Rev Basil Simms who led the work of rebuilding the church after the war.
Ceremony of laying the foundation stone April 1955.
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Rebuilding
Coming to Redland Park in 1948, when worship was still in the Hall, and the ruins of the old church stood stark and untouched, surrounded with a growth of weeds which had germinated within it, was a great challenge which Mr Sims took up with optimism and enthusiasm. Indeed a young man of energy was needed at this juncture and Basil Sims had plenty. He was a keen sportsman, playing cricket, hockey and tennis, later turning to golf. The way he walked, the way he talked, showing his superabundant energy. The first challenge was to work towards the re-building of the church. There was a great deal of planning and negotiating needed with the War Damage Commission, with the insurance company, with the Congregational Union of England and Wales, and with the local authorities. Negotiations were needed, too, with other bombed churches of Redland and Clifton, as to who would have the first priority when licences were at last granted and precious building materials released. No doubt all this meant many headaches for Mr Sims and the church officers. Then, of course, finances were a major consideration. Building up a sufficient sum of money, whilst at the same time putting some aside to help smaller and poorer churches similarly hit, was an enormous task. Going through the church magazine, The Recorder, for the years 1948-1957, the first nine of Mr Sims' ministry, one is struck by the variety and the ingenuity of the methods used to collect money for the Reconstruction Fund. The Church was solidly behind Mr Sims in this and he frequently gave praise and thanks to individuals and organisations for all they were doing. To try listing everything which was done would be tedious. Suffice to say that, in addition to straightforward giving of money, which was often "on a sacrificial scale" (his words), every possible way of getting money out of people was used, short of robbery or armed compulsion! There were fairs, bring and buy sales, concerts, pantomimes and plays, coffee mornings, sponsored activities, buy a brick schemes, quizzes, collecting soap powder coupons and many other ingenious ideas. |
Practically everybody in the church and some friends from outside used their talents and time in amassing the needed money. If one were to name all one would have to copy out the list of members from the church handbook. Two groups must be mentioned however:
1, Miss Peggie Barnes and her pupils gave several concerts and dancing displays bringing in useful totals for the fund. Over the years and still today she organises
shows in aid of one or another good cause.
2, The Redland Park Youth Fellowship, led by Mr Sidney Coy, produced at least four pantomimes, Ali Baba and the Thrifty Thieves in February, 1952, Cinderella in 1954, Babes in the Wood in 1955, and Aladdin in 1959. In each of them the minister took part under a thinly disguised pseudonym, and perhaps one of the most
enjoyed and remembered of all the many memorable scenes was Mr Sims, Mr Sidney Coy and the organist Mr Stanley Parker doing a ballet dance in white satin bodices and short frilly tutus.
The Youth Fellowship also acted two one-act plays in 1958, and two religious plays in 1954, which shows that they could be serious!
In 1953 it was decided to have one big Gift Day, when Mr Sims would spend the day in the vestry and people would bring their money, gifts and promises.
This took place in October and the staggering result was £3235. What with all the other efforts the hoped-for target was reached. However, by the time the church was at last under construction and approaching the opening date in 1957, costs had escalated so much by then that there had to be a further appeal, which was called The Last Lap and people had to start again on their money raising efforts. In six months The Last Lap Fund reached £2776.12 shillings. But even so, more was needed, so in December a two-day Christmas Fair was held to complete the Reconstruction Fund. £1,000 was the target and amazingly this was exceeded.
After this the constant concern with money matters could be eased, though the church still kept up its gifts to the London Missionary Society, The Shaftesbury Crusade and many other causes.
At the end of the war, in 1945, everybody had believed that the church would soon be rebuilt. But it was not until June, 1954, that permission was given for the go ahead. Mr Sims announced triumphantly : "Today, 2nd June, 1954, we have received the licence to re-build our church". The September Recorder states that the demolition of the ruins had commenced.
At the October Church Meeting members were called upon to study and discuss the architect's plans for the new building. The size and shape was dictated by the foundations of the old church. The insurance company said they could only cover a building on the same foundations, though what form it took was for the church to decide. It was made clear that there could not be a spire on the new church as there had been on the old. The details to be discussed were mainly concerned with doors and windows, and whether there should be a single stone cross on the apex of the west elevation.
