188 Years of The Stanhill Methodist Church

2018 was the start of a new fellowship group called B.A.S.I.C. (Brothers And Sisters In Christ) The church hosted a Polish evening. The children from the Polish School in Accrington came and entertained with their traditional dancing. The mums brought some delicious Polish food for everyone to taste. Another evening to remember. 2020/21 COVID hit the world!! Worship via Zoom – a different experience for everyone! Restrictions gradually lifted but nothing seemed the same. 2022 September 3rd at Antley a Welcome Service for the Rev. Matt Smith. 2023 was a special year when in September, Stanhill hosted the Stanhill Take a Bow heritage weekend. On the Saturday there was a performance by professional musicians, David Aspin, playing the viola and Alex Stemp playing the restored 130 year old violin played at the Stanhill Sermons by Leonard Briggs. A very poignant afternoon embraced by everyone.

COMMEMORATIVE PROGRAMME

STANHILL TAKE A BOW Heritage Festival

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STANHILL METHODIST CHURCH

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e violin which features in today's recital is a copy of Antonius Stradivarius and was made in Germany over 130 years ago, possibly by Alfred Moritz in Dresden. It was played at the Stanhill Methodist Sermons at least as far back as 1910. Now fully restored by private donation, the instrument will be loaned out annually by the church to young people who wish to embark on a music career but lack a suitable instrument to play on. e applicants will be chosen via a competitive process in partnership with Lancashire Schools Music Service. A photo here shows Leonard Briggs playing the violin during a Sermons Procession. Mrs Charlotte Rumble LAY PASTOR T h

Rev. Matt Smith PRESBYTER

Design & print donated by: which is featured in photos of the Stanhill Methodist Sermons as far back as 1910, will now be loaned out annually by the church to a young person who wishes to embark on a music career but lacks a suitable instrument to play on. T h e applicant will be chosen via a competitive process in partnership with Lancashire Schools Music Service. T h e scheme will be launched at today’s recital, where the restored violin will be played for the f i rst time in public by two top Lancashire professional musicians. T h e recital will include performances by the well-known Red Rose Singers and insights into the history of the Chapel and the signi f i cance of the Stanhill Sermons which once attracted hundreds of people to Stanhill, supported by a large and accomplished orchestra that played in the village. T h e violin will be played by Alex Stemp who performs regularly with the Hallé and Royal Northern Sinfonia, the Northern Chamber Orchestra and other orchestras in the North West. She has given many solo and chamber recitals all over the UK and has recorded backing tracks over many years for tv and radio. David Aspin is Principal Viola of the Orchestra of Opera North and is a regular guest principal with many of the UK's top orchestras. He has toured internationally with chamber groups and recorded for CD and radio. A 130+ year old violin found rotting in Stanhill Chapel in Oswaldtwistle, has now been restored to performance standard with the help of a private donation. T h e violin,

RECITAL 16th SEPTEMBER 2023

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Stanhill Methodist Church is one of the oldest working former United Methodist Free churches in the region.

Stanhill Methodist Church, Nab Lane, Stanhill Village, Oswaldtwistle BB5 4PT Facebook - Stanhill Methodist Church Website - https://www.wpmmethodist.org.uk/stanhill.htm

Photo by Karen Nash Photography

Stanhill Take A Bow Heritage Weekend’ September 2023

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