ABSTRACT
Having acquired the former Castle Gate Congregational Church and hall premises in Nottingham from the United Reformed &KXUFKLQWHQGLQJWRXVHWKHPDVRIÀFHVVWXGHQWURRPVDQGIRU church purposes), the Congregational Federation held a service of thanksgiving in September 1981. Those arriving early were amazed to discover Elsie, as practical and unstuffy as ever, on her knees ZDVKLQJWKHÁRRU(OVLHKRSHGWKDWWKHQHZFHQWUHLQ1RWWLQJKDP would be ‘a place where we can learn more about the faith and ÀQGQHZLQVSLUDWLRQIRUWKHZRUNWKDWLVWREHGRQH·7KHIRUPDO opening of the Congregational Centre in Castle Gate occurred a year later in September 1982 when Elsie, speaking last, struck an uncharacteristically solemn note, by reminding the assembly that ¶WKHIXOÀOPHQWRIWKHGUHDPGHSHQGVRQWKHUHDOLW\RIRXUIDLWK·,Q truth she had herself given generously towards the cost of setting up the centre. She became a regular visitor to the Castle Gate buildings for Congregational Federation council and committee meetings. In late 1982 she addressed the Federation of Congregational Women, in the East Midlands area there, taking the theme that ‘the Kingdom RI*RGLVZLWKLQ\RX·DQGXUJLQJWKRVHSUHVHQWWRFRPPXQLFDWHWKH gospel to people outside the churches.1
