All churches experience times of strength and times of weakness and Acocks Green Methodist church is no exception. The impetus and challenge of the new church in 1882 carried it well forward into the twentieth century. The social upheaval of the 1920s influx of newcomers to the 'village' was matched by the willingness of the Wesleyan Methodists, and churches of other denominations, to provide for their needs both spiritually and socially. Whether the rising attendance figures in chapel and Sunday School of the 1930s would have continued but for the Second World War is unknown. For a time, until the early 1950s, hopes were high that those pre-war attendance figures would be regained. But changing social patterns made Acocks Green particularly vulnerable. However, the church did not sit back and bewail the emptying pews and strenuous efforts were made by leaders and congregations to attract the newcomers in the district. In the early 1980s the welcome addition of former members of Tyseley church into our society has brought with it new blood. The Thursday Afternoon Class is one manifestation of this.

Did those open air preachers of 1856 in Acocks Green foresee the 130 years of Methodist witness which have ensued? The challenge that faces us today is of a different nature but we can pray, as no doubt did they, for God's grace to give us strength and guidance for the way ahead.