|
Mount Zion Timeline (1738-Present) |
| 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'd 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.
The front room downstairs is now used for meetings. The wall between this room and the chapel is all that remains of the original building of 1773. Behind the plaster are bricked up windows which were in the end wall of the first chapel. Some time between 1773 and 1790 the Cottage was built onto this wall. In 1815 the old chapel was demolished and then rebuilt whilst the cottage remained to give the present shape to the building. |
| 1774 |
22nd April Wesley came
to visit and stayed in the cottage on the Wesley "rode
and walked to Bradshaw House (Mount Zion), standing alone in a dreary waste.
But although it was a cold and stormy day the people flocked from all
quarters" |
| 1778 |
1st 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. |
| 1792 |
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. |
| 1805 |
13th April Conveyance Timothy Akroyd to James Akroyd, Jonathan Akroyd & Others. |
| 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 |
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. Church membership over 200. |
| 1834 |
22nd June Trust Deed of Brockholes Chapel - Methodist New Connexion Chapel. |
| 1840 |
In Christopher Stell's Nonconformist Chapels and Meeting Houses in the North of England, it makes reference to the apse being added in c.1840 to provide a vestry with singers' gallery above. |
| 1841 |
There was another
split at Mount Zion when a small number of Barkerites left the society. About 60 members left. |
| 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 Sunday School had 264 scholars and 46 teachers. |
| 1873 |
31st December Conveyance -An Allotment or parcel of land.Trustees of Dr Hall's Charities to Mount Zion Chapel. |
| 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 |
In Christopher Stell's Nonconformist Chapels and Meeting Houses in the North of England, it makes reference to the apse being added in c.1840 to provide a vestry with singers' gallery above. The interior was refitted in c.1881 by Leeming and Leeming of Halifax. It continues, 'There is a gallery around three sides with angled corners. The singers' gallery has a plaster semi-dome with moulded dentil cornice and swag decoration now largely concealed by the organ..' The chapel was repewed.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. 'If you peep behind the organ you can see the decorative plaster apse in which the pulpit was set until the refitting of the Chapel in 1881' |
| 1883 |
The Bazaar made £159.14s.2d |
| 1883 |
12 Sankey Hymn
Books £2. 1s. + 4d carriage |
| 1887 |
Mount Zion Dolmen
discovered. Piped water brought in. Instead of well water. |
| 1887 |
Mr Enoch Robinson gave £500 the interest bringing £20 a year towards the Minister's salary. |
| 1887 |
Foundation stones
laid for new Sunday School by Miss Robinson, Mr W Simpson, Ald A Ramsden, JP Mr B Firth. Architect James Farrar. Cost £1081. |
| 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. |
| 1902 |
Conveyance - Boothtown Charity Trustees to Trustees Mo0unt Zion Chapel. Four closes of land. See photostat. In old blue treasurers account book. |
| 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. |
| 1911 |
Mr Enoch Robinson presented with a solid silver rose bowl, in recognition of his previous generosity. |
| 1914 |
Dog Notice |
| 1915 |
First wedding
Services held at Mount Zion? The Sunday School had 123 scholars and 22 teachers. |
| 1932 |
Methodists reunite
to form the present Methodist Church. |
| 1935 |
19th Oct 1935. The cost of the installation of this electric organ blower was defrayed by portion of the legacy left to the trustees of this chapel by the late Mellissa Watson. |
| 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. |
| 1947-1953 |
Rev'd & Mrs Pendlebury. |
| 1958-1965 |
Mr Joseph Kenneth Jenkin and family in cottage. Joseph the Sexton and Margaret the 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 |
Father Charles Annessens, 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'd 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. Mrs Mavis Wilkinson voted in as Treasurer. |
| 1984 |
Rev Will Morrey |
| 1984 |
10th April Sale of Sunday School and land. |
| 1984 |
8th January Conveyance - to Andrew Dennis Haley. strip of land on Northerly and Westerly sides of Sunday School plot. |
| 1986 |
Graveyard very
overgrown. Endeavouring to keep the paths clear. Brian Chatburn in Cottage? |
| 1987 |
Rev'd Tim Macquiban |
| 1988 |
MZ Baptisms,
Burials and Marriage records given to Mr. Alan Betteridge of Calderdale Archives
