Brief History

For some years in the early 1900’s, the Halifax Congregational Association had been anxious to extend the witness of the denomination in the town and looked for a suitable area within the outer districts of the old town centre, as people were beginning to move to new developing areas - Highroad Well being such an area. An ”undenominational” Sunday School had been in existence since May 1829 in a building on land adjacent to the present Church building. After some 25 years of its life, difficulties arose through a growing number of pupils and a lack of teachers. In 1854 an appeal was made to the Halifax Sunday School Union for advice and assistance, as closure of the school was appearing to be the only option. The Sunday School Union concluded that there was little hope of increasing the supply of helpers unless the School put aside its “undenominational” nature and placed itself under the guardian care of a particular Church. This was accepted by the school officials and Harrison Road Congregational Church was chosen as its foster parent, whose members agreed to recognise Highroad Well as their branch.

Such was the popularity of this arrangement, that pupils increased and after some seven years the school building became too small and a new school building was built, completed and opened on 8th August 1861. This arrangement continued until 1873 but it was then decided to hand over Highroad Well to Park Congregational Church, which had been formed in 1870. Among Park’s members were many who had transferred from Harrison Road and with them of course the necessary monetary income which supported the Church’s branch at Highroad Well. The members remaining at Harrison Road are reported to have said “Park have taken the horses, now they must take the cart”.

A long association with Park Church continued until 1914 when two memorable events took place. Decisions were made to build a new Church and on the 2nd June the first sod was cut and the first foundation stones were laid on the 5th September, so lifting the hearts of the people, despite the threat of war looming. The new Church took one year to build and the opening was arranged for 1st September 1915.

The first minister was Rev. Henry Ironmonger and through his leadership and guidance the Church flourished and great progress was made. There were soon some 400 scholars attending Sunday School; a scout troop was formed and at worship each Sunday evening the Church was full to capacity - somewhere in the region of 500 worshippers.

In the intervening years the Church grew in stature and also in faith through its excellent ministerial leadership but as in all congregations of all denominations numbers declined throughout two world wars and the general strike between them. Despite this there has always been an abundance of activities on the premises and these were always well received and well attended by the young people in the area.

Since the early 1970’s to late 80’s we had annual pantomimes which many of us here either took part in, produced or worked hard back stage, and had many happy times with an abundance of enthusiastic children and adults. Unfortunately the number of children started to decline as these children either went to college/university or moved away from the area with not many younger children coming into the Sunday School to replace them.

We have tried many ways to encourage new children/young people into the church and have in more recent years increased our numbers slightly and hope to continue to do so in the future. We continue to have many weekly activities taking place in the Church building i.e. Boys Brigade Monday; Rainbows, Brownies and Guides on a Tuesday; Anchor Boys and Ladies Keep Fit on a Wednesday; and Fellowship on a Thursday. We have a Pre-school Group (Ofsted Validated) from Monday - Friday mornings and a Mother & Toddler Group Tuesday & Wednesday mornings.

We also have a mixed Social Group who meet monthly for a various activities/talks/Slide Shows/Theatre visits/Quiz’s/Annual BBQ/walks/ Annual Dinners etc.

The Church give a annual Family Party to which the adults, children and their families are invited. We also hold an annual Christmas Dinner and Singalong for the over 70’s in our area.

We have a Prayer Circle to widen prayers and support for those who are ill or suffering in some way or just needing support in bad times.

We provide transport to Sunday Services or any other event, for those who otherwise would be unable to attend and so we feel that our outreach in the community is not lacking by any means However with an average Sunday worship attendance of approx. 40 plus a dozen or so children whose ages range from 3 - 13yrs, we continue to work and pray for growth spiritually and numerically and that we remain able to meet the needs of the people in and around the Highroad Well district.

In closing may I say how very much the members and adherents of Highroad Well & Warley are spreading the good news of Christ our Lord and Saviour and aiming to make our world a better place in which to live.

Yours In Christian Love

John A. Crowther

(Church Elder, 05.03.2003)

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