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EMMANUEL 


STUDIA    IN 


THE  LIBRARY 

of 
VICTORIA  UNIVERSITY 

Toronto 


LANCASHIRE     NONCONFORMITY, 


THE   CHURCHES    OF   SOUTHPORT,   LIVERPOOL, 
AND   THE  ISLE  OF  MAN. 


£ANCASHIRK  J\(ONCONFORMITY; 

OR, 

SKETCHES,  HISTORICAL  &  DESCRIPTIVE, 

OF    THE 


and 
in  f$e  Counfp. 


BY    THE    REV.    B. 


o/  the  "  History  of  the  Old  Independent  Chapel, 
Tockhoks." 


THE  CHURCHES  OF   SOUTHPORT,  LIVERPOOL, 
AND  THE  ISLE  OF  MAN, 


JOHN  HEYWOOD, 

DEANSGATE    AND    RIUGEFIELD,    MANCHESTER. 
2,  AMEN  CORNER,  LONDON,  E.C. 

33,  BRIDGE  STREET,  BKISTOL. 


BX 

5204 

L.3S 

K'53 
v.  % 


EMMANUEL 


THIS  VOLUME 


RESPECTFULLY       DEDICATED 


CONGREGATIONAL   MINISTERS  AND   CHURCHES 


WHOSE  HISTORIES  IT  CONTAINS. 


PREFACE. 


EXACTLY  four  years  have  elapsed  since  the  first  prospectus  of  "  Lancashire 
Nonconformity"  was  sent  out  to  the  public,  and  in  Volume  VI.,  now  issued,  the 
work  receives  its  completion.  Four  years,  however,  do  not  by  any  means 
represent  the  amount  of  time  consumed  in  its  production ;  for  when  that  first  pros 
pectus  was  issued  a  not  inconsiderable  proportion  of  the  work  was  already  written , 
and  materials  were  in  hand  for  much  of  the  unwritten  portion,  all  of  which 
had  been  a  labour  of  many  years.  It  is,  therefore,  with  no  light  sense  of 
relief  that  I  look  upon  the  finished  thing.  Amidst  the  claims  of  a  busy 
pastorate,  in  a  town  where  Nonconformity  in  all  its  forms,  has  no  little 
difficulty  in  maintaining  its  ground,  together  with  the  prospect  of  serious 
financial  loss,  it  has  required  some  courage  "  to  endure  unto  the  end."  The 
work  has  never  lost  interest  for  me  during  its  progress  ;  nor  has  the  burden 
its  weight.  The  possibility,  however,  of  providing  our  churches  with  lessons, 
salutary  and  admonitory  on  the  one  hand,  inspiring  and  encouraging  on  the 
other,  and  of  contributing  towards  a  quickened  interest  in  their  work,  pre 
vented  me  from  beating  a  retreat,  though  the  temptation  to  do  so  has  been 
often  present.  "Lancashire  Nonconformity"  makes  no  great  pretentions. 
It  is  a  modest  attempt  to  write  a  very  interesting  story,  and  all  that  the 
author  can  say  for  himself  is  that  neither  time,  labour,  nor  expense  has  been 
spared  that  the  story  might  be  told  correctly.  Of  the  imperfections  of 
the  work  no  one  is  more  conscious  than  myself.  Early  ideals  have  been 
realised  to  a  very  limited  extent,  and  from  the  beginning  it  became  evident 
that  absolute  accuracy  was  impossible.  I  cannot  refrain  from  repeating  a 
regret,  expressed  in  earlier  volumes,  that  our  denominational  "organs" 
are  so  often  and  so  seriously  inaccurate.  Our  Year  Books,  Calendars, 
Magazines,  &c.,  which  in  the  case  of  many  churches  are  the  only  available 
sources  of  information  about  their  early  history,  manifest  a  supreme  contempt 
for  facts  and  figures ;  and  the  obituary  notices  of  brethren  departed  are  often 
written  by  those  who  evidently  only  "  know  in  part."  It  will  considerably 
lighten  the  labours  of  any  future  historian,  and  save  him  hours  of  anxiety 
and  irritation,  if  our  churches  will  see  that,  as  far  as  possible,  only  reliable 
information  about  themselves  is  printed,  and  especially  that  full  and  accurate 


viii.  PREFA  CE. 

records  of  their  doings  are  kept.  The  character  of  the  documents  in  the 
production  of  the  present  work  will  in  some  measure  explain  any  errors  which 
it  may  be  found  to  contain.  In  connection  with  this  matter  it  may  be 
added,  that  generally  when  a  minister's  name  appears  in  successive  volumes, 
and  any  difference  in  the  accounts  is  detected,  the  latest  information  is  the 
most  accurate. 

Several  MS.  volumes  of  the  late  Dr.  Raffles,  who  himself  intended  to 
write  a  history  of  Lancashire  Nonconformity,  came  into  my  hands  when 
this  concluding  volume  was  in  type.  I  regret  that  I  had  not  the  advantage 
of  them  earlier.  They  are,  however,  too  valuable  to  remain  unpublished, 
and  I  have  interrupted  the  story  in  one  or  two  places  to  find  room  for 
considerable  extracts,  making  large  use  of  them  also  in  the  shape  of  notes. 
The  reader  will  pardon  the  digressions  because  of  the  interesting  informa 
tion  they  supply,  whilst  some  further  justification  for  their  insertion  may 
be  found  in  the  fact  that  this  is  the  concluding  and  in  some  measure 
supplementary  volume  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

Only  a  part  of  the  Liverpool  District  of  the  Lancashire  Congregational 
Union  is  covered  by  this  volume,  and  it  may  be  said  to  present  unto  us 
Congregationalism  in  the  watering  places.  The  picture  is  full  ot  inspiration. 
The  growth  of  these  watering  places  during  the  present  century  has  been 
quite  phenomenal,  and  Congregationalism  has  not  been  behind  in  providing 
for  their  religious  requirements.  It  is  not  the  least  respectable,  vigorous, 
and  aggressive  form  of  Free  Church  life  which  is  at  work  in  our  seaside  resorts 
where  multitudes  of  weary  toilers  spend  a  good  share  of  each  year. 

The  pleasing  duty  remains  of  acknowledging  the  kindness  of  innumerable 
friends.  Pastors  and  deacons  of  churches,  almost  without  exception,  have 
promptly  replied  to  my  inquiries  and  placed  at  my  disposal  all  needful 
church  documents.  The  Rev.  R.  M.  Davies,  of  Oldham,  has  continued 
the  loan  of  the  County  Union  Reports  at  much  inconvenience  to  himself; 
the  Rev.  John  Chater,  of  Southport,  examined  and  corrected  the  account  of 
the  Southport  churches  ;  Mr.  Alderman  Rimmer,  of  the  same  town,  secured 
for  me  the  loan  of  several  pictures  from  the  Atkinson  Art  Gallery  ;  the 
proprietor  of  the  Southport  Guardian  generously  lent  me  a  number  of  blocks 
of  "  Old  Southport ;  "  the  Rev.  Wm.  Berridge,  Vicar  of  Lowton  Parish 
Church,  has  aided  me  much  in  regard  to  the  Mather  family;  and  J.  L. 
Thornely,  Esq.,  of  Liverpool,  besides  allowing  me  to  use  his  MS.  History  of 
Gateacre  Chapel  has  rendered  valuable  assistance  in  other  respects.  The 
kindness  of  the  Rev.  D.  M.  Jenkins  in  writing  for  this  work  the  account  of 
Welsh  Congregationalism  in  Liverpool  deserves  special  mention,  even  as 
does  that  of  Mr.  C.  Goodyear,  the  courteous  Librarian  of  Lancashire 


PREFACE.  ix. 

College,  in  placing  at  my  disposal  the  Raffles  MSS.  recently  given  to  that 
institution  by  the  executors  of  the  late  Dr.  Raffles.  Thomas  Whitehead, 
Esq.,  Secretary  of  the  Norwood  Church,  Liverpool;  I.  Olirer  Jones,  Esq.,  of 
Waterloo  ;  A.  B.  Paton,  Esq.,  B.A.,  of  Crosby,  have  laid  me  under  great 
obligations  by  their  generous  help  ;  and  to  the  Rev.  J.  Barton  Bell,  of 
Ulverston,  I  am  very  deeply  indebted.  He  has  not  only  read  the  proof 
sheets  and  compiled  the  Index,  but  he  has  given  me  many  hints  during  the 
progress  of  the  work  of  a  very  useful  character.  To  all  these  friends,  and 
many  more  whose  names  are  unmentioned,  my  warmest  thanks  are  given. 

I  deem  myself  fortunate  in  being  able  to  complete  "  Lancashire  Noncon 
formity"  in  the  Tercentenary  year  of  British  Congregationalism,  in  the 
Jubilee  year  of  the  Lancashire  College,  and  in  the  Jubilee  year  of  one  of 
our  most  honoured  Lancashire  ministers;  and  if,  in  conjunction  with  these 
events,  the  production  of  this  work  shall  help  to  a  quickened  interest  in  our 
Congregational  history,  I  shall  not  think  the  labour  has  been  in  vain. 


BENJAMIN  NIGHTINGALE. 


Fishergate  Hill,  Preston, 
September,  1893. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I.— CONGREGATIONALISM    IN    SOUTHPORT    AND 
NEIGHBOURHOOD. 

I'AGES 

1.  Introductory  i —  9 

2.  Churchtown  Congregational  Church    9 — 25 

3.  Chapel  Street  Congregational  Church  25 — 32 

4.  West  End  and  Birkdale  Congregational  Churches 34 — 39 

5.  Portland  Street  and  Hawkshead  Street  Congregational 

Church,  together  with  the  Boundary  Street  Mission...       39— 44 

6.  Congregationalism    at    Formby   and    Ainsdale,    together 

with  an  Account  of  Drummersdale  Chapel,  Scarisbrick       44—51 


CHAPTER    II.— NONCONFORMITY    IN  LIVERPOOL. 

1.  Liverpool  as  it  was  ;   and  Early  Nonconformity 52 — 66 

2.  The  Ancient  Chapel  in  Toxteth  Park  66— no 

3.  Renshaw  Street  Chapel  no — 118 

4.  Hope  Street  Church    118—128 

5.  The  Octagon  Chapel  128—139 

6.  Newington  Congregational  Chapel 139 — 156 

7.  Great  George  Street  Chapel 156 — 163 

8.  Crescent  Congregational  Church 164 — 169 

9.  Berkley  Street  Congregational  Church   169 — 173 

10.  Toxteth    Park    and    Hartington     Road    Congregational 

Churches 1 74 — 176 

11.  Westminster    Road    and    Chadwick  Mount   Congrega 

tional  Churches  176 — 180 

12.  Congregational  Interests  at  Russell  Street,  Gloucester 

Street,  Burlington  Street,  and  Brownlow  Hill    180 — 186 

13.  Norwood  and  Edge  Hill  Congregational  Churches  187 — 191 


xii.  CONTENTS. 

