I’m indebted to top reader and comment dynamo D. Evans for solving the mystery of the soup kitchen location in the photo I posted last weekend. Had I realised what an odd little building the old Wesleyan Church was, I’d have paid more attention to it before it was demolished. There are no stone block buildings that I know of locally. Wonder why the media was chosen for this one?
Thanks for all the contributions. Sorry if it seems like I’m ignoring you all – I’m not, but with work and sheer volume, I just can’t reply to everything, but I can assure you, every contribution is valued and read thoroughly. Please bear with me, and do shout again if you think I’ve missed something.
Oh, and Mr. D. Evans? Seems so formal… I think we’re familiar enough for first names now…
It's hard to see because it's had a coat of paint (amongst other things) but the doorway does have the angled cornices of the one in the soup kitchen photo. From 'Memories of Old Walsall Wood' by Bill Mayo & John Sale.
The soup kitchen photo actually appears in the same book, right underneath with a caption that says where it is. That'll teach me to do my research. I still can't place the texture of the masonry and imposing impression with the relatively small building I remember. Coincidentally, I looked for it yesterday as I passed and realised it hat gone. From 'Memories of Old Walsall Wood' by Bill Mayo a& John Sale.
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Hi Bob
David calling!
Thanks ….Ebenezer was opened in 1891!
I’ve been called many things before, but never a dynamo. My wife has other, more accurate names, she says !
with kind regards and best wishes,
…..you know who!
You did well to get up Castle Hill on a bike…bet its not a single-speed Hercules, then!
Hi Bob
Why was it built in stone? The Trustees of this chapel, as with all other Methodist Chapels at that time, bore the personal financial responsibility for paying off the loan to build the chapel. Given this fact I would imagine that someone had a friend who could give a “best price” for building the chapel….one that these Trustees could afford. There was no central funding from Methodist Church, who were not great landowners, in fact.
It was a great commitment of faith for those good men and women, given that they probably lived in rented houses and endured the hardships of the times.
The design is very typical of the times.
I imagine that the stone came from local limestone workings….perhaps Daw End..and then by canal to the Wood
Perhaps the wonderful History Centre in Essex Street could give more information
In post-war times one national Methodist Church benefactor was J Arthur Rank, the film mogul
with best wishes
…..David Evans
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HI Bob
another cup of tea.. and info from a lady who lived just across the road,in Walsall Road. She was a five year old in 1926.;-.the soup was thick potato and pea soup..a white soup and a jug was used to serve it. Mrs Elizabeth Painter, my dear old friend’s aunt, helped out. She was described as being a “stiff lady, her hair done in a bun”. She also remembers being carried on her father’s shoulders to a big miners union meeting on Pelsall common at around this time.
regards
David