MEMORIALS OF THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH AT OLD.
In the village of Old there is a neat brick building as an Independent
Chapel, with a small burying-ground enclosed in connexion with it; and
nearly adjoining it is a dwelling-house for the minister. Though this
Chapel was not erected until the year 1809, yet we have to look backward
for a little more than a hundred years to observe the first efforts that
were made to obtain some stated services by Nonconformist ministers in
this place. It appears highly probable that the Gospel was occasionally
preached at Old and Scaldwell (the latter village being about a mile
from the former) in the early part of the last century. We have found,
in the records of the Independent Church at Rowell, that there were a
number of persons who were members of that Church residing in Scaldwell
and its vicinity soon after the commencement of the last century, who
expressed a desire to be formed into a separate Church in that place, on
account of the distance they were from Rowell; but their numbers were
thought not to be sufficient then to justify such a step.
In the year 1750, Mr. Thomas Palmer, of Old, great grandfather to the
late Mr. Palmer, by deed of bargain and sale invested certain premises
at Old in the hands of four trustees, that out of the rents and profits
thereof they should pay L5 per annum, by four quarterly payments, to
some Dissenting minister, teacher, or preacher, to do divine service and
preach a sermon once a month at Old for ever.
Neighbouring ministers performed this monthly service for some time. The
attendance on this lecture was so good as to lead the friends to obtain
more frequent services, which were conducted in a barn on the property.
Some of the hearers were in the habit of attending the Baptist Meeting
at Walgrave, a short distance from Old; but the practice of strict
communion cut them off from participating in divine ordinances there, so
that it was at length determined to form a Church at Old, and to look
out for a stated pastor.
Mr. Shadrach Jackson, from the Newport Pagnell institution, visited Old
in the year 1808, and preached in the barn with acceptance and success.
The increasing attendance rendered it desirable and indeed necessary to
have a more suitable and commodious place for divine worship, and the
present Chapel was erected on the premises, at a cost of L850.
At the ordination of Mr. Jackson, his tutor, the late Mr. William Bull,
the friend and correspondent of Newton and Cowper, delivered an
affectionate and impressive charge, taking for his motto the remarkable
words of Joseph, addressed to his brother Benjamin (Gen. xliii. 29):
"God be gracious unto thee, my son." The late Mr. Hillyard, of Bedford,
in his own peculiar, affectionate, and persuasive manner, gave a most
excellent address to the people, from the words of Ruth (i. 16, 17):
"Entreat me not to leave thee," &c.
Mr. Jackson was a native of Doncaster. He early became acquainted with
Mr. Samuel Hobson, of Sheffield, afterwards pastor of the Church at
Maldon, Beds. The late Mr. Thorpe, of Bristol, married the sister of Mr.
Hobson, and to him both these young men were considerably indebted for
their ministerial prospects. Both of them became students at Newport;
they were both men of ability--Hobson having perhaps most philosophy,
and Jackson most genius and pulpit unction. The latter was a striking
and impressive preacher, decidedly popular, not failing to secure the
attention of his audience. He had an excellent gift in prayer, and was
often called upon to pray at the meetings of his brethren in the County
Association. But it was not a long course of service that was allotted
to him. His health was not good; he was subject to an affection of the
throat; but it is thought that the affliction which ended in death was
brought on by his preaching one night in wet clothes at the neighbouring
village of Holcott. He never ceased to feel the effects of that night,
and gradually sunk, though occasionally giving some hopes of recovery.
After a long and painful affliction, he died, September 3rd, 1817. His
remains were interred near the pulpit, and a tablet was erected to his
memory by subscription.
Mr. Hillyard, minister at Bedworth, who was a member of the Church at
Old, and has supplied some of these particulars, states--"I saw him just
as he was dying, being then about nine years of age; he mentioned my
name. Almost the last thing he said referring to himself was, 'A sinner
saved by grace.' I well remember the deep impression his death made on
my mind; and all the circumstances of the funeral; and the funeral
sermon being preached by the late Mr. Toller, from Acts xx. 24: 'And
none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself,
so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have
received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God.'"
