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METHODISM IN COVENTRY
This is basically a mixture of Wesleyan and Primitive Methodism, with a very slight sprinkling of Independents. Wesleyan Methodism came in two prongs:
(i) in central Coventry with the visits of John Wesley in 1779; 1782; and 1786 and,
(ii) in the Foleshill area of Coventry in 1779 when John Wesley preached there on his way into Coventry.
In the central area Wesleyans had various temporary meeting places until 1808 when they acquired a chapel in Gosford Street. In 1836 they moved to Warwick Lane (later to be the home of Central Hall) from where there were movements outwards to the suburbs of Earlsdon; Stoney Stanton Road; Coundon; Radford; Lime Tree Park; Canley; and Spon End.
House meetings took place in 1791 in the Hall Green area of Foleshill. The movement from here reached Lockhurst Lane; Bell Green; Alderman's Green; and Brick Kiln Lane - later Broad Street.
Primitive Methodism started with the visit of John Garner in 1819. It established itself in New Cowl, Gosford Street in 1822. From here again we had two prongs:
(i) at Paradise - later Edgwick - moving out to Holbrooks Lane; Wheelwright Lane and Alderman's Green and
(ii) at Grove Street in 1834, moving to Ford Street and Macdonald Road on the one hand and Milton Street; Heath Road, and Woodside Avenue on the other.
Other movements established societies at Meriden and Balsall Common.
At the formation of The Methodist Church in 1932 Wesleyans and Primitives theoretically came together. However, in Coventry, this was not ratified until 1945. In the years that followed there were many “Inter-marriages” that finally produced the Hall Green Church. Since then there have been many changes, closures and re-developments.
CENTRAL HALL
This was built on the site of Warwick Lane Wesleyan Chapel, originally part of the Grey Friars Burial Ground. In 1928 Rev. C. Pollard advised the Trustees that, following correspondence with Joseph Rank, there was every possibility of a Central Hall being built in Coventry. This was due to the foresight of the Trustees in buying 5 adjoining cottages in 1910.
In September 1928 Rev. Morcom Taylor became Minister. Sunday 28 September 1930 saw the closure of Warwick Lane Chapel. The stone laying ceremony for the New Hall was on April 23 1931 by Rev. John Hornabrook. Central Hall was opened on January 14 1932. The cost was approximately £40,000 of which Joseph Rank gave around £30,000. One of the Lower Halls was named The Eadon Hall after Mrs. Morcom Taylor's maiden name.
When Rev. William Cookson came in September 1939 war had became more certain. During his ministry he had to face those war years with the blitz and damage to the Hall. Rooms to the rear were badly affected and were later demolished. The tower was slightly twisted on it's axis, and floors and windows were affected. However, apart from the Sunday following the great blitz, services were maintained every Sunday. In September 1946 Central Hall became head of the new Coventry Mission Circuit.
After the blitz Central Hall was almost the only major building left standing in the city centre. It became home for many organisations such as Post Office Sorting; Telephone Exchange; Library; and an Army Recruiting Office. Since then there have been many improvements
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