Runcorn Ward Celebrates 60th Anniversary
Chester Stake Communications Director
In June 2024, Runcorn celebrated 60 years since being formed. Many past bishops and branch presidents attended.
There were some stands in the cultural hall depicting the 60-year history in pictures and narrative, a cake competition for the best 60th cake, a family history stand, and a stand showing the craft work of several members over the 60 years.
A service was held, where some past bishops and branch presidents spoke, including President Dennis Richardson, President Arthur Ireland, Bishop Graham Hodgkiss, and finally our current Bishop Wes Ap-Carreg.
The highlight of the service was Alan Webb, son of late President Harry Webb, who played the hymn, ‘ I’ll Walk with God’ on the piano, which his Dad would often play and sing in the late 70’s at the church.
Many stories were shared, testimonies were borne, and much laughter and tears were shed as members caught up with old friends.
60 Year History of Runcorn Ward
In the early sixties, a young man named Kenny Jones played baseball with a group of missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Little did his family imagine that they would form the nucleus of a congregation that today has over 130 active members.
The Jones family, along with the Mullins family and the Pass family, at first met each Sunday in the Victoria Road School annexe; later moving just down York Street to Tudor Hall and the Memorial Hall.
Towards the end of 1971, Brother Arthur Ireland received notice from the Council to quit our current venue. A community centre in Cotton Lane became our new meeting place. We managed quite well at Cotton Lane but, for some reason, the Council was opposed to our meeting there, and we again received notice to quit.
So, our little lost tribe of Israel went wandering around from place to place, searching for a permanent home. Almost every Sunday found us at a different venue, although we were fortunate to have a Girl Guides’ hut for two consecutive weeks! Finally, we found a disused school in Granville Street in the Old Town. Everybody set to work with brushes, mops, buckets and paint brushes. It was really cold in the winter but, for us, it was Zion!
We were searching for land upon which we could build a Chapel. President Ireland appointed Lynne McGarry (later to become Lynne McCarrick) to be his chief scout. Heavily pregnant at the time, she pestered the living daylights out of the Planning Departments at the Council offices, the Development Corporation and the private sector.
After about 18 months to two years, without apparent success, President Ireland asked the members to fast and pray in their families that we might find somewhere to meet. Two weeks later, the Development Corporation invited us to their office and presented us with three possible sites! President Ireland suggested that all our families pile into cars to visit all three sites and then to fast and pray about them. Lynne describes our visit to the Clifton Road site-
“It was all surrounded by fencing, with no gateway to gain access. As we climbed through the fence to stand on the land and see how it felt, I can see that deep and thoughtful expression on Arthur’s face as he stood, felt, looked and took in the feel of the land and the views all around.”
On a cold Boxing Day morning in 1979, the members of the Runcorn Branch gathered on the Chapel site on Clifton Road. Mission President Ivory attended to dedicate the site. Members took turns to stand on a mound of earth and re-dedicate themselves to building Zion- not only with bricks and mortar, but with love, faith and commitment.
We started building in January 1980. Many of the members became tilers, roofers, plumbers, electricians, plasterers and path layers. In November 1980, we held our first meeting!
On 6th June 1982, the Chester Stake was established, and Runcorn Branch became a ward. We enjoyed our wonderful chapel for around twenty-six years, then the Brethren agreed that the building be increased in size again to accommodate our growing numbers.
Devastatingly, teenagers forced their way into our boarded-up chapel and, in the early hours of the sixth of October 2007, caused a fire which was to destroy the integrity of the building. Our wonderful chapel, which we had lovingly helped build, was demolished on 17 April 2008. The sadness of the members was palpable.
In August 2009, Halton Council approved plans for a two-storey chapel to be built, and who can deny that the Lord has blessed us with this most beautiful building! What a joy it is! The first Chapel of its design to be built by the Church in the whole world!
Exciting things have happened in our Ward during all of these years, since Brother Gwyn Jones became our first Branch President of a tiny Unit! Boundary changes which have seen us leave the Liverpool Stake to form a unit in the newly formed Chester England Stake; our status being changed from Branch to Ward; from being exiles and wandering from place to place to having a beautiful new Chapel.
We have welcomed so many new babies and said our farewells to dear ones who have gone ahead. We have been led by righteous men and women and seen many of our young people serve missions all over the world and mature members serving Temple missions. We have seen three of our young men serving as Stake Presidents at the same time in different parts of the UK; a Mission President; two Area Authorities and now a General Authority.
In more recent years, we have witnessed a wonderful influx that makes us a global Church! We have been blessed with members joining us from Brazil, Portugal, Africa, Romania and Germany - people who have brought their enthusiasm, testimony and talents to share with us and strengthen us. So, as we celebrate our sixty plus years, may we all be determined to continue forward together to sow the seeds of the Gospel in this area of the Lord’s vineyard.