MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH AT PETERBOROUGH.
The Independent Church at Peterborough appears to have originated in the
labours of a Mr. Glascott, a minister belonging to Lady Huntingdon's
connexion, who came to this place about the year 1776 or 1777, to preach
the Gospel of Christ. He first took his stand under the Cross in the
Market-place. He was often interrupted in his services, and experienced
much opposition; but on some occasions there was seen the Lady of ----
Orme, Esq. standing beside him, which proved some protection to him from
the assaults of the rude assemblage around.
There was also the late Mrs. Baker, who was one of the first fruits of
his ministry, who became an eminent Christian, useful in the cause of
God, regarded as a mother in Israel, surviving to a good old age.
After some time they obtained a small building for public worship, on
the premises of Mr. Ashby, of Westgate Street. At length an opportunity
was presented for building a more commodious place. Roger Parker, Esq.
was willing to let them have the piece of ground where the Chapel now
stands, for the small sum of five guineas; but the circumstances
connected with this agreement show that to the poor emphatically the
Gospel was preached, for they were unable to raise the sum above
specified, and were obliged, when they met Mr. Parker at the office of
the attorney where the agreement was to be fulfilled, to inform him
privately that they could not raise the amount required; and he put his
hand into his pocket and nobly gave them the five guineas, that they
might fulfil the contract before the attorney. The Chapel was erected in
1779 or 1780.
Mr. Thresher was the first minister that was settled over them. But such
was the intolerant spirit then prevailing in the place, that much
persecution was endured by the minister and his people. They were
frequently assailed on leaving the Chapel, pelted and sometimes almost
covered with mud and dirt. After Mr. Thresher's ministry closed amongst
them, Mr. Woodward became the pastor. He preached every third Sabbath at
Pinchbeck, near Spalding, to which place he subsequently removed.
The people had to struggle with great difficulties, and the congregation
became very low; so that at length the Chapel was closed, and remained
shut up for about seven years. At the end of this period a lay preacher
from Northampton visited Peterborough; and seeing the desolate state of
things, he endeavoured to collect the scattered few, and to preach the
word unto them. Application after this was made to Thos. Wilson, Esq.,
who sent supplies from Hoxton Academy. The Chapel was re-opened and
stated services restored about the year 1804.
The labours of Mr. Harris, one of the students from Hoxton, proved very
acceptable; he received an invitation to become the pastor, and was
ordained over them. In his days the congregation flourished; he became
very popular, and great numbers heard the word from his lips. Such was
the interest that his preaching excited, that the late Bishop Madan, who
manifested a liberal spirit towards Dissenters, has been known to stand
at the entrance of the Chapel, with his hat in his hand, to hear Mr.
Harris. But he removed to Swansea about the year 1810.
After this, supplies were again obtained from Hoxton. Mr. Jeanes was
invited to become the pastor; his preaching was acceptable and useful;
but a few years after he removed to Market Deeping. Mr. Cave was another
of the students who accepted an invitation to minister here; but after a
few years he removed to Yaxley. The next minister was a Mr. Phillips,
who had been in Lady Huntingdon's connexion, and had ministered in Zion
Chapel, London. He was pastor for a few years, and some success attended
his labours; but the people again wishing for a change, Mr. Phillips
retired in the year 1818, but continued to reside in Peterborough, and
preached occasionally. He was at length seized with paralysis: tried by
long and heavy affliction, under which he was very graciously sustained.
He died in the year 1831.
Mr. J. E. Isaac was the next minister who received an invitation to the
pastoral office. The congregation was in a very low state when he
entered on his labours, but it increased under his ministry; and after
he had laboured for three years, the Church was re-organized, and Mr.
Isaac was ordained May 22nd, 1821. On that occasion, Mr. Jervis, of
Ramsay, commenced the service; Mr. Holmes, of Wisbeach, delivered the
introductory discourse; Mr. Morrell, of St. Neots, offered the
ordination prayer, and gave the charge; Mr. Wright, of Stamford,
preached to the people. In the course of his ministry, Mr. Isaac had
some serious trials to contend with; but he persevered in his labours,
and they were rendered in some measure successful; so that in the year
1832, the Chapel having become too small for the congregation, it was
thought desirable to attempt an enlargement. This was effected, and the
place was re-opened for divine worship in July of that year: on that
occasion, Dr. Pye Smith preached in the morning and evening, and Mr.
Haynes, of Boston, on the following Sabbath. About this time a
Sabbath-school was commenced in connexion with the Chapel.
There are the names of about thirty persons recorded "who," it is
observed, "regarded Mr. Isaac as their spiritual father." But under date
of 1834 we find the statement, that the Church saw the necessity of a
change, on account of the great decrease in the number of hearers; so
that Mr. Isaac resigned in September of that year. Some time after this,
Mr. Penman became the minister, and was ordained February 3rd, 1836.
About this period, application was made to Earl Fitzwilliam for the
grant of a piece of ground on the south side of the Chapel, on which to
build a school-room for the use of the Sabbath-school. This was
obtained, at a rental of five shillings per annum, on a lease of
ninety-nine years. The cost of building, with some alterations in the
Chapel, was about L205.
During the last five years, Mr. William Palmer has been the pastor of
this Church. His labours have been rendered very successful, in
increasing the congregation and making many additions to the Church.
Side galleries have been added to the Chapel, at a cost of L100. There
have been 120 members in Peterborough and Yaxley added to the Church.
The Sabbath-school has increased from 60 to 200 children. But in the
month of October, this year (1852), Mr. Palmer was obliged to resign his
charge and retire from his labours for a season, on account of long and
severe affliction.
Thus another change has come over this people; but if the spirit of the
Gospel prevails amongst them, they will receive direction from above,
and God will carry forward his designs of mercy by the ministry of his
truth and the other appointed means of his grace.