HISTORY OF OUR CHURCH 

Photograph Of  Birdbeck House Before Demolition	Photograph Taken At The Opening in 1956

Birdbeck House does not figure in the local history books, and appears to take its name from the field in which it was built, and where its lovely gardens have been maintained.

The story of the house itself is chiefly that of its best known owner, the late Mr William Welchman, who was a solicitor in Wisbech. He was considered by many to be the village ‘squire’, and during the 60 years that he lived in the house, he became well known as a generous benefactor to deserving causes in Upwell and Wisbech. It was he who gave the garden its glory. He was at one time in partnership with the first owner of Birdbeck House, the late Mr W.L. Ollard.

When Mr Welchman died in 1936, Birdbeck House and its gardens and land were bought by Ald. W. Hunter Rowe, of Upwell. In purchasing the property, Ald. Rowe had in mind the need for a new Methodist Chapel, the New Rd premises being old, small and unsuitable, and did not include any Sunday school accommodation.

A staunch Methodist, he presented the Birdbeck House property to the Methodist trustees, and it was proposed to erect on the site premises comprising a church to seat 220, a school hall, separate primary department and vestry, together with kitchen and cloakroom accommodation.

Designed to stand in this excellent position in the village, the project was estimated to cost £6,000. Plans were drawn up by a Spalding firm and an appeal displaying a drawing of the future church was sent out, asking for donations.

Just when everything was ready for Birdbeck House to be pulled down, war broke out and the project was postponed. It was not long before the house was inhabited again. During the war, the house was requisitioned by the Rural Council, and several families lived in it together, with as many as 34 people at a time using it as a home.

At Christmas 1952, the house was handed back to the trustees and demolition began in June 1953. The original plans for the chapel had to be modified in the light of price increases and the different materials available after the war.

In October 1954 the stonelaying took place and the dearest dream of the late Mrs Grace Hunter-Rowe began to take shape.  Though she did not live to see its completion, she laid the foundation in the truest sense leaving approximately £15,000 for the purpose.  For every pound raised by the people of the church the late Mr Walter Hunter-Rowe also gave a pound to match the donation.  He would collect villages from bus stops in his famous Bentley and take them to Wisbech, the bus fare would be put in a box on his dashboard thus raising more money for our church to be built.  

Thus rose this building of golden facing bricks which with their roofing tiles gave a warm mature effect, blending with the delightful surroundings.  A flash of modernity was given by the main entrance with its airy glass fronted vestibule with large glass doors. 

Inside the lofty church, with a seating capacity for 200, the walls are light and finished with exquisite plasterwork.  The seating accommodation, pulpit and communion table are of solid oak in a light finish, while the furnishings around the communion area and organ chamber are of cherry wood. 

A wide corridor leads to the ministers and choir vestries and to the main hall seating about 156.  This hall has a platform at one end and a modern serving hatch leading to a well equipped kitchen. 

Adjoining is the small room for about 60 primary scholars having huge windows on three sides with French windows leading directly to the lawns.  Hence on Wednesday, 26^th September the church was ready to be opened. 

The late Mrs Lily Hunter-Rowe unlocked the door with the words “I now declare the Church open to the glory of Almighty God and for the joy and peace of all who enter in”.  So the people poured through the glass fronted vestibule and down the long wood block aisle until every pew in the building and all the additional seats taken in for the occasion were filled. 

The Superintendent Minister the Rev. Russell A Potts conducted the dedication service assisted by the Rector of Upwell (Rev A W G Cope) and Rev W E Phillipson of the Manchester Chapel Department. 

The Rev Dr W E R Sangster from Central Hall preached the opening sermon and in inspired words gave his answer to the question “What is the Church really for”.  The late Alderman W E H Rowe, who had done so much to see the Church completed was to have the last word of the day.  He thanked all who had helped towards the project in anyway, particularly his co-treasurer the late Mr A E Morton, the late Rev J L Bickley who had done so much spade work and secretary the late Mr A J Towson, his many business friends and colleagues, the women of the Church, the architect and the builder. Thus his generosity and purposeful ambition was fulfilled. 

So the years have passed, 9 ministers have been associated with the Church and amongst distinguished preachers, two Presidents have spoken to packed congregations, but many have the faithful been who have carried on the work from week to week. 

Gifts of two communion chairs, vestibule table, reading desks and many other material contributions have been made to the furnishings.  In more recent years gifts have included prayer books, bibles and an electronic organ from the late Mr & Mrs Bernard Scott, Mission Praise hymn books from Mr Tim Dewdney to celebrate his 30^th birthday, a tapestry of the Last Supper given by Mrs Mary Williamson and two chairs made by Mr Trevor Vincent from the wood of a church pew. 

50 years on, we fortunately still have a Sunday School although not so many in number as in 1956, over 100 scholars then, about 15 now.  The Girls’ Brigade still meet on Friday evenings and the Puddleducks Playgroup use the building every weekday.  Our congregation has dwindled in number but our church is still alive and long may it continue to be so. 

As we look on a flood-lit Church with its golden cross looking down from the top most eave, we are reminded of the late Rev J A Cook who gave his life in the service of the Upwell & Manea Circuit, it is to his memory that a cross was erected on the cherry wood background of the communion area.  May we redouble our efforts to remould the spirit of the Church and may we have the added faith to go on. 

 MINISTERS OF OUR CHURCH