English Wesleyan, Ferndale

[RogerWood]

So Christ Church was demolished then was it? Anyone know when that was? I just discovered my uncle (and possibly, therefore, also my father) was Christened there. Does anyone have a photo of it?

I think Steve Maltby (who had Clerks garage) demolished it in the early seventies.

[brianblaenboy]

Hi Roger, I don't think Christ Church was still standing in 1968 as I married my first wife in St Dunstans and would have not have gone there otherwise.

Brian

[RogerWood]

I wouldn't swear to it Brian but I worked for Steve in 1969 and thought it was after I left Ferndale later that year.

[darran]

It was probably not in use for a time before it was demolished - maybe because the building was dangerous?

Sheila

[RogerWood]

On further reflection.
Our first son was born in 71 and while visiting my parents Steve Maltby persuaded us to have him christened at St Dunstans.
There being the link, Steve and the church, I mean.

[RogerWood]

Hi Sheila, I bet Bouncer would know.
It's a shame he's lapping up the sun somewhere now he's retired.

[Walshie67]

My Grandfather Bartholomew Walsh was heavily involved in the English Wesleyan in Ferndale. It was the one on the corner that was rebuilt due to structural issues. He was the choir master and Sunday school teacher in the early to mid 1900s. He was also a local magistrate and volunteer fireman aside from his regular day job as a pit fireman. He was promoted to overman and eventually became the first ever General Secretary of NACODS moving to London during the war years. I never met him, but traced a little information about him from a wonderful lady called Iris Griffiths who lived a couple of doors away from the Walsh family in Bryhyffrd Terrace (sorry if I have spelt that wrong!) and was still alive a few years ago when she invited me and my five boys to visit the chapel to be presented with one of the chalices that my fathe, Graham, made for the chapel in 1959 when his fathe, Bartholomew, died. We had a wonderful day and she told me lots of fantastic memories of her childhood in ferndale growing up with my father and his siblings Eva, Jean and Brian.