West End Methodism

Throughout its 200 year history, Hinde Street Church in London has been one of Britain's best-known Methodist churches, with a long tradition of great preaching and local community service. In the early years crowds flocked there to hear the foremost orators of the day. And thousands of children in the church's Sunday School were taught reading and writing skills before universal education was introduced. Hinde Street has always reflected its Marylebone locality: from the early days when poverty and disease were rife, to the turn of the twentieth century when shop-girls and young workers from the new West End stores were an important part of the local population. Alan Brooks' book tells of episodes of tragic internal strife, of personal sacrifice and of the devastation of war. But he also recalls a high tradition of worship and music over two centuries, the excitement of building a magnificent new chapel, and the church's constantly developing efforts to support its inner-city constituency. Fascinating details of Hinde Street's connections with many of Methodism's great leaders over two centuries are revealed, including its long-term relationship with Donald Soper and with the West London Mission whose ambitious social welfare outreach continues to this day.