EXACTLY 100 years ago this week, a new Methodist Church was completed and officially opened at Pump Street, Worcester.

It was to be the fourth Wesleyan chapel on roughly the same site though - as we know with the benefit of hindsight - it has not survived to celebrate its centenary. A fifth Pump Street Methodist Church was built to replace it in the mid-1960s as part of the Lich Gate redevelopment and still survives and flourishes today.

But back to the Berrow's Journal report of October 25, 1902 on the opening service for "the new Wesleyan chapel and schools, erected in Pump Street at an estimated cost of £8,000.

"The Rev Dr. Davidson, principal of the Handsworth College, preached and the Rev J.G Greaves, superintendent of the Wesleyan Circuit, presided.

At the public tea which followed the service, about 300 persons were present and were waited upon by young people associated with the Guild.

"The Rev Greaves referred to the satisfaction expressed on all sides with the new premises. The church was well designed and the work had been thoroughly well executed by the contractor. He rejoiced that there had been no injury to life or limb during construction.

"The new church is built in brick with Bath stone dressings and in the Renaissance style and greatly improves the appearance of Pump Street. The tall square tower rises to 105 feet, and the church will hold 600 people seated on the ground floor and a further 250 in the gallery.

"At the rear of the church is a large assembly room with four classrooms leading off it."