By Cornelius Eku Randall
FREETOWN, Nov. 5 (SALONE TIMES) – Bethel Methodist Church Wilberforce is member of the of the Methodist conference of Sierra Leone which is suitiated in the Western part of Freetown Wilberforce precisely.
The church will be celebrating it’s 180 years in existence on the 7 November 2021 with a rededication and Chapel Thanksgiving service.
The Chapel was first established in 1841. It was a wooden structure. The foundation stone for stone chapel was laid in 1863 by the Hon. Justice John Carr, the then chief justice of Sierra Leone.
After 34 years of struggling the chapel was completed in 1897
The first Renovation of the church commenced in1936 and was completed and re-opened in Sunday 5th November 1939(42years after completion)
The second Renovation was major, the roof was changed, the wooden truss was changed to mental truss, the pulpit was changed from wood to marble like, new pews were ordered, the lectern and reading decks were also replaced. A new two manual electric pipe organ was also imported and installed.
The church was re~ opened on Sunday 2nd November 1969. (30years after 1st Renovation)
The third renovation w the re-roofing of the church and the construction of a gallery
The church was re-opened on the third November 2019. (50years. After 2nd renovation)
The fourth renovation started in the September 2021 and this saw the re ~ tiling of the entire church, the construction of an elevated choir stall, a new pulpit and a new wooden front door (2years after 3rd renovation) under the leader ship of the chapel steward Bro George I Kawaley and Revernd in Charge Rev Michael Sesay. Supported by members of the church. The church will be open on the above stated date for worship after 6-8 weeks of serious renovation.