PAGES 

CHAPTER   III.— OUTSIDE  THE   CITY. 

1.  Gateacre  Old  Chapel 192 — 207 

2.  Woolton  and  Garston  Congregational  Churches   208 — 210 

3.  Wavertree  and  Stanley  Congregational  Churches    211 — 214 

4.  Walton,  Rice  Lane,  and  Bootle  Congregational  Churches  214 — 219 

5.  Waterloo,      Seaforth,      and      Crosby     Congregational 

Churches 219—223 


CHAPTER    IV.— THE   STORY   ENDED. 

1.  Welsh  Congregationalism  in  Liverpool    224 — 234 

2.  A  Fragment  of  Cheshire  Congregationalism 234 — 241 

3.  Congregationalism  in  the  Isle  of  Man 241 — 263 


N  OTE  s    265 — 269 

INDEX 271—282 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE 

SOUTHPORT  PROMENADE  IN  ITS  INFANCY ...   3 

(By  kind  permission  of  the  Proprietor  of  the  Southport  Guardian.) 

"DUKE'S  FOLLY,"  WHERE  CONGREGATIONAL  WORSHIP  WAS    HELD    IN 

1812 6 

(From  a  Picture  in  the  Atkinson  Art  Gallery,  Southport,  kindly  lent 
by  the  Corporation.) 

"DUKE'S  FOLLY"  (Another  View)       7 

(From  a  Picture  in  the  Atkinson  Art  Gallery,  Southport,  kindly  lent 
by  the  Corporation.) 

THE  REV.  GEORGE  GREATBATCH        n 

HALL'S  CHAPEL,  LITTLE  LONDON,  SOUTHPOUT  (Front  View)    23 

(From  a  Picture  in  the  Atkinson  Art  Gallery,  Southport,  kindly  lent 
by  the  Corporation.; 

HALL'S  CHAPEL,  LITTLE  LONDON,  SOUTHPORT  (Back  View)      24 

(From  a  Picture  in  the  Atkinson  Art  Gallery,  Southport,  kindly  lent 
by  the  Corporation.) 

EAST  BANK  STREET  INDEPENDENT  CHAPEL  IN  1849     28 

(By  kind  permission  of  the  Proprietor  of  the  Suuiliport  Guardian.} 

LAWTON'S  BAZAAR,  WITH  THE  OLD  STRANGERS'  CHARITY  TO  THE  LEKT     50 
(By  kind  permission  of  the  Proprietor  of  the  Southport  Guardian.) 


CHAPEL|STREET  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH    

(Lent  by  the  Rev.  Adam  Scott.) 


xiv.  ILL  USTRA  TIONS. 

PAGE 

CHAPEL  STREET  IN  1844       33 

(By  kind  permission  of  the  Proprietor  of  the  Southport  Guardian.') 

WEST  END  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH    36 

(Lent  by  the  Rev.  John  Chater.) 

A  BIT  OF  OLD  BIRKDALE     38 

(By  kind  permission  of  the  Proprietor  of  the  Southport  Guardian.} 

COTTAGES  OBSTRUCTING  HAWKSHEAD  STREET  IN  1860        41 

(By  kind  permission  of  the  Proprietor  of  the  Southport  Guardian.} 

HAWKSHEAD  STREET  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH    43 

(Lent  by  the  Rev.  A.  S.  Welch.) 

PORCH  IN  LYDIATE  CHAPEL,  CALLED  LYDIATE  ABBEY 46 

(By  kind  permission  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Manchester  Guardian.} 

A  RELIC  OF  THE  WARS  OF  THE  ROSES     47 

(By  kind  permission  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Manchester  Guardian.} 

LIVERPOOL  CASTLE  IN  THE  IJTH  CENTURY     54 

(By  kind  permission  of  Mr.  John  Heywood.) 

A  PLAN  OF  LIVERPOOL  IN  1650 55 

(From  an  Old  Print.) 

HOUSE    AT    EVERTON,    THE    HEADQUARTERS    OF    PRINCE    RUPERT  ...       57 

(From  an  Old  Print.) 

LIVERPOOL  IN  1680 „     59 

(By  kind  permission  of  Mr.  John  Heywood.) 

KEEPING  SUNDAY  ACCORDING  TO  THE  "BOOK  OF  SPORTS" 72 

ARCHBISHOP  LAUD    74 

LANDING  OF  THE  PILGRIM  FATHERS  IN  AMERICA 75 


ILLUSTRATIONS.  xv. 

PAGE 

THE  REV.   RICHARD  MATHER       77 

(From  a  Photograph  taken  from  an  Original  belonging  to  the 
Connecticut  Historical  Society,  U.S.A.). 

THE  REV.  SAMUEL  MATHER 78 

(From  an  Old  Print.) 

EJECTION  OF  NONCONFORMISTS  IN  1662    82 

AUTOGRAPH  OF  THE  REV.  C.  RICHARDSON,  M.A 84 

(From    the    Kirkheaton    Registers,    kindly    lent    by    Mr.    W.  R. 
Richardson,  of  Shortlands,  Kent,  a  descendant.) 

MRS.  HEPHZIBAH  RICHARDSON    86 

(From  a  Photograph,  kindly  lent  by  Mr.   Richardson.) 

THE  REV.  C.  RICHARDSON,  M.A 88 

(Block  lent  by  Mr.  Richardson.) 

THE  ANCIENT  CHAPEL  OF  TOXTETH  AS  IT  NOW  is       107 

THE    BIRTHPLACE    OF    JEREMIAH    HORROX    AT     OTTERSPOOL,    NEAR 

TOXTETH         109 

(By  kind  permission  of  Mr.  John  Heywood.) 

THE  OCTAGON  CHAPEL 133 

(From  an  Old  Pen  and  Ink  Sketch.) 

THE  REV.  THOMAS  SPENCER       149 

(From  an  Old  Print.) 

THE  REV.  THOMAS  RAFFLES,  LL.D.,  D.D 157 

(Lent  by  Mr.  C.  Goodyear,  Librarian  of  the  Lancashire  College.) 

GREAT  GEORGE  STREET  CHAPEL       160 

(Lent  by  the  Rev.  J.  K.  Nuttall.) 

THE  REV.  P.  S.  CHARRIER  WHEN  AT  LANCASTER 166 

(From  an  Old  Print.) 


xvi.  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE 

THE  REV.  P.  S.  CHARRIER  IN  HIS  OLD  AGE 167 

(From  an  Old  Print.) 

GATEACRE  OLD  CHAPEL       206 

EMMANUEL  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH,  BOOTLE     217 

(Lent  by  I.  Oliver  Jones,  Esq.) 

THE  DRUIDICAL  CIRCLE  AT  GLEN  DARRAGH 242 

CASTLE  RUSHEN,  SIXTY  YEARS  AGO 246 

(From  an  Old  Print.) 

PEEL  CASTLE,  ABOUT  THE  MIDDLE  OF  LAST  CENTURY       249 

(From  an  Old  Print.) 

ATHOL  STREET  INDEPENDENT  CHAPEL,  AS  IT  APPEARED  FIFTY  YEARS 

AGO         261 

(From  an  Old  Print.) 
AUTOGRAPH  OF  THE  REV.  RENALD  TETLAW  ..  ..  268 


LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 


CHAPTER  I. 

CONGREGATIONALISM   IN  SOUTHPORT 
AND  NEIGHBOURHOOD. 


I.— INTRODUCTORY. 

LANCASHIRE  county  history  during  the  present  century  is  of  the 
deepest  interest,  because  of  the  birth  and  rapid  growth  of  many  of  its 
most  important  towns.  Nor  has  that  growth  been  more  marked  in  any 
part  than  along  its  sea  coast.  Barrow-in-Furness  and  Grange-over- 
Sands,  Morecambe  and  Fleetwood,  Blackpool  and  St.  Annes,  Lytham 
and  Southport,  are  comparatively  new  names.  In  county  maps  of 
a  century  ago  scarcely  one  of  them  will  be  found,  and  the  Lan 
cashire  coast  line  then  presented  a  very  different  appearance  from 
what  it  does  to-day.  And  not  one  of  those  seaside  resorts  has  now  a 
wider  and  more  deserved  reputation  than  Southport.  If  its  rival 
across  the  Ribble  estuary  has  become  everywhere  known  as  the 
"  Brighton  of  the  North,"  Southport  has  obtained  the  title, 
"  Montpelier  of  the  North."  Yet  a  hundred  years  ago  the  site 
which  it  now  occupies  had  upon  it  only  a  few  small  hamlets,  which 
were  included  in  the  general  name  of  North  Meols.  At  that  time 
this  part  of  Lancashire  was  considered  to  be  as  wild  and  inhospitable 
as  the  Arabian  Desert.  Early  travellers  like  Speed,  Camden,  and 
Defoe  left  it  unexplored,  whilst  Popish  recusants  and  Royalist 
fugitives  found  here  safe  hiding  places.  In  his  journey  along  the 
coast  from  Liverpool,  Defoe  did  not  proceed  farther  than  Formby, 
which  he  thus  describes  early  in  the  last  century : — 


2  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

Fernby,  a  village,  lies  near  the  sea-side,  in  the  marshy  grounds,  where 
they  dig  turf,  that  serves  both  for  Fire  and  Candle.  These  marshy  Grounds 
extend  a  great  Way  North  up  beyond  Eccleston  and  almost  up  to  Preston. 
On  the  Edge  of  it  Eastward  is  Marion  Mere,  which  has  been  very  large,  but 
much  of  it  is  now  drained.1 

The  antiquarian,  Peck,  who  flourished  a  few  years  earlier,  has 
an  interesting  passage  respecting  this  coast,  which  is  here  sub 
joined  : — 

This  bank,  a  long,  shelving  and  sandy  flat,  is  upon  the  Lancashire  coast, 
nearly  twenty  miles  north  of  Liverpool,  and  is  about  half  that  distance  from 
the  Burba  bank.  The  beach  is  plain,  open,  and  level,  and  at  this  time  is 
much  used  for  sea-bathing,  though  in  Elizabeth's  reign  there  was  scarcely  a 
house  to  be  seen,  unless  we  should  dignify  with  that  appellation  a  few 
straggling  cabins  that  had  been  thrown  up  by  fishermen  who  frequented  the 
coast  of  North  Meols  during  the  fishing  season,  and  which  were  formed  only 
of  loose  logs  of  wood  patched  over  with  turf,  and  thatched  with  rushes  that 
grew  in  the  neighbourhood.  The  coast,  as  it  retires  inland,  consists  of  a 
chain  of  barren  sandhills  which  are  holden  together  by  the  sea  mat  weed,  and 
were  probably  then  used  as  a  rabbit  warren.2 

