Fonds GB 0210 VICHALL - CMA: Records of Victoria Hall Church, Wrexham

Calvinistic Methodist activities at Victoria Hall, Wrexham, began in 1902, when the old British Schools were adapted for public worship as 'the Victoria Hall Forward Movement Centre'. The Forward Movement was designed to promote evangelistic, moral and charitable work amongst the poor, and this coincided with many of the activities of the Belle Vue Mission Church, which were transferred to Victoria Hall. The Hall thereby became de facto an English language Presbyterian chapel in many respects, although it was not registered for worship until 1916. There were a number of popular ministers, including the Rev. Ezekiel Williams, who was appointed in 1926, and succeeded by his wife, as 'sister of the people of the Forward Movement', after his death in 1952. Despite some difficulties, Victoria Hall was engaged in a variety of successful social projects throughout its history. The chapel moved to Bersham Road in 1960, and thereafter to Hampden Road. It ceased to function as a place of worship in the mid 1990s.