The encouragement from neighbouring Ministers—A Church formed—First
members—Sabbath schools—Chapel purchased—Opening sources—Separation—First
pastor—Enlargement, second and third pastors.
THIS little despised band of Christians, amid all the evil influences at
work for their dispersion, were much encouraged by the continued success
that attended them. Had the Established Church provided better spiritual
food it is probable the growth of Dissent at best would have been very
slow and weak; and had she, instead of the bitterness everywhere
manifested, employed more conciliatory means, it would have tended
materially to retard the progress of events, which the course pursued
rather accelerated by producing conviction of error, and hence leading to
a perusal of that volume which is and ever will be the only statute book
of the court of hearers, to which duty they were specially and earnestly
directed for a solution of all difficulties, a solver of all doubts, and
the only safe guide in all practical matters. They were much encouraged
and assisted by many of the ministers from the surrounding Churches. The
Rev. Robert Sloper, of Devizes, who especially took the infant cause
under his fostering wing, and hence during his ministry regarded it as
part and parcel of his own particular charge,—a kind of out-station to
the Church of that place. Mr. Honeywell, of Melksham, was also very kind
to them, visiting and encouraging them as often as his duties at home
would allow. Mr. Jackson, of Warminster, and Mr. Sibree, of Frome, were
frequent visitors here. The latter would invariably have a service on
the Monday morning early before he returned home; and it is believed was
the means of doing much good. And there was the then youthful Jay, of
Christian Malford, a name that will doubtless continue in the remembrance
of the Christian Church for years to come. Some of his earliest pulpit
productions were delivered here; he consequently ever after felt a deep
interest in its progress and prosperity.
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed,” that about this time
several persons of respectability were induced to attend; doubtless
various motives were in operation—some were attracted by the juvenility
of the preacher, Mr. Jay; others with the simple yet melting piety of Mr.
Sibree; and a third class would desire to hear what this new doctrine or
sect was which was everywhere spoken against; of many it will be
remarked, they were in the way, and the Lord met them—“a timid, feeble,
youthful hand may pull the string, but an Unseen One guideth the arrow,”
brought to a saving knowledge of the truth; they “laid hold of the skirts
of Him that was a Jew saying, we will go with you for God is with you,”
and cast in their lot with his people.
An onward course was now imperative; the next step was to organize a
Christian Church—a good sign when it springs not from the spirit of
faction and wish to appear something but from a healthy action—a desire
to keep the commands of Christ, and become local centres of influence,
lights to diffuse the Gospel. Such we trust were the feelings that
animated the first band here—a desire to promote their own individual
well-being and the glory of God. Their tried and constant friend, Mr.
Sloper, met them in conference, and making every proper inquiry, agreed
to form them into a distinct body. Having laid before them the laws of
Christ, the Great Head of the Church, by which they were to be governed,
and to regulate their daily conduct, walk, and conversation, promising to
preside over them whenever his duties at home would allow. The following
persons then gave and received of each other the right hand of
fellowship:—
Mr. RICHARD WARD. Mr. JOSEPH WARD.
Mrs. WARD. Mrs. ANN WARD.
Mr. WM. MOOR. Mr. JOHN GAUNTLETT.
Mrs. MARY MOOR. Mrs. MARY GAUNTLETT.
Miss ANN GAUNTLETT.
The two last-named persons are the only ones remaining, the rest are, in
the language of the Apostle, “fallen asleep in Christ.” Miss Ann
Gauntlett is a member of the Church assembling at Argyle Chapel, Bath,
lately under the pastoral care of the now sainted WILLIAM JAY: the other
continues a member of the Church here.
[Picture: Old Parsonage]
In the year following, feeling their strength increase, “waxing stronger
and stronger,” they proceeded to make provision for the young around
them, fully entering into the spirit of that great truth which has since
been so extensively carried out, viz., “that the future hope of the
Christian Church must be the young,” they opened a school on the Sabbath
for boys in the bakehouse of Mr. Gauntlett, the corner of Parsonage Lane,
under the joint supervision of that gentleman and Mr. Joseph Ward, and
one for girls at the old parsonage house, a little way up the lane, where
Miss Saunders had a seminary for young ladies. This lady took the
superintendence of that department: what were the numbers of the pupils
and teachers there is now no record. These things continued until the
purchase of the chapel, and the schools were removed thither, when Mr.
