Church history

Seeds of Methodism were planted in this district in the 18th century, at the time of much non-conformist debate throughout the country. In 1739, Joseph Williams offered John  Wesley a field to preach in (he did not take up the offer). Licenses applied for from the Bishop allowed for preaching in houses. Preachers of different modes of thought and belief were sometimes invited to preach in the Meeting House (later Baxter Church).

Local  Methodism really began when a Methodist Society was formed in the new canal town of Stourport in 1780. Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport were on Wesley’s list of preaching places. The Kidderminster Society was formed in 1786.  

In 1885, Kidderminster Wesleyans decided to separate from Stourport  Circuit and form their own; however, in 1907, the circuits rejoined  (single circuits were not financially viable). There were many small chapels around the area, each with a proud history and tradition but, in  1932, Primitive and Wesleyan churches amalgamated, bringing all viable chapels of both traditions into one circuit, the Kidderminster and  Stourport Circuit. Not everyone was happy about this!

The George  Street Chapel that had been closed in 1963, brought about the amalgamation of its Society with the Mill Street Society and became known as Central Methodist Church. This central Methodist Church was itself closed in 1974 to make way for the construction of the town ring-road. This congregation had to be accommodated at Birmingham Road  Church until the proposed new church was ready.