1. 1968
The way we were …

2. Cost of living … New Volvo 144 motor car - £1,353
3 Bed semi-detached house - £4,344
‘Futuristic’ twin-tub washing machine - £52
Petrol - 31p/gallon or 6.8p/litre
Loaf of bread - 7p
Pint of milk - 4p
1st class stamp - 2p, 2nd class 1.5p
3lb 12oz Norfolk Chicken - 53p

5. 40 years of witness
Compulsory Purchase Order on the 2 mission halls in Vine Street
Objections raised
Objections withdrawn
Discussions with Local Authority for a new site and plans drawn up
Compensation agreed!
Foundation Stone laid 24th June 1967
Dedication of the new church 25th May 1968
2nd regeneration of Hulme commenced 1990s
We are still here!

6. The cost …? Initial estimate £15,000 - £20,000
Revised estimate £37,250
Actual cost £48,000
Compensation received £40,000
RDV gifts received £8,041
Fund closed 31 December 1969
Average running costs estimated as £20/week

8. What were we doing in the late 1960s?
Regular missionary weekends: Africa Evangelical Fellowship, European Christian Mission, Unevangelised Fields Mission, Overseas Missionary Fellowship, Open Air Mission
Missionary news on the first Sunday of the month
Missionary Working Circle
Capernwray students
Week of evangelism – 60 took part

9. What were we doing in the late 1960s?
Band of Kindness
Women's Guild
Church outing to Harrogate/Fountains Abbey
Fellowship evening – choir, holiday photos, social occasion
Amplification and problems with the heating!
Spring cleaning
Changing the time of the morning service to 10.45am!

10. Youth activities
Campaigners celebrated 25 years at Union Hall - Boy & Girl Junos, Boy & Girl Inters, Mixed Craftsmen
Scripture Union Bible Contest
Holiday special
Children’s Christian Crusade November 1968
Children’s midweek meeting

14. Youth activities Cradle Roll Sunday
Sunday School picnics: 41 Beginners (Wythenshawe Park) 40 Primary (West Kirby) 43 Intermediates (St Annes) 22 Young People (Harlech & Portmadoc)
YP weekend at Beechwood Court – 35 teenagers + 10 staff

15. Membership Baptisms 90 on church roll 77 active members
From the minutes of 9th October 1968:
“The Pastor told the church that a trial filling of the baptistery would take place at the weekend and warned friends not to fall in.”

16. The New Church
Fittings are being installed and finishing-touches applied, and our new Church begins to look very attractive. Furniture has been occupying the attention of the Redevelopment Committee during recent weeks and great care is being exercised in order not to overspend our budget. In view of this, priority is being observed as to what is essential, and some items may have to wait until the means are available, but we feel sure friends will agree that this is the wiser course of action.

17. The New Church
We gratefully acknowledge further gifts towards equipment, and would especially mention the provision of the Communion Table given by his parents in memory of a young man who attended Union Hall whilst a student at the University and who lost his life in a car accident - Mr. David Dyer. It seems a long time since this project was first started, but looking back we see how wonderfully the Lord has undertaken for us all along the way. Surely He hath done great things for us whereof we are glad.

18. The New Church
We are sure that when the whole story is told we will have cause for praise to God for His provision. Meanwhile let us remember the remaining financial needs in our prayers.

19. We do indeed PRAISE GOD for His gracious provision of this building and for His faithfulness to us. We trust Him to continue to use this building for His glory and the extension of His Kingdom.