The text here is taken from “The Church of St Werburghs” by Messrs Storer and Cresswell published in 1950s. The image is taken from a postcard sent to Sheffield in April 1913.
As Westhouses grew in size, the inhabitants determined to have a place of worship of their own, rather than using the distant St Werburghs. “First they held services in the station waiting room, the booking office barrier being used as lectern and pulpit. These services were well attended and the booking office was found to be too small and inconvenient for the congregation. Then attention was paid to the use of the Railway Institute which provided much more suitable accommodation. It was in 1898 during the incumbency of the late S C Furmston that it was decided to build a real churchand the church enthusiasm was so strong that in that year S Saviour’s Church was built of wood, and zinc sheeting with chair seating for about 80 people, and was Dedicated by Bishop of Southwll 26th September 1898. The church was, in a way, and at that time, quite well equipped with it’s consecrated chapel, a suitable altar and the necessary curtains and carpets to give it a dignified appearance. Music was supplied by an American organ played by Mrs Hesketh. The lighting was hanging lamps burning paraffin oil, but really good work was carried on, occasionally led by the Vicar and Assistant Curate Rev. C Hinchliffe, but more often by lay helpers from the surrounding district.
For some time the church carried on its work under these limited possibilities, but the congregation was not altogether satisfied with the lack of opportunities for Church Welfare Social Work, and steps were taken to add a Church School Room to satisfy the social needs. Particular mentionof the Rev, G F A Fitzroy might be made at this point. He worked himself as a leader should and gathered round him a band of willing voluntary workers and the present schoolroom is a magnificent result of the church work of that day.“