About Downall Green & Garswood IMC
Our Story
Downall Green & Garswood IMC is a community of ordinary people from all walks of life courageously trusting Jesus to do extraordinary things.
Our church was started by farm labourers and mine workers, after the visit of John Wesley who preached on the ‘Green’ just around the corner from the church. They started to hold meetings in a cottage in 1832 and registered this as a free gospel church. They followed John Wesley’s teachings and had classes rather than services.
As the classes grew, they started the plan to build a church, which they then did in 1894 and the Sunday school which is the building we are in now!
The Church became the only nonconformist church in the village, we attracted all kinds of people from Baptists, United Reform, Evangelicals, Anglicans, Presbyterians and Catholics.
Over the years we have become less traditional Independent Methodists and more Inter-denominational and inclusive. But Independent Methodism has changed nationally and churches being self governing have developed in different ways but still adhering to the statements of faith and practice.
Young people and children supported by Sunday school teachers spoke up for the right to be included in worship and take communion.
We are a New Testiment church meaning that we follow the teachings of the Bible. We have no hierarchy and are self governing with every member being equal.
IMC
I.M were made up of various churches who came together in 1805 in Warrington and agreed to work together. In 1906, they all agreed to a common name of ‘Independent Methodists’.
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. – Psalm 37:23-24