The Closure of the Presbyterian Church, Bomere Heath

It was with sadness that over eighty people, including past Clergy, attended the last service at the Zion Chapel, which was held last Saturday afternoon January 11th 2020. Elder Ron Haynes played the organ for the last time, something he had done for fifty-eight years. It was renamed the Presbyterian Church of Wales.

It was indeed a very moving and emotional service for all concerned. In particular for Ron and his wife Gwen. Gwen had worshipped at the Chapel since she was six years of age. Ron reminded us of a host of memories, including a Ladies Choir in the seventies, which included all denominations and the number of children that attended over the years. He spoke of a couple and their family that came year after year from Chester to celebrate their Anniversary. It was a thriving Chapel once upon a time.

He recalled the modernising of the Chapel, when the late John Thorpe, a local Carpenter, who literally cut the long bench pews (forms) into two, which resulted in a Centre aisle, together with a Coke stove being removed and upgrading the heating, a concrete floor with a membrane being installed which filled the building with dust. Happy days!

It was a well known fact that Ron Haynes, and his late Father grew beautiful flowers, and both took pleasure in always having the church surrounded with outstanding floral arrangements and heavenly fragrances for the services, in particular at Harvest time.

Unfortunately, it became no longer sustainable, like many other places of worship, it just ran out of people. The Reverend Pam Turner was the last Minister at the Chapel and she gave a Prayer on behalf of Members.

At the end of a very moving service the Bible was carried from the front of the alter and taken to the back of the Chapel for the last time by Ron and the Moderator, Reverend Brian Reardon.

Ron and Gwen’s closing hymn chosen by them was “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” and this was certainly sung with gusto! This was followed by a wonderful afternoon tea in the Chapel tearoom which was creatively arranged where they shared many memories with other Moderators, Elders and members of Bomere Heath Village and surrounding areas.