These temples of His grace,
How beautiful they stand!

In June, 1918, the then minister, the Rev. Kettleborough, reported to the Quarterly Meeting that a Mr. Colman had offered to Acocks Green Wesleyan church a building in Westley Road, close to the council school, and known as the Temperance Institute. The sale price was £500 freehold. The building comprised of one large room, a second smaller room, clubroom, vestry, kitchen, w.c.'s. All were lighted and heated by gas. Mr. Kettleborough told the meeting that if the purchase was approved the Institute would be used as a centre for social work in Acocks Green. Approval was forthcoming and a Trust was formed to be legally responsible for its upkeep. The composition of this Trust was remarkable because for the first time women were elected to it and comprised a third of its membership, eight out of a total of twenty-four. It was not until 1965 that women were appointed to the church Trust.

The formalities of purchase were quickly completed and the Wesleyan Institute was officially opened on 31st August, 1918. It soon became known as the 'Tin Tabernacle' as it was constructed almost wholly out of corrugated iron sheeting. Its poor aesthetic appearance was matched by its construction and only five months later in January, 1919, its trustees were told that the floor was giving way, the roof leaked and ventilation was bad and made worse by the gas lamps and heating. Patched up repairs were carried out but throughout its ownership by Acocks Green church building repairs had to be made with alarming frequency.

The first social function of any importance was the welcome home for returning soldiers from the Great War. This was on May 15th, 1919. The Leaders Meeting had decided that each returning war veteran could bring "a lady friend, cigarettes would be provided and smoking permitted at table immediately after supper. Messrs. Sheasby and Uren would be asked to sing and recite respectively and then the soldiers in return would be asked to sing some of the songs that they had sung in the trenches." By January, 1920, the trust was able to report that the building account debt on the Institute was extinguished. A church social club bought a billiard table and met there regularly for the next thirteen years, despite being threatened with closure from time to time due to what was termed "excessive noise and late night hours." To generate extra income the large room was let on Wednesday evenings to the 'Solihull and Olton Operatic Society." During the time of the extensive alterations carried out to the church in 1927 the Sunday services were held in the Tin Tabernacle. With the enlarging of the church and the consequent loss of the old schoolrooms any meeting which was too large for the newly constructed Guild Room had to be held in the Tin Tab. "The Greeting", a magazine established by Rev. Robson in 1928, lists the various activities held there, amongst which were Miss Watson's class meeting on Monday evenings, the weekly social club and the Life Boys at 7.0 p.m. on Wednesdays.

The inconveniences of the Tin Tab. were great. There was only a rudimentary platform and the old iron stove was a limitation on movement. The piano also left much to be desired. Perhaps this was why the Operatic Society complained in 1932 that its own piano was opened and used by unauthorised persons. Nevertheless, these impediments were not a brake on the fellowship and friendship generated at various social gatherings and today the building is still held in affection, probably rendered the greater by the passing years, by some church members. When the new purpose built Sunday School and Institute was opened in 1933 the need for the Tin Tab. was no longer there. Its finances had always been precarious and by that year they were in the red. It was reported that there was a debt of ten guineas outstanding incurred two years earlier by a certain Miss Jean de N Guy. She had been a dancing teacher who had rented the Tin Tab. To give lessons, but who had decamped to Hampstead, London, leaving the rent unpaid. The Social Club was also in disgrace, having failed to pay its full rent for the previous three years.

The Tin Tab. Was sold in November, 1933. At the time its passing was without much regret but for the thirteen years it had belonged to the Methodists it had provided extra space for fellowship and friendship.

Introduction

Preface

"Methodists as they are term'd"

The first church

The present church to 1927

The present church from 1927 to 1986

The Memorial Windows

Ministers

Organists and choir

The Tin Tabernacle

The Junior Church

The Junior Missionary Association

Uniformed organisations

The Guild/Circle

The Ladies Sewing Meeting

The Women's Cheerful Hour

Recreation Clubs

Subscribers to New Church Building Fund 1882

Names in the corridor of the Sunday School building

Roll of Honour

Church Trusts 1874 to 1976

Caretakers

Endpiece

Bibliography