History page 3

Discussion now followed on the use of the former premises and it was agreed that the building be utilized for educational purposes for the poor children of Offerton. Interdenominational instruction was given in the Day School but Sunday school
was to be conducted as a Wesleyan Sunday School. On, 13th November 1900 the Church was registered for the solemnization of marriages. Incidentally a relative or the Coyne family who was the first to be married at Offerton.

The story of the first 50 years (1887-1937) appears mainly to be that of a small "rural" Church maintaining a place of worship for the local villagers. In her book "The Story of a Road" Anne Cross perhaps lets nostalgia get the better of her but nevertheless sets the pre-war (1929) scene for us: - Offerton then, was a delightful country village having changed very little over many years. The Old Lisburne Lane was a rambling quiet passage; hard core, with deep ditches for draining on either side. The fact these and indeed the Lane were often flooded bothered no one.

According to the time or year, the high hedges on either side were garlanded with cascades of wild roses and hawthorns, with high wild flowers carpeting their feet, or later we would have the glory or autumn leaves and brambles, rose hips and haws. Through the stile on the left was a footpath and these fields were, at dusk, alive with the glory of pewits, so many indeed that some of us wondered that there were no casualties so thickly clouded they flew. This footpath at the end took us three ways: - ahead lay Whistle Hollow where in spring the hares had their forms and in winter we all went tobogganing. Always at least one "mad" hare went, on 1st March dancing up Offerton Drive to the fields at the end to "Bonny's Field" and the pond - fields where nested the larks whose glorious song as they soared up to the heavens, blessed our days.

To the right we entered delight or another kind. After our short passage through those fields and under the grand old trees, we came to the Poise Brook. Walking along the very narrow path we came to a ford and by skirting the fields of growing grain could arrive at Hazel Grove. What a peaceful, pleasant amble."

During this period the membership was never very 1arge and at morning worship they were often greatly outnumbered by the boys from the 'Industrial School' (Offerton House which was next door, who were each week marched to morning service. The problems or the Trust meetings were mainly centred on the upkeep of the building, maintenance of the boiler, tenders for the provision of gas and water and so forth. There was also the question of pew rents. In early days it was resolved that Trustees living near have the first choice of pews in order according to their subscriptions -Rents of pews in centre -
First row ls 9d per annum
Second Row 1s 6d per annum
Third Row 1s 0d per annum
First in the corner pews ls 9d
Second 1s 6d
Third ls 0d All remaining seats free

Towards the end of this first half-century on 15th May 1926 a special Trustees Meeting was held at Trinity Methodist Church to consider an offer made by the Boys' School Committee to purchase the whole of the building, contents and land (MORE)