Station Road, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands B93 0HN
Knowle Congregational
Church 6
When Jack Deakin, our oldest member (who sadly died in 2008) was shown the Rev. Bridge's comment he stated: "Basil can call himself successful - the Church was down when he came."
Mr. Whybrow was both treasurer and secretary. Jack became treasurer when Mr.Whybrow left, which was about a year before the Rev. Bridge moved to Bond Street Congregational Church Leicestershire.
Jack commented that Knowle used £100 from the Sunday School Fund to lay the foundations of the Church Hall. The builder was named Piers/Pears and in Jack’s opinion the builder made no money on the contract. The church took out a bank loan of £100 to pay for the pre-fabricated Hall and its erection. The Church Hall foundations were laid in 1953 and it was officially opened on 3rd. July 1954.
First Hall User: Derby and Joan club.
Second Hall User: Mites and Mums.
Whist Club set up by Mrs Green (a church member)
In the late 50’s and early 60’s the Sunday school was part of church service 11am to 12 noon.
I think there were connections with a church Hampton in Arden at that time (see 1921-1926 combined minister E. Ambrose Pickering); George Fisher was from Hampton in Arden. I also think there might have been some sort of merger at that time . Pam Archer, a sunday school pupil remembers some of the old hymn books and bibles were stamped as belonging to HiA in the 60's/70s.
Yet, when Edna arrived the adult Congregation was very small.
In 1960 the “Solihull Group” was formed, which included Hobs Moat, Hampton, Olton and Knowle. After only one year of existence it began to decline and was completely disbanded in 1964. Under Robin May, Knowle and Hampton formed a joint pastorate.
It was some time in the 1970s when the church hall and the church were linked.
Knowle Congregational church in the 1960’s and 1970’s
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