Felpham Methodist Church

A couple of months ago I wrote about churches in the vicinity and asked that if I had omitted any church could their representative please contact me. I am pleased to say that several people have contacted me and as a result I will be writing regarding the history and development of some of our churches in the coming months. When we look at churches throughout the country we tend to assume that they have been in existence for years and on their current site for many years. However, this may not always be true! This week we shall start by looking at the history and development of the Felpham Methodist Church.

In 1909 Felpham had an apparent shortage of premises for religious provision and it was to fall principally to one lady to remedy this. Alice Boyling began to try and redress this problem. Living at The Gables in Bognor Regis, Alice was overheard to remark, "Out east Felpham is growing and there is nothing for folk out there," she was then to commence a small Sunday School for local boys and girls at No. 1 Sea Road, Felpham.

Unfortunately, due to the First World War and illness, her dreams were to be put on hold for a time. However in 1932 she met another lady called Mrs. Hole and together their plans recommenced. Prayer meetings were held in an upper room at the Methodist Church in Waterloo Square. This early prayer group consisted of six ladies, but when their room had to be redecorated they were forced to seek new premises for their weekly meetings.

One of their number was aware that there was in Felpham a small premise that was described as a 'tin hut.' The hut was situated in the Flansham area and the group contacted the owners, who were members of a sect known as the Loxwood Independants. When the ladies advised that they were in fact Methodist, the owners commented, "We couldn't have anyone like that out here." Eventually however they were allowed to use the hall for a fee of a "Shilling a week for a Sunday service, but they had to find the oil for the lamps." Such a humble beginning.

On October 2nd 1932 when this small group of Methodists commenced their services, they were still without an organ, but one was offered to them at the last moment. Without any form of transport the organ was moved to their new little church in Alice Boyling's bath chair.

In actual fact Alice and her maid trundled the organ the two and a half miles to Flansham all by themselves.

There were apparently 23 people present at their first meeting, 12 of whom had moved from the Bognor Regis Methodist Church to help and encourage this small group of enthusiastic worshippers.

As time past, word spread and so numbers increased. By the time of their first Harvest Festival service in October 1933 the congregation was of sufficient size to warrant a newspaper article, in the Bognor Post, advising that the fruit and vegetables that had been donated were to be given to the Felpham Sunshine Home and also the Bognor Hospital. This little church was now

becoming established and recognised locally. In reports recorded at the end of the year it was announced that a total of 770 adults had attended services, they had 34 Sunday school schollars and that there 'were 14 members on their books.' The rent had risen to 4s. 1d. per week but the weekly collections of between 4 to 5 shillings per week helped to cover this sum.

The coming years saw many changes including the commencement, in 1934, of a womens group named the Sisterhood also the Womens Bright Hour. As there was no provision within the hall for gas, water or even a stove for heating, the women brought all necessary items weekly to allow them to have their much needed cup of tea. This system continued for over 5 years. Alice Boyling was finally appointed President and Mrs. T. Tregear of Aldwick was elected Chairman.

In 1935 an evening service commenced for prayer and on January 24th 1935 a Band of Hope was formed for the children. However this proved extremely popular and soon became over crowded. It was decided to divide the children to form a Band of Hope for the smaller children with a Guild for the older members.

It is difficult to appreciate the problems that these ladies had in the early days of the establishment of the Methodist Church into the area. Some of the reports seem to imply that Felpham was far removed from Bognor and comments that "Miss Boyling had to walk to the tin hut in Flansham to work at the Mission" does not improve this image.

Royal Jubilee celebrations were to take place in 1935 and the Felpham Sisterhood was sufficiently established to be were able, with the help of locals, to take part in these celebrations. A haywagon and horse were loaned and a large barn was decorated in Outerwhyke Farm for the day's events. After the event it is recorded that 'everyone' went to The Gables in Bognor Regis for lunch.

Numbers continued to rise and it became evident that their premises in Flansham were totally inadequate and a contact was made with Mr. J. Rank who had previously indicated that he would help. Mr. Rank immediately offered to buy a site for the church and eventually two sites were found, one in Summerley Lane and one opposite the Southdown Hotel. Hence Mr. Rank purchased today's site with financial assistance from others in the community.
Then the work really began. Funds had to be raised, furniture obtained.

First the small church hall in Flansham was closed A final service was held after which they made their way to across to the Bognor Methodist Church in Waterloo Square. Here they were entertained and provided with tea; supplied apparently on special blue cups and saucers, which were decorated with the Felpham crest.

 On the 7th June 1939 the Methodists held their stone laying ceremony. There were actually six stones laid at this time. Alice Boyling, the lady who had had the original dream, was now able to see it through to its conclusion and laid one of the stones. The premises consisted to a church hall, a schoolroom, a vestry and a kitchen. Alongside this building there remained the 95ft. frontage, which would eventually be the site to todays Felpham Methodist Church.
The hall was officially opened on 27th September 1939. During World War Two Felpham was a reception area for evacuees from South West London and thus the church was used as a schoolroom for these children. At this time Felpham Way did not exist and Downview Road was only a footpath. The Felpham Methodist Church was built at a road junction which has seen many changes and the church has witnessed the increasing population of Felpham, Middleton and Elmer, an area that Alice Boyling felt was "out east" in 1932. Her dream created a base on which to allow the church to grow into the newly fronted building we see today. This church obviously provides a facility and religious environment for the community, as was her dream.

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