BRMC centenary at Waterloo Square, 2025 – Bognor Regis Methodist Church

100 years of Bognor Regis Methodist Church at Waterloo Square in 2025.

Our events programme is out! You can share the link to all events and this dedicated centenary page. Please note that there have been some event date changes from the provisional list.

Hazel, who is co-ordinating the meetings for the centenary and leading on the specially-commissioned drama, said: “At Bognor Regis Methodist Church we have been looking forward to celebrating the Centenary of our Church this year and have arranged a number of events to reflect the fellowship, support and activities that have taken place here through the years.

“Most if all we want to share it with everyone, and have tried to create a programme for all ages and for different interests. Please come and share this joyful time with us and help us show what it means to have a faith and to be loved by God. We hope to see you there!”

Exhibition of Church history

Beginning in April 2025, there is a table-top exhibition in the building of Church history. Come and discover some of the memories of the church and its history.

Contact Janet for more information or if you can help.

Sunday 6 April 2025

10:30am, Celebration Service, led by the President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Helen Cameron. The theme of the service will be ‘From thankfulness for the past to commitment for the future’.

Portrait picture of Revd Helen Cameron — Methodist Conference President 2024-2025, the Revd Helen Cameron

The Circuit Superintendent Rosemarie Clarke will give the welcome at the beginning of the service, followed by prayers led by Bognor Regis Methodist Church’s Minister, Revd Tongayi Matamba.

The Revd Tongayi Matamba, writes: “The 6 April 2025 is a special day in the history of the building that houses the Methodist people in the town of Bognor Regis. Methodism is traced to the founder John Wesley. The influence of this man spread around the world and to this town as well.

“Methodist was established around 1840. By then they were using a Chapel in the town. The church grew in numbers and in 1925, the people moved to the current church building which is their sanctuary.

“During the 100 years a lot of things happened. People have fond memories of the relationships that were formed and strengthened in that building. For all these years people have seen the face of God and his wonder working power.

“So as we celebrate this historic event we are taken down memory lane and memories are refreshed.

“We invite you to come and be part of that wonderful experience where the building has become an oasis of life for both local and international people as they come to witness the building turning 100 years.”

Wednesday 9 April 2025

2pm, Centenary Bake-Off Competition.

Slide of sponge cake with colourful filling on a white plate, and a fork adjacent. Photographer Tesa Robbins, Pixabay — Photo courtesy of: Tesa Robbins, Pixabay

Enter a cake or fruit scones to be judged by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Sussex, Mrs Caroline Nicholls. The event will be followed by a cream tea for participants only (please note this is not a general cream tea event due to space).

Entrants can bring their cakes on the day, but it’s helpful to have numbers in advance for catering for the tea afterwards. Please bring your entries on a plate if possible. Items should be sweet and not savoury.

The entries will be judged by approximately 3pm.

Contact Janet in the church if you are able to help and are intending to attend so she can know approximate numbers.

Saturday 12 April 2025

Music and poetry

An open notebook with the word 'poetry' handwritten in the corner of a page. Photo by cromaconceptovisual from Pixabay — Photo courtesy of cromaconceptovisual, Pixabay

2pm, Music and poetry event in the church. Come and join us for a relaxing afternoon. Donations to church funds.

Thursday 14 April 2025

Great Lego Church event and children’s activities.

Pieces of lego bricks in different colours on a dark pink table, — Photo courtesy of Efraimstochter, Pixabay

Limited places, primary school ages.

The Lego Church event is in conjunction with Edward Bryant School where our volunteer Alex Faris has been working with them on educational use of LEGO®. The event is the culmination of this work and will end with lunch. The school are also doing an artwork project about the Church in Bognor Regis, which will be on display.

Tuesday 15 April 2025

History talk

2pm, Talk on the history of the building at Waterloo Square. The talk will be given by published historian, Cliff Mewett, from the RAFA.

Monday 21 April 2025 – Bank Holiday Monday

Easter Monday play

10:30am, A specially-commissioned drama starting in the Sunken Gardens, opposite the Church, and then moving into the church itself off Waterloo Square.

The play is written by David Robinson and is about the Emmaus Road Story.

If who would like to be a reserve actor or volunteer on the day for ‘The Emmaus Road’, contact organiser Hazel via Bognor Regis Methodist Church’s Facebook page on messenger or the church bognorregismethodistchurch@gmail.com

The poster below relates to the previous casting call in December 2024 and January 2025.

Date TBC

Joint Service of Thanksgiving and Barbeque at Bognor Regis Methodist Church.
This will bring together BRMC, Felpham Methodist, Selsey Methodist, and Westergate Methodist Churches. More details to follow.

For more detailed information, please contact Revd Tongayi Matamba.

July 14-19, 2025

10am to 10pm

Join us for a reading of the entire Bible. Slots still available. If you are interested contact organisers at bognorregismethodistchurch@gmail.com or via Facebook messenger at Bognor Regis Methodist Church.

Collection of memories

We are producing a souvenir e-booklet with people’s memories of the church. Please send your upto 200 words of your memories to bognorregismethodistchurch@gmail.com

Share our events

You can also share event details on Facebook by visiting the church’s Facebook page and choosing the centenary event you would like to share. Visit www.facebook.com/BognorRegisMethodist

Posters are also available to download to share in your church or local shops. If you have difficulties downloading the poster on this page or from the church Facebook, or you need an accessible version, please email bognorregismethodistchurch@gmail.com