Letchworth church given makeover to mark its centenary

The new stained glass window at letchworth Central Methodist Church. (Image: Archant)

Letchworth Central Methodist Church’s organ has undergone a major restoration which will be put to the test with a concert at 7.30pm on Friday, October 3, led by Nigel Ogden, host of the BBC Radio 2 programme The Organist Entertains.

The anniversary has also been marked with the installation of a stained glass window, designed and made by artist Amanda Seljubac which represents the church’s ‘mission to the community through the last 100 years’.

The first Methodist meeting was chaired by Ebenezer Howard – the architect behind the world’s first garden city – on September 14, 1909, in the Pixmore Institute, which is now Hillshott Infant and Nursery School.

It was decided to raise funds for a new building to serve the growing population of Letchworth. The first site selected was on the corner of Common View, where St George’s Church now stands, until the present site at the corner of Norton Way South and Pixmore Way became available. The stone laying ceremony took place on April 22, 1914, and the building was completed on September 2.

In 1936 the church merged with the The Primitive Methodists who had their own chapel on Broadway, where North Hertfordshire College now stands. The organ, pulpit and panelling which now adorn the front of the church were all moved from that chapel.

After the Second World War, comfortable tip-up seats from a cinema were restored to replace the traditional pews, a gift from the Rank Organisation which was a longstanding Methodist benefactor.

Rev Malcolm Peacock, the church’s superintendent minister, said: “We have held a number of events throughout our centenary year and the new window and the concert by Nigel Ogden will provide a fitting climax. Now we look forward to many more years of service to the Letchworth community.”

Tickets for the concert cost £8. Call 01462 623629 to book.