Methodist Origins in South Norwood

The beginning of Methodism in South Norwood can be traced back to 1859 when a Wesleyan Methodist Society was formed meeting in a small flint-and-brick building in Portland Road. Up to that time the area had been predominantly rural, with a sparse population largely limited to agricultural work. However, with the growth of the railways, the suburbs were already spreading southwards.

The building in Portland Road was not particularly suitable, not least because the roof leaked. In 1873 it was agreed to build a new chapel on a site on South Norwood Hill. In the same year the Rev H. H. McCullagh was appointed as the first Minister to be resident in South Norwood.

Work proceeded quickly and the Schoolroom (the present church), was opened on 22 May 1875. The chapel itself was opened four months later. 

Victorian Expansion

The South Norwood Society incorporated a wide range of meetings and activities, including a Weeknight Service, Prayer Meeting, Sunday School, Bible Class, Band of Hope and seven Class Meetings. House-building was taking place in the vicinity and there was a fairly rapid arrival of Methodists from other places, with the result that Sunday attendance and church membership grew, the latter reaching 300 by 1893. 

A Deaconess was appointed to work full-time in the Church and neighbourhood. Twice the premises were extended and in 1897 two adjacent properties purchased. One, on South Norwood Hill was bought as a manse, and served in that capacity for over sixty years. The second, to the rear of the present church, was the Chapel Keeper’s House.

In 1898 the success of the South Norwood Society was confirmed when it became the ‘Circuit Church’ of the new Croydon (South Norwood) Circuit, later renamed the South Norwood Circuit.

The church did not escape the vicissitudes of the First World War. Eighty five men associated with the church served in the armed forces and fifteen lost their lives.

The work of the church recovered after the war, in particular youth work, which necessitated a further extension of the premises, the Wesley Hall being opened in 1931. Sunday evening youth services in the hall were organised and conducted by the young people themselves.  Back to top

The chancel of the old church as it appeared prior to 1937

The church as pictured on the Centenary booklet. Within a couple of years it was demolished.

Wartime changes and postwar decline

During the Second World War the neighbourhood suffered greatly from enemy action. Although the church itself survived, on 17 October 1940 a bomb destroyed the caretaker’s house. (The present car park now occupies the site). There was some damage to the Wesley Hall, and the top of the church spire was loosened and had to be removed. The work of the church was severely handicapped by lack of premises, as both halls were under requisition, one as a flour-store, the other as a rest centre.

Several years were to elapse before the church had use of all its property. Clubs and organisations were revived. However, despite valiant efforts, these were years of decline. Between 1958 and 1962 the membership dropped from 263 to 194. But all was not gloom - many ministries continued to thrive, such as the ‘Leisure Club’ for elderly and disabled local people, and a number of organisations for children and young people.

Change and renewal

In fact, the neighbourhood itself was changing, including the arrival of families from the Caribbean and later from West Africa and Sri Lanka. At the same time the large chapel was proving to be increasingly expensive to maintain. Shortly before the centenary in 1975 part of the church ceiling fell, which meant that the centenary celebrations had to take place in the church halls, and difficult decisions had to be quickly made about the future of the premises.

The church was sold to the Shaftesbury Housing Society for development of the site and the former Lecture Hall remodelled into a more acceptable place of worship. On 3 June 1978 the new church was dedicated. At the same time, an agreement had been reached with the United Reformed Church for a sharing of ministry with Enmore Rd URC. The church was served by a succession of Methodist ministers alternating with URC ministers, an arrangement that ended in 1996 when South Norwood was formed into a section with Christ Church Methodist, Addiscombe. In recent years decline in membership has been replaced by modest growth, as new families have moved into the area and found the church a place of welcome and friendship.  

This account is based on the Centenary History Set on a Hill, written by a former Minister of South Norwood, the late Rev G. B. Salmon. Back to top