The History of Lime Tree Park Methodist Church
In 1933 a group of people started Gospel services in the social club hall in Lime Tree Avenue. They were not connected with any denomination. Early in 1934 the Methodist Church accepted this group of people as the nucleus of the Methodist cause in the district. Lime Tree Park Methodist church was officially formed on Sunday 13th May 1934 when the Rev. John Harland conducted evening worship and 12 of the congregation were accepted as the first full members of the new church.
In September 1934 the first minister was appointed, the Rev Harold Thompson. The church continued to grow and increase in its activities until the outbreak of war in 1939. During the war two huts were erected and used as temporary accommodation to those whose homes were destroyed in the blitz. A welcome was extended to all the people in the area to use the church as a community centre.
September 1946 saw a big change in the life of Lime Tree Park, it became part of the newly formed Coventry Mission Circuit which was made up of the Central Hall and Stoney Stanton Road. During this period Lime Tree Park spread its influence when under the guidance of Mr. G. Mould a Sunday School was formed on the Whoberley Estate.
In the 1950's and early 1960's the life of the church expanded yet again. Young people and children in the area had to be catered for and under the ministerial guidance of Rev J Cleminson this was faithfully undertaken. To improve the premises all sorts of events were held: Bazaars, auctions and sales. The area was canvassed and 35 collectors were prepared to visit homes each week and collect a shilling from the family. This money was well spent on the buildings.
In 1973 the church was re-modeled and in this scheme the church was completely turned round, the back was the front and the front the rear. The re-dedication service was on Saturday 1st September 1973. The total cost of the whole project was £9,668.
In 1992 the coffee bar area was removed and the opportunity taken to build a new toilet area, complete with facilities for the disabled, to replace the old toilets. This also provided us with some decent store rooms
The present Minister, the Rev, Andrew Charlesworth, has responsibility for Balsall Common, and Meriden Methodist Churches as well as Lime Tree Park.
In the summer of 2002, after a long period of vandalism, the church has erected a fence around it and has planted shrubs and small trees around the edge to try and improve the appearance. The area around the back of the church has been turned into a sensory garden, mainly for the pre-school children.
The church recognizes its responsibility to the community and is trying to strengthen its links, partly through the forthcoming Alpha Course.