Bispham Methodist Church

Bispham Methodist Church stands at the junction of Crank Rd and UpHolland Road in Billinge and was founded in the Wesleyan tradition in 1845 by William Holt, a landowner who had inherited nearby Bispham Hall. The church building is Italianate in style (with two adjacent halls, one small, one large, added later).By June 1849, there were 51 members and 2 "backsliders" recorded!

Today, the church has 82 members (any backsliders unrecorded). By 1908 a thriving Sunday School had a total of 161 pupils and 18 staff.  In 1921, average Sunday School attendances were 155.

The present pipe organ was built by Charles H Whitely & Co of Chester in 1923 although now motorised.  Illumination was by oil lamp until 1928 when electric lighting was installed at a cost of £70. There has been a thriving choir for many years and, as well as the organ, services are now regularly enhanced by our Praise & Worship Band and also an electronic keyboard.

Although physically prominently positioned, the church is not stone & mortar but people of faith, and it is this which has been reflected in its witness to the community for over 160 years by personalities (clerical and lay, too numerous to mention) who have all had a part to play.

Mission Statement
"We seek to share the love of Jesus through worship, fellowship, service and example".

Worship
Worship varies in style so that throughout the year a range is experienced.  Lay contributions are encouraged, and on the second Sunday of the month there is a Family & Parade Service.  There are also occasional Praise & Worship services and "Songs of Praise" evenings. Here is a picture of the Bispham Worship band at one of our services

Church Activities
Sunday Worship - 10.30am & 6.00pm

• Young Church; Creche (When required)
• Family & Parade Services 2nd Sunday in month - 10.30am

Monday - Brownies - 6.15pm
Tuesday - "Tuesday Meet-In" - 7.30pm - (1st Tuesday)
Wednesday - Beavers - 6.15pm, Cubs - 6.00pm
Thursday - Children's Dance class 5.00pm,  "Share the Prayer"  6.45pm

Activities other than those above include:
Church Anniversary: 2nd Sunday in March
Junior Church Anniversary: 2nd Sunday in June
Harvest Festival: 2nd Sunday in October
Gift/Toy Service: 2nd Sunday in December

Community
The community is well mixed and includes Bispham Hall Scout Estate  a few hundred metres up the road  from the church.

Two Books to help commemorate the chapel's 150th Anniversary have been published:

"A House Nigh Unto Heaven" by David Lythgoe
"One Man's Pitch"  by David Young

"Wigan Bred" is Dr David Lythgoe's recently published book of poetry.

Cost of hire of premises:
Main Hall (weekly use)  £25 per session,  (occasional use) £30 per session
Small Hall (weekly use)  £15 per session,  (occasional use)  £20 per session

Annual Weekend away
For over 12 years Bispham has organised an annual church weekend away to Coniston (Lake District), which is now open to all the circuit (and beyond). This focuses on a spiritual themr and involves fellowship, fun and food.

The Church has wheel chair access