To  all  this  may  be  added  a  very  vivid  description  of  Southport 
as  it  was  in  1829,  by  Mr.  Roby,  in  his  legend  of  "The  Phantom 
Voice  "  :— 

It  was  at  the  close  of  a  bright  and  memorable  evening  [in  October  that 
I  had  carelessly  flung  the  reins  upon  the  neck  of  my  horse,  as  I  traversed 
the  bare  and  almost  indescribable  sands  skirting  the  Lancashire  coast.  On 
my  right  a  succession  of  low  sand-hills,  drifted  by  the  partial  and  unsteady 
blasts,  skirted  the  horizon — their  summits  marked  upon  the  red  and  lower 
ing  sky  in  an  undulating  and  scarcely  broken  outline.  Behind  them  I  heard 
the  vast  and  busy  waters  rolling  on  like  the  voice  of  the  coming  tempest. 
Here  and  there  some  rude  and  solitary  hut  rose  above  the  red  hillocks,  bare 
and  unprotected  ;  no  object  of  known  dimensions  being  near  by  which  its 
true  magnitude  might  be  estimated,  the  eye  seemed  to  exaggerate  its  form 
upon  the  mind  in  almost  gigantic  proportions.  As  twilight  drew  on  the 

1 "  Defoe's  Tours,"  vol.  iii.,  p.  250  (1748  Edition).  As  an  item  of  interest  in 
connection  with  this  place  take  the  following  from  Baines : — "The  first 
potatoes  in  England  are  said  to  have  been  grown  in  Formby  ;  some  say  by  a 
Formby  man  sailing  in  Sir  Walter  Raleigh's  expedition ;  according  to 
another  tradition,  washed  on  the  shore  from  a  wrecked  vessel "  (vol.  ii.,  p. 
292,  Edition  1870.) 

2  Copied  from  "  Whittle's  Marina,"  p.  8. 


fe .!!  '(f  I 


4  LANCASHIRE  NONCONFORMITY, 

deception  increased ;  and  starting  occasionally  from  the  influence  of  some 
lacerating  thought,  I  believe,  perchance,  some  huge  and  turreted  fortress,  or 
a  pile  of  misshapen  battlements,  rising  beyond  the  hills  like  the  grim  castles 
of  romance,  or  the  air-built  shadows  of  fairy-land.  Night  was  fast  closing. 
I  was  alone,  out  of  the  beaten  track,  amidst  a  desert  and  thinly  inhabited 
region  ;  a  perfect  stranger.  I  had  only  the  superior  sagacity  of  my  steed  to 
look  to  for  safety  and  eventual  deliverance  from  the  perilous  labyrinth.  The 
way,  if  such  it  might  be  called,  threading  the  mazes  through  a  chain  of  low 
hills,  and  consisting  only  of  a  loose  and  ever  shifting  bed  of  dry  sand,  grew 
every  moment  more  and  more  perplexed,  I  seemed  to  be  rambling  through  a 
succession  of  amphitheatres  formed  by  the  sand-hills.1 

The  story  of  the  origin  of  the  town  has  often  been  told,  but  it 
would  be  a  serious  defect  in  this  sketch  if  all  reference  to  it  were 
omitted.  Its  founder  was  William  Sutton,  a  native  of  Church- 
town,  described  as  "  the  best  monumental  mason  in  the  parish,"2 
known  also  as  the  "  Old  Duke  "  because  of  his  delight  in  "relating 
a  legend  of  the  Duke  of  York  having  passed  this  way  on  his 
journey  to  Scotland."3  It  was  customary  on  "  Big  Bathing  Sun 
day  "  for  the  people  who  had  come  to  the  Fair  at  Churchtown  to 
be  taken  to  the  shore  in  carts  and  other  conveyances,  and  to  meet 
their  convenience  William  Sutton  erected  a  small  wooden  hotel 
at  South  Hawes  in  1792.  The  first  portion  was  built  mostly  of 
wreckage  gathered  on  the  shore,  and  the  people  called  it  the 
"Duke's  Folly."  The  hotel  was  closed  in  winter,  and  William 
Sutton  continued  to  reside  at  Churchtown  until  1798.  What  took 
place  in  the  year  is  well  told  by  Mr.  Bland  :— 

In  August  news  arrived  of  Nelson's  victory  of  the  Nile.  According  to 
tradition  there  had  formerly  been  a  bay  of  eleven  fathoms  opposite  the  end 
of  what  is  now  Duke  Street,  where  vessels  could  safely  anchor.  In  this 
year  the  Old  Duke  took  up  his  residence  at  the  "  Folly,"  and  gave  a  kind  of 
"  House  warming."  This  event  was  made  to  do  double  duty,  and  Nelson's 
victory  was  recognised  by  naming  the  stream  which  then  ran  between  Mrs. 
Walmsley's  cottage  and  the  "Folly"  the  NILE,  and  Dr.  Barton,  a  retired 
Ormskirk  surgeon,  who  presided,  facetiously  named  the  village  SOUTH  PORT, 
by  dashing  about  him  a  bottle  of  port,  in  imitation  of  the  ceremony  of 
christening  a  ship.  The  term  "Port"  had  reference  to  the  bay  mentioned 

1  "Traditions  of  Lancashire,"  vol.  i.  (Edition  1882),  pp.  363,  364. 

2  Bland's  "  Annals  of  Southport,"  p.  99. 

3  Ibid.,  p.  55. 


THE  "  D  UK&S  POLL  Y."  5 

above.     Thus  was  founded  this  handsome  town,  which  speedily  became  noted 
far  and  wide."  ' 

The  "  Duke's  Folly,"  as  will  appear  later,  is  of  special  interest 
to  Congregationalists,  and  its  subsequent  history  is  told  by 
Whittle  thus  :— 

Mr.  Sutton  removed  to  the  inn  with  his  family,  and  resided  there  till  1802. 
It  was  then  taken  by  Messrs.  Hilton  and  Leadbetter,  of  Wigan,  for  a  term 
of  twenty- one  years,  beginning  with  April,  1803.  Having  a  general 
acquaintance  with  those  visiting  the  place,  they  brought  the  house  into  great 
repute,  calling  it  Southport  Hotel.  They  only  occupied  the  premises  seven 
years,  when  Mr.  Ashall,  of  Wigan,  became  its  tenant.  During  this  time  it 
was  greatly  enlarged  by  Mr.  Sutton.  Mr.  Ashall  remained  four  years,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Trevitt,  who  became  its  inmate  only  two  years.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Clare,  from  Wigan,  were  the  next  to  inhabit  this  place.  They 
continued  till  April,  1824,  when  the  original  lease  expired.  Mrs.  Clare 
gave  it  the  title  of  the  Original  Royal  Hotel.  A  son-in-law  of  Mr.  Sutton's 
held  it  one  year,  and  in  April,  1825,  it  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Halfey.2 

In  October,  1854,  the  license  of  the  Original  Hotel  was  trans 
ferred  to  the  Royal  Hotel,  and  at  the  same  time  the  building  was 
demolished.  The  site  is  partly  occupied  by  the  memorial  lamp  at 
the  end  of  Lord  Street,  into  which  a  stone  tablet,  found  at  the 
back  of  the  house  when  it  was  being  taken  down,  has  been  built. 
The  lettering  upon  it  is  supposed  to  have  been  Mr.  Sutton's  own, 
and  the  inscription  reads  thus  : — 

IN  THE  YEAR  OF  OUR  LORD, 

1792, 
THIS  HOUSE  WAS   BUILT 

In    MEMORY  of   D.  W.  SUTTON,3 

of  North-meols,  who  was  the 

first  Founder  &  Executor  of 

South-Port,  which  was  call'd  his 

Folly  for  many  Years,  and  it  proves 

that  his  forefight  was  his  Wifdom, 

which  should  be  remembered  with 

Gratitude  by  the  LORDS  of  this 

Manor  and  the  Inhabitants  of  this 

PLACE    ALSO. 

1  "  Annals  of  Southport,"  p.  56. 

2  "  Marina,"  p.  12. 

3  William  Sutton  was  buried  at  Churchtown  on  the  2Qth  of  May,  1840, 
aged  eighty-eight  years. 


8  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

The  ecclesiastical  history  of  North  Meols  previous  to  the  origin 
of  Congregationalism  at  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  will 
only  occupy  a  few  sentences.  North  Meols  Parish  Church  is  a 
very  ancient  foundation,  being  given  to  "  ye  monastery  of  Pen- 
wortham  wch  was  a  Cell  to  Evesham."1  In  1300  the  Patron  was 
the  Abbot  of  Evesham,  and  in  1594  the  Register  of  Baptisms 
begins.  From  1640  to  1684  the  Rev.  James  Starkie  was  rector. 
This  was  a  long  and  troublous  period.  It  saw  the  rise  and  fall  of 
the  Commonwealth,  and  the  enforcement  of  the  most  rigorous 
measures  against  Dissenters.  By  Calamy  and  Dr.  Halley  Mr. 
Starkie  is  called  a  Nonconformist  minister.  He  preached  the 
funeral  sermon  of  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Heywood,  in  the  Ormskirk 
Parish  Church,  who  died  December  i6th,  1677,  his  text  being 
Col.  iii.,  4.  Upon  this  Dr.  Halley  remarks: — "I  suppose  this 
was  the  last  sermon  preached  by  a  Nonconformist  in  the  curious 
old  church  at  Ormskirk."  2  In  an  account  of  Nathaniel  Heywood, 
supposed  to  have  been  written  by  his  brother,  Oliver  Heywood, 
and  certainly  by  an  intimate  friend  and  contemporary,  Mr.  Starkie, 
who  preached  "  an  excellent  sermon  in  the  Parish  Church  at 
Ormskirk  (no  man  forbidding  him ;  nay,  all  that  were  any  way 
concerned  consenting"),3  is  styled  a  Nonconformist  minister. 

In  Heywood's  diaries  are  also  numerous  references  to  Mr. 
Starkie,  which  prove  that  between  himself  and  the  Heywood 
family  there  was  a  close  friendship,  and  which  supports  the 
assumption  that  he  was  a  Nonconformist.  Mr.  Bland  says  that 
inasmuch  as  he  was  not  ejected  in  1662  he  "must  have  obeyed 
the  'Act  of  Uniformity.'"4  That  does  not  follow.  It  may  be  that 
North  Meols  was  too  isolated  to  attract  much  attention,  or  that 
Mr.  Starkie  could  count  upon  the  protection  of  influential  friends. 
Certain  it  is  that  the  ejection  of  some  Nonconformist  ministers 
was  very  temporary,  that  others  by  a  little  scheming  managed  to 
retain  their  positions ;  and  it  is  equally  certain  that  Mr.  Starkie's 

1  "  Notitia  Cestriensis  "  (Chetham  Society  Series,  vol.  xxi.)  p,  194. 