Saunders (who with his sister about this time joined the Church) took the
superintendency of the whole.
We cannot suffer an occasion like the present to pass without according
to the memory of that gentleman the respect due to him for those
efficient services he rendered. The energy of mind, the business-like
habits, the sanctified talent, the spontaneous generosity, the
unflinching rectitude, and the unwavering firmness which so strikingly
formed his character, he brought to bear upon the prosperity not only of
the school, which for forty years he presided over with unvarying
regularity and constancy, never during that lengthened period been five
minutes beyond his time, but the cause of the Redeemer generally, which
in its various departments found in him a warm supporter, and especially
that part of it with which he was immediately connected as an office
bearer. Many now risen to take part in the activities of life can bear
testimony to the tender amenities, the affectionate solicitude,
persevering and patient assiduity by which his instructions were
characterised. We deeply deplore those events and circumstances which,
under the mysterious arrangements of Divine Providence, have withdrawn
the several members of his family from this locality, and thus denied the
Church of one of his descendants upon whom the Paternal mantle might have
fallen to supply his place, and hand down his name, zeal, piety, and
energy to future generations. We trust that that family will continue to
feel a deep and lasting interest in the prosperity of this our Zion.
From the continued accessions made and the decline of those prejudices
and animosities which had so long vexed them from without, it became
absolutely necessary that increased accommodation should be provided.
Numerous difficulties at first presented themselves, every attempt to
obtain suitable premises or a plot of ground eligible for the erection of
a chapel was abortive. After waiting some time, the meeting-house
belonging to the Friends before referred to, situate at the east end of
the town, was to be disposed of: such a favourable opening naturally
created a wish to possess the long-desired boon. A correspondence upon
the subject was opened, and after due deliberation and counsel it was
determined to embrace the offer, and the property was delivered over in
trust for the especial use and service of the Church and congregation,
under the denomination of Independents, of the Pædo-baptist persuasion,
subject to certain conditions as to the right of the Friends to its use
occasionally if required. These documents, with subsequent ones, are now
placed in the custody of the County Association, who have provided a safe
repository for such papers. It was a square building built of rough
stone, having brick quoins, and a brick front on one side abutting on the
street, a narrow lane conducting to a cottage running at the back, the
other side and front standing in the graveyard, enclosed with a stone
wall; the admeasurement of which is 23 ft. by 39 ft., that of the
building 33 ft. by 22 ft. Some considerable alteration was requisite to
fit it for its intended purpose, a pulpit and desk being necessary; these
having been accomplished, the place was opened by two public services;
that in the morning by the Rev. Josiah Bull, of Newport Pagnell, and that
in the evening by their warm friend, the Rev. William Jay, then settled
at Bath. Most of the neighbouring ministers attended and united with
them in the joy of that auspicious event,—the possession of a sanctuary
of their own. They still continued dependant on foreign aid for the
supply of the pulpit until about the year 1806, when the question of a
regular established pastorate was mooted, especially as their much and
deservedly esteemed friend felt the infirmities of advancing age coming
upon him, so as to require additional help at home. The Rev. R. Sloper
was unable to give them that assistance so desirable. This subject was
one calculated to produce disunion, and painful as it is to contemplate,
yet justice requires it should be told,—sad proof of the imperfection of
human nature, even under the professed sanctifying power of the Gospel,
the truth so long foretold by the Apostle became exemplified, “Whereas
there are among you divisions, and strifes, and contentions. For while
one of you saith, I am of Paul, and another, I of Apollos, and I of
Cephas, and I of Christ, are ye not carnal?”—it ultimated in open rupture
and separation, not only of the Church and congregation, but also of the
Sabbath school, under Mr. Christopher Garrett, who withdrew, he and his
followers, to a cottage situated in the lane near the weighing engine. A
barn which stood near was afterwards pulled down, and the cottage
enlarged to the size of the present building, from that time known as the
lower chapel. The separatists have continued a distinct body of close
communionists holding Baptist principles, from whom have since seceded
the other body assembling in the new chapel in White Street, erected by
Miss Husband.
