It will be remembered that Ebenezer had a bade a sad farewell to Mr. Brindley in 1941. It is accepted that the chuch soon felt the need of a pastor's guidence and inspiration. The matter was discussed from time to time and on two occasions attempts were made to obtain a pastor on a temporary basis, but these attempts were not successful.

Early in 1945 an approach was made to the daughter chuch at Doals with a view to a pastor being appointed who should have chage of both churches. Both churches favoured this suggestion, and the ultimate outcome was tha the Rev. G. M. Williams, of Rhymney, South Wales, was appointed join pastor of the Ebenezer and Doals' churches, and Mr. Williams commenced his duties in May, 1946. Shortly before this, on the 30th and 31st March, 1946, the 75th anniversary of the opening of the then present chapel was celebrated, Mr. Peach and Mr. Brindley both taking part.

The first movewith regard to the amalgamation of the Baptist churches in the town would appear to be a meeting of 22nd of August, 1946, whent he deacons of Ebenezer, Zion, and Irwell Terrace met and decided unanimously in favour of the three churches being formed into on central church at some future time, and this decision was approved by the members of the Ebenezer chuch.

Mr. Williams was an eloquent preacher and his sermonds were thought-provoking and inspiring. As he was also in charge of the Doals' chuch he could not, of course, give undeivided attention to Ebenezer which previous pastors had been able to do. After a period of seven years faithfull service, he tendered his resignation of the joint pastorate in June, 1953, after he had been invited to, and had accepted, the pastorate of the Baptist church at Shore, near Todmorden.

In September, 1954, the question of amalgamation was again brought up. By this time the Zion and Irwell terrace churches had amalgamated, and the joint church was know as the Union Church. No definite action was taken at this time, but in February, 1956, it was arranged that Rev. F. Cooke, the pastor of the Union church, should assist Ebenezer by taking marriages and funerals, visiting the people and taking the chair at some of the church meetings. The church derived much benefit from Mr. Cooke's assistance and advice.

The church still felt the need of a full time pastor and, ultimately, in october, 1958, an invitation to the pastorate was extended to the Rev. H. Turton, of Birchcliffe, Hebden Bridge. This was accepted and Mr. Turton commenced his duties in january, 1959. Apart from faithfully preaching the word on Sundays Mr. Turton proved to be an active and effciend organiser. In April, 1960, he formed a Scout troop with was attached to the church. he also took a very actice part in the organisation of the celebrations on the 15th and 16th October, 1960, of the 25th anniversary of the church, including the writing of an eight scene pageant of the church's history entitled "Through the Changing Years". On the Saturday evening the school room was packed for the re-union and pageant. Ths visitors' book for this accasion was signed by many people from distant places including Toronto.

The question of amalgamation with Union was again discussed at joint meetings of the deacons of both churches in 1961.

Early in 1962 Mr. Turton was appointed chaplain with the British Sailors Society and tendered his resignation, this taking effect on the 30th April.

On the 15th and 16th of June, 1962, another important even was celebrated, namely the 150th anniversery of the Sunday School. A concert was held in teh school on the Saturday evening, and the services on the Sunday were conducted by Rev. David jackson, M.A. A souvenir handbook was prepared containing the hymns for the day, photographs of the Sunday School scholars and officials, and a brief history of the school.

The resignation of Mr. Turton gave some impertus to the negotiations for amalgamation between Ebenezer and Union, and agreement was reached that the two churches should unite to form one church, and that the premises to be used for the united church should be premises then being used by Union.

At the union of Zion and Irwell Terrace in 1948 neither church had a minister, but fortunately Zion had a student pastor, Mr. R Whearcroft, who continued to serve the newly formed chuch untill the end of his summer vacation.

Both Irwell Terrace and Zion could look back at thier history with pride. Zion had a very strong Sunday School and several mid-week activites. The value of help of prayer had always been recognised, and for nearly fifty years two prayer meetings a week were held. As previously mentioned the saturday prayer meeting was given up and the young people started a Christian Endeavour. Over the years many of the church's workers and Sunday School teachers confessed that thier desire and ability for church service cou,ld be attributed to the Endeavour.

Like many other churches, Zion had always placed great value on the work of the ladies. The Ladies Aid, or as it later became known the Ladies Fellowship. Their meetings were devotional, but coupled with this desire there was always interest and concern for the social and financial said of the church. Another organistaion of the church whuch many of the menfolk claimed was responsible for thier ability to speak in public was the Mutual Improvement Class. It is interesting to note that Zion usually had about eight or nine local preachers who helped out at other churches.

