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Zion Independent Methodist Church

Zion.jpg (19325 bytes) This is the chapel that I attended as a child and into my teens. It was, until recently, the Zion Independent Methodists place of worship.

There hasn't been a service there since January 2002. I have just heard from David Gott that it has been sold at auction for £173,000 in May 2006.

 Inside, this picture shows the chapel just as I remember it some 45 years ago. However, the picture was taken in 1994 just after a wedding.

 My auntie Muriel used to play the organ after Walter Bracewell died. 

 

 Zion-4.jpg (36588 bytes)

I have just received this photograph from Margaret Halliwell (nee Aston) for which I thank her. I know so many faces on this photograph! Indeed, I am one of them. No prizes for spotting me if I confide that I had dark hair and didn't wear glasses then.

Another face on that photograph is pictured here. David Gott with whom I am once again in touch via the wonders of the internet.

Can you spot him on the right of the group photograph?
Time moves on and in 2007 I can say that it has been bought for conversion into a private dwelling. A good friend of those times, David Gott, (above) has been in constant touch with me over the last year or so and he has provided me with some pictures of the ongoing building work at Zion. Firstly, some pictures that he took in February 2007 showing the work on renovating the chapel roof.
I wonder if a crane as big as this has ever graced the skyline of this part of Trawden before!

In early April, more work has clearly been completed, although there are some alarming cracks to the left of the left hand window.

Watch this space for further developments!

 

Zion has seen much in the way of singing over the years. Below are some of those memories.

 
Zion-6.jpg (53960 bytes) November 1st 1998, the poster tells us, was an important anniversary in the history of Zion, it was 50 years since the Colne Orpheus Glee Union choir had first filled the chapel with their harmonious voices 
  Below is the text from that final concert programme at Zion.

 

Fifty consecutive annual occasions when Colne Orpheus Glee Union has occupied the choir stalls for this annual celebration.

Today counts as the fifty-first time the choir has sung at Zion when is included the concert given as part of an ‘At Homes’ in February. 1945; the only occasion that Luther Greenwood conducted the Orpheus at Zion.

Amongst these fifty visits how many times have the choruses ’Sing Unto God’ and ’Sound an Alarm’ featured an the programme, generally by request? Handelian choruses were ever favourite at Zion, almost certainly at least one per visit.

Many changes have taken place since this series of fifty began on 20th November 1949, when, under the guidance of choir doyen T.K. Land, the choir sang but eleven times. In the early years the day enjoyed huge popularity and chairs filled the aisles to accommodate the congregation. Afternoon and evening sings became the vogue for a period which saw the advent of the ever bounteous ’faith tea’, a feature that continues to this day. Someone once mooted a thought relating number of items sung to cups of tea and buns consumed, an onerous task, which shall not be pursued further.

At this event speculation will inevitably question ’has anyone attended all fifty?’ - as far as the choir is concerned the answer is a resounding NO. Yet the record has been achieved, a record of which the choir is justifiably proud, and it is doubtful if it will ever be equalled.

The occasion came about when the chapels own male choir, which previously sustained the service, disbanded and the Orpheus was invited to take over. Traditions established on the first occasion, the Handelian chorus and the lady soloist, have been faithfully maintained: doubly so today in the case of the lady soloist, one of whom hails from Trawden. 

Today’s visit marks the twelfth time that Jack Leeming has conducted the choir at Zion, only Ronald Riley officiating more times. 

Appended is a list of current Orpheus members, but during these fifty occasions there have been many people involved, choralists, soloists, accompanists and conductors. all are remembered today. Perhaps wherever they may be, they will be thinking what a great day it is for Trawden’s chapel on the hill - the Zion - and what a great day it is too for COLNE ORPHEUS GLEE UNION.'

Orpheus celebration