The church building was erected during 1870 and 1871 as a Christian Mission and dedicated by William Booth in 1871. William Booth is better known as General Booth of the Salvation Army, which he later founded. His wife, Catherine, laid the foundation stone on Thursday, July 6th, 1871.

The church became a United Methodist Chapel in 1907 and on the occasion of the Methodist Union in 1932 three branches of the Methodist Church, the Wesleyan, the Primitive and the United joined to become one church denomination.

In 1958 the Church was extensively renovated. In 1979 a hall and kitchen were added and this was fully modernised in 2013. The hall is now a popular venue for many church and village activities.

Ninfield News - April/May 2020

I think a lot of us are trying to find new routines as we come to terms with ‘staying at home,’ ‘social distancing,’ and how to shop. It’s not easy and we pray for God’s guidance and peace.

Until early March our daughter was commuting to the City from Woking and it is now a blessing that she can now work entirely from home.

Our garden in Ninfield is a picture at the moment. The daffodils are amazing and primroses are in hedgerows. We have also seen new-born lambs (but not in our garden!). The richness of life goes on, spring is in the air and yet a virus lurks in the background.

Although we have temporarily closed our Church building and all our local community groups have stopped meeting some ‘good news’ stories are evolving. Our one village shop is happy to take grocery orders and deliver locally. A local pub will cook take-away meals. Another local centre will deliver fruit and vegetables. Our Parish Council has asked local people, if they are able, to be Community Volunteers to help others.

Ninfield Methodist is developing an online portal for news and we may be able to provide a recorded worship service:

http://ninfield.methodistchurch.online/

St. Mary’s Parish Church is streaming a weekly service on YouTube youtu.be/n8935sKGmKOo

We give thanks that all our congregation and Messy Church families are well.

So there’s a snapshot of where we are at  … Does all of this reflect a new way of being Church?

May God bless us all and the Peace of the Lord be with us now, at Easter-time, and in the days ahead.

Paul Burson
Steward