Thorney Road Mission
Thorney Road Mission Hall Opening Services
Reprinted from “The Hants and Sussex County Press” Saturday August 18, 1917
On Wednesday a new mission hall, unsectarian, was opened, on the west side of Thorney Road, Southbourne, West Sussex Some surprise has been felt at the appearance of this building, which has arisen without any flourish of trumpets. As stated yesterday afternoon, it is the outcome of a quiet meeting of prayer held once or twice a week. This meeting was held in a cottage, and many more would have attended were it not for a feeling that they could not knock a private door and ask for admission. The friends felt that the call from above was upon them to launch out into the deep, and for guidance they held a day of fasting and prayer last autumn and then they had the promise, “I will go before you, and the crooked places shall be made straight.” After several difficulties had vanished in “straight” paths, they alighted upon a wooden structure at Selsey, which was purchased by a friend and given to the community. This they naturally regarded as an unmistakeable answer to prayer.
A friend supplied benches and chairs to seat between 90 and 100 persons, and these were a gift. Another sent a new communion service on the separate cup principle, another a clock, a lady friend gave three handsome hanging lamps and a massive cupboard: a sister made them a present of curtains for all the windows. Fifty hymn books (“Redemption Songs”) also came as a welcome gift, and two door mats came on the same terms. The building had to be taken down, brought to Thorney Road and re-erected, which involved a large sum of money. Nearly the whole of this has been found and nobody has been asked for a penny. The whole thing is regarded as a monument and testimony of the willingness and readiness of God to answer prayer, when no resort is made to the usual method of raising money by bazaars, jumble sales, concerts, etc.
The building and its erection, with foundations and fence, cost £126-19-11, and at the time the first meeting opened yesterday £88-19-11, had been subscribed, leaving a balance of £38-0-8 to be met before the hall would be perfectly clear of debt. An opportunity was given to those present to walk up to the table and make their offerings if they had any wish to help, and this was done while a hymn was being sung. £5-13-1 was placed on the
table in the afternoon, and £1-13-2 in the evening, leaving a deficit of £30-14-5.
The afternoon meeting was address by Capt. Hodgkins from Emsworth and Mr. S. Wigglesworth from Bradford, the first dealing with the revival of Samaria (8th of Acts), and showing there was “great joy in the city,” yet the
people were not baptised with the Holy Spirit. Mr.Wigglesworth gave wonderful accounts of “signs following” these days in the forms of miracles wrought in the name of Jesus.
The evening meeting was addressed by the Rev. A. A. Boddy, M.A., Vicar of All Saints’, Sunderland and Mr. Wigglesworth, the former pointing out how essential it is for the cleansing of the Blood and the preparation by the Holy Spirit of Christians for the return of the Lord. Mr. Wigglesworth gave more instances of the wonders done in the name of Lord Jesus. Mr. Rogers presided at both meetings.
The opening services are continuing for the rest of the week, with Sunday morning and evening. It is intended to have a Sunday school for the children in the immediate neighbourhood - morning at ten and afternoon at two.
1928 directory
