Gibraltar Methodist Church
Encyclopedia
The Gibraltar Methodist Church is part of the South West District of the Methodist Church of Great Britain
. It has a long history associated with the development of British Gibraltar
, and it has greatly strengthened its ties with the local population since the scaling down of Britain-based forces in recent years. In 2006 it appointed Fidel Patron - the first-ever Gibraltarian
Superintendent
Minister.
in Gibraltar
began in 1769 with a group of Soldiers the best known of which was Sergeant
Major Henry Ince, who was himself a Methodist lay preacher. Sgt Ince became famous in Gibraltar through his work in the Upper Galleries or "Great Siege Tunnels
" as they are known today. It was his home that provided the first meeting place for Methodists.
The first Methodist Church was built in 1809 in Prince Edward's Road and later a school and Manse were added. As Methodism grew the work spread into the Southern part of Spain
where Churches and schools were established.
Always linked with work among service personnel, that work became focussed in the establishment of a recreation club in part of the school, and in 1898 a 'Welcome' home for soldiers and sailors was opened at No.6 Church Street, the site of the old Eastern Telegraph offices. The 'Welcome' moved to the present site at 297 Main Street
in 1933. Through the Church and its ministry of worship and service thousands of people of all faiths and none were welcomed and cared for over these years of increasing outreach and growth.
The Church moved to its present location in 1956 when the old Church and Manse were sold. The building was reconstructed into its present shape and was renamed Wesley House. From here the Church has become the spiritual home not only of Methodists but of Christians from many backgrounds who live and work in and around Gibraltar.
In 1997 the Church in Gibraltar became part of the then London South West District of the Methodist Church in the United Kingdom
and ceased to come under the orbit of the Forces Board. This move recognized that, while the link with the forces remained, the work of the Church was now very much focussed towards the whole community of Gibraltar and its surrounding area.
Worship on Sundays is at 11.00am and 7.00pm and the congregation is often representative of the World Church with local people, visitors from other countries, expatriates and others who work in Spain and elsewhere.
The church also runs a café, "The Carpenter’s Arms
", and a Christian Bookshop "Words Aflame", with a video lending library. Both the 'Arms' and 'Words Aflame' are staffed mainly by volunteers. They also run the Alpha Course twice a year with help from members of other Churches in Gibraltar. The Gibraltar Church is now strongly linked to Methodism in the UK through the South East District of The Methodist Church. Wesley House can be found at 297 Main Street, just along from the Governor’s residence.
Methodist Church of Great Britain
The Methodist Church of Great Britain is the largest Wesleyan Methodist body in the United Kingdom, with congregations across Great Britain . It is the United Kingdom's fourth largest Christian denomination, with around 300,000 members and 6,000 churches...
. It has a long history associated with the development of British Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
, and it has greatly strengthened its ties with the local population since the scaling down of Britain-based forces in recent years. In 2006 it appointed Fidel Patron - the first-ever Gibraltarian
Gibraltarian people
The Gibraltarians are a cultural group native to Gibraltar, a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance to the Mediterranean sea.- Origins :...
Superintendent
Superintendent (education)
In education in the United States, a superintendent is an individual who has executive oversight and administration rights, usually within an educational entity or organization....
Minister.
History
MethodismMethodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
in Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
began in 1769 with a group of Soldiers the best known of which was Sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
Major Henry Ince, who was himself a Methodist lay preacher. Sgt Ince became famous in Gibraltar through his work in the Upper Galleries or "Great Siege Tunnels
Great Siege of Gibraltar
The Great Siege of Gibraltar was an unsuccessful attempt by Spain and France to capture Gibraltar from the British during the American War of Independence. This was the largest action fought during the war in terms of numbers, particularly the Grand Assault of 18 September 1782...
" as they are known today. It was his home that provided the first meeting place for Methodists.
The first Methodist Church was built in 1809 in Prince Edward's Road and later a school and Manse were added. As Methodism grew the work spread into the Southern part of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
where Churches and schools were established.
Always linked with work among service personnel, that work became focussed in the establishment of a recreation club in part of the school, and in 1898 a 'Welcome' home for soldiers and sailors was opened at No.6 Church Street, the site of the old Eastern Telegraph offices. The 'Welcome' moved to the present site at 297 Main Street
Main Street, Gibraltar
Main Street is the main arterial street in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar.Main Street is recognised today as Gibraltar’s main commercial and shopping district...
in 1933. Through the Church and its ministry of worship and service thousands of people of all faiths and none were welcomed and cared for over these years of increasing outreach and growth.
The Church moved to its present location in 1956 when the old Church and Manse were sold. The building was reconstructed into its present shape and was renamed Wesley House. From here the Church has become the spiritual home not only of Methodists but of Christians from many backgrounds who live and work in and around Gibraltar.
In 1997 the Church in Gibraltar became part of the then London South West District of the Methodist Church in the United Kingdom
Methodist Church of Great Britain
The Methodist Church of Great Britain is the largest Wesleyan Methodist body in the United Kingdom, with congregations across Great Britain . It is the United Kingdom's fourth largest Christian denomination, with around 300,000 members and 6,000 churches...
and ceased to come under the orbit of the Forces Board. This move recognized that, while the link with the forces remained, the work of the Church was now very much focussed towards the whole community of Gibraltar and its surrounding area.
The Church today
The Methodist Church in Gibraltar has seen many changes in its life over the years from its beginnings under Henry Ince, to its work among the Forces until the present day when it has become a Church for the whole community and people of Gibraltar.Worship on Sundays is at 11.00am and 7.00pm and the congregation is often representative of the World Church with local people, visitors from other countries, expatriates and others who work in Spain and elsewhere.
The church also runs a café, "The Carpenter’s Arms
Carpenter Arms
Carpenters Arms is a common British pub name.The Carpenters Arms are today an unrelated series of public houses informally referred to as "Pubs" within the United Kingdom. Historically the first such named "Carpenter Arms" was based on a forfeit Carpenter Coat of Arms patent and supported by the...
", and a Christian Bookshop "Words Aflame", with a video lending library. Both the 'Arms' and 'Words Aflame' are staffed mainly by volunteers. They also run the Alpha Course twice a year with help from members of other Churches in Gibraltar. The Gibraltar Church is now strongly linked to Methodism in the UK through the South East District of The Methodist Church. Wesley House can be found at 297 Main Street, just along from the Governor’s residence.