The origin of Trinity Grace Church, Ramsbottom, really began in 1955 when the local Primitive Methodist building became unfit to use due to the erosion of the foundations. Built in the 19th century in the proximity of the River Irwell, the building eventually collapsed into the fast-flowing river due to regular flooding.
With the loss of the church building, the emphasis for the early church’s continuance was a thriving Sunday school of sixty-plus children. Though there were men around, it was left to the few ladies to keep the work and Sunday school going. Meeting in homes was obviously unsuitable, so they held their regular times of worship in a car garage adjoining one of the church members’ homes. A large green curtain hung over the inside of the garage doors to keep out the draft, and two paraffin heaters, one at the front and one at the back of the garage. Amazingly, they managed to fit in the piano as well as members and Sunday school children. The emphasis on the importance of the children’s work was also reflected in the new name, The Gospel Mission, which was adopted for the work at this time and due to no longer being associated with the Primitive Methodist circuit.
In 1957, Raymond Gregory, the Dundee Lane Congregational minister, who was already becoming disillusioned with Congregational liberalism, decided to lend a helping hand. Raymond severed his links with Dundee Congregational Church later and threw in his lot with Summerseat Gospel Mission, taking the title of Mission Superintendent.
During the next four years, there were many changes. From 1957 to 1961, Raymond’s ministry became more pastoral as more people were added to the Mission. Individuals were being converted mainly due to the use of Billy Graham films and other forms of evangelism. During this period, the car garage had been abandoned, and meetings were held for a brief time in the upstairs room of the local Liberal club. 1961 was a real turning point for the Mission, for in that year, Billy Graham held a crusade at Maine Road, Manchester and two young men were converted, from their witness, more conversions followed. That same year, the local Co-op closed down, which was now available for rent and which became our home for the next ten years.
In 1961, ladies still played a prominent and leading role in running the Mission, but by now, the prayer for young men was being answered, and the structure of the work began to change. Deacons and another elder were appointed. In the same year, the fellowship decided to join the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, and the Gospel Mission became Summerseat Independent Evangelical Church.
In the late 1960s, after a few years of fruitful ministry, Raymond was appointed Home Missions evangelist with the FIEC. A new pastor was appointed, but unfortunately, this did not work out, and in the space of a few years, we lost our rented Co-op building, our pastor, and a third of the congregation. There were times when the remaining few questioned whether it was worth continuing. In our church meeting on 7/9/74, we were down to just ten members. Despite these setbacks, God continued to add the ones and twos to our struggling fellowship. The fellowship continued to meet in members’ homes until one of the church members who owned a shop that they planned to sell offered us first choice at a reasonable price in the centre of Ramsbottom, and with the help of the FIEC and a secured loan, we branched out in faith to secure our new meeting place.
At the same time, Raymond felt that his work in Skelmersdale with Home Missions was nearing completion and that he needed to move on to new pastures. Fortunately for us, FIEC agreed for him to move on to establish a church in Walkden and, at the same time, help our work in Ramsbottom. Raymond’s ministry in Ramsbottom began to bear fruit, which resulted in Raymond leaving Home Missions and casting in his lot with a work that was nearer to his heart and with which he had strong connections. In the process of time, the shop premises adjoining our converted shop building also became available, and with planning permission, the two premises were made into one.
During Raymond’s second period of ministry in Ramsbottom, the church again began to prosper, especially through the conversion of young men and women who were keen to serve the Lord. In 1996, Raymond’s labours were taking their toll on his health, and as he was now reaching retirement age, and with his support and encouragement we decided to look for a new pastor.
Through the FIEC ministers accredited list, we were introduced to Mr Oliver Allmand-Smith. In the providence of God, our interest in Oliver coincided with our anniversary meetings. The speaker who was due to take those meetings was indisposed due to ill health, and fortunately for us, Oliver agreed to take our meetings. In the following church meeting, the church unanimously decided to call Oliver to be our next pastor.
From the very beginning of Oliver’s ministry, the structure and life of the church began to change. Oliver wasted no time bringing in positive changes and improvements, building on the foundation and ministry of Ray Gregory. Through Oliver’s leadership, the elders began to meet on a more regular basis. There was much more emphasis on corporate prayer, particularly among the elders. We, as elders, could not get over the maturity and wisdom displayed by our young new pastor, who, at the time, was 26 years old. There were also more church meetings held regularly, which kept the church members informed and abreast of all the changes, but more importantly, allowed church members to voice their opinions and vote on important decisions. There was much restructuring and foundation-laying during Ray’s tenure, but Oliver recognized that there was still a long way to go in bringing the church’s structure onto a more reformed footing. Making the necessary changes required much wisdom and tact, as most church members did not fully appreciate and understand the nature of reformed theology.
For the church membership to appreciate and understand, and indeed, see the need for and importance of good, sound biblical theology, Oliver did a long and concentrated series of Bible studies based on The Baptist Confession of Faith 1689. These memorable studies provoked much thought and discussion and laid the basis for a much better understanding of reformed theology. These studies were repeated later, and in 2011, we made a very important decision as a church to adopt the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith as the basis of our statement of faith and become a confessional church.
The church premises continued to expand, with the acquisition of a third shop and an extension at the back of the building. The transfer from the auspices of the FIEC to the eventual formation of an Association of Confessional Churches was the next exciting development of the life of our local church. The name of our local church, Ramsbottom Independent Evangelical Church, was changed to Trinity Grace Church in 2015, which places greater emphasis on what we believe. “Trinity” because the chief purpose of the local church is to worship the triune God in Spirit and in Truth. “Grace” because the church exists to proclaim to all people the unmerited kindness of God to sinners through the Lord Jesus Christ. “Church” because we are committed to the edification and encouragement of our fellow brothers and sisters in love.
We are sometimes asked why we do not sell up and look for a plot of land and build our own church building. There are several reasons for not doing so. The main reason is that our present premises are situated in the heart of the town and on the main high street. It is also next to the Railway Station on the East Lancs Heritage line, which brings in many visitors so the public cannot miss us, especially when we have the caption in bold letters over the entrance: ‘Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’
Over the history of the church, we have had the privilege of seeing how the fellowship has grown not only numerically but also in the makeup of members from different cultural backgrounds. We have been blessed with much, and it has been a joy to share this by supporting other churches in the UK, and missions in many parts of the world. From its humble beginnings of just a handful of believers to the present-day membership, it is a testimony to the wonderful grace of God and an encouragement to those small groups of struggling believers that Christ will build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.