for safe keeping. These went back to the opening of the Chapel. |
| 1988 |
The Wesley Safari in the Summer of 1988 |
| 1989 |
The state of
the cottage causing major concern. Uninhabitable. Likewise, many problems
in the fabric of the Church. |
| 1989 |
The rhododendrons
by the path in the graveyard are getting overgrown. If they were cut
back, there would be a much clearer view of the Chapel. |
| 1989-1990 |
The renovation work on the chapel 1989/90 partially funded by English Heritage |
| 1990 |
Rev'd Stan Brown in post. Alarm fitted to chapel. |
| 1990 |
Struggling to
find a person to fill Organist vacancy. |
| 1990 |
Proposed to split cottage to flat upstairs and museum downstairs. New underground electricity supply. |
| 1990 |
First issue
of the twice-yearly Mount Zion 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 |
East chapel wall cement rendered to stop rain getting in. |
| 1990 |
Ian Robinson
becomes Sexton. |
| 1990 |
Theft of flagstones,
telephone and lawnmower. |
| 1991 |
26th October Hird Collection
arrives at Mount Zion |
| 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 October Commemorating
200 years since Mount Zion 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. (More info in Dial November.) |
| 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 tidying
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 Mount Zion member for 60 yearts, died age 90. (More info in Dial April 2000). She left a substantial legacy to Mount Zion 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. (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
Mount Zion. www.mountzionhalifax.org.uk (Dial November 2001) |
| 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 & 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 Mount Zion |
| 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. |
| 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 |
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! |
| 2007 |
June Dial.
Ideas floated for extension of graveyard and a possible memorial garden. |
| 2007 |
Rev Brian Brown
takes over from Rev Lisa. |
| 2008 |
Saturday 28th June Mount Zion was
the venue for the Wesley Historical Society Annual Meeting and Lecture |
| 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 |
1st September MZ and other
churches form new amalgamated Calderdale Circuit. |
| 2010 |
17th Spetember Boiler House flooded from rusty circulation pipe |
| 2011 |
7th June Minibus trip to Englesea Brook. |
| 2011 |
July Permission to extend the graveyard. |
| 2011 |
Some windows replaced in cottage. New secondhand cooker. July/August. |
| 2011 |
October/November New wall to extend the graveyard completed. |
| 2011 |
December/January The Dial taken down to refurbish. |
| 2012 |
Feburary New carpet in upstairs meeting room. |
| 2012 |
March The Dial re-erected after refurbishment. |
| 2012 |
April External cement render to chapel and cottage repainted white. |
| 2012 |
April New carpet edgings fitted. |
| 2012 |
July Restored Sundial re-dedicated, With Rev. John Lambert. |
| 2012 |
Halifax Civic Trust, celebrating its golden jubilee in 2012, visited Mount Zion on Saturday 1 December, before holding its jubilee dinner at the nearby Moorlands Restaurant.
Arriving for coffee and home made biscuits at 10.00 a.m. about forty members and guests enjoyed the hospitality of the cottage and then explored the chapel interior before listening to a lecture by the Halifax Civic Trust Chairman, Dr John Hargreaves on the history of Mount Zion and its role as a Centre of Methodist Heritage.
Halifax Civic Trust strapline is celebrating, enhancing and safeguarding Halifax's outstanding built and natural environment, and members were particularly interested in the recently restored Sundial, the Leeming Brothers' re-furbished chapel interior, the rare Belgian Annessens organ and the Hird collection of ceramics.
For some it was their first visit to Mount Zion and they were impressed with the quality of its preservation.
John A. Hargreaves |
| 2013 |
11th September, EGM. Unanimously, but reluctantly, we agreed to cease worship at Mount Zion on November 2nd 2014 |
| 2013 |
First, very successful school visits held, organised by Paula Prosser and Tricia Atkinson. |
| 2013 |
September. Permissions obtained from Calderdale and Heritage to create 'Irene's Garden'. |
| 2014 |
January Rev. Paul Welch and Paula Prosser masterminding the future of MZ for Heritage and Mission. |
| 2014 |
May. Irene's Garden finished and opened. |
| 2014 |
25th June At the circuit meeting, it was agreed that Mount Zion could go ahead with it’s plans to cease to meet. The members of the Heritage Committee to take control.
Mount Zion will retain it's worship status as the trusteeship has passed from the members to the Calderdale Methodist Circuit Meeting. The Circuit Heritage Team will oversee the work of Mount Zion. |
| 2014 |
Sunday 2nd November Rev. Alistair Newton led a memorable circuit service to usher in the 'new era' of our Heritage Chapel. There were around 67 in the congregation when all were seated. |
| 2014 |
12th November Afternoon Tea at Holdsworth House to recognise Mavis's retirement from 23 years as Mount Zion Treasurer. |
| 2015 |
1st May Irene's Garden wins a Halifax Civic Trust Commended award. |
| 2015 |
21st July Inspection of the damp getting in to the ceiling plasterwork above the organ. |
| 2015 |
5th September The wall at the top of the graveyard has been tidied up. |
| 2016 |
June Work starts on repairing Apse plasterwoork. Finished in October. |
| 2016 |
September New Baxi boiler fitted in Cottage. Instant hot water! |
| 2017 |
BT wifi installed in the cottage. |
| 2017 |
Matthew Townsend mows the graveyard. Also installs new rockery in front of the cottage and improves the pathway to the outside toilet. |
| 2017 |
New graveyard seat donated by David Langley in memory of his wife Susan. |
| 2017 |
The Illingworth Moor Steinway has found a temporary home at Mount Zion. |
| 2018 |
September Rendered walls repainted (as in 2012) |
| 2018 |
New aerial photo of Mount Zion found. 1973. Shows the path to the sunday school. |
| 2019 |
Garden Party to support Mount Zion and introduce John Wilson the new circuit heritage officer. |
| 2019 |
John Wilson has joined the Circuit as the Circuit Heritage Mission Enabler.His work will be focused on the two wonderful historic chapels in the circuit, Mount Zion and Heptonstall.He will be working with our team of dedicated volunteers, to use these churches to tell the Christian story and to witness to the wider world. |
| 2019 |
Project to relay the pathway flags and provide ramp access approved. |
| 2020 |
The pathway flags and ramp access completed. The chapel exterior painted by Nathan Clay. |
| 2020 |
Chapel virtually closed due to the COVID-19 virus. |
| 2020 |
April Death of Mavis Wilkinson. 33 years as our treasurer. |
| 2020 |
June Ramsay Clay Ltd painting the exterior of the Chapel. |
| 2020 |
August Pathway lights installed. |
| 2020 |
September John Wilson, who joined the circuit in July 2019 as Circuit Heritage Mission Enabler for Mount Zion and Heptonstall, has decided to tender his resignation due to COVID-19 severely restricting what he is now able to do. |
| 2020 |
December New railings at the front gate installed. |
| 2022 |
September Mount Zion had its first Heritage Open Day, since COVID-19, over 80 visitors from accross Calderdale and Yorkshire |
| 2023 |
Re-pointing works as per the quinquennial completed by O & W Crawshaw Ltd – Building & Joinery Contractor. |
| 2023 |
Property Steward Anthony Greenwood who has taken care of the building and grounds for 25 years has decided to retire. Since late 2022, Anthony has has mentored Matthew Townsend (who has supported maintaing the grounds for 5 years) in prepartion for taking over his role.
Pamela Spring who has been a longstanding member of the Heritage Comitte,organised our volunteer groups, applying for grant, archiving for over a decade has decided to retire. |
| 2023 |
J. M. Spink Ltd tuned the organ. |
| 2023 |
Ken Judson Mastercraftsman has completed various essential chapel joinery jobs. |
| 2023 |
O&W Crawshaw Ltd has reset 4 Grade II* listed (pre-1929) headstone at the front of the chapel yard. |
| 2023 |
Ros Greenwood, a lifelong member of Mount Zion and after many years of service, has decided to retire as Circuit Steward and from the Heritage Committee. |
| 2023 |
Rev'd Kathie Heathcoat is now appointed Minister with Pastoral Charge at Mount Zion Methodist Heritage chapel |
| 2023 |
250 years of Mount Zion Methodist Heritage Chapel
A special celebration was had to mark this semiquincentennial! - led by Rev'd Vicky Atkins with reflections from District Chair Rev'd Kerry Tankard & Paula Prosser, who shared the significance of heritage and how it propels us forward in mission through the generations.
Hymns rang out across the valley in celebration and parkin, crumble & custard were enjoyed over memories shared. |
| 2023 |
Boundary wall reapir as per the quinquennial completed by O & W Crawshaw Ltd – Building & Joinery Contractor. |
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