrs Black & Son Market Place (left),was presented to Dr Broadbent, it was inscribed with the following...
'Presented to Mr R Stanley Esq J.P, on the occasion of his opening the Primitive Methodist New Church and Schools, Nuneaton, July 8th 1897'.
Dr Broadbent opened the front door to the Church with the word's 'Let us enter into His gates with thanks-giving and into His courts with praise'. Once he was inside the rest of the congregation followed and various hymns were sung and Dr Ferguson was charged with the reading the sermon.