2  "  Lancashire  Puritanism  and  Nonconformity,"  vol.  ii.,  p.  190.     Vide 
also  vol.  iv.  of  •'  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

3  "  The  whole  works  of  the  Rev.  Oliver  Heywood,  B. A.,"  of  which  the 
Rev.  Richard  Slate  was  part  author,  vol.  i.,  p.  481. 

4  "Annals  of  Southport,"  p.  32. 


THE  REV.    WM.  HONEYWOOD.  9 

Conformity  would  have  brought  upon  him  the  animadversions  of 
some  of  his  Nonconformist  friends.  Instead  of  that,  however,  he 
is  spoken  of  to  the  last  with  the  highest  respect  as  a  Noncon 
formist  minister.  He  laboured  at  North  Meols  until  his  death, 
and  was  buried  there  May  3rd,  1684,  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Starkie, 
having  died  nearly  eight  years  before.  For  more  than  a  century 
afterwards  North  Meols  Parish  Church  was  the  only  building  for 
public  worship  in  the  parish,  and  as  Mr.  Starkie's  ministry  is  its 
only  point  of  contact  with  Nonconformity  it  is  unnecessary  to 
trace  its  history  further. 


II.— CHURCHTOWN  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH. 

CONGREGATIONALISM  in  Southport  is  almost  as  old  as  the  town 
itself,  and  it  was  the  first  amongst  the  forms  of  religious  activity  to 
share  the  honours  and  responsibilities  of  service  in  this  neighbour 
hood  with  the  Established  Church.  It  has  already  been  stated  that 
this  part  of  Lancashire  a  century  ago  was  quite  isolated  and  un 
known,  consequently  utterly  benighted.  It  was  on  this  account 
that  it  was  selected  in  1801  as  the  first  field  of  operation  for  the 
"  Itinerant  Society,"  an  association  of  Congregational  ministers  in 
Lancashire  and  the  adjoining  counties.  In  that  year  the  Rev.  Wm. 
Honeywood,  who  had  been  pastor  of  a  church  at  Stone,  in 
Staffordshire,  was  engaged  to  preach,  amongst  other  places,  at 
Ormskirk,  Bretherton,  Newburgh,1  Lathom,  and  North  Meols. 
Respecting  the  latter  place,  he  writes  in  1802  :— 

A  congregation  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  have  assembled,  some  of  whom 
have  come  two  or  three  miles,  even  during  the  cold  and  stormy  nights 
of  winter.2 

Mr.  Honeywood  resided  at  Ormskirk,  where  he  met  with  much 
opposition.  After  some  months  he  made  an  attempt  at  North 
Meols,  in  that  part  of  the  parish  called  South  Hawes,  and  licensed 

1  Vide  vol.  iv.  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

2  Slate's  "History  of  the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union,"  p.  6. 


io  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

a  house  occupied  by  Richard  Ball,  near  Birkdale  Mill.  The 
prospect  being  somewhat  encouraging,  he  visited  the  place  once  a 
fortnight,  and  at  the  request  of  some  persons  who  had  frequently 
heard  him  at  South  Hawes  began  to  preach  at  Churchtown.  In 
1802  Mr.  Honey  wood,  finding  the  work  too  heavy,  removed  to 
Lower  Chapel,  Heckmondwike.  He  resigned  his  charge  there 
after  a  ministry  of  about  twelve  years,  and  for  some  time  conducted 
a  Day  School.  He  had  a  numerous  family,  and  continued  resident 
in  Heckmondwike  until  his  death  in  1820.  There  had  been 
associated  with  him  for  a  short  time,  during  his  ministry  in 
Lancashire,  Mr.  Win.  Hacking,  who  "  laboured  gratuitously," 
and  subsequently  entered  Rotherham  College  to  be  educated  for 
the  ministry.1  Mr.  Hacking,  it  appears,  had  sole  charge  of  the 
Itinerancy  for  a  short  time  after  the  removal  of  Mr.  Honeywood. 
On  the  nth  of  December,  1802,  Mr.  Hacking  was  succeeded  by 
the  Rev.  George  Greatbatch,  being  then  twenty-three  years  of 
age ;  and  as  he  may  be  considered  the  father  of  Southport 
Congregationalism  the  reader  will  welcome  such  informa 
tion  about  him  as  I  have  been  able  to  obtain.  He  was 
born  at  Shelton,  in  the  Potteries,  in  October,  1779,  his  father 
being  a  respectable  person,  who  had  made  considerable  sacrifices 
for  Evangelical  Protestantism,  and  one  of  his  ancestors,  was  a  famous 
preacher  in  Cromwell's  army.  George  Greatbatch,  was  converted 
by  the  preaching  of  the  Rev.  James  Boden,  of  Hanley,  whose 
church  he  joined  in  his  seventeenth  year.  His  first  wish  was  to  go- 
out  as  a  missionary  in  connection  with  the  London  Missionary 
Society,  which  was  then  newly  born,  and  for  this  purpose  it  was  pro 
posed  that  he  should  enter  Mr.  Haldane's  Institution  at  Edinburgh; 
but  in  1802  the  Rev.  Wm.  Roby,  of  Manchester,  laid  before  him 
the  needs  of  Western  Lancashire,  and  asked  him  to  succeed  Mr* 
Hacking  as  the  agent  of  the  Itinerant  Society.  This  eventually 
he  did.  He  fixed  his  abode  at  Newburgh,  the  most  central  point 
of  his  wide  field,  and  "  occupied  a  part  of  the  cottage,  tenanted  by 
one  of  his  hearers,  expecting  it  would  be  only  for  a  month  or  two ; 
but  prejudice  would  not  allow  him  to  rent  a  house  in  the  village, 
and  he,  with  his  increasing  family,  remained  'in  his  own  hired > 

1  Vide  vol.  ii  of  "Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


THE    REV.    GEORGE    GREATBATCH. 


12  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

lodgings  upwards  of  four  years."1  The  following  passage  will  give 
some  idea  of  the  sort  of  work  Mr.  Greatbatch  had  to  do  at  this 
time,  together  with  the  difficulties  by  which  it  was  beset  :— 

His  salary  was  fixed  at  £80  a  year  ;  but  as  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  keep 
a  horse,  and  as  wheat  ranged  from  2 is.  to  303.  per  bushel,  his  worldly  pros 
pects  were  not  very  inviting.  How,  indeed,  man  and  horse,  wife  and  child, 
could  exist  in  such  circumstances  is  truly  wonderful.  His  residence  was 
fixed  at  Newburgh,  and  from  thence  he  made  daily  excursions  to  the  sur 
rounding  villages.  Every  evening,  however,  he  was  obliged  to  return  to 
Newburgh,  as  at  no  place  except  Ormskirk  could  he  obtain  a  bed.  On  many 
a  v/ild  night  he  and  his  pony  had  to  struggle  with  the  tempest,  and  only 
reached  home  at  midnight,  drenched  with  rain  and  benumbed  with  cold. 
But  at  the  door  of  his  lodgings — he  could  not  then  obtain  a  house — there 
was  seen  standing  his  faithful  wife,  with  a  lantern  in  one  hand,  and  a  can  of 
warm  bran  and  potatoes  for  the  horse  in  the  other.  "  And  so,"  said  Mr. 
Greatbach,  "after  taking  my  horse  to  the  stable,  feeding  him,  and  rubbing  him 
down  with  a  wisp  of  straw  and  a  hair  brush,  I  entered  my  home  exhausted, 
but  met  with  such  smiles  of  welcome  as  none  but  an  affectionate  wife  can 


In  June,  1804,  Mr.  Roby  intimated  to  Mr.  Greatbatch  that  it  was 
doubtful  whether  the  ministerial  association  would  be  able  "  to  sup 
port  the  itinerancy  much  longer;"  and  in  October  of  the  same 
year  the  intimation  was  repeated,  "owing  to  the  low  state  of  the 
finances."  Happily,  however,  the  churches  quickened  their 
interest  in  the  work,  and  Mr.  Greatbatch  was  kept  at  his  post. 
Hitherto  North  Meols  had  been  supplied  once  a  fortnight,  and  Mr. 
Greatbatch  says  that,  though  "  the  congregations  were  generally 
pretty  large,"  the  "ignorance  and  prejudice  of  the  people  were 
great,"  and  that  he  used  always  to  return  home  with  a  heavy  heart. 
He  continues  :— 

In  the  winter  of  1804  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  revive  his  work.  Many 
hearts  were  deeply  impressed  with  the  word,  several  young  people  became 
active,  and  prayer  meetings  were  established  among  them.  It  was  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Churchtown  where  this  took  place,  and  the  house  where  we 
met  together  became  sadly  too  small  for  us.  In  the  spring  of  1805  we  tcok 
a  house  entirely  for  preaching  in,  and  had  it  fitted  up  with  a  Pulpit  and  forms. 

1  Slate's  "History  of  the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union,"  p.  8. 

2  "Congregational  Year  Book"  for  1865,  p.  241. 


