Wellspring Methodist Church

On a foggy Sunday morning on 7th February 1993, the land on which the church now stands was dedicated at a 'claim the ground' service conducted by Reverend Margaret Eaton, who was the minister of Kinsey Street and Mossley. 

The first worship service was held on Sunday morning, 19th December 1993, led by one of Wellspring’s own preachers, Dr. Phil Botham. The official opening took place on Saturday, 8th January 1994, the preacher being Reverend Dr. William R. Davies.

Margaret’s ministry with Wellspring continued until August 1997.  During Margaret’s time with us, she started the fellowship groups and the Thursday morning fellowship and service, and developed the form of worship, particularly on Sunday mornings, which has given Wellspring its distinctive style.  A Lay Witness weekend called 'Building Together' took place during Margaret’s ministry.

In September 1997 we welcomed Reverend J. Graham Wassell from Sandbach circuit as Margaret’s replacement.  Graham started a young people’s Sunday evening youth fellowship group called Wellspring Youth Team (now called 'Youth') and this has continued to flourish.  During Graham’s ministry we had various study courses and a WoW weekend (Wellspring of Worship), and the Church benefited from our first Church weekend away at Quinta Hall near Oswestry, in Shropshire.

Graham moved to Winsford in August 2004 and we welcomed Reverend Randall Smith from Atlanta, Georgia, USA.  Randall was a probationer minister on a year’s appointment.  Coming from the south of the USA, Randall’s style of worship was very traditional.

In September 2005 we welcomed Reverend David Cooper from the Altrincham circuit as our minister.  In February 2006 the second Quinta weekend was held  and was a resounding success.  In March 2007 the church held a Lay Witness weekend and has been working on follow-up activities since then.  At the end of 2007, Rev David Cooper moved on to chaplaincy work and Rev Pam Butler became our minister.  Then, in 2013, Rev Derek Balsdon joined the Circuit and took pastoral charge at Wellspring.

(see also an outline description of the town of Congleton)