Wednesday, October 29th 1884, was a red-letter day in the annals of Church life in Outwood. The day had not only been looked forward to in the parish generally, but more especially by the people in the Lawns district, who have long wished for a Mission Chapel, and have worked during the last few months hand in hand and with heart and soul with the clergy of the parish to accomplish the desired end.
On Wednesday, the Mission Chapel was opened for the first time, when there was a celebration of the Holy Communion at 10.30am, the celebrant being the Rev. J. S. Gammell. There was a large number of communicants. In the afternoon a sale of work was held, commencing at two o’clock. and from 3.30 pm. to 6.15 pm. tea was served, and was partaken of by about 150 people.
The tea and sale of work realised respectively £7 and £5. The tables were then removed, and preparations were made for a grand service and evensong, which commenced at 7pm.
The officiating clergy were the Vicar (Rev. T. H. Bywater), Revs. J. S. Gammell, of Drumtochty; A. J. Miller, Vicar of Middleton; F. T. Minchall, of Wednesbury; and T. J. Bentley, Curate of the parish.
The Chapel Choir, which has just been formed, was supplemented by the Church Choir, under the skilful management of Mr. Goodair, organist of the Parish Church. The parish band, which was started a few months ago, has become a living organism, and greatly added to the magnificence of the services.
It started from the Church Sunday Schools about half-past-four o’clock, and on its way to the mission a distant of a mile-and-a-half, played marches up to the building, and during the services accompanied the hymns ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ and ‘We march, we march to victory,’ which produced a grand effect.
So large was the congregation that most of them stood throughout the service, it being considered desirable not to bring in chairs, as they would only take up room.
Great praise is due to the Rev. T. J. Bentley, who has laboured with great energy during the few months he has been in the parish, and to whom is due in a great measure the erection of the building.
The chapel is situate nearly at the top of the Old Grand Stand Road on the left hand side if looking up. and from its position it will be seen how conveniently it is placed for people living at Carr Gate, Lawns, and Lingwell Gate.
It is of brick, and has been erected at a cost of £120, and will seat 180 persons. It is 50ft. long and 18ft. wide, and consists of chancel, nave, and class-room at the west end, separated from the rest of the building by a movable wooden partition. Here we have an instance in which it may be seen how inexpensively a mission chapel may be erected which is intended to supplement the work of the parish church.
The Lawns Mission flourished. At first there were services on Sundays at 9.30am. and 6pm., With a Sunday School at 2pm, later they were altered to 10am, 2.30pm., 6.30pm, with Holy Communion at 9.30am on the last Sunday of the month.
During the Week there were services on alternate Tuesday evenings.
Money was given and raised by various efforts for the equipment of the Mission and in September, 1888, it was decided to make an effort to raise the money for building a kitchen and classroom.
By 1908, £400 had been spent in all on the Mission which ran all its own affairs as well as taking part in events in the Mother Church of St. Mary Magdalene at Outwood
In 1934 it celebrated its Jubilee. Unfortunately, in October, 1947, Services had to be suspended because the floor was unsafe, and in June, 1948, it closed down.