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Paignton (Palace Avenue) Methodist Church Palace Avenue, Paignton, Devon, TQ3 3EQ. |
Home Page • 'Our History' • Members Page • Room Hire/Lettings • Contact us! • Useful Links! • Website Map
Home Page • 'Our History' • Members Page • Room Hire/Lettings • Contact us! • Useful Links! • Website Map |
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There is a time for everything FOREWORDIn one of his hymns, Charles Wesley wrote 'My talents, gifts and graces, Lord, into Thy blessed hands receive'; Hymns and Psalms Number 767, verse 3. 'Something to Sing About' is the story of a people of God who made that commitment of their talents and abilities in faith. They had been blessed with a vision of a work to be done, and set about doing it with devotion and loyalty. As you will read, the work and witness was not without difficult moments - but the determination of God's people to ensure the witness to His love in the centre of Paignton, was unwavering. Many who read this history will recall the 'Saints' who are in glory - we pay a lasting tribute to their steadfast loyalty. Many too, will go back in their minds eye and will be serving teas, enjoying Sunday School Outings, listening to the great orators as they proclaimed the message of God's redeeming love. Enjoy the moments of reflection and praise God for all that is past. Indeed, this we can do through Sylvia's history of her Church. Yes, friends of Palace Avenue, we are indebted to Sylvia Tancock for her painstaking research. She has approached the book in her usual methodical and meticulous way - as a true Methodist would! We thank her for giving us the picture of a people of faith - serving their Lord. However, the history of Palace Avenue does not end on the last page of the book. We who worship and work there now know we are writing tomorrow's history. As we rejoice in all that has been done to God's glory through his people called Methodists in the Palace Avenue Society, so we pledge ourselves to continuously give of our talents, gifts and graces - with the earnest prayer that the love of God will continue to be known through His people as they worship and work in the Church by the gardens. I commend 'Something to Sing About' to you as a tribute to the 100 years of Methodist Witness in the centre of Paignton. May this book warm your heart and encourage your faith. George A
Courtenay
Palace Avenue Methodist Church
INTRODUCTION This is the story of generations of Paignton people whose spiritual journeys led them eventually to Palace Avenue. The Methodist Church there is a landmark among many. To members and visitors alike, the warm red sandstone walls predict the welcome which awaits them inside. One hundred and eighty years have passed since a little band of Wesleyans are known to have formed a housegroup. Several temporary and three purpose built places of worship followed. What men of vision were they, who laid the foundations. What a testimony of faith they gave. Their legacy still inspires "the people called Methodists" to promote spiritual growth and practical Christian service today. The church buildings were erected to the glory of God. Yet in the end, the sandstone and stained glass do not matter. They are but vehicles used by generations of committed Christians to further His work. Each decade has produced an endless roll of people who put service before self, who carry out tasks great or small, who may receive public acclaim or pass unheralded. They are the cornerstones of His Church. Some of them are named within, the majority are not, therefore THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO ALL THOSE DEVOTED MEN AND WOMEN [Copyright © Sylvia Tancock 1990]
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