Mr. Luther Dyson, President and founder of the mission presided over the celebrations.

Last week-end (25th September 1936) the jubilee of Whittlefield Gospel Temperance Mission was celebrated at the hall in Bivel Street. The founding of the present mission resulted from the great Blue Ribbon Mission for temperance, conducted by Mr. W. E. Murphy in spring 1882 held at the Mechanics Institute. Mr. Luther Dyson who was at that meeting later held meetings with others in Alnwick Street, Brickhouses, in the open air and various cottage dwellings. Mr. Dyson then opened a room above his butcher's shop at 83 Westgate for meetings. In the summer of 1883 the meeting moved to a larger room over Mr. Varley's blacksmith's shop in High Street, Whittlefield.

In spring 1886 an offer of land to build a new mission, larger than the existing building at High Street was made by Mr. Thomas Heap, builder to his brother Joseph, trustee of the mission. The members built up to the base, building was then completed by James Heap on contract - the architect was Arthur Robinson of Park Lane. On Thursday 30th September 1886 the building was formerly opened by Mrs. Lewis of Blackburn. The building has undergone several alterations and improvements including the creation of a young men's institute which is ranked the best in local circles. In 1923, on the death of Trustee Tom Smith a two-manual organ, electrically driven was installed in his memory. The mission was solemnised for marriages a few years ago. Mr. Luther Dyson, president and founder of the mission, presiding over the celebrations reminisced over the 50 years of temperance work at the mission.