Memorial

Stained Glass Window 1939-45 Memorial Wesleyan Methodist

North Shields

Memorial Name: Stained Glass Window 1939-45 Memorial Wesleyan Methodist (N34.06)

NEWMP Ref No.: N34.06

Parish: North Shields

Original Location:

Memorial Wesleyan Methodist Church

Present Location:

Building is now Kiki’s Kabin, a soft play area and café.

Which War:

1939-45

Materials Used:

Stained glass

Inscription:

In loving memory of those from this Church
who gave their lives for their Country 1939-45.

Memorial Description:

Stained glass window of three lights.

In the centre is Christ with left hand raised in gesture of welcome.

In the left light are depicted three standing figures of a soldier, an A.R.P. warden and a ?Wren, who is cradling the head of a young man sitting on the floor.

In the right hand window are a sailor, a pilot and a nurse, standing, while sitting are a Land Army girl and an A.T.S. girl.

The inscription is at the bottom of the central light, being painted in black lettering in varying sizes of Roman capitals.

The names are underneath this, using upper and lower case Roman lettering.

Names:

8 names.
See transcript.

Notes:

1. In 1884, the Trustees of the Howard Street Wesleyan Church wanted to move to a bigger building. The new building opened in 1891, paid for by Joseph Robinson, a shipping magnate who worshipped with the Wesleyans. He wanted it to be built in memory of his late daughter Elizabeth Amy. Three years after signing the deed, he died suddenly aged 74; his wife died a year later. Their sons honoured the contract and made sure the church was built. Dwindling congregations in the 1950s forced the closure of the church, which was taken over by the Byker Mission in 1981 at a cost of £25,000.

2. For many years this was run by the Radio Reverend Frank Wappatt, after he opened the building in 1981 and was known as the Frank Wappat Church Centre, Albion Road, and was a branch of the Byker Mission. Originally 1000 people attended the non-denominational church services but this dwindled because of parking restrictions. In the end, the church was sold.

Sources:

Photos: Ralph Gould; Tony Harding