Dunstabelle's Dunstable: March 2012

This is not in any particular order, this is just about the different churches we have in Dunstable. The Priory has it's own post this is for the other churches.

The Methodist Church Ashton Square

In the Town Centre on high St South on Ashton Square, You will see a church with a tall spire looking out over the square. This is the 3rd Methodist Church built on this site. The first was built in 1831 but was destroyed in a fire, in 1844, along with the farm buildings next door. A second was built in 1845 and in 1853 it was enlarged, by adding an extra wing to accomodate 500 worshipers. There was a school at the back of the building, by the turn of the century they had 450 children attending school on a regular basis. In 1908 this to was destroyed by fire. On the 31st of May 1909 the foundation stone, was laid, for the current Church, it opened for worship later the same year. There is a main hall in the rear with seperate access, and this is used for social events. It is also used for other interests, Jumble sales, coffee mornings, a drama group use it and also market traders, on a Saturday. The main hall area, is right opposite Wilkinson's and opens out onto the market area and car park, Making it a well used part of the community. The church has opened up the front of the church for ease of access, this was completed in 2009.

The Old Baptist Chapel

The current Baptist Chapel was built in 1849. In 1708 a piece of land was bought to build a meeting house. In 1807 this was enlarged to twice it's original size. In 1849 a violent storm severely damaged the chapel so it was demolished and replaced by the current building which holds 400 people. Connected to the Chapel was a small Sabbath school. The building at the back of the chapel is a Christian book shop, this opened in 1982. It is known as the Old Baptist Church as it belonged to an older religious group known as the Particular Baptists. The other Baptist Church in Dunstable is a slightly older building but is classed as new as it is an offshoot church known as the General Baptists.

West Street Baptist Church

And School

The Baptist Church was built in 1847, to seat 700 people founded by the 'General baptists' and used as a church and part-time school. In 1984 the single-storey entrance was added when the church was converted into a full-time day school. The Church also took over what was the Plulme of Feathers pub, and have turned it into a community coffee shop and advice centre, called 'The Way'.

St Mary's Roman Catholic Church

St Mary's Roman Catholic Church In West street. In 1927 most Catholics in Dunstable attended the Church in luton. The Bishop gave permission for services to be held in Dunstable. The Spanish Vincentians from Potters bar used a house in Regent Street to hold services. This lasted for only a few months, until property was purchased in West Street. This was an old rectory and rooms where converted into an oratory, where mass was said until 1936, when The 'Old Church' was built which is now the social club.

In 1957 the Spanish Vincentians left the Parish and the Irish Vincentians took it over, and they are still there today. Dunstable was developing as a centre for employment, and the

1936 building was no longer large enough. In 1962 the foundation stone was laid, and on the 15th of March 1964, Bishop Leo T Parker Bishop of Northampton,formerly blessed and opened St Mary's Church. Even though it was snowing, but nonetheless it was a great day for Dunstable Catholics.

United Reformed Church

The United Reform Church is in Edward Street, The building was once a school hall attached to the Congregational Church, which stood next to it, until the 1980's. It was built in 1856, and was known as 'Osborn Hall' in memory of Mr Joseph Osborn the founder member. The words 'Memorial Bicentenary School A.D. 1862' can be seen on the front of the Church.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is sited in Bull Pond Lane, which is one of the oldest lanes in Dunstable.

Salvation Army 1937

It is a large attractive building which suits The Army, as they hold many activities. The Salvation army came to Dunstable in 1885, They met at the old drill hall, which is the Book Castle, (which has since closed, the building is currently empty.) The first building on Bull Pond Lane was opened in 1937, and the current Worship and Community Centre in 1994. It is a very active part of the community, It has playgroups, mums and tot's, a coffee shop open for snacks, on a Wednesday, groups for the elderly, and so on. These groups unless they are for prayer and worship, are open to the community, which is what 'church' should be all about. I dislike the 'come and join our church or you can't come in attitude' of some churches. This was the only photo of the old sight, I could find, as I did not photograph it at the time.

Dunstable Community Church

A local couple and there son with a dream, opened the church in their home in 1984, after a while they used the Vernon Suite in Queensway Hall Dunstable. (Demolished and now Asda) They moved on to Queensbury School and had groups for the children as well as there normally prayer time. In 1998 they purchased what was the Y.M.C.A Charity shop, and prior to that 'The Gas Show Rooms' on High Street North. In 2008, they then bought and started to refurbish, a large art deco building in High St North, a few yards, and several shops down the road.

This building opened as a Union Cinema in 1937, it was run as a cinema by different companies until 1973. When it opened as a Bingo Hall. In 2002 it opened as a night club 'Cubes' This closed in 2008. When the D.C.C took it over to use as a Conference Centre.

to be continued....

The Priory Church of St Peters is a Norman building going back to the 12^th century when it was founded by Henry the 1^st as an Augustinian Monastry. Although St Peters is an impressive looking building, looking at the total size of the Priory Grounds it would be small in comparison to what was originally built. There would have been other buildings on site as the Canons would have lived and worked there, i.e. stables dormitories, kitchens etc. A Hostel was built for pilgrims and travellers, the remains of this is in Priory House.

It has survived down the years and is now the Parish Church, with a growing community. It has its office in Chew’s House a listed building in High Street South.

As you come out of the church there is a Gateway and wall still intact which is part of the original site. There is fencing around what is known as Priory Meadow which is a beautiful grassy area with tree’s which you can sit, or walk through, it is very peaceful, there is fencing that separates Priory School, whose entrance is on Church Street. The rest is open. Priory Meadows then lead into Priory Gardens which is laid out, with pathways, and flower gardens, it has a war memorial and benches to sit for a while. Toilets where built in the Gardens, but have since been removed, moving down towards high St South you have Priory House.

Parts of Priory House date back to the 13th century, it was built as a guest house for pilgrims travelling through, or visiting the Priory. With the dissolution of the Priory in the 16th century it became a private house. Many changes have been made over the years. Priory House has been used as an asylum, a hat factory, rented living accommodation and Council Offices. It is now a Heritage Centre, with a tourist centre, a tea shop and galleries for both permanent and temporary displays.

Opposite the Priory on what is now Church Street, Henry the 1^st took over one of the Royal Palaces, this is known as Kingsbury. (another post I think.) leading into the Priory from church Street is the parish Hall which was originally built as a school. Also in the grounds is Priory Gardens Clinic, which used to be cottages.