Suffice it to say that when eventually the architect's plans had been studied and accepted by the Church Meeting, the site cleared, and the foundations marked out, it was decided to ask Mr Sims to lay the foundation stone. This he did on Easter Day, 10th April, 1955, with a typical modesty, saying that he was doing it not for himself but on behalf of the whole church. The stone can be seen today with its inscription clearly carved and gilded, to the right of the main doors of the church, it reads :
"This stone was laid by The Reverend Basil H Sims, MA, BLitt on behalf of the members of the church and congregation on Easter Day, 10th April, 1955."
The stone laying was a most moving ceremony, taking place at 12.15, after the morning service which was held as usual, in the Hall, when Mr Sims took as his text for the sermon, "Christ the Living Stone". Then the whole congregation processed over the road to the site of the new building. Under a specially erected canopy the simple ceremony was held, presided over by Mr Croxton Smith the Church Secretary. After introducing the architect, Mr Ralph Brentnall, and representatives of the contractors, he called on Mr Sims to lay the stone. The trowel which he used, instead of being a shiny new one was an old, somewhat battered specimen, which had been found embedded in the stone work of the tower, no doubt lost by some stone mason in 1861, used in 1955 to link the past and the present. The mallet with which he tapped the four corners was a new one, suitably inscribed. These two are treasured exhibits in the church archives today.
After this the rebuilding was watched with interest. At one time it was hoped that it would be ready for opening in 1956, but as usually happens there were delays, the actual opening service and dedication being on Saturday, 1st June, 1957, at 3 pm.
As so many visitors had been invited, church members who wished to be present were advised to apply for tickets of admission to the Church Secretary. Ticket holders entered by the side doors in Redland Park, (church members and friends by the door nearer to Whiteladies Road, officiating Ministers and Choir by the vestry door from the lane behind the church).
Mr Sims went on to detail the order of service, when the architect would present him with the key, and the Moderator of the West Midland Province, the Rev W B Coggan MA, would conduct the Act of Dedication. Taking part in the service also were the President of the Bristol Free Church Federation Council, the Rev L G Champion, the Bishop of Bristol, Dr F A Cockin and the Rev Dr Sidney Berry, for many years secretary of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, and at that time the Honorary Consultant of the International Congregational Council.
The service was followed by tea in the Church Hall, and brief speeches were made by a number of people, including the architect and local representatives.
The church was open for viewing in the evening for those who were unable to attend the service. There was organ music, but not a full recital as had been planned, as there had been unforeseen difficulties with the installation of the organ. This was completed and the organ dedicated on 3rd October, 1957, when Dr Eric Thiman, organist of the City Temple, London, gave a recital on this wonderful instrument.
Mr Sims composed a hymn especially for the re-opening of the church to be sung to the tune Stracathro. The last verse is especially poignant as there are today, five of his grandchildren attending Redland Park Junior Church. Mr Sims himself returned to christen all his grandchildren in turn.
Redland Park's Ministers
1, Miss Peggie Barnes and her pupils gave several concerts and dancing displays bringing in useful totals for the fund. Over the years and still today she organises
shows in aid of one or another good cause.
2, The Redland Park Youth Fellowship, led by Mr Sidney Coy, produced at least four pantomimes, Ali Baba and the Thrifty Thieves in February, 1952, Cinderella in 1954, Babes in the Wood in 1955, and Aladdin in 1959. In each of them the minister took part under a thinly disguised pseudonym, and perhaps one of the most
enjoyed and remembered of all the many memorable scenes was Mr Sims, Mr Sidney Coy and the organist Mr Stanley Parker doing a ballet dance in white satin bodices and short frilly tutus.
The Youth Fellowship also acted two one-act plays in 1958, and two religious plays in 1954, which shows that they could be serious!
In 1953 it was decided to have one big Gift Day, when Mr Sims would spend the day in the vestry and people would bring their money, gifts and promises.
