The "Ranters"came to Feltham in 1872, in a skittle alley at the rear of a shop near the railway crossing. Thus Feltham had its first experience of Primitive Methodism. They met following a meeting held in Hounslow, as a result of which six brethren promised to come, despite the greetings of local lads, who made presents of rotten eggs and other convenient missiles. Soon after this, a Mr Ebenezer Drake bought a house in what became known as Southville Estate and offered a home to the fellowship. The friends continued to meet until about 1875, from which time records were lost for a while.
We next hear of the Primitive Methodists of Southville in 1884, when Mr John Wilson, a lay agent responsible for starting many new societies and building new churches in the area, bought a plot of land. In August of that year, Feltham Primitive Chapel was opened in Tachbrook Road. Many still remember the "Iron Building (or the tin chapel, as many affectionately called it!) It is reported that when the chapel opened the cost, including ground, building, furniture, etc, was £289.00, of which £200.00 had already been raised. The remaining dept was cleared quickly - a link with the cheerful and generous givers still to be found in Southville today!
The founder members were Mr and Mrs W. Drinkwater, Mr and Mrs G. Bushnell, Mr and Mrs E. Emmett, and Mr Miller, and the first Circuit Superintendent was Recd G. Talbot of Richmond. Soon after this, Southville became one of the four churches of the Hounslow Circuit, with Brentford, Southall and Hounslow.
Southville became a venue for camp meetings for friends from the Circuit churches and further afield, and in an account written in 1934, our Jubilee Year, friends spoke of up to fifty persons on their knees seeking God's blessing.
A name associated with the Chapel since early days is that of Drinkwater. One of the founder members, W. Drinkwater, combined several offices. He seemed to be chapel keeper, cleaning the lamps and the church on Saturdays, then becoming Society Steward on Sunday and often preacher as well. Sadly we lost our last active link with the Drinkwater family this year, with the passing of Connie, the widow of Horace herself was a steward, and a new pulpit has been presented in her memory.
An almost invariably comment from visitors to the chapel is ".and they can't sing!" The first organ was purchased for the sum of £10.00, and a Mr Moore who travelled from Hounslow to play first led the music. Some of the early preachers must have been characters; former members remembered men know as "Strong Faith", "Balm in Gilead", and "Daddy". It is said that Revd A. Sutcliffe used to walk through the streets ringing a bell to invite people to hear the Gospel message.
Inhabitants of Feltham often speak of the old Urban District Council, and are scathing about the newfangled London Borough. Perhaps the quality of the old Council is explained by its membership. In their time, three Southville members served: Mr. W. Drinkwater, Mr. E. Emmett, and Mr. H. Everitt. The last two served as chairmen, and this was perhaps one of the reasons that the Council attended the church on several occasions.


Although "The Iron Building" served well, it was just not big enough. The Society decided this in 1912, but it was not until 1924 that it appeared that a new building might be possible. After a vigorous fund-raising campaign, led by the then minister, Read C.E. Buck, foundation stones were laid on 9th June 1927. Somewhere in the foundations, there is today a "time capsule", containing a copy of the Bible in the Idoma language, (a link with one of the day's speakers, Read J. Hirst, the Foreign Missionary Secretary) a programme of the day's proceedings and copies of "The Methodist Leader" and a Circuit Plan.


At this time, The London Forward Movement, Hounslow, Brent ford, Southall and Feltham Churches, Mrs. William Drinkwater, and Revd C. Buck gave promises of financial help, for Feltham and Bedfont Residents, the total amounting to £2150. A public meeting followed in the Victoria Hall, at which a financial statement for the day was given; a total of £662 having been raised. Finally, on Saturday, 18th February 1928, our present building was opened. Messrs C. Baines and Son, F.R.I.B. A., A.I.S.E. designed it, and the building contract executed by W.J. Drinkwater and Sons. Seats were provided for 365 in this new building, which cost around £5,000.


Various gifts were received at the opening service, including an organ from the Sunday School, and Revd Luke Wiseman preached from Psalm 27:4 to a crowded church: "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple."
Then fall owed one of Southville's famous teas! after which the church continued to be crowded to hear addresses from Rends J. Barkby and Win. Potter.

Meanwhile the Sunday School went from strength to strength. The Minute Book for the early thirties speaks time and again of the overcrowding of the premises ("The Iron Building" was still in use.) So on Saturday 23rd October, a stone laying ceremony was held on a plot of land close to the existing church, and the hall was completed during the following spring. It was named "Drinkwater Memorial Hall", in memory of W. J. Drinkwater, one of the founder members of the Society, who had died early in 1936. The Grand Opening took place on 9th April, Revds W. Hannan and G. Tucker presiding.

The tradition of good music at Southville has already been hinted at. The Mason & Hamblin reed organ, installed when the new chapel was opened in 1928, gave wonderful service, and later moved to the then new Wendover Road church where it served a turn until the installation of their present instrument.


But even in the thirties, the Choir, inspired by "Bill" Everitt, choirmaster for many years, had a dream of installing a pipe organ in the church, and, in small ways, fundraising commenced. Bun pennies and even farthings found their way into the fund, and by the mid-forties over £100 had been raised in this way. This was encouragement enough, and Autumn Fayre efforts were diverted to the Organ Fund, until in 1950 the Trustees decided to commit themselves to the purchase of a Compton M-miniature Model Organ which was commissioned and dedicated in June 1952 and is the instrument still in use today. Our "little gem" continues to give pleasure to organists and congregations alike, and is a fitting instrument by which we can give glory to God. Although small in dimensions, our Compton still has two complete manuals and a full 32-pedal board, and the successful design gives a most satisfactory tonal range.


What next? Well, it will be good to learn to live in our wonderful new suite of buildings, and to consolidate and build on the growth, which has already started. And, if we keep growing, then there is always the space for a second floor . . . But that will be another story!