West Smethwick Methodist Church

The church was built in 1928 and is part of the Methodist denomination. For many years the church ran a large Sunday school and youth club. The Sunday school was run for many years by Mrs Jones who lived on Devonshire Road. The Sunday school ran lots of activities including an annual Scripture Exam where the children got tested on their knowledge of the Bible.

The youth club was run for many years by Eric. They played games like table tennis, football and netball and took part in national Methodist youth events at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

The church is smaller now but Beverly runs the Sunday school and the church organises an annual trip to Blackpool for members. The church meets for worship on Sunday morning and for prayer and Bible study on a Wednesday. A Seventh Day Adventist Church use the building for worship on Sunday afternoons.

Like all Methodist Churches they have a Covenant Service in January where members of the congregation say the Covenant Prayer where they renew their commitment to be a Methodist Christian.

Debbie has been coming to the church for nearly 50 years and was an active member of the Sunday schools and youth clubs. She remembers her dad repairing a house in order that they could get a mortgage to buy it, as it could be difficult for Caribbean families to buy houses. Her mum heard the American civil rights activist Malcolm X speak when he came to Smethwick in 1965 as they lived on Marshall street which he came to, she was later interviewed about it by local news. When Debbie was young all the Caribbean members of the congregation would dress up smart for church, something she still does occasionally, but also likes to dree more casually, so that visitors feel welcome if they don’t have smart clothes to wear. She is involved in running the church by being a steward. Her Christian faith is important to her whole life and every morning she listens to Bible readings and devotions.

https://www.birminghamwestandoldburymethodist.org.uk/