Our Church is part of the history of Ashton-in-Makerfield. It has a very unusual name which goes back to 1882. A Miss Catherine Cave-Browne took an interest in a group of local Christians and donated a sum of money to pay for the church building.
The Church was duly built and was known as 'Cave-Browne Protestant Institute'. The running of the Church became the responsibility of a Church Council who were selected from the men who had committed themselves to the work. A Church leader known as the Church President was appointed from this body of men. This organisation remains today with a Church Council and a Church Leader.
Apart from two extensions, the main body of the building remains the same as in 1882. Of course, the interior has changed a lot, especially so in recent times. A number of modifications have been made including the installation of a lift, which takes people from the ground floor to the central worship area, situated on the first floor. Our Church is a comfortable building and benefits from facilities such as a fitted kitchen, a lounge area and a crèche and all these modifications are DDA compliant.
The old bellows organ has long been replaced by an electronic keyboard which is used to lead the hearty singing for which our Church is renowned. Occasionally, the music group leads our time of worship.
The Church banner, which was carried through the streets on the annual walking day, now hangs at the front of the Church proclaiming 'Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life'. The annual walk was accompanied by a brass band and ended with an open-air service on Ashton Heath. Many years ago this was replaced by an Anniversary Day which we still celebrate today.
In 1982 we marked the occasion of our centenary and the morning service was broadcast on Radio Merseyside. We published a centenary brochure and throughout the year had a series of special events to mark this impressive achievement.
Our Church is now known as Cave-Browne Evangelical Church and is a member, along with hundreds of other small Churches, of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC).
2007 marks our 125th anniversary, and we will be running several special events throughout the year to celebrate the occasion.