KNUTSFORD METHODIST CHURCH

Up-dated: April 2001.

H i s t o r y - Church Groups

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Sunday School/Junior Church
	Throughout the 200+ years of its existance, Knutsford's Methodist church has maintained a strong tradition of Christian teaching for young people. On the left is a Scripture Exam class from the 1950s era - taken against the background of the old vestries. On the right is Rene Fox's presention on her retirement in 1985 as one of the teachers after 43 years of dedicated service.

Wesley Guild
The Guild has played an important part in the life of the Methodist Church - not only in Knutsford but throughout Methodism generally. The first meeting of the Knutsford Wesley Guild was held on 10th Jan. 1898, and took the form of a Devotional evening. Typically, meetings took place weekly, covering the winter months of October to March. The programme of events set for each 6 months' session encompassed education (e.g. aspects of Christian service), entertainment and sociable enjoyment. The Guild ceased to be active in Knutsford during the 1960s; however, much the same kind of activity and fellowship was revived when, during the 1970s, the 'Focus' group was formed.	Joan Townsend's (nee. Pomfret) poem (1947), The Wesley Guild, offers an amusing vision of the fellowship provided:- When winter comes reawnd fine or wet, T' Guild congregates at t' schoo'- Id cheers a lot o' fooaks, Ah'll bet, An' does 'em credit, too! An old acquaintance tekkin' the' cheor, A cheerful hymn to raise; An' o' those friendly faces theer To join in t' prayer an' t' praise! If o'teawns hed a Guild as breet There'd be noa need to roam - Soa let's thank God fort th'happy neet Afore we toddle whoam!

Y.W. Club
Established by Mrs. Holbrook, the Minister's wife, in October 1959 to provide a fellowship focus for the younger age-group of women in the church. Initially this was known as the Young Wives Club but in 1965 the title was broadened (Y.W. = Young Women) to reflect the true membership.
Mothers' and Babies' Club
The Club was started in 1944 by Mrs. Daintree, the Minister's wife, who recognized the potential benefits of creating a church-based fellowship for mothers committed to

the full-time care of very young children. The meetings comprise opening prayers for the mothers followed by the singing of hymns, action-songs and choruses for the children, interspersed with games and fun-activities.
Good opportunity was provided throughout the proceedings, and over tea and biscuits, for the mothers to establish friendships and share their thoughts and feelings with each other.
Through this fellowship, mothers and in some cases their families have found their way into the

church, and their children into Junior Church.
Boy's Brigade Trooping the colour in 1966 on the spare ground to the old rear of the Chapel. The Brigade was formed in the mid-1960s by Mr Grimwood.
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