A History
Hazelwell Methodist church was opened in 1910 to serve the residents of the new houses built between the Alcester Road and the Pershore Road at the beginning of the 20th century. Eight years later, Bishop Barnes opened the new church of St Mary Magdalen on behalf of the Church of England. In 1936, this church was expanded to accommodate the increasing numbers of worshippers.
In 1994, the roof of the Methodist Church was found to be in a dangerous condition, rendering the entire building unsafe. Until then, the two congregations had had only occasional contact, but this problem galvanised them into action. The Anglican congregation suggested that the Methodists might use St Mary Magdalen for their services. So, at a joint service, the congregations celebrated the good and the memories bound up in the old Methodist building. They then walked down the middle of Vicarage Road to St Mary Magdalen, where the service concluded. There was not a dry eye in the crowd.
At first, Anglican services took place at 9.45am, with the Methodist services following at 11.15am. It soon became apparent that this arrangement was ridiculous, and moves were made to explore the possibility of the two congregations becoming one. In 2000, the Local Ecumenical Partnership was recognised by both denominations. The Hazelwell Church became a living reality.
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