St. Paul’s United Church

A century that began with a storm ended with celebration at the flower festival marking 100 years of St Paul’s English Methodist Church, Penmaenmawr.

A Methodist Society had existed for some years when their small iron church blew down in a storm in 1890, but though it was rebuilt, the membership of 15 set about plans for a church to seat 300.   The size reflected growing numbers of English holidaymakers in the resort made fashionable by Gladstone and other famous Victorians.   The Weekly News reported the Rev. Dr. Stephenson at the stonelaying service as saying, “People must think of the future and prepare for it.”

Built of local stone it was finished on July 22, 1891, after just six months at a cost of £2,600 which, despite many donations, took years to pay off.   The present interior on a theme of “The Light of the World” dates from 1965, with a mural by Eric Burchall of Bolton School of Art.   Now the church, which joined with the United Reformed Church on September 20th, 1991, is looking forward to another century with Dr. Stephenson’s words in mind.

St Paul’s Church is part of the Gogarth Group of URC Churches but, because of the predominance of Methodists in the congregation, we understandably feel far more part of the Bangor and Holyhead Circuit of the Methodist Church.   There is also an involvement in Ministry by the Superintendent Circuit minister.   We run our church very much on Methodist “lines” in that we have no serving elders but stewards and pastoral visitors who undertake the administration of the church.

Even as a united congregation we are a small church, yet there is a fine spirit pervading it and great care is exercised over its members and adherents by the pastoral visitors.   The weekly Women's Guild draws on folk from within the community as well as from church folk.

Welsh and English speaking churches work closely together in Penmaenmawr, with the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches and the independent Christian Centre Oasis as anxious as any to develop and foster ecumenical co-operation.

Sunday, 11th May 2008
3.00pm   Christian Aid Service: St. Paul's United Church
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