Opening Ceremony
On Wednesday 27th August 1902, the opening ceremony of the new building took place, beginning with a public luncheon at the Old Schoolroom (in Coombend), when Alderman James McMurtrie C.C. presided over a large company. After the luncheon, a procession was formed to move to the new building, in the following order: Ministers, old Members, Trustees, Rank and File and with the Sunday School children bringing up the rear. There was a large gathering at the front of the Chapel in Fortescue Road, and the proceedings here commenced with the Hymn - “Great Is The Lord Our God”, after which Prayers were offered and Psalm 84 was read - “How Amiable are Thy Tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts!” The ceremony of opening the door was then begun, with the architect Mr Robert Curwen A.R.I.B.A. of London, presenting to Mrs T. C. Gregory, a silver key. Mrs Gregory opened the door saying “I declare this building opened for the worship of Almighty God, according to the doctrines and usages of the people called Methodists.” The ceremony of unlocking the door of the Ministers Vestry was performed immediately afterwards by Miss Angwin, the daughter of the Rev. Charles Angwin, who was due to leave Radstock immediately after the opening of the new Church. He would be followed by the Rev. Herbert W. K. Butler as the first Minister of the new Church.
The opening of the door of the new School room was the next part of the ceremony. Mrs E. H. Budgett presented Mr George Tucker, one of the oldest members of the Church, with the key with which he opened the door of the School and declared it open.
After the ceremony, tea was served in the old Church, then all returned to the new building for a public meeting at 6.15 p.m. The large congregation present included friends from many local towns and villages, from Bristol, Bath, Frome, Chippenham, Street, Portishead and Avonmouth. Alderman T. Goldsworthy of Newport presided at this meeting, and the main speaker was Rev. W. L. Watkinson, ex President of the Methodist Conference.



