A little corner of the Lord’s vineyard Reedsmouth is a hamlet on the North Tyne near Bellingham in Northumberland. From 1864 it had a railway station, popularly known as ‘Reedsmouth Junction’ it sat at the junction of the line from Hexham to Riccarton Junction and a branch to Morpeth. Most of the men worked on the North British Railway (NBR) and lived in houses provided by the company. The first involvement with Railway Mission came around 1888 when Christian railwaymen formed a branch of the Railway Mission Christian Association. The compactness of the community encouraged them to meet locally in the station waiting rooms rather than walk to Bellingham. Reports to the
Railway Signal in 1896 give a picture of God at work, with overflowing waiting rooms, inspiring preachers and successful evangelistic missions, which encouraged the branch to establish its own meeting place. From the start of 1897 correspondence was commenced with Speirs & Co. of Glasgow for the erection of a suitable building. This was not a cheap venture with the price amounting to £170, equivalent to £20,400 at 2016 prices. The principal aim of the Mission was to bring people to faith in Christ and the membership form read: “Having been brought to a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and desiring to follow Him in my life. I wish to become a Member of the above
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