For many years uniformed organisations were quite strong. Cubs, Brownies, Guides and Scouts met weekly in the Sunday School. These organisations were well served and supported by loyal people of the church and Sunday School.

Later, a very strong Boys Brigade Troop came into being. They met on Friday evenings and good sound instruction was given to them on many subjects besides physical training and religious instruction. These boys were well served by having officers who were devoted to the church and Sunday School and who, whilst serving in this capacity, continued with all their appointments in the church.

Several members of the church became prominant members of the Town Council, and when public religious services took place Zion was always well represented.

Great concern was shown in the work of the Baptist Missionary Society and in teh Home Work Fund. Willing workers were always available in promoting activites and arranging events to keep alive this concern for the work, and the ladies of the church at all times loyally supported the work of the Baptist Women's Missionary League.

The Zion church was always interested in the two baptist colleged of Rawden and Manchester, no doubt much of this interest was because three young men of the chuch recieved their training for the ministry at these places.

Due to the constant need for money, efforts of all kinds had to be made to raise enough for not only the church, but to help the many causes which regularly appearled to the church's genorostiry. Mainly on account of this there was a vast amounf of social activity within the church and Sunday School. This activity, incidently, did much to foster and strengthen the family ties of the church. Recreation was not neglected, especially the game of cricket. After the formation of the Bacup and District Sunday School League, Zion was a member and for a long time had teams in the first and second league. Football also was a source of recreation provided for the menfolk over two different periods.

In bringing this history of Zion to a close, full justice and praise has not been given to all the outstanding men and women who have laboured so long and loyally for the cause of Zion. It is difficult to fix a standard of being "outstanding". A host of men and women served so long and faithfully, many of them quietly and unnoticed. Then too we think of those who, over so many, many years, gave, and gave again, willingly and generously, often like the widow and her mite to the point of sacrifice. These were the people who built Zion.

Like all churches, Zion has had its successes and its rejoicings, its dissapointments and its failures, but at all times God's goodness was great towards the church and its people. Untold numbers of men and women have lived, and are living today, to praise God for Zion Baptist Church.

At Irwell Terrace we learn that after two years oversight by Mr. Overend, of Ebenezer, the Rev. H. Harrison was invited to become the minister in 1914. He was followed in 1921 by the Rev. A. Fields, who turned out to be the last minister Irwell Terrace had. It is obvious that from before the first World War Irwell Terrace was having a hard struggle. One can only be impressed by the courage and devotion that kept the church alive. After the departure of Mr. Feilds the church remained without a pastor. The Sunday services were taken each week by local preachers.

In considering the history of Irwell Terrace during the last 30 years one can only think of the difficulties and applaud the stubborn bravery of the small band of devoted worshippers. When the building at Zion became dangerous, talks took place between the members of the two churches and as a result the church of Union Baptist came into being.

The Rev. F. Cooke became the first minister of the newly formed church. When he was invited he was still a student at Manchester College. His ordination and induction took place on September 9th, 1950, and he served the church very faithfully untill 1958. One outstanding even which took place during his minestry was his conducting of a Thanksgiving Service for the final clearance of the debt on Zion Sunday School.

During Mr. Cooke's ministry Ebenezer became without a ministerm and about this time discussions were taking place between the deacons at Ebenezer, Union and Mount Olivet with regard to a closer working together of the churches. United monthly services wre arranged, joint communion services and joint prayer meetings were held. Talks continued between the churches and a stang feeling developed that at some time in the future a united church might come into being, Mr. Cooke, howeverm did not see the fulfilment of this plan, as he left in 1958.

In spite of being witout a minister the desire for a greater joining together of the churches grew and it was discussed at church meetings. The Sunday School officers and teachers met together to discuss how best to bring about this union. Finally, the trustees of both churches met and talked about which would be the most suitable buildings to use. Finally, a recommendation was given from the joint trustees that Ebenezer premises should be closed and the buildings offered for sale, also that Sunday worship should be continued in Union Baptist Church, and that the Sunday School and mid-week activites be held in Union premises.

Before final plans were made about the union with Ebenezer, the Rev. T. A. Roberts was invited to become minister of Union Baptist. His induction took place on February 3rd, 1962.

In June 1962, final arrangements were made for the joining together of Ebenezer and Union churches. At a later meeting, when further details were discussed, it was approved that the new fellowship would be known as Trinity Baptist Chuch.

Inauguration services took place on November 3rd, 1962.