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The Old Church |
Some churches can trace their history back
to Wesley's time but our history only goes back to 1932. One day in 1932, some members of the Methodist Church at Burgh Heath met to discuss forming a church in Banstead. Burgh Heath was a small country chapel beside the pond and was a Weslyan Day School during the week. As a result of considerable foresight on the part of Rev Ensor Walters of the London Mission and Extension Committee, a plot of land had already been purchased in 1925 for the sum of £450. The church at Burgh Heath had a missionary outlook and helped raise funds over the next few years, not only for the erection of a church at Banstead but also a church at Cheam. The church began to hold services in the front room of a house in Green Curve, but when that became too small they moved to a room above the Hillcrest Tea Rooms in Eastgate. The stone laying ceremony took place in September 1934 on one of the wettest days that Banstead had experienced. The church was finally opened on Saturday 9th February 1935 by Lady Stamp. The preacher at the opening service was Rev. Dr. Scott Lidgett. Unfortunately, due to structural problems, the building had to be demolished and was replaced by the present one in 1972. At the rear of the church is the hall from the original church and a much larger one erected in 1961. Behind the main buildings is the headquarters of the Scout Group sponsored by the church. |