Now: Ruskington Free Church, Chestnut Street, Ruskington
The first Wesleyan Methodist chapel in Ruskington was built in 1833. It was replaced by a new chapel on Chapel Street in 1849, which was rebuilt in 1958. [See: “Ruskington Methodist Church“.]
Another Wesleyan Methodist chapel called the “Zion Chapel” is located on Chestnut Street, Ruskington. It has a gabled porch and ashlar tablet above which reads: “Zion 1883“. (pictured right)
In 1883 the Church cost £200 (equivalent to about £30,000 today – 2023), however, the Wesleyan Reform Fellowship in the Village date back to the 1850s. At one time in its history the Chapel on Chestnut Street had trouble accommodating all of its worshippers and “… rent availability of seats was at a premium.”
For much of its history the Church has had a full time Minister who has had oversight of the fellowship. The Manse, neighbouring the Church was built in 1923. A plaque commemorating the Rev. J.H. Oliver is mounted at the front of the Church. [N.B. John Henry Oliver is buried in Plot A, Grave 180, Ruskington Cemetery.]
The Church was renamed Ruskington Free Church in 1998, but remains true to is evangelical traditions and also remains in fellowship with the Wesleyan Reform Union.
The Zion Church War Memorials
The unveiling and dedication service of the World War 1 Memorial took place on Sunday 15th January 1922. The tablet, which is of brass and similar to the one in the Parish Church, listing all the Village’s War dead, is mounted on oak, the wood being given by Mr. G. Philling, and worked and fitted by Mr H. Read. The unveiling and dedication was by Ald. R. Pattinson, J.P.
Above the names is the inscription:
“TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN HONOURED MEMORY OF THE FOLLOWING WHO DIED FOR KING AND COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WAR”
Below the names the Memorial reads:
“GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS”
After the end of World War 2 a smaller, though similar tablet – also bearing the name of all of the Village’s War dead – was mounted on the wall below the WW 1 Memorial. [Click either image for a more detailed copy.]
N.B. The Ruskington Fen (Wesleyan Reform) Methodist Church
There is another Methodist Church in the Ruskington area, located on Fen Road, North-east of the village.
It is a simple rectangular building, which was opened in 1858, but it does not contain a War Memorial for either World War.
In addition to the Zion Wesleyan Methodist Church War Memorial, Ruskington has four other Memorial sites and each has its own page in this site.
C L I C K on the name below to go to the relevant page:
The Village War Memorial, The Cemetery, Ruskington,
All Saints Church Memorials, Ruskington,
The Methodist Church Memorial, Chapel Street, Ruskington, and
The Garden of Remembrance, Sleaford Road, Ruskington.
Sources:
- ‘Lincolnshire Chronicle’ – 21 January 1922.
