History of the Church
In a early 1890s the area now know as Shotton was a country district of a few scattered cottages (an earlier name was, in fact, Rivertown). Then, in 1895, John Summers steelworks started to take shape at Hawarden Bridge, bringing workers, and their families, to the area in large numbers. Rapid growth took place, and Joseph Davies, a local lay preacher and Congregationalist, seeing the need for a church in this place, purchased the land. In 1897 the first church building, made of corrugated iron with a central stove and holding 140 people, was opened, and the first stone of the present building was laid in the following year.
How the church looks today
The church grew in the next few years, as people coming from different towns and traditions joined the congregation. Mid-week services and a Sunday School were introduced. Over the years, various societies and clubs have flourished, adding greatly to the both the fellowship and the local community. Never a wealthy church, Rivertown has had periods of financial hardship and instability, but its people have been a marvelous resource, dedicated and hard-working, rising to the challenges of serving God and neighbour. Responding to need, the church provided meals for local children during the depression of the 1920’s and a canteen and real hospitality to service men and women stationed locally in WW2.
Fundraising and sacrificial giving have enabled Rivertown to develop over the years. Electric lighting was installed in 1926. The “New School” was built at the back of the church in 1931 and this gave scope for all the many activities. The site for the manse was secured as part of the 50 year celebrations. In 1964 the new porch was added, fronting directly on to the pavement, and in 1972, the year that Rivertown became part of the new United Reformed Church, the long-hoped for outreach Sunday School building was opened on the Aston estate. Our centenary year was marked by a series of special services and events and culminated in the calling of our recent minister, Reverend Greg Thompson (who has since left us after 7 excellent years of ministry).
From the Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Society of the early 20th century through the Dramatic Society of the 60s, the sports clubs, women and men’s groups and the sterling work over the years with children and young people through to the present day, hundreds of local people have been involved in the life of Rivertown. A taste of the groups and activities running today can be found on this website. Numbers worshipping at Rivertown may have decreased from the 300 which appeared on the Church Roll in 1955, but the same spirit of fellowship which has made the church such a welcoming place remains. Rivertown has been blessed over the years by the leadership, faith and service of dedicated and talented people, both lay and ordained. We look forward to continuing to serve God in this place as the 21st century unfolds.