This took place in October and the staggering result was £3235. What with all the other efforts the hoped-for target was reached. However, by the time the church was at last under construction and approaching the opening date in 1957, costs had escalated so much by then that there had to be a further appeal, which was called The Last Lap and people had to start again on their money raising efforts. In six months The Last Lap Fund reached £2776.12 shillings. But even so, more was needed, so in December a two-day Christmas Fair was held to complete the Reconstruction Fund. £1,000 was the target and amazingly this was exceeded.
After this the constant concern with money matters could be eased, though the church still kept up its gifts to the London Missionary Society, The Shaftesbury Crusade and many other causes.
At the end of the war, in 1945, everybody had believed that the church would soon be rebuilt. But it was not until June, 1954, that permission was given for the go ahead. Mr Sims announced triumphantly : "Today, 2nd June, 1954, we have received the licence to re-build our church". The September Recorder states that the demolition of the ruins had commenced.
At the October Church Meeting members were called upon to study and discuss the architect's plans for the new building. The size and shape was dictated by the foundations of the old church. The insurance company said they could only cover a building on the same foundations, though what form it took was for the church to decide. It was made clear that there could not be a spire on the new church as there had been on the old. The details to be discussed were mainly concerned with doors and windows, and whether there should be a single stone cross on the apex of the west elevation.
Suffice it to say that when eventually the architect's plans had been studied and accepted by the Church Meeting, the site cleared, and the foundations marked out, it was decided to ask Mr Sims to lay the foundation stone. This he did on Easter Day, 10th April, 1955, with a typical modesty, saying that he was doing it not for himself but on behalf of the whole church. The stone can be seen today with its inscription clearly carved and gilded, to the right of the main doors of the church, it reads :
"This stone was laid by The Reverend Basil H Sims, MA, BLitt on behalf of the members of the church and congregation on Easter Day, 10th April, 1955."
The stone laying was a most moving ceremony, taking place at 12.15, after the morning service which was held as usual, in the Hall, when Mr Sims took as his text for the sermon, "Christ the Living Stone". Then the whole congregation processed over the road to the site of the new building. Under a specially erected canopy the simple ceremony was held, presided over by Mr Croxton Smith the Church Secretary. After introducing the architect, Mr Ralph Brentnall, and representatives of the contractors, he called on Mr Sims to lay the stone. The trowel which he used, instead of being a shiny new one was an old, somewhat battered specimen, which had been found embedded in the stone work of the tower, no doubt lost by some stone mason in 1861, used in 1955 to link the past and the present. The mallet with which he tapped the four corners was a new one, suitably inscribed. These two are treasured exhibits in the church archives today.
After this the rebuilding was watched with interest. At one time it was hoped that it would be ready for opening in 1956, but as usually happens there were delays, the actual opening service and dedication being on Saturday, 1st June, 1957, at 3 pm.
As so many visitors had been invited, church members who wished to be present were advised to apply for tickets of admission to the Church Secretary. Ticket holders entered by the side doors in Redland Park, (church members and friends by the door nearer to Whiteladies Road, officiating Ministers and Choir by the vestry door from the lane behind the church).
Mr Sims went on to detail the order of service, when the architect would present him with the key, and the Moderator of the West Midland Province, the Rev W B Coggan MA, would conduct the Act of Dedication. Taking part in the service also were the President of the Bristol Free Church Federation Council, the Rev L G Champion, the Bishop of Bristol, Dr F A Cockin and the Rev Dr Sidney Berry, for many years secretary of the Congregational Union of England and Wales, and at that time the Honorary Consultant of the International Congregational Council.
The service was followed by tea in the Church Hall, and brief speeches were made by a number of people, including the architect and local representatives.
The church was open for viewing in the evening for those who were unable to attend the service. There was organ music, but not a full recital as had been planned, as there had been unforeseen difficulties with the installation of the organ. This was completed and the organ dedicated on 3rd October, 1957, when Dr Eric Thiman, organist of the City Temple, London, gave a recital on this wonderful instrument.
Mr Sims composed a hymn especially for the re-opening of the church to be sung to the tune Stracathro. The last verse is especially poignant as there are today, five of his grandchildren attending Redland Park Junior Church. Mr Sims himself returned to christen all his grandchildren in turn.
Redland Park's Ministers