History The history of worship on this site, here at Tipton Green covers a period of 250 years when a preaching place was first built here in 1750. During this period, we are indeed covering the history of Methodism in Tipton. The first 'Preaching House' was built on this site in 1750 by a certain James Jones, and it was said that he built it himself. Whether this is true is not certain, but the fact seems sure that it was built at his own expense.

	It is thought that Jones was converted to Christ during one of Wesley's preaching stops at Tipton Green, and as a result decided to provide a permanent building where like-minded followers could meet. It can be claimed that this was the first Methodist Preaching House in Staffordshire (If you come to visit our church, you will see a plaque on the Church Hall). James Jones later presented the building to John Wesley himself, but Wesley gave it back to the folk of Tipton by a Trust Deed dated July 11th 1786. This document is still in our safekeeping and bears the signature of John Wesley himself. This building lasted until it was demolished to make way for a new chapel, which opened on 3rd December 1809. In 1827 this was considerably enlarged at a cost of £1249, no small expense in those days. However as the years passed mining operations took their toll and huge cracks appeared in the fabric of the building. It was therefore resolved at a Trustees meeting of Park Lane Church on 11th December 1863 that 'A new chapel is absolutely necessary - to erect upon the site of the present Chapel'. The task of rebuilding the new Chapel was entrusted to William Trow off Wednesbury and the work commenced on 20th March 1865. Incidentally the last service in the old chapel was attended by 1150 people and the collection was £57,8s,0d. The foundation stone of the new building was laid on August 7th 1865 by Mr Thomas Davis, J.P. of Hill Top, and a crowd of 10,000 attended the ceremony. The new Chapel was duly completed at a total cost of £5849. The new Wesleyan chapel, Park Lane was opened by divine service on September 21st 1866, with the Rev. W. Arthur, M.A., President of the Wesleyan Conference, preaching the sermon. The resident Minister at the time was the Rev. A. Box. The building was described as being built in the geometric style of Gothic architecture, and consisted of a nave, roofed in a single span, with a aspidal end arranged as an organ gallery. It was built of brick with box ground-stone dressings. The spire on the north side of the central gable, rose to a height of 120 feet. The church folk at Park Lane celebrated 200 years of worshipping on the Tipton Green site with a celebratory tea and divine service on December 3rd 1950. On Sunday, September 26th 1966 there were celebratory services to commemorate the centenary of the chapel built in 1866. However it was realised even at this time that the building was in need of extensive repairs particularly to the roof and this was going to be very costly. Discussions took place as to the possibility of building a new modern church on the Tipton Green site. At this point two other church congregations those at Bell Street and Bloomfield joined inn the discussions. The congregation from Canal Street chapel had already closed their chapel in 1966 and were already worshipping at Park Lane. Following several meetings the folk of all these churches resolved to work together to build one new church on the Tipton Green site and to call it 'Tipton Green Methodist Church'. This was a tremendous step of faith for all the people involved and much hard work and prayer was to follow. Eventually plans for the new church took shape. Bloomfield church and the Park Lane churches were closed and demolished and in 1976 worship by the combined congregations carried on at the Bell Street church. The period from 1976 to 1978 represented a two year gap when there was no chapel on the site at Tipton Green, although many activities did continue in the church hall which of course we still use today. The new church was designed and built by lanners of Wakefield at an approximate cost of £65,000. It was officially opened on July 1st 1978, and the service was conducted by Rev. Nigel Gilson, who was the Chairman of the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District. The resident minister at the time was Rev. Peter De Visme. So here we are in the year 2000, our millennium year, celebrating 250 years of worshipping God on this site. I wonder what vision James Jones and John Wesley had for the people of Tipton Green way back in 1750. The witness of Christ here has withstood the test of time, and we too as disciples of the 21st Century need to look for God's vision for us in modern times. I am reminded of some words from one of our modern hymns The church of Christ, in every age Beset by change but Spirit-led, Must claim and test its heritage And keep on rising from the dead. We have no mission but to serve In full obedience to our Lord: To care for all, without reserve, And spread his liberating Word. We look forward in faith to the future. ..........................................................................David Ashfield.
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