METHODIST  OPPOSITION.  13 

This  place  was  very  soon  as  much  too  small  as  the  other  had  been,  and  we 
had  it  enlarged  early  in 


In  1805  the  Rev.  S.  Bradley,  of  Manchester,  visited,  amongst  other 
places,  North  Meols,  to  ascertain  "  the  real  state  of  the  congrega 
tions,"  and  the  following  is  the  testimony  given  :  — 

Although  Mr.  Bradley's  visit  there  was  quite  unexpected,  yet,  in  a  few 
hours,  at  least  one  hundred  and  fifty  persons  were  collected,  who  attended 
with  peculiar  seriousness  to  the  things  that  were  spoken.  Of  their  own 
accord  they  have  established  meetings  for  prayer,  at  which  fifty  or  sixty 
persons  generally  attend.  It  is  worthy  of  notice  that,  from  time  immemorial, 
this  has  been  reckoned  the  most  uncivilised  and  wicked  part  of  the  country. 
Surely  that  promise  has  been  then  fulfilled.  —  The  wilderness  and  solitary 
place  shall  be  glad  for  them  ;  and  the  desert  shall  rejoice  and  blossom  as  the 
rose.  It  would  have  been  worth  while  to  have  laboured  for  a  century,  only 
to  reap  such  a  harvest  as  that  which  there  now  blesses  the  enlightened  eye.2 

A  century  ago  the  relationships  between  the  Methodists  and 
other  Free  Churches  were  less  happy  than  they  are  to-day,  and 
Mr.  Greatbatch  tells  of  serious  hindrances  to  his  work  from  that 
quarter  in  the  following  passage  :  — 

During  all  this  time  the  writer  resided  at  Newbro',  and  visited  N.  M. 
every  other  Lord's  Day.  About  this  time  [late  in  1805]  some  of  the  hearers 
seemed  more  inclined  towards  Armimanism,  owing  to  conversation  with 
some  Methodists  who  visited  the  neighbourhood  in  the  bathing  season,  than 
•what  they  had  heard.  This  soon  got  to  the  ears  of  some  Methodists, 
particularly  at  Leigh,  several  of  whom  had  visited  N.  Meols  and  lodged  at 
one  of  our  friend's  houses  in  the  bathing  season.  A  Mr.  Gibbons,  who  then 
preached  at  Leigh,  came  over  to  N.  Meols  on  one  of  our  vacant  Sabbaths, 
and  professed  himself  to  be  quite  friendly  disposed.  Soon  after,  the 
Methodists  proposed  sending  a  preacher  on  every  vacant  Sabbath,  and  as 
the  man  who  owned  the  place  where  we  worshipped  wished  this  to  be  so,  it 
was  done.  Books  were  then  put  into  the  hands  of  the  people  evidently  with 
a  design  to  let  them  see  how  much  they  had  been  deceived.  What  these 
books  called  Calvinism  appeared  too  shocking  to  look  upon,  and  many  who, 
if  it  had  been  possible,  would  have  plucked  out  their  eyes  and  have  given 
them  to  the  writer,  could  no  longer  hear  him  with  pleasure.  He  came 

1  "  Transactions  of  the  Christian  Society  at  North  Meols,"  by  the  Rev. 
George   Greatbatch,    in   the    Church    Book    of   Churchtown  Congregational 
Church. 

2  Slate's  "  History  of  the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union,"  p.  10. 


i4  LANCASHIRE   NONCONFORMITY. 

among  them  just  as  usual,  and  never  took  any  notice  whatever  of  what  had 
taken  place.  His  situation  at  that  time  was  very  trying,  as  many  living 
witnesses  can  now  testify,  but  he  wishes  to  say  as  little  about  it  as  he  can 
help.  Every  thing  is  known  to  God.  The  man  who  belonged  to  the  building 
signified  to  the  Methodists  in  the  summer  of  1806  his  willingness  for  them  to 
have  the  place  entirely  to  themselves.  This  was  immediately  attended  unto, 
and  one  Lord's  Day  Morning,  when  the  writer  came  to  preach  as  usual,  he 
found  a  Methodist  preacher  in  the  place.  He  then  retired  to  the  house  where 
he  had  preached  before  (John  Hooton's)  with  such  persons  as  chose  to  hear 
him  rather  than  the  Methodists.  During  the  remainder  of  that  summer  and 
the  following  winter  we  were  badly  off  for  want  of  room.  *> 

In  1806  the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union  took  the  place 
of  the  Itinerant  Society,  and  in  the  first  Report,  issued  January, 
1808,  North  Meols  occupies  the  first  and  largest  place.  Previous, 
however,  to  the  issuing  of  this  Report  three  events  of  importance 
had  taken  place.  One  was  the  erection  of  a  chapel  at  Church- 
town  in  1807.  It  was  a  very  modest  structure,  cost  only  some 
^70,  had  sitting  accommodation  for  less  than  200,  and  was 
completed  in  a  month's  time.  The  following  interesting  account 
of  the  opening  is  taken  from  the  Evangelical  Magazine  for  1807 :  — 

Feb.  10.  A  small  place  of  worship  was  opened  at  North  Meols,  near 
Ormskirk,  Lancashire.  Mr.  Parkin,  of  Wigan,  preached  from  Rom.  iii.,  28; 
and  Mr.  Ralph,  of  Liverpool,  from  Isa.  lx.,  7-8.  It  is  about  five  years 
since  the  Gospel  was  introduced  into  the  above  parish,  by  means  of  an 
itinerant  minister.  At  that  time  the  ignorance  and  depravity  of  its 
inhabitants  were  awfully  manifest.  Of  late  many  have  been  deeply  im 
pressed,  and  are  now  adorning  the  Gospel.  No  house  being  large  enough  to 
contain  the  hearers,  they  set  to  work  to  build  the  above  of  wood  and  clay, 
mingled  with  straw,  which  was  completed  in  one  month  to  the  joy  of  many.2 

1  "  Transactions  of  the  Christian  Society  at  North  Meols,"  by  the  Rev. 
George  Greatbatch,  in  the  Church  Book  of  the  Churchtown  Congregational 
Church. 

2  P.  1 88.  The  Rev.  John  Alexander,  in  memoirs  of  his  father,  the  Rev. 
William  Alexander  (p.  199),  humorously  describes  the  building  thus; — ''It 
was  certainly  a  most  remarkable  structure,  composed  of  wood,  clay,  bricks, 
thatch,  and  slates ;  and  exhibiting  a  style  of  architecture,  original  and 
indescribable,  neither  primaeval,  mediaeval,  nor  modern ;  the  first  and  last  of 
its  class.  Its  grotesque  form  was  so  unlike  any  style  of  earth  architecture 
that  no  one  ever  ventured  to  describe  it  except  a  lady,  who  said  it  reminded 
her  of  Noah's  ark." 


THE  PREA  CHER'S  HO  USE.  1 5 

The  second  event  was  the  formation  of  a  church  on  the  day 
on  which  the  chapel  was  opened,  Messrs.  Parkin  and  Ralph  con 
ducting  the  service.  The  following  are  the  names  of  those  who 
agreed  to  enter  into  fellowship : — George  Greatbatch,  Helen 
Hooton,  Jane  Platt,  John  Jackson,  Roger  Platt,  John 
Hooton,  James  Hooton,  and  Thomas  Ball.  The  third  event 
was  the  removal  of  Mr.  Greatbatch  in  July,  1807,  from 
Newburgh  to  Churchtown.  Here,  however,  as  at  the  former 
place,  there  was  some  difficulty  in  obtaining  a  house,  for 
"the  influential  men  of  the  village  had  resolved  that  he  should 
not  reside  there;"  but  at  length  "a  friend,  whose  heart  the 
Gospel  had  reached,  converted  his  barn  into  a  dwelling-house 
for  the  preacher.  It  was  a  very  humble  abode.  The  floor  and 
walls  were  of  clay,  and  the  roof  of  straw.  There  were  only 
two  rooms,  one  of  which,  serving  both  for  parlour  and  study,  was 
so  low  that  the  occupant  could  not  stand  upright  in  it ;  the  other, 
serving  for  kitchen,  &c.,  was  so  high  that  nothing  could  be  hung 
up  in  it  without  a  ladder."1  The  Report  for  1808,  previously 
referred  to,  states  that  Mr.  Greatbatch  had  as  preaching  stations, 
besides  Churchtown,  "  Crossens,  Southport,  Blowick,  Ormskirk, 
Newburgh,  Scarisbrick,2  Bretherton,  &c.,"  and  that  at  the  two 
first-named  places  he  had  "  established  Sabbath  schools,  where 
children  and  young  persons  are  catechised,  and  ignorant  persons  of 
all  ages  are  taught  to  read."  In  1810  an  enlargement  of  the 
chapel  at  Churchtown  took  place,  and  the  following  sentences 
from  Mr.  Greatbatch's  pen  illustrates  the  spirit  of  his  people  in  the 
matter : — 

You  will  rejoice  to  hear  that  we  worshipped  in  the  chapel  the  first  Lord's 
day  [in  December,  1810],  and  being  favoured  with  fine  weather  and  diligent 
workmen,  we  had  the  whole  completed  in  a  fortnight.  It  is  now  a  very 
comfortable  place,  and  will  hold  fifty  persons  more  than  formerly.  All  these 
things  rejoice  my  heart  abundantly,  but  more  still  that  it  is  very  near  being 
filled  already  on  Lord's  Day  Evenings.3 

i 

Mr.  Greatbatch's  letters  to  the   Union  officials  year   by  year  are 

1  "Congregational  Year  Book"  for  1865,  p.  241. 

2  Vide  vol.  iv.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

3  "  Lancashire  County  Union  Report "  for  the  year  ending  January,  1811. 


1 6  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

rich  in  incidents  illustrative  of  the  power  of  the  gospel.  He  tells 
about  a  fisherman  being  added  to  the  church — "  the  first  of  this 
class  who  was  ever  known  to  object  going  out  on  the  Lord's  day 
for  conscience'  sake  ; "  about  a  medical  man  declaring  that  he 
had  been  the  means  of  doing  more  good  in  the  neighbourhood 
"than  had  been  done  for  500  years;"  and  about  many  who  had 
"  paid  off  old  debts  who  never  would  have  paid  them  but  for  the 
preaching  of  the  Gospel  there."  Subjoined  I  give  a  lengthy 
extract  from  one  of  these  letters  because  it  indicates  what 
important  changes  his  labours  had  effected,  as  also  some  of  the 
hardships  through  which  he  had  passed: — 

It  is  eleven  years  this  day1  since  I  entered  upon  my  labours  in  this  part 
of  the  Lord's  vineyard,  and,  I  assure  you.  the  circumstance  brings  many 
pleasing  and  painful  things  to  my  recollection.  I  sometimes  endeavour  to 
recall  those  impressions  to  my  mind  which  I  felt  when  I  first  saw  North 
Meols,  but  I  cannot.  I  had  for  some  years  previous  to  that  time  had  a 
strong  desire  to  be  a  missionary  to  the  Heathen  (a  cause  which  still  lies  near 
my  heart],  but  little  thought  there  was  a  station  for  me  at  home,  which  so 
much  resembled  the  ideas  I  had  formed  of  an  uncivilised  heathen  land.2  I 
recollect  the  awkward  gaze  whertwith  the  people  looked  upon  me,  and  the 

