Benton Congregational Church, 1846 - 1972 (1) - Aireborough Historical Society

Title	Benton Congregational Church
Date	Post 1909
Location	Rawdon
Photo ID	A312
Comment	See below…

The site for this church was part of the grounds of Benton Park, it was given by Robert Milligan whose family lived there, he himself lived at Acacia House.

The building was paid for by Henry Forbes who was Milligan’s business partner. It opened in 1846 and was enlarged in 1868.

Mrs Milligan was driven to services in a wheelchair pulled by a donkey then bodily carried to her seat.

In 1972 the Congregational, Baptist and Methodist Churches of Rawdon combined to become the present Trinity Church. The manse seen here on the right was demolished and replaced by the existing church hall which cost £37,000 to build and was opened in 1975 by the Lord Mayor of Leeds.

Trinity Church is situated at the junction of Green Lane and New Road Side (A65).

The Reverend james Thompson was a minister at the Benton Congregational Church – to view, please – Click Here.

Orchestra c1920s Benton Congregational Church 1846-1972

U38 – Benton Congregational Church, c1920s.

Benton Congregational Church – c1920s

Members of the church who formed an orchestra, they called their concerts PSA – “Pleasant Sunday Afternoons”. Some names have been noted: Herman Yeadon, C Walsh, Swales Twins, Phyllis Swales, Harold Stapleton.

E129 – Benton Congregational Church, 1946.

Benton Congregational Church – 1946

14th March 1946 – Benton Congregational Chapel Centenary Party

Celebration party for the chapel centenary, Mrs Nicholson is sat at the table, the Rev. Sydney Nicholson is preparing to light the candles surrounding the cake. Mrs J Johnston (senior churchwarden) is cutting the cake and the Rev. T Davies is the Minister on the right.

Z40 – Benton Congregational Church, 1966.

Benton Congregational Church – 1966

Saturday 12th March 1966. Benton Congregational Church, Rawdon.

A group of people who comprised a platform party for an occasion at the church. Standing on the left is Dr. Pritchard who was Headmaster of Woodhouse Grove School and a Methodist lay preacher, on the right is the Rev. D F Wilkins. Seated on the left is Mrs Percy, Councillor A S Rhodes then Chairman of Aireborough Urban District Council, is in the centre with Councillor Mrs Rhodes on the right.

Church Leaders Benton Congregational Church 1846-1972

C335 – Benton Congregational Church, c1968.

Benton Congregational Church – c1968

A group of clergy and church leaders outside the church (now Trinity Church). Second in from the left is Tom Davies, retired Minister, Mr Atkinson a Lay Preacher is 4th in from the left , to his right is Rev. Wilkins. The donor of the image has noted that he is the current Minister but it is not clear if this was when the photo was taken or at the present time,

Donor Val Ryan.

A340 – Benton Congregational Church, c1970s.

Benton Congregational Church – c1970s

Looking across New Road Side (A65) to Benton Congregational Church which is at the junction with Green Lane. The Manse on the left has been demolished and replaced with a new Church Hall. This is now Trinity Church.

A341 – Benton Congregational Church, 1970.

Benton Congregational Church – 1970

This was on New Road Side (A65), the church was to the left. The Manse was demolished on 28th May 1971 and replaced by a new church hall. It is now called Trinity Church.

A342 – Benton Congregational Church, 1970.

Benton Congregational Church – 1970

Formerly home of the Minister for Benton Congregational Church which from 1972 became Trinity Church. This building was replaced by a new church hall.