History of Methodism in Ormskirk

Methodism came to Ormskirk through the missioning of the Rev. Thomas Taylor, one of John Wesley’s hand-picked Preachers. Through his work, a Chapel was set up in Moor End Street, but was abandoned after riots and opposition of the “rabble”.

A room was fitted out by the Independents (Congregationalists) but forced to close through Anglicans and violent mob opposition. Ormskirk was “attacked” again by the Methodists through the preaching of the Rev. Adam Clarke, who preached from the Fish Stones in Aughton Street. 

Fifteen Liverpool Businessmen, leased, from Joseph Broster (a Liquor Merchant), a building situated in the old Wheatsheaf yard on the west side of Burscough Street. 

Ormskirk Methodist Church appears on the Liverpool Plan with Services at 2.30p.m. and 5.30p.m. 

The Rev. James Holroyd wrote to the Mission House, appealing for money to establish new premises, “for the present place is most uncomfortable, being up an entry adjoining a public Bakehouse and a Slaughterhouse”! At this time Ormskirk became head of the Ormskirk Circuit. 

The Congregationalists opened the large commodious room for preaching the Gospel in the town, but this, too, had to be given up. 

The new Wesleyian Chapel opened on Chapel Street at a cost of £1,000.

The growing size and prestige of Southport was acknowledged by the change of the name to the “Ormskirk & Southport Circuit”.

A portion of a Silk Factory in Burscough Street was opened as a Chapel to seat between 300-400 people for the Congregationalists. 

The Congregationalists opened a Chapel in Chapel Street. 

The Circuit changed to become “Southport & Ormskirk”. 

The Circuit changed, yet again, to become the “Ormskirk Circuit”. 

In the July of this year the Rev. James Harris called for a meeting to build a new Wesleyian Church.

Congregational Chapel completely renewed after years of dilapidation. 

On 22 August 1876, Rev. James Harris was welcomed back to lay the first stone. The Congregational Minister and Choir shared in the celebration with many other town folk. The clock tower was erected on the site of the Cross in the town centre. 

Christ Church, Aughton, was consecrated and Ormskirk Parish Church was emerging resplendent after drastic and costly renovation. 

On 27 March 1878 Ormskirk Wesleyian Church felt the need to leave behind the “dilapidated old building” in a back street, in an unfashionable part of town, unsightly, ill-ventilated, and so old as to be quite unfit for modern requirements. On this beautiful, crisp, sunny day, people made their way to the opening of the new Wesleyian Church. It was built at a cost of £4,586 by Ridings of Ormskirk in the Gothic and Early Decorated Period and faced with grey Yorkshire stone. The opening Services were conducted by the President of the Methodist Conference, Rev. Dr. W.B. Pope and the Rev. W. Morley Punshon. 

The Trustees bought enough land, not only to build Emmanuel, but to build a School, a Teacher’s house and houses for two Ministers’ families. Inside, the Church was considerably bigger than our present Chapel, as it included all the present upper hall and new classroom back to the rose window. Behind the central rostrum was the Choir gallery – the Choir facing the congregation – and behind that the organ pipes reaching up to the rose window.  

The old Chapel was sold for £285 and Emmanuel partitioned at a cost of £489. 

Electric light installed! 

Air Raid Shelters were built in the grounds and Lancashire Education Authority leased the Sunday School premises as a Day School for evacuees.

The first woman appeared on the Ormskirk Plan. 

Ormskirk’s population exploded. Membership increased from 150 to 250. 

Never to have a second Minister, the Trust sold 40 Derby Street to the Red Cross.

• 1961 Young Wives Group
• 1962 Boys Brigade
• 1963 Creche
• 1963 Newsletter
• 1963 Junior Christian Endeavour
• 1963 Life Boys (Junior B.B.)
• ​1967  Girls Brigade

A decision was taken to build a new Hall and, after a Public Enquiry, Planning Permission was granted. 

After several years of thoughtful negotiation and tedious working-out of the Constitution, Ormskirk Congregational Church (later the United Reformed Church) joined the community at Emmanuel and we all became a Methodist United Reformed Church. 

On 6 July 1974 Langham Hall was opened and named in recognition of the hard work done and the inconveniences borne by the Minister, Rev. Harold Langham and his family. 

Information from “The Story of Methodism in the Ormskirk area (1792 – 1978)”.  Rev. Sylvia Jacquest.

Emmanuel Mission Caravan started working on Scott Estate on Sunday mornings. Then changed its name to “Discovery Club” and  met twice a week.

• 1993 Share Jesus Mission
• 1994 Visit of the President & Vice President of the Conference.
• 1994 Church Office opened.
• 1995 Children welcomed to participate fully in Holy Communion.
• 1995 Indian Youth Exchange.
• 1995 Church Directory published.
• 1998 Twinned with Miskolc Reform Church, Hungary and visit of Rev Attila Gecse.
• 1999 Emmanuel host an ordination service for the Methodist Conference held in Southport.

• 2000 Visit of Hungarian students.
• 2000 Zimbabwe Youth Exchange.
• 2001 Rev. Melvyn Kelly becomes minister.
• 2007 Thank God It’s Friday a Fresh Expressions joint Church started with the Parish Church at Ormskirk C of E School

• 2016 Rev. Sue Guénault becomes minister.
• 2017 Emmanuel Messy Church opens one Saturday per month for families.
• 2018 August Refurbishment contract agreed. September Emmanuel moved worship into the Langham Hall.
• 2019 On Easter Sunday (21 April) the newly refurbished Chapel opens its doors for worship.
• 2019 The Girls’ Brigade closes and the Boys’ Brigade opens the Girls’ Association.
• 2019 Little Fishes pre-school group starts.