Our Church today

There is always a temptation to look back to the ‘good old days’, such as 100 new members joining the Church in one year in the late 18th century, the revival in the early 1830s during the ministry of Rev Joshua Fearnside, or the Church seeing a membership of over 330 in the 1870s. But it is worth reminding ourselves that our Church is still dynamic today. There are young people, there is enthusiasm, and there is much activity.

As a Church we now has fewer than 200 members, however we have recently seen a number of young families join the Church and there is a real sense of growth within the Church. Our premises are well used by pre-school, the uniformed organisations, youth clubs, Bible Study groups, Fellowship Meetings and Badminton groups. Other groups and agencies including the Talking Newspaper, Chippendale Singers, Bridge Club, Towns Women's Guild, Blood Donor Unit, and martial arts groups also make use of the premises.

We are currently at the start of a new redevelopment scheme, this time improving the front foyer. Our aim is to provide better disabled access to the front entrance, to add new toilet and refreshment facilities, as well as improving lighting and heating, as well as general redecorating.

The Mission of the Methodist Church is to share the love of Jesus Christ with all the community. Our Purpose as a witnessing community of Christians is to share our faith. For over 250 years the Methodist people have worshipped and served the community of Otley. It is our hope that we will continue to serve Jesus as his disciples well into the 21st Century.

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