Methodists have been meeting in Linthwaite since 1797 firstly in members homes and then the first church was opened in 1806.
In 1865 George Mallinson, one of the members, offered to build a new church as the existing building had become “incommodious and small”.
The stone laying for this new church was done in 1866 with the church opening September 5th1867.
This building was in use up to 1991 when it was determined that the building needed extensive repairs and a decision was made to change the Assembly Rooms to be multi-purpose and to use it as a church on Sunday and to sell the old church.
The Sunday School building had been built in 1873, opening in 1874 followed by the Assembly Hall in 1903.
Having had the use of this suite of premises over the last 150 years has meant that a large number of activities have taken place alongside the weekly church services and Sunday school which some Sundays could be up to three times. In the 1900’s LMC provided education for the children of the poor giving them the opportunity to learn to read.
It was in 1921 that additional land was purchased and the creation of a Sports Ground. This started with a bowling green and then in 1956 a hard court was laid and a pavilion was built in 1962. There are now 3 tennis courts on the site unfortunately the bowling green and pavilion are no longer there.
LMC continues to provide a wide range of activities to the local community. Throughout the 20th century, there were annual bazaars, Whitsun walks, the reading room, billiards institute, playgroup, womens meetings, young mens meeting as well as productions of plays, musical and pantomimes on the stage in the Assembly rooms. In the 21st century we still have the annual Old Folks Treat which has been running since 1897 as well as a Child care provider, Cubs, Beavers, Scouts group, Zumba, Fellowship, Luncheon Club, Community Cards, Community Coffee and Messy Church.
