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BARRY ISLAND WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH Members of Barry Island Wesleyan Methodist Church, like so many others in the late 1890's, met in rooms in member's homes, until the numbers wishing to join in the services became so many that an alternative venue was needed. This was found in the upstairs room of a shop in the Triangle. When this too became overcrowded, a decision was taken to build a Chapel on the Island.
In 1901 building work started, and in September the same year, it opened for worship. The description of the Church on its opening was "The Church is built in red brick with Bathstone dressings, and is entered from the eastern end through double doors into a large porch. The Church is 53ft 6ins long by 30ft wide, complete with a vestry 18ft by 10ft. It has folding doors to enable the Church to accommodate seating for over 300". The builder was Mr. David Morgan of The Parade, Barry, and the Architect was Mr. Birkenhead of Cardiff. The total cost of the building was £900. The Rev. T. Hind of the Penarth circuit conducted the opening service, and Alderman Agar, who was presented with a silver key by the architect for the purpose, formally opened the hurch. The Rev. David Young conducted the first service. In 1905 further work took place with the building of two new schoolrooms designed by Mr. Birkenhead, and built by S.S. Martyn of Barry. Mrs. C.H. Bailey of Newport opened one of these schoolrooms with a suitably inscribed silver key. She commented that the first bazaar she had ever opened, and now this, the first opening ceremony that she had ever performed, were both at Wesleyan Churches. She also noted that her great grandfather, William Hardcastle, was a Wesleyan minister converted by John Wesley himself. In 1914 the building was taken over and converted for use as a hospital, which was staffed by members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade for the duration of the First World War. It finally closed as a Hospital in December 1919 and the building was handed back to its members. During its time as a Hospital it treated nearly 4,000 bed patients and 30,000 outpatients. At one time so many wounded arrived in Barry, that tents, marquees and wooden buildings were erected and pressed into service as temporary accommodation for the wounded. Amongst the members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade who served at Barry Island was F.R. Hortop, Divisional Superintendent. Mrs Pardoe was later appointed Superintendent and at the end of the war was awarded the OBE. Mrs M.Lucas, Departmental Superintendent was awarded the Order of St. John for her efforts. Other members were C. Lennox and A. Paul (both ambulance officers), Sgt. T. Morris, Corp. J. Collins and J. Dally, all of whom were conscripted into the R.A.M.C on call-up. Another member, W.H. Adams, was invalided out of the war but served at Barry Island as a V.A.D. At first most of the equipment used was donated, and the organisation of the hospital was undertaken on a voluntary basis, but later the War Department gave the hospital funds to enable it to cater for more patients. Sgt. George Clemett organised events to raise money for equipment. Doctors Budge, Kent and Scott were the hospital's medical officers. As a tribute to the work carried out by the St. John Ambulance Brigade the Church was re-named St. John Methodist Church. In 1923 after renovation and the addition of new stops, the pipe organ at the church was re-opened. Mr Fred Jones of Cardiff, who played the organ on its installation in 1920, gave a recital. The organ, which is one of the oldest in South Wales, was built by Jas. Horton of London in the 18th century. It gave good service in one of the churches in Newport before being sold to St. Peter's RC Church in Cardiff, who later sold it to St. Paul's Church, Barry, where it was used for many years until it was finally acquired by the Barry Island Church. During the Second World War the Schoolroom of the Church was used as a Forces Canteen, but services were permitted to be held in the main Church.
BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH, BARRY ISLAND The Baptist cause at Barry Island was given a boost when it was offered the Iron Chapel used by the Baptist movement in Barry Dock, on completion of Holton Road Baptist Church in 1898. This building, which they named Bethany, is one of the few iron buildings still standing and in use as a Chapel today. In 1925 the Dept of Health used the building as a clinic when an outbreak of diphtheria hit the Island. In 1946 the Rev. R. G. Tucker was inducted as minister of the Church. Unfortunately like so many iron churches, its days are numbered as planning permission has been sought for its demolition. © T. CLEMETT 2001
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