On Sunday 10th July 2005, a Service of Celebration and Final Act of Worship was held at Union Church, Frodsham, the church having been a living witness in Frodsham since 1886. Joan Pollen, who we remember with great fondness at Frodsham Methodist Church, was the Church Secretary and along with other members of her family was a life-long member of Union Church. As part of the last act of celebration Joan wrote these words: “In 1878, in an Old Mill Room by the River Weaver, two men, Mr John Jackson a Baptist and Mr Thomas Rigby a Congregationalist, started a Sunday School. The following year a United Church of Baptists and Congregationalists was formally established and over the next seven years it flourished, so much so that most of the present building, which includes the Baptistry, had been erected and opened for worship. The site had previously held a rather unsavoury tavern, which had been notorious for its association with the men constructing the railway, and a few cottages. The church was completed in March 1887 and on Sunday 27th of that month the members and Sunday School scholars assembled for the last time in the Mill Room and processed to the new church singing the hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee”. The church was called “Union” indicating the origins and constitution from both Baptist and Independents. Union was and is a very friendly and caring church and has always tried to give visitors a warm welcome. Many neighbouring residents look upon it as their church. Former Junior Church members get married here and bring their children for baptism, and funeral services are conducted for older, long-standing members. Thank you all. Joan Pollen Church Secretary” Throughout her ministry Joan inspired and cared for many who were part of both Union Church and the close community that surrounded it. At the final service crosses were distributed to those present with these words, which give us hope and assurance still today: As you hold this cross, may you rejoice in the knowledge that God’s love is indestructible. May you know that nothing can separate you from the love of God, neither life nor death, things present or things to come. The cross is the sign that nothing in all creation, nothing at all, can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Holy, Holy, Holy, performed by the Virtual Choir of St John’s Woking: Andrew Ellams
2 Comments
Matthew
21/5/2020 08:13:22
Joan will be fondly remembered.
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Rev. Andrew
22/5/2020 12:54:28
I try to remember that some of us at Frodsham Methodist Church come from this tradition. I am grateful to Joan Pollen for her smile and encouragement. We all remember her with love and thanks.
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