Strathmore Avenue Methodist Church Luton

An artist's impression of Strathmore Avenue church [MB2444]

Strathmore Avenue Methodist church opened in 1972. Its creation was the result of Luton Borough Council’s decision to redevelop Park Town, demolishing 19th century houses which had become run down and replacing them with blocks of high-rise flats. One of the buildings to be compulsorily purchased and demolished was Park Town Methodist church, which had just amalgamated with the closed Mount Tabor. The Methodists thus moved to a new site on the corner of Strathmore Avenue and Kingsland Road. The building remains a Methodist chapel at the time of writing [2012].

Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Records Service has the following records relating to Strathmore Avenue:

• MB491: plan of the redevelopment area and plan of the new church: 1969;
• MB1984: sale of Mount Tabor and use of funds towards building the church at Strathmore Avenue: 1969-1974
• MB491: vote of Park Town and Mount Tabor to amalgamate: 1969
• MB491: plans for proposed new church in Strathmore Avenue: 1970;
• MB491: planning application for the new church in Strathmore Avenue: 1970;
• MB491: photographs of architect’s model of the new church: 1970;
• MB491: programme and souvenir of the opening of the new church: 1972;
• MB1769 and 2444: booklet: On the Move – 1972 Souvenir, Park Town Methodist Church: 1972;
• MB2490: Leaders’ and Society minutes: 1972-1974;
• MB2871: Trustees’ Meeting minutes: 1972-1976;
• MB3066: property account book: 1973-1991;
• MB2490: Church Council minutes: 1974-1983;
• MB1874: enquiries to be made annually at Trustees’ meeting after audit: 1974-1979;
• MB2873: Methodist Trust schedules: 1976-1979;
• MB2872: building inspection report: 1977;
• MB2491: Church Council and Annual Church Meeting minutes: 1983-1995;
• MB1771: booklet: Strathmore Avenue Methodist Church Luton 1986 giving a history from 1963: 1986;
• MB3175: Church Treasurer’s account book: 1991-2002.