[Atarah]

This is for you, Karateman, to finish the story off

"Religion with fire behind it!"

From the Accrington Observer, "The formation of this new religious body in Accrington arises out of the recent visit of Pastor Jeffrey's to the Accrington Town Hall. The new church, which will be under the guidance of Pastor Thrush, will be opened by Pastor Scarisbrook, of Leyland"

The official opening was 28th May 1932

Another article states "A Bethel Temple, the outcome of the campaign recently conducted in Accrington and Oswaldtwistle by Pastor Jeffrey's, was opened on Hyndburn Road (opposite the bottom of Park Road) on Sat 28th May 1932. It is the first branch in Accrington of the Bethel Evangelistic Society, whose headquarters are at Bristol. The building which they are using for their activities was formerly St Oswald's Roman Catholic Church, and was closed 60 years ago. Since then it has been used as a store-house by Messrs F. Steiner and Co., Church. The new tenants have leased it, and are hoping to buy it in time. The hall will seat about 800, a gallery which has been erected at the back providing accommodation for over 200.

A feature of Saturday's opening proceedings was the procession about 400 strong in the afternoon, through Accrington and back to the Temple. Headed by little girls carrying baskets of flowers, the procession included a considerable number of Crusaders (young ladies) in WHITE SMOCKS AND BLACK HATS, and the processionists sang hymns as they marched through the streets".

So, looks like your lovely Mum was a "crusader".

If you like, I will photocopy this page from the Observer and let you have a copy, to put with all your family heirlooms.