Victoria Road, Bethesda Free Church

Bethesda Free Church. Western half is brick, eastern half is rendered and pebble-dashed. Battlemented 'tower' over arched doorway. Geometric window in gable with stained glass. Simple arched windows in side elevation. Western half is brick, eastern half is rendered and pebble dashed. Battlement ‘tower’ over arched doorway. Geometric window in gable with stained glass. Simple arched windows in side elevation. Designed by the architect T.A. Page of King Street and built by Mr J. Robson of Ocean Road for the United Methodist Free Church, a combination of Wesleyan Reformers and the Wesleyan Methodists Association.
The foundation stone was laid in 1868 by the Mayoress Mrs J.C. Stevenson. During the ceremony a bottle was placed in the cavity of the stone containing a likeness of the Rev. J. Everett (the head of the circuit) and an assortment of other items; the names of contemporary ministers of the circuit, members of the Annual Assembly, minutes of the day's proceedings, names of the Trustees, names of the architect and builder, copies of the day's national and local newspapers, a few coins of the present reign.
Became the Bethesda Free Church from 1904. This was a Free Church Evangelical Mission that had previously used a variety of temporary sites in the town for its meetings. The members had amassed a building fund of £360, which was used for the deposit for the building. The balance of £1610 was paid by 1907. The leading figure of the mission at this time was George Gregory, an inspirational speaker and chief instigator in the search for permanent premises. In June 1909 permission was granted for an extension for the Sunday school and a gallery for the church. This was opened on New Year's Day 1910. LOCAL LIST