How about we delve into the story of Barking Methodist Church? This church stands as a testament to Barking’s rich religious history. The Methodist movement first made its mark here in the 1700s. John Cennick, a follower of John Wesley, ignited religious fervor with his preaching around 1750.
John Wesley himself preached in Barking in 1783 and 1784. Early Methodists gathered in a simple wooden hut. A Wesleyan School opened in 1845. It saw its peak attendance of 336 children in 1887. It closed around the turn of the century. A Wesleyan Chapel then appeared on the south side of East Street in 1869.
Let’s fast forward to the early 20th century. The Wesleyan Chapel was replaced by the Central Hall in 1928. The new Central Hall stood on the north side of East Street. This impressive project cost about £50,000. J. Arthur Rank, a British movie mogul and Methodist, significantly funded it. Central Hall could seat 1,500 people. It served as both a place of worship and an entertainment venue. It was managed in line with the Temperance movement. The movement promoted activities free from alcohol.
During World War II, Central Hall became a place to deal with war damage claims. It also served as storage for salvaged furniture. But tragedy struck in 1945. A V2 rocket partially destroyed Central Hall. The dome and facade remained standing. The rest of the building was demolished around 1951 after the war. The new Barking Methodist Church was then built. It was located to the rear of the site, accessed from London Road.
Methodists believe that everyone needs to be saved. They also believe everyone can be saved. Methodists also hold the belief that all can know themselves to be saved. And that everyone can be saved to the uttermost.
Today, the Barking Methodist Church continues to serve its community. It welcomes people of all backgrounds. The Barking Methodist Church continues the legacy of faith. The church extends the warm embrace of the Methodist community. It stands as a beacon of hope in Barking. It shows the enduring power of faith and community.