In the year 1809, the portion of the Church that remained at what was
then denominated the Upper Meeting, still desirous of a settled minister,
chose Mr. Richard Ward, one of their number, and called him to the sacred
office of pastor. Considering it desirable to his standing among the
ministers, they proceeded to a public designation of him, and invited the
pastors of neighbouring Churches to unite with them and recognise the
mutual engagement. The usual and varied services were gone through
embodying the profession of faith, the principles of Dissent, the nature
of the Gospel Church, the imposition of hands, and the charge to the
minister elect, with advice to the Church, in which various parties were
engaged. He continued to labour among them with great acceptance until
the year 1818, when the infirmities of age coming upon him, he
relinquished his office. The attendance was much increased under his
ministry, and several were added to the Church. It was during this
period an addition was made of a gallery, which was soon filled, and an
enlargement of the building rendered necessary; this was accomplished to
the extent of 20 ft., its now present dimensions, rendering it capable of
accommodating about 500 persons. By these alterations a heavy debt was
incurred, and remained a burden until the time of the Rev. T. Sturgess,
in the year 1829. Mr. Ward lived several years after his resignation,
and died in 1839, full of years and faith; he was interred in the burying
ground adjoining, nearly opposite the lower door.
[Picture: Independent Chapel]
He was followed by the Rev. Mr. Slade, a young man who was educated for
the ministry at the Dissenting College at Newport Pagnell, under the Rev.
Josiah Bull; and in the year 1818 was ordained according to the usual
manner among the Churches of the denomination, but only continued with
them till when, from an inability to please some who were fastidious, he
resigned, and removed to Corsham, where he has continued ever since with
comfort and honour to himself and advantage to the people of his charge.
May he long continue, be made an increasing blessing, and with them
richly enjoy the benediction of the Great Head of the Church.
In the following year the Rev. John Guard, then supplying Portland
Chapel, Bath (a new Independent interest which it was attempted to raise
to meet the wants of the extensive population of that city, but from the
want of encouragement in certain quarters failed) was, from the
recommendation and with the advice of the Rev. Wm. Jay, invited as a
supply and, being approved of, he was requested to accept the vacant
pastorate: he entered upon it in the year and continued to fill it till
1827, being constrained through the occurrence of some trying and
unpleasant circumstances to relinquish his charge. Although he passed
through the ordeal unscathed and with a clear conscience, yet he was much
bowed down in his spirit, and felt his soul keenly sensitive, deeply
lacerated. From hence he removed to Wickwar, in Gloucestershire, where
he remained a few years, then went into Hampshire, where the cause being
in a very low and unpromising state, and there appearing but very little
prospect of its reviving, he did not remain long, but removed to
Mavagessy, in Cornwall. How long he continued here is not exactly known.
The next account of him is, that he returned to Overton, in Hampshire,
and soon after terminated his trying pilgrimage.
The removal of this servant of the Most High had an injurious effect upon
the cause. The circumstances alluded to produced a great convulsion; the
Church became divided, part spake one thing and part another, these
bitter waters of strife ended in a temporary separation, and those who
left occupied a room near the weighing engine. The Rev. Thos. Williams,
who about twenty years before had visited the town and preached in the
Market Place, then residing in London, was visited by an influential
member of that party, with whom he had previously become acquainted,
invited to come down, and settle among them, which he did, although he
afterwards much regretted that step, being, as he said, misled in the
representations made to him as to the state of affairs. The pulpit at
the chapel being filled by casual supplies and some of the resident
friends, after about six months the breach was healed, and the two
parties re-united, when Mr. Williams became the pastor of the whole body.
Unhappily the calm was of a treacherous character, and the sky soon put
on a very portentous and ominous appearance. The echo of discord broke
upon the ear, and instead of the sweets of harmony and heavenly
fellowship, a union of purpose and aim, the unhallowed conflict and
strife of party domination, so uncongenial to increase of grace, became
apparent; the good man’s peace of mind was destroyed, and his usefulness
impaired. After remaining a little more than a year, he closed his
engagements with them, and withdrew to the lower chapel. He died in the
year 1835, and was buried in the ground belonging to that place. A
tablet was erected within the chapel to his memory.