The writer of these 'Memorials' attended that service, and has a vivid
recollection of the crowded assembly, the impressive sermon, the solemn
tones and the tears of the preacher, with the testimony he bore to the
increasing spirituality of Mr. Jackson's mind during the closing period
of his life.
In the first part of Mr. Jackson's ministry the prospects of the society
were very encouraging; but it soon became manifest that, although the
Church is not of this world, yet, being in the world, it is more or less
affected by those visitations that transpire therein, for three very
efficient friends and supporters of the cause were soon removed by
death. These events, with the early removal of Mr. Jackson, and some
dissensions that afterwards arose, greatly weakened the cause, and cast
some gloom over its prospects.
The Church was now supplied by neighbouring ministers and students until
April, 1818, when Mr. Joseph Gravestock, of Towcester, who had been a
short time fellow student with Mr. Jackson, came to Old as a supply. As
his connexion with the Church at Towcester was dissolved, his services
being acceptable here, after a period of probation he received an
invitation to the pastoral office. On the 3rd of September, in this
year, he removed with his family to Old; and on the evening of his
arrival, preached from Heb. xiii. 8 ("Jesus Christ, the same yesterday,
to-day, and for ever"), having special reference to the death of his
predecessor, who had been in the world of spirits just one year, and
dwelling on the immutability and all-sufficiency of the ever living
Redeemer.
"Amidst varied scenes, producing diversified fears and hopes, Mr.
Gravestock (who is still living) pursued his ministerial course till
September, 1843, when failure of health and other circumstances induced
him to resign his office and terminate his labours in a farewell
address, from Rev. ii. 10: 'Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give
thee a crown of life.'" The stated ministry of Mr. Gravestock at
Towcester and at Old extended to nearly thirty years, for he was
ordained at the former place August 17th, 1814, when Mr. Jackson
commenced the service with prayer; Mr. Bull, his tutor, delivering the
charge; Mr. Aston, of Buckingham, preaching to the people; and Mr.
Jackson preaching in the evening.
After this resignation, supplies were obtained until 1845, when Mr.
Ingram Moody was invited to the pastoral office, in which he continued
until 1849, when he resigned and emigrated to Australia.
After the removal of Mr. Moody, Mr. John Spence, of Kettering, a member
of the Independent Church under the pastoral care of Mr. Toller, who had
for some time previously engaged in occasional services in the vicinity,
was invited to supply the pulpit at Old. His ministry proving acceptable
to the people, at the expiration of four months he received an
invitation to become the pastor, and entered on his stated labours in
January, 1850, and has now become the resident minister of the place.
In the spring of 1852, alterations and improvements were made on the
premises, the burying ground enclosed, at the expense of about L60. On
Lord's-day, June 13th, three sermons were preached (morning and evening,
by Mr. Toller, of Kettering; afternoon, by Mr. Samuel Marsh, of
Moulton), when collections were made towards the expenses incurred.
Numerous congregations assembled in the afternoon and evening. On the
following day a public tea-meeting was held, when 200 persons took tea;
after which there was a public meeting, when Mr. J. Stockburn, of
Kettering, presided. Mr. Spence read a brief history of the cause, when
effective addresses were delivered by several ministers and gentlemen
that were present. The collections and donations produced L36. 17_s._
11-1/2_d._, leaving a debt of L23. 2_s._ 0-1/2_d._, which it is hoped
will be entirely extinguished at the next anniversary, and by means of
exertions that may be made previous to that time. The prospects of the
Church appear to be more pleasing than they have been for some years
past; and we trust that the present pastor and his flock will go forward
with united efforts and realize an abundant blessing, peace and
prosperity being richly enjoyed among them, that the great Head of the
Church in all may be glorified.
In connexion with this cause at Old there is a small place of worship at
Scaldwell, where one service on the Sabbath is generally conducted. The
number of communicants at present is twenty-six. There are twenty-five
children in the Sabbath-school--number in minister's Bible class,
thirty; and occasional services are conducted in villages in the
vicinity.
From this village society three Independent ministers have been raised
up, viz.: Mr. T. Hillyard, of Bedworth; Mr. Gammage, of Ketton; and Mr.
Gammage's son, Mr. Henry Gammage, of Dunmow, Essex.