Thornley Gospel Hall. (Information from George Fulcher)

Prior to 1950, members met for services in the upstairs floor of the old bakery in Coopers Terrace. It was about this time that Mrs Hutchinson bought the property and turned the downstairs shop into a Fish & Chip shop, also giving the Gospel Hall members notice to vacate the upstairs flat as it was needed for living accommodation.

Fortunately, officials of the Gospel Hall had had the foresight to purchase land 2-3 houses along from the old bakery with a view to building a new church on the site.

When notice was given to vacate, the situation became urgent, and an ex-army hut was acquired and erected on the site.

This was done by members, and 2-3 tradesmen were hired.

This hut is still used today, although work needs to be done regularly to combat the problems of age, weather, and the work of vandals. A new roof has been fitted, and the inside has been renovated extensively, ( new chairs, fitted kitchen, ceilings etc. )

The attendance now is very poor, as in most churches 9-10 being about average.

Members in 1950 were about 27 approximately, not counting the members families.

The following are the original members;

Mr & Mrs Cammis & family.

Mr & Mrs J. Craggs & family

Mrs Scorer and family

Mrs Millington & daughter Emmy.

Mrs J Holder.

Mr & Mrs Chapman ( Stubbs )

George Johnson.

Ken Smith.

Mr & Mrs S. Mann.

Mr & Mrs Freeman.

Mr J. Wallace.

Mrs J. Bridges & family.

Mrs A. Maughan.

Mr & Mrs Calam.

Mr & Mrs Steele.

Mr & Mrs Bennett.

Mr K. Freear.

Allan Fulcher sent me the following photographs of members of the Gospel Hall congregation in Thornley. A lot of folk from Wheatley Hill used to attend including Allan's brother George who passed them on to Allan for the web page.

The first photo shows Joe Cammiss, David Heslop and Jack Craggs.

The second photo shows Mr. and Mrs.Joe Cammiss, second and third from the right in the back row. David Heslop is shown in the middle of the photograph.

  The third photo shows Grace Cammiss, Mr and Mrs Cammiss's daughter in the middle at the back row. Jack Craggs is behind the man at the front.