The Labour Church was formed in October 1891 when John Trevor attempted to create a religious organisation which would meet the needs and concerns of working people. It flourished for a decade, providing a place where socialists could meet, express themselves and listen to the band of itinerant socialist preachers who viewed the labour movement as a religious movement. Labour Churches were involved in the formation of Independent Labour Parties and in the first national conferences. They continued with rather less influence in the early years of the twentieth century before dwindling away in the years up to 1914. What overall influence they had is difficult to gauge;. ...

The purpose of this essay will be to look specifically at the Labour Church in Bolton, telling those bits of its story which can be ascertained or surmised, reflecting upon its internal and external relationships and exploring its influence within the town. In most accounts of the Labour Church movement, Bolton warrants a short mention. As Pelling, quoting the Labour Prophet of May 1892 says, "At Bolton . . . the Rev. B.J. Harker made his church a Labour Church 'so far as their constitution as a Congregational Church would allow'" (1963, 134) and the assumption seems to be that the link remained. What seems to have been previously missed is that within nine months the Labour Church had split from Dukes Alley Congregational Church and Harker had become persona non grata within the Labour Church movement.

My introduction to U2 was at a student party somewhere in Loughbourough in about 1981. The song was I will follow, it's driving, exciting rhythm was infectious, hopeful and yet there was a youthful uncertainty - "Do you like it?" someone yelled, "Yes, I acknowledged, "They're Christian's and they're great" he shouted back and I listened closer to this proclamation of belief, discipleship and loss.

........

if U2 are engaged in a prophetic ministry, their role as songwriters and performers leaves them ideally placed to

Do U2 have a Prophetic Imagination?

Our plot observes a church which has been forced to demolish its church building and move into the church hall, they have had the opportunity to arrange worship space to suit their needs and we will hear them discussing the best way in which to do this. We will draw on the work of those who have looked at the history of church architecture and on some ideas for future development, as well as those who work in the field of human geography.

Welcome to Markland Road United Reformed Church ...