The History of Balsall Common Methodist Church

Methodist witness at Balsall Common has continued for well over 175 years. The original church had a date on the lintel over the front door of 1825, but before that Cottage Meetings were held in the village. The first church had a gallery, wooden seats and a pulpit but pews and a rostrum replaced the seats and pulpit. In the 1860's Eli Elson, a Local Preacher and Baker came to the village and in due course the Weslyan chapel became known as Elson's chapel.

The first church, in Kenilworth Road, was sold in the mid 1960's during the ministry of John T Gray, and the building, previously used by the Plymouth Brethren, in Station Road, was purchased and extended. It was opened on 21st November 1964 with Mr. Granville Berry, City Engineer of Coventry and a Methodist Local Preacher, performing the opening ceremony.

The present Minister, the Rev Andrew Charlesworth, who has been with us since September 2008 has responsibility for Balsall Common, Meriden and Lime Tree Park Methodist Churches.

Over recent years Balsall Common as a village has grown considerably. In 1891 the population was 1,064. Today the church ministers to nearer 7,000 people. The church is situated near to the central hub of the village, but sited just over the Berkswell Parish boundary ensuring that both villages can be ministered to by Methodists.

The outlook of the church today tends towards the ecumenical which is borne out by its close links with the parish churches of St Peter's, Balsall Common, St John's, Berkswell, St Mary's, Temple Balsall, the Roman Catholic church of The Blessed Robert Grissold, and Bridgeway Church and St Swithin's, Barston. These churches work together under the direction of Churches Together in Balsall and Berkswell to organise such enterprises as Lent Study Breakfasts, a Christmas Celebration in which many children take part, and events during One World Week. A Covenant was signed in 2001 between the Balsall Common Methodist Church and St Peter's Anglican Church, which paves the way for closer links and joint ministry in the village. The links being developed so far include joint worship, for which we sometimes use the local secondary school hall to ensure enough capacity, joint prayer calendar, pulpit exchanges, a village bereavement care project, and open membership of church groups. Other projects are emerging from the vision captured in the covenant as time moves on.

The Church has about 100+ members but the community roll indicates that we have contact with up to a thousand people through those who come through our doors for services and activities. The attendance at our main morning worship is 50 - 70 but can double that on special occasions. Evening worship is shared with Meriden Methodist Church with the venue being alternated. A lively and flourishing Junior Church and Young People's Fellowship meet each week, the children and young people leaving the main worship after about twenty minutes for their own classes and activities.

Whilst being proud of our history and heritage the church is forward looking and seeks to build on its close links with the village to minister prayerfully and effectively to its people.