1  December  nth,  1813,  vide  ante  p.  10. 

2  From  the  Rev.  John   Alexander's  "  Memoirs  "  I  transcribe  the  follow 
ing  passage  as  further  illustrative  of  the  benighted   condition   of  this  now 
fashionable   part   of  Lancashire  :   "  At  the  beginning  of  this  century,  when 
Mr.  Greatbatch  began  his  itinerant  ministry  among  them,  most  of  the  people 
were   unable  to  read,  very  few  of  them   possessed  a  Bible,  and  multitudes 
devoted  the  Sabbath  day  to  the  practice  of  all  iniquity.     In  North  Meols 
stalls  for  the  sale  of  cakes,  toys,  and  other  articles,  and   for  purposes  of 
gambling,  were  erected  every  Sunday  on   the   way   to  church.     After  the 
service  the  bellman  stood  on  a  gravestone  and  gave  notice  of  the  business  to 
be  transacted  during  the  week ;  and  the  clergyman  spent  the  evening  of  that 
holy  day  with  his  jovial  companions  in  the  alehouse.      Mr.  Greatbatch  having 
urged  the  people  to  read  the  Bible,  an  effort  was  made  to  find  one  in  some  of 
the  houses,  but  for  some   time   unsuccessfully.     The  churchwarden,  it  was 
said,  had  one,  but  when  his  family  were  asked  the  question  they  stared  with 
all   the  astonishment  of  ignorance,  and  said  'they  had  none  such  a  thing.' 
At  length,  however,  a  copy  of  the  New  Testament  was  found  at  the  bottom 
of  a  chest  in  a  farmer's  house,  and  the  man,  who  was  able  to  read,  opened  it 
towards  the  middle  of  one  of  the  Evangelists.     After  he  had  read  aloud  for 
some  time  of  the  treatment  which   Christ  received  from  the  Scribes  and 
Pharisees,  one  of  the  party,  who  was  listening,  said  within  himself,  'They'll 
kill  that  fellow  before  they  have  done  with  him,'  and  then  asked  the  reader 


HE  A  THENISM  A  T  HOME.  1 7 

painful  feelings  of  my  heart  when  I  retired  to  a  little  hovel  from  among  them. 
The  impressions  I  feel  at  this  moment  are  so  powerful,  that  I  can  scarce 
believe  I  am  in  the  same  place  now  that  I  was  then.  Poor  creatures !  such 
was  their  ignorance  and  general  behaviour  that  for  a  long  time  my  heart 
sunk  within  me  when  I  must  leave  my  family  at  Newbro'  to  preach  among 
them.  The  thought  of  living  among  them  would  at  that  time  have  over 
whelmed  me.  You  will  perceive,  sir,  how  unfit  I  should  have  been  for  a 
missionary  station ;  for,  compared  with  many  such  stations,  mine,  with  all  its 
unpleasantness,  was  comfort  itself.  Thus  cast  down,  but  not  in  despair,  I 
continued  to  labour  for  upwards  of  two  years,  when  the  Lord  was  pleased  to 
revive  His  work,  and  I  was  animated  with  pleasing  prospects.  ...  In  a 
little  more  than  two  years  after  this  pleasing  revival  I  was  sorely  tried  from 
another  quarter,  and  He  who  has  promised  never  to  leave  His  people  knows 
best  what  I  endured.  I  then  preached  in  a  little  cottage,  which  was  very 
humbly  fitted  up  with  benches  and  a  pulpit,  and  had  been  once  enlarged  to 
accommodate  the  pleasing  numbers  who  flocked  to  hear  the  Word.  I 
recollect  telling  Mr.  Roby  in  a  letter,  when  this  place  was  first  opened  for 
preaching,  that  I  hardly  thought  Solomon  felt  greater  pleasure  in  dedicating 
his  temple  to  God  than  I  did  when  I  first  preached  in  this  place.  Little  did 
I  think  that  I  must  ever  be  forced  from  it ;  and  little  do  my  dearest  friends 
know  what  I  felt  when  this  was  the  case.  I  was  then  seen  again  preaching 
in  the  house  of  one  of  the  few  who  still  chose  to  hear  me.  "  Notwithstanding 
all  these  things  the  Lord  stood  with  me  and  strengthened  me,"  and  I  was 
enabled  to  go  forward  "  preaching  among  the  Gentiles  the  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ."  Early  in  1807  our  present  chapel  was  built,  and  I  find,  by 
looking  at  some  memorandums,  that  we  had  in  the  summer  of  that  year 
about  50  regular  hearers.  Soon  after  the  opening  of  our  chapel  a  church 
was  formed,  consisting  of  7  persons,  and  in  the  following  July  I  came  to 
reside  among  them.  In  weakness  and  in  fear  and  in  much  trembling  I  have 
continued  among  them  to  this  day,  and  can  review  another  year  with  peculiar 
pleasure,  because  it  reminds  me  of  the  tender  mercy  of  God  in  sparing  an  un 
worthy  servant,  and  restoring  me  to  health,  and,  I  hope,  to  usefulness  again."1 

how  long  it  would  be  before  they  would  hear  of  '  the  mon  being  kilt.'  He 
took  hold  of  about  half  the  leaves  of  the  book  and  replied,  '  He  should  have 
to  read  haply  all  that  before  they  came  to  the  part  which  told  about  his 
being  kilt.'  As  the  history  was  deemed  to  be  too  long  to  be  continued  then, 
the  book  was  closed.  The  man  who  asked  the  question  was  afterwards 
converted  under  Mr.  Greatbatch's  ministry,  and  continued  a  consistent 
member  of  the  church  for  more  than  forty  years.  In  that  same  parish,  when 
Mr.  Honeywood  and  Mr.  Hacking,  the  first  itinerants,  had  preached  a  few 
times,  one  of  the  people  said  to  his  neighbours  :  '  You  may  think  what  you 
like,  but  I  think  they  are  highwaymen,  for  every  time  they  have  come  to 
preach  there  has  been  a  storm  of  wind.'  "  (Pages  183,  184.) 

1  "  Lancashire  County  Union  Report  "  for  the  year  ending  January,  1814. 
6—2 


r8  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

A  new  difficulty  confronted  the  infant  church  in  1816,  of  which 
Mr.  Greatbatch  thus  writes  : — 

Our  little  chapel  was  built  on  a  lease  of  two  lives,  and  the  Great  Head 
of  the  Church  has  been  pleased  to  remove  both  of  the  persons  whose  lives 
were  in  the  lease  in  a  few  weeks,  viz.,  Edward  Hunt  and  Marg*-  Sutton. 
The  last  (M.  Sutton)  died  April  24,  1816.  As  the  place  is  too  small  for  the 
congregation,  a  meeting  of  a  few  friends  was  held  a  few  days  before  to  consult 
on  the  propriety  ot  enlarging  it.  What  we  shall  do  now  we  cannot  tell,  but 
we  commit  our  case  to  the  Lord.  We  only  hope  He  will  not  leave  us  nor 
forsake  us.  Many  iu  the  neighbourhood  are  rejoicing  to  see  us  in  difficulty. 
May  we  have  grace  to  return  good  for  their  evil. 

N.B. — We  are  now  occupying  our  chapel  with  a  promise  from  Mr.  Hes- 
keth's  steward  that  the  rent  shall  be  moderate.  Make  us  very  thankful, 
Lord,  for  all  Thy  goodness.  Aug.,  iSid.1 

Mr.  Greatbatch  records  in  the  Church  Book  an  interesting 
account  of  his  ordination  at  Orrell,  in  1823,  more  than  twenty 
years  after  he  had  begun  ministerial  work  : — 

1823,  Dec.  5.  Church  meeting.  This  evening  the  pastor  informed  the 
Church  that  he  had  been  ordained  at  Orrell,  near  Wigan,  together  with  Mr. 
John  Holgate,  of  that  place.  This  solemn  service  had  been  delayed  so  long 
in  his  case  that  he  felt  uncomfortable,  and  embraced  the  opportunity,  the 
place  being  near,  and  the  ministers  engaged  being  the  pastors  he  wished  for 
on  such  an  occasion.  Mr.  Roby  gave  the  charge  from  2  Tim.,  iv.,  12,  in  a 
most  impressive  manner.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  Letters  of  Ordination, 
viz. : — 

Orrell,  near  Wigan.  Nov.  25,  1823. 

This  is  to  certify  that  the  Revd.  George  Greatbatch  was  this  day  ordained 
to  the  pastoral  office  over  the  Church  of  Christ  of  the  Independent  Denom 
ination  at  North  Meols,  in  the  County  of  Lancaster,  by  prayer  and  laying  on 
of  hands  in  this  place. 

Alex.  Steill,  Wigan ;  P.  S.  Charrier,  Liverpool  ;  W.  Roby,  Manchester ; 
John  Toothill,  Rainford ;  Thomas  Raffles,  LL.D.,  Liverpool;  James 
Widows,  Liverpool ;  Wm.  Turner,  Hindley.2 

Mr.  Greatbatch  continued  his  labours  at  Churchtown  until  1824, 
when  he  removed  to  Southport,  to  take  charge  of  the  church  which 

1  "  Transactions,"  &c. 
-  Ibid. 


TWO   WORTHY  MEN.  19 

had  grown  out  of  his  labours  there.  His  subsequent  career  is 
given  in  the  account  of  that  church,  where  he  ministered  until 
incapacitated  by  infirmity  and  age.  For  a  few  months  during  1824 
Mr.  Giles  Hoyle,1  "  a  member  of  the  Church  in  Fishergate,  Pres 
ton,  and  sent  out  by  the  Church  as  an  occasional  preacher,"  was 
engaged  to  assist  Mr.  Greatbatch  in  his  work,  preaching  in 
Scarisbrick  and  Halsall.  When  his  time  expired  "  the  prevailing 
sentiment "  was  that  an  effort  should  be  made  to  have  a  resident 
minister  at  Churchtown.  Accordingly  Mr.  Greatbatch  was 
followed  at  Churchtown  by  the  Rev.  Win.  Alexander,  from  Leigh 
— a  man  much  after  his  spirit,  who  for  over  twenty  years  had  been 
the  apostle  of  South  Lancashire  Congregationalism.  He  received 
the  call  to  Churchtown  on  the  loth  of  October,  1824,  but,  though 
he  replied  accepting  in  November  following,  he  could  not  make  up 
his  mind  to  leave  his  people  at  Leigh  until  May  ist,  1825, 2  when 
he  entered  upon  duty  as  Mr.  Greatbatch's  successor. 

Mr.  Alexander's  efforts,  like  those  of  his  predecessor,  were  not 
confined  to  Churchtown.  It  is  recorded  that  he  visited  some 
"  thirty  places  at  various  distances  "  for  the  purpose  of  preaching 
the  gospel.  The  growing  congregations  which  waited  upon  his 
ministry  led  to  the  erection  of  a  new  and  larger  building  in  1830. 
The  foundation  stone  was  laid  on  October  2yth  of  that  year  by 


1  Mr.  Hoyle  subsequently  became  the  Congregational  minister  of  Miln- 
thorpe,  near  Carnforth.     Vide  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity,"  vol.  i. 

2  For  two  or  three  years  previous  to  Mr.  Alexander's  removal  the  town 
of  Leigh  was  in  a  condition  of  great   political  excitement,  which  seriously 
affected  his  church.       Without    taking   sides,    he  exhorted    his   people    "  to 
patience  and  peace."     "I  thought,"  says  he,  "that  I  had  done  it  charmingly, 
and  that  I  had  offended  nobody;  because  I  allowed  that  each  had  a  right  to 
choose  his  own  political  principles,  only  that,  as  Christians,  they  ought  ever 
to  maintain  a  Christian  spirit.      My  hopes  were  disappointed.      Almost  all 
the  weavers,  the  poorer  part  especially,  were  offended.     White  hats  were 
instantly  worn  as  flags  of  defiance.     One  deacon  threatened  to  resign,  and  it 
appears  has  resigned  his  office.      Some  of  the  hearers,  and  one  member,  have 
left  the  chapel.     Others,  who  have  not  left,  are  as  cross  and  crooked  as  they 
can  be."     ("  Memoirs  of  the  Rev.  Wm.  Alexander,"  p.  169.)     Notwithstanding 
all  this,  however,  between  the  pastor  and  people  was  a  strong  bond  of  affection, 
which  made  it  difficult  for  Mr.  Alexander  to  leave  when  the  call  to  Church- 
town  came. 


20  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

the  Rev.  George  Greatbatch,  and  on  the  2ist  of  July,  1831,  the 
building  was  opened  for  public  worship,  Dr.  Raffles  preaching  in 
the  morning  from  2  Cor.,  iv.,  5  ;  and  Dr.  Me  All  in  the  evening 
from  Acts  xiv.,  7.  Other  ministers  assisting  in  the  services  were 
the  Revs.  John  Toothill,  Rainford;  G.  Greatbatch,  Southport; 
W.  R.  Dawes,  Ormskirk;  J.  Bramall,  Patricroft ;  and  Wm.  Salt,  of 
Lichfield.1  The  cost  of  the  structure  was  about  ,£950,  which 
Mr.  Alexander,  after  generously  contributing  himself,  largely 
obtained  in  his  collecting  tours.  During  its  erection  "neighbouring 
farmers,  some  of  them  not  belonging  to  the  congregation,  carted 
the  materials  free  of  expense."2  It  supplied  accommodation  for 
about  300  persons.  The  church  about  this  time  entered  upon  a 
new  and  more  difficult  phase  of  life.  The  multiplicity  of  denomi 
national  interests  in  the  neighbourhood  sometimes  reduced  the 
congregation  and  school  very  considerably,  and  the  more  earnest 
and  Evangelical  labours  of  the  clergy  did  the  same  thing ;  yet 
Mr.  Alexander  welcomed  this  as  so  much  gain  to  religion  in 
general.  On  the  2ist  of  February,  1843,  he  attained  to  the 
age  of  eighty  years,  and  his  church  celebrated  the  event  by 
a  public  meeting,  when  he  received  an  address,  together  with 
a  purse  of  fifty  sovereigns.  Two  years  afterwards  he  resigned,, 
preaching  farewell  sermons  on  April  2yth,  1845,  and  on  the 
23rd  of  January,  1855,  he  died  within  one  month  of  his  93rd 
year  at  Southport.3  The  Rev.  W.  G.  Nevatt,  from  Forton,4 
succeeded  Mr.  Alexander  in  1847.  He  resigned  in  July,  1852,  and 
subsequently  removed  to  St.  Helens,  where  he  resided  without 
charge  until  his  death  in  1877.  His  successor  was  the  Rev. 
James  Lee,  M.A.  He  was  educated  at  Western  College,  and 
settled  first  at  Broseley,  in  Salop,  whence  he  removed  in  May,  1852,. 
to  Churchtown.  His  ordination  took  place  on  Tuesday,  September 
7th,  of  that  year,  when  the  Rev.  George  Greatbatch,  "the  first 
minister  of  the  place,  opened  the  services  of  the  day  by  reading  the 

1  The    Rev.    Wm.    Salt    married    Mary,  sister   of    the   Rev.    George 
Greatbatch,  August  3rd,   1809,  in  the  North  Meols  Parish  Church. 

2  "Evangelical  Magazine"  for  1831,  p.  402. 

3  For  additional  information  respecting  this  good  man,  vide  vols.  i.  and 
iv.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

4  Vide  vol.  i.  of  "Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


MR.  ABRAHAM   WARD.  21 

scriptures  and  prayer,"  and  "the  venerable  and  Rev.  W.  Alexander 
of  Southport,  the  second  minister  of  the  place,  and  now  in  his  nine 
tieth  year,  offered  up  the  ordination  prayer."1  The  charge  was  given 
by  Dr.  Halley,  and  the  Revs.  J.  E.  Millson,  of  Southport,  and 
Richard  Slate,  of  Preston,  took  other  parts  of  the  interesting 
services.  Mr.  Lee  resigned  in  1854,  and  subsequently  settled  at 
Crick,  in  Northamptonshire.  He  is  now  resident  in  Stretford,  near 
Manchester,  without  charge.  After  his  removal  "  an  altered  pro 
cedure  "  in  regard  to  the  church  became  necessary,  and  the 
Executive  Committee  of  the  County  Union  suggested  that  it  should 
have  the  pastoral  oversight  of  the  minister  at  Southport,  and  that 
an  Evangelist  should  be  employed  to  labour  in  the  several  villages 
around.  In  accordance  with  this  the  Rev.  William  Hackett,  "an 
efficient  agent  of  the  Manchester  City  Mission,"  was  appointed  in 
1855.  He  removed  to  Chipping  in  i86i.2  In  the  same  year  the 
Rev.  William  Jowett,  from  Martin  Top,3  who  had  also  previously 
been  a  Town  Missionary,  settled  at  Churchtown.  During  his 
ministry  a  manse  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  nearly  ^£200.  In  May, 
1866,  Mr.  Jowett  removed  to  Stanningley,  in  Yorkshire,  and 
in  October  following  the  Rev.  J.  A.  McCormack  was  appointed 
Evangelist.  He  remained  until  January,  1874,  when  he  resigned 
for  Boston  Spa,  and  subsequently  laboured  at  Reeth.  In  1875 
the  Rev.  T.  E.  Sweeting,  educated  at  Bristol,  and  formerly  of 
Tipping  Street,  Manchester,  became  the  pastor.  Through  his  efforts 
the  present  structure,  which  is  the  building  of  1830,  was  considerably 
enlarged,  the  cost  with  decorations  being  about  ^i,ooc.  It  was 
reopened  for  worship  in  March,  1878.  In  May,  1887,  Mr.  Sweeting 
resigned,  but  before  doing  so  he  had  inaugurated  a  movement  for 
the  erection  of  a  new  school.  Towards  this  object  Mr.  Abraham 
Ward,  of  Southport,  gave  ^"500 — "first,  for  the  purchase  of  the 
freehold;  and  secondly,  as  a  first  offering  to  the  new  School  fund.'' 
The  present  minister,  the  Rev.  S.  Firth,  formerly  of  Middleton, 
began  his  labours  here  in  February,  1888,  and  continues  amidst 
many  signs  of  success.  The  church  has  been  a  recipient  from  the 


1  "  Hvangelical  Magazine"  for  1852,  p.  664. 

2  Vide  vols  i.  and  ii.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

3  Vide  vol.  ii.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


22  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

Union  Funds,  one  or  two  years  excepted,  since  its  commencement, 
over  eighty  years  ago,  but  this  year  (1893)  it  has  attained  to 
pecuniary  independence.  It  has  rendered  splendid  service  to 
Lancashire  Congregationalism,  and  as  the  mother  of  the  vigorous 
societies  of  which  Southport  can  now  boast,  it  will  ever  be 
deserving  of  generous  consideration  and  warm  affection.  The 
present  building  will  accommodate  440  worshippers.  The  old 
school,  which  is  about  to  be  superseded,  is  the  old  chapel  of  1807, 
enlarged  and  improved  for  Sunday  School  purposes.  Memorial 
stones  of  the  new  building  were  laid  November  28th,  1892,  by 
the  Mayor  of  Southport  and  others. 

It  is  needful  to  add  a  few  sentences  about  one  or  two  out- 
stations  which  were  worked  by  the  Churchtown  ministers  for  some 
years.  The  first  in  importance  is  Crossens.  It  is  mentioned  as 
one  of  the  preaching  places  of  Mr.  Greatbatch  as  early  as  1808. 
Respecting  the  Sunday  Schools  here  and  at  Churchtown,  at  that 
date  it  is  thus  recorded  : — 

Upwards  of  one  hundred  are  taught.  Several  of  them  are  young  men  and 
women,  and  some  of  them  married.  We  have  one  upwards  of  thirty  years  of 
age,  now  learning  his  letters  with  as  much  humility  as  his  own  little  boy  in 
the  same  class.1 

The  place  was  a  most  unpromising  one  for  some  time  because 
of  the  ignorance  and  superstition  of  the  people  ;  but  the  ministers 
held  on  to  it,  more  or  less,  for  fifty  years. 

Little  London  was  another  of  these  preaching  stations.  Writing 
towards  the  end  of  the  year  1811  Mr.  Greatbatch  says  : — 

Since  the  close  of  the  bathing  season  I  have  begun  to  preach  in  a  village 
near  Southport,  called  Little  London,  and  find  the  prospect  very  en 
couraging.2 

In  November,  1813,  the  Rev.  Isaac  Sharp,  of  St.  Helens,  visited 
North  Meols,  and  reported  that  he  had  preached  at  Churchtown 
on  the  Sabbath  Day  morinng  and  evening,  and  in  the  afternoon  at 
Little  London  to  "perhaps  70  "people.  This  village  no  longer 

1  "  Lancashire  County  Union  Report"  for  the  year  ending  January,  1808. 

2  Ibid,  for  the  year  ending  January,  1812. 


HALL'S   CHAPEL.  25 

exists,  having  been  absorbed  into  the  town  whose  growth  during 
the  last  few  decades  has  been  so  remarkable.  Formerly  there  was 
a  quaint  little  place  of  worship  here  known  as  "  Hall's  Chapel," 
whose  history  is  so  far  connected  with  Southport  Congregationalism 
as  to  claim  a  sentence  or  two  here.  It  was  built  about  sixty  years 
ago  by  Mr.  Bartin  Haigh,  a  Liverpool  merchant,  who  had  come  to 
reside  in  Southport,  for  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hall,  "  a  Church  clergyman, 
who,  having  adopted  Calvinistic  doctrines,  had  sold  his  living  and 
retired  to  Southport." l  Mr.  Haigh  had  been  wishful  that  Mr. 
Hall  should  be  associated  with  Mr.  Greatbatch  in  the  pastorate  of 
his  church,  but  Mr.  Greatbatch  declined  the  proposal.  The 
chapel  stood  in  what  is  now  Hall  Street,  and  the  congregation,  always 
small,  eventually  dwindled  away  to  nothing.  Two  views  of  this 
building  are  here  given,  partly  because  of  its  primitive  appearance, 
but  mainly  because  it  is  a  good  specimen  of  the  style  of  building 
which  at  the  time  of  its  erection  was  not  uncommon  in  the  neigh 
bourhood  of  Southport.2 

Banks,  Marshside,  and  RufTord  were  also  interesting  stations. 
At  the  latter  place  there  was  for  a  brief  period  quite  a  flourishing 
cause.3  Indeed,  the  one  obvious  fact  about  the  early  history 
of  this  church,  as  of  many  others,  is  its  intense  missionary  en 
thusiasm.  Wherever  there  was  a  group  of  houses  its  ministers, 
Greatbatch  and  Alexander,  saw  therein  an  opportunity  for  preaching 
the  gospel  and  extending  Congregationalism. 


III.— CHAPEL    STREET    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH. 

SOMETIME  previous  to  the  year  1808  the  Rev.  George  Greatbatch 
had  begun  to  preach  at  Southport,  then  only  a  small  village  con 
taining  not  more  than  thirty-eight  inhabited  houses.  With  what 

1  Eland's  "  Annals  of  Southport,"  p.  no. 

2  These  have  been  photographed  from  paintings  in   the   Atkinson  Art 
Gallery,  Southport,   kindly  lent  by    the    Corporation.     Mr.    Herdman,    the 
artist,    has    made    them    a  little    misleading   by    calling   them    "  The    Old 
Independent  Chapel,  Little  London." 

3  Vide  vol.  iv.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


26  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

measure  of  frequency  the  services  were  held  is  not  known,  but 
they  were  held,  and  the  date  brings  us  within  a  decade  of  the  year 
when  the  town  received  its  name.  In  the  summer  of  1812  Mr. 
Greatbatch  was  preaching  at  Southport  on  Sunday  mornings,  and 
the  place  of  meeting  was  Button's  "  Duke's  Folly,"  then  occu 
pied  by  Mr.  Ashall.1  In  the  ''County  Union  Report"  ending 
January,  1813,  the  matter  is  thus  referred  to  : — 

The  kindness  of  Mr.  ASHALL,  the  master  of  one  of  the  hotels  there,  who 

accommodated   Mr.   G •  with  the  use  of  his   large  room,   for   which    he 

refused  any  remuneration,    deserves  honourable   mention.      Respecting  his 

labours  there,  Mr.  G writes:    "We  were  very  well  attended;   whether 

any  were  turned  to  the  wisdom  of  the  just,  I  cannot  tell.  I  have  reason  to 
believe  that  prejudice,  that  foul  Enemy  to  Souls,  was,  in  a  measure,  removed 
from  the  minds  of  some  who  little  thought  when  they  came  to  South  Port 
that  they  should  hear  a  Dissenting  Minister." 

A  story  is  told  of  these  preachings  in  the  "  Original  Hotel," 
which  illustrates  the  respect  in  which  Mr.  Greatbatch  was  already 
held :- 

He  was  preaching  as  usual  at  the  Hotel  when  a  dispute  arose  amongst 
some  men  who  were  drinking  in  the  tap-room.  The  argument  required  to  be 
clenched  with  fisticuffs,  and  rather  than  disturb  the  preacher  the  company 
adjourned  to  a  piece  of  ground  a  short  distance  off,  where  the  battle  was 
duly  fought  out.2 

For  two  years  the  services  were  conducted  in  this  room  during 
the  summer,  Mr.  Ashall  generously  offering  it  free.  In  1814  it  is 
recorded  that  Mr.  Greatbatch  had  not  been  able  to  preach  at 
Southport  during  the  season;  but  the  Rev.  Thomas  Smith,  of 
Mill  Bank,  who  spent  six  weeks  there  with  the  family  of  Mr. 
Robert  Spear,  of  Manchester,  writes  thus  on  November  ist  of  that 
year : — 

I  began  to  preach  in  the  great  room  of  Mr.  Ashall's  Hotel  with  encouraging 
prospects,  but  the  Curate  of  the  parish  interfered,  and  prevented  my  further 
services  there.  I  continued,  however,  to  preach  twice  every  Sabbath  for  six 
weeks,  in  the  cottage  occupied  by  Mr.  Spear,  and  I  hope  the  day  will  declare 
that  it  was  not  in  vain.3 

1  Vide  ante,  p.  5. 

2  "Southport  Guardian"  for  June  i8th,  1890. 

3  "  Lancashire  County  Union  Report,"  for  the  year  ending  January,  1815. 


THE  LORD  OF  THE  MANOR.  27 

The  Reports  are  silent  until  we  come  to  the  year  1819,  when 
Mr.  Greatbatch  writes  : — 

I  have  preached  at  South  Port  during  the  summer  months  [1818]  as  often 
as  I  could ;  but  I  have  often  met  with  considerable  difficulty  in  obtaining 
suitable  accommodation.  During  last  summer  we  had  public  service  in  a 
neat  cottage  near  this  place,  and  were  under  the  necessity  of  conducting  the 
worship  in  the  open  air,  as  long  as  the  weather  would  permit.  Our  friends 
will  rejoice  to  know  that  a  Chapel  is  likely  to  be  built  there  this  spring. 

These  expectations  were  not  realised ;  at  any  rate,  not  immedi 
ately.  The  feeling  against  dissent  was  so  strong  on  the  part  of  the 
Lords  of  the  Manor,  that  when  application  for  land  was  made 
they  said :  "  We  can  allow  no  ground  to  individuals  who  wish  to 
build  sectarian  places  of  worship."  The  result  was  the  erection  of 
"  a  tabernacle  of  wood,1  capable  of  containing  300  hearers,"  in  the 
summer  of  1821.  "As  the  roof,"  says  Mr.  Chater,  "was  not 
waterproof,  it  was  not  an  uncommon  sight  to  see  the  congregation 
engaging  in  worship,  or  listening  to  the  sermon  under  the  shelter 
of  umbrellas  put  up  to  keep  off  the  rain."2  How  land  was  at 
length  obtained,  and  the  congregation  secured  better  facilities  for 
worship,  Mr.  Chater  tells  us  in  the  following  passage : — 

One  of  the  Lords  of  the  Manor  was  passing  the  place  one  Sabbath  with  his 
steward,  and  seeing  a  large  and  respectable  congregation  issuing  from  the 
rude  structure,  stopped  and  asked  with  much  surprise  who  these  people 
were.  He  was  told  that  they  were  Dissenters,  to  whom  Mr.  Greatbatch  had 
been  preaching.  Grieved  that  he  had  refused  land  to  so  respectable  a  body 
of  persons,  he  told  his  steward  to  intimate  to  Mr.  Greatbatch  that  he  would 
be  willing  to  give  him  a  site  on  which  to  erect  a  more  suitable  and  convenient 
structure.  The  site  chosen  was  a  plot  of  land  in  East  Bank  Street,  which 
was  granted  on  very  liberal  terms.'5 

1  This,  says  Mr.  Bland  ("Annals  of  Southport,"  p.  83),  "was  erected  in 
King  Street,  not  the  street  now  bearing  that  name,  but  another  which  ran  off 
Coronation  Walk  towards  Duke  Street." 

-  "History  of  Southport  Congregationalism,"  by  the  Rev.  John  Chater, 
issued  in  pamphlet  form,  along  with  Guide  Book,  on  the  occasion  of  the  visit 
of  the  Congregational  Union  of  England  and  Wales  in  1891.  To  this  little 
work  I  am  indebted  for  many  particulars. 

3  Mr.  Bland  tries  somewhat  to  discredit  this  story,  by  saying  the  name 
associated  with  it  in  the  tradition  is  that  of  Sir  Henry  Bold-Hoghton,  who 
had  not  then  succeeded  to  the  estate.  It  is  true  that  it  was  Robert  Hesketh, 
Esq.,  but  the  confusion  of  name  is  not  sufficient  to  stamp  the  whole  thing 
as  a  myth. 


THE  OLD  "STRANGERS   CHARITY:'  29 

The  building,  which  cost  ^"700,  was  completed  and  opened 
for  worship  towards  the  end  of  1823.  It  was  called  "The  South- 
port  Tabernacle "  in  honour  of  the  humble  shed  in  which  the 
friends  had  previously  met ;  and  of  the  interesting  services  connected 
with  the  opening  the  following  account  has  been  preserved : — 

Mr.  Greatbatch  having  laboured  full  twenty  years  as  an  itinerant  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Southport,  parish  of  Meols,  Lancashire,  in  1821  a  temporary 
shed  was  fitted  up,  and  last  summer  [1823]  a  chapel  was  erected  (14  yards 
by  16)  and  opened  on  the  iSth  of  December.  After  a  prayer  meeting  on  the 
preceding  day,  three  sermons  were  preached  by  Dr.  Raffles,  of  Liverpool, 
Revs.  A.  Steill,  of  Wigan,  and  W.  Turner,  of  Hindley.  The  farmers  in  the 
neighbourhood  showed  their  good  will  to  the  object  by  carting  bricks,  gratis, 
to  the  spot  while  the  building  was  erecting,  which  caused  a  saving  of  ^45.  \ 

Mr.  Greatbatch  found  at  Southport  enough  scope  for  all  his 
energies,  so  he  resigned  his  charge  at  Churchtown,  and  took  up 
his  residence  at  the  former  place.  During  more  than  twenty 
years  after  this  he  continued  his  ministry  with  all  its  old 
enthusiasm,  and  not  without  success,  until  failing  health  led  to  his 
resignation  in  1847.  He  remained,  however,  a  resident  of  the 
town  which  had  grown  up  with  himself,  and  towards  the  making 
of  which  he  had  done  not  a  little,  dying  there  on  the  5th  of  March, 
1864,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years.  It  deserves  to  be  noted 
that  he  had  interested  himself  in  the  social  as  well  as  religious 
institutions  of  the  town,  especially  the  "  Strangers'  Charity,"  now 
the  "  Convalescent  Hospital."  He  was  one  of  its  earliest  and 
warmest  supporters,  and  during  many  years  its  Secretary.  "  The 
noble  structure  on  the  Promenade  fronting  the  sea,"  says  Mr. 
Chater,  "will  ever  remain  associated  with  his  name,  and  will  stand 
as  a  memorial  of  his  self-denying  efforts  in  the  cause  of  philan 
thropy.  To  this  day  the  name  of  Greatbatch  lingers  as  one  of 
the  sacred  and  fragrant  memories  of  the  religious  history  of  the 
town."  Archdeacon  Clarke's  testimony  will  fitly  conclude  the 
account  of  this  good  man  : — 

I  first  became  acquainted  with  the  Rev.  George  Greatbatch  in  the  year 
1849,  when  I  became  vicar  of  Christ  Church  in  this  town,  where  he  had  been 
residing  from  almost  the  beginning