Letter: Religious buildings are like pubs!

THE demise of religious buildings is an ongoing theme like pubs.

In 1900 in Parkgate with a population of 7,500 there were eight places of worship. Christchurch on Aldwarke Road was the largest. Its rectory building still stands on Greasbrough Road, and on the corner of Rawmarsh Hill and Hollybush stood a large chapel, now gone. In its place now you can get a loan on your car. The Spiritualists temple on Ashwood Road and The Salvation Army hut on Fitzwilliam Road, religion catered for all sorts in those days. Today only the Spiritualists are still going in Parkgate; perhaps there is a message there somewhere.

On the crossroads of Netherfield Lane and Albert Road was a small chapel, now gone. With a population of only half of Parkgate, Rawmarsh had five places of worship, the most famous St Marys at the top of Rawmarsh Hill. The Robinsons cinema started out a Methodist chapel but the one I remember best was the congregational chapel on Stocks Lane. Their six penny pantomime was the best value entertainment in the world. The Salvation Army ran a Sunday school at the back of Annie Rook’s shop on Green Lane. To get to it you climbed a wooden stairway to a large room. If you attended 50 weeks you could go to the Christmas party.

In those days it was advised to mark your cup or jam jar.

Mr Richard Billups, East Avenue, Rawmarsh

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