An Evening of Celebration
Bournemouth Ward, Poole Stake: An evening of Celebration was held to reminisce 50 years of having a purpose-built chapel.
Missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived in Bournemouth in 1949 and soon began meeting regularly in a rented hall. Later a house was bought and converted. By 1970, 30b Wimborne Road was purchased, the house demolished and the site cleared. The ground-breaking ceremony was held on 30th September 1972 and the building was ready for use from 3rd February 1974. On the 17th of October it was dedicated by the stake president, Reginald Littlecott. In February 1973 Southampton Stake had been formed and Bournemouth became a ward. An evening of celebration was held on Saturday 13th October 2024 to remember fifty years of having a purpose-built chapel.
Bishop Ian Lever led the celebration. The first speakers were two brothers – first Barry then Peter Kenchington spoke of their experiences in the Church over the years. They were youngsters when their parents first met with the Elders in 1950 and both served as bishops in the ward. Christopher Hopkinson then spoke about his experiences of being the young son of the building supervisor for the meetinghouse. Judith Barrett, who had lived within the Bournemouth area from the time of the building until 2021, spoke about many of the people who she had worked with in the branch and ward, mainly within the Relief Society and primary organisations.
Bishop Lever then read out a note received from Reginald Littlecott, who was unable to attend. Part of his message read: “I am privileged to know as friends what I would call the foundation of the Bournemouth Ward. I think of priesthood members Peter Crockford, Sid Kenchington, Johnny Babidge, David Cottrell, Peter Wheat, and Harry Leal.”
Closing remarks were by President Steven Cottrell, second counsellor in the stake presidency, and the remaining time was spent reviewing the many displays of posters, photographs & media presentations showing events over the 50 years and, of course, a finger buffet.
In his closing remarks, President Cottrell said the importance of having a purpose-built meetinghouse is that after a time it’s accepted by the community. It’s a permanent place. And, as well as celebrating the building, he said we need to celebrate all that has gone on within the building – sacrament meetings, lessons, and activities – giving people the opportunity to learn and be involved with the teachings of the gospel. It is about the ordinances and covenants supported by learning and teaching about the restored gospel and the impact this has on the lives of the members.