Of course, we know that the building is not the church - it is the people, but as you worship God in Toll Gavel United Church you will probably wonder how we came to be where we are now. You may have seen "Wesley Chapel - 1891" above the portico. However it is interesting to note that John Wesley mentioned in his journal 14 visits to Beverley between 1759 and 1790. In fact this is the second Chapel on these premises - the first was known as "Walkergate Chapel" and was on the site of our present schoolroom. It was opened for worship on 7th September 1805 and was enlarged in 1839. The details of the building of the 1891 Chapel are in the Minute Books stored in the Beverley Archives. The opening on 13th February 1892, recorded in the local newspapers, was quite an occasion - "the weather appeared to have been made for the event, so gloriously fine were the meteorological conditions....." A third of the pews were not to be paid for and free ones were also available for the evening service, if they were unoccupied at 6.30pm!

Over the years other churches closed and the people came to worship here in Toll Gavel. The Wednesday Market Primitive Methodist Chapel opened in 1868, standing where Boyes' shop is now, but it was demolished in 1958.

We are a united Methodist/United Reformed Church, for the members of the Lairgate URC (originally a Congregational Church), began to worship with us in September 1976 and now we are able to become joint members. The last service at Queen's Road Methodist Church was held in December 1982, having ministered in that area for 21 years. We are very conscious of our central position in the town, which was seen from the beginning as a great opportunity to "induce people to worship with us".

 

Recently the church has been extensively refurbished so that we can serve the community more comprehensively. The organ is a particularly fine instrument and the acoustics for musical concerts are excellent. The pews downstairs have been removed for more flexibility. The portico has been enclosed to house a vestibule/pop in centre, with toilets, disabled access, a drink making facility and even a shower!! We open during the week for a listening service and fellowship including refreshments. So we try to fulfil our calling to worship God, who was supremely revealed to us in Jesus Christ, and to follow the way of Christian love in serving our community.

 

During 2003, in the centenary year of it's original building, the hall at the back of the church underwent a wonderful renovation and was rededicated and officially opened on 18th January 2004 by the President of the Methodist Conference, Rev Dr Neil Richardson.

 

As our vision for the future is led by the Holy Spirit the use of our buildings will continue to evolve.  In this way we hope to make our ministry to people more effective, thus spreading God's Kingdom of love. To paraphrase Revd. Kelly's observation at the stone laying ceremony, "We do not intend Christianity to die. It is not our intention to leave the Church precisely where we found it!"