| Parkgate Chapel |
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Church History
In 1857 a group of notable local people led by R. A. Macfie of Ashfield Hall petitioned the Presbytery of Lancaster to found a Church in Parkgate. Mr. Macfie was, along with the most of the other people involved, a Scot, who had made his home on the Wirral. There was already a Church in the square at Parkgate (Now St. Thomas's). Mr. Macfie bought this building from the failing Congregational Church and Parkgate & Neston Presbyterian Church was born. In 1858 the first minister, The Revd. A. M. Halkett was called and remained as minister until his retirement in 1873Within a few years a chapel in Little Neston had been acquired together with Great Neston Methodist Chapel, both of which were purchased by Mr. Macfie. Services were held at Parkgate in the morning and afternoon, morning and evening at Little Neston and at Great Neston in the evening. In 1878 The Revd. John Towert, who had previously ministered in Scotland, was called as minister and was to remain in office for the next 48 years.
The great event of the year 1884 was the opening of the present Church. The land was generously given by Mr. J. Johnston Houghton of Westwood, Thornton Hough. The funds to erect it came not only from members of the church, but from many others, some of whom were members of the Church of England and other denominations. The building was intended to have a spire and tower. It was also intended to have schools, but a classroom was placed underneath the building as a temporary measure. However, this was the only additional space the church had until the present hall was built in 1968. The stone used was Storeton stone and Yorkshire shoddies. The architect was Mr. J. Francis Doyle of Liverpool and the contractors Messrs Hughes & Stirling of Liverpool. The cost was estimated at £3000 and on the date of opening still £700 remained to be raised and was fully paid in 1887.
In the 1960's during the ministry of the Revd. Ron Kidd, the congregation raised funds to build the hall which has been intended to be part of the original building programme.
In 1972 the Presbyterian Church of England united with the Congregational in England and Wales to form the United Reformed Church.
Over the last four years the congregation has raised funds to redevelop the interior of the Church, a major feature of which are the wall panels designed by Kay Andrews and created by her with the assistance of twenty eight ladies from the church. Our hope is that in the near future we can complete the redevelopment by creating a new entrance on Parkgate Road.