The Methodist Church of the Great Britain, home to the Wesleyan Movement which influenced millions across the world, has decided to apply a liquor licence for the church’s headquarters building - Westminster Central Hall - in central London. The move has outraged the traditionalist in the Church and raised the sensitive question about the Methodist attitude to Christian abstinence, especially on alcohol consumption.
Westminster Central Hall has a very unique Christian presence in the heart of London for it does not only serve as a Church hall where Christians gather for worship, but it is also designed as a well-facilitated conference centre for social, cultural and business purposes so as to serve the wider community. The revenue that comes from the rental of the premises will be directly applied to the funding of mission or social work of the Methodist Church, both in the UK and overseas.
The Rev Dr Malcolm White, a Methodist minister who was involved in drafting the application, told the London Telegraph that over the last seven or eight years there have been many events held in the Hall that people expect to be able to enjoy a glass of wine, therefore an alcohol licence for the cafe and some of the rooms is needed. The managers at Central Hall Westminster expect that the sale of alcohol will provide a significant boost in business.
As the business improves, more funds will be available for the mission or social work of the Methodist Church as well, supporters of the application argued.
White insisted that the application was in line with a decision reached at last year's Methodist Conference which said that the five churches that also provided conference facilities should be allowed to apply for such licences. The Church has debated on the application of licences since 1999.
The headquarters building of the Methodist Church will become the first national church which is not an "alcohol-free zone", if the application is successful.
The Methodist Church rules prohibit the serving of alcohol on Church property. According to the London Telegraph, more than 60 Methodists from other parts of the country are compiling a written objection, saying that the application is in defiance of Church rules.
Beyond the application of the liquor license itself, more concern has arisen of the attitude of Methodists to Christian abstinence.
Historically, Methodists are closely associated in many people’s minds with the temperance movement. In the Victorian era, heavy drinking among the working classes was seen as one of the most potent dangers facing society, the Church was actively involved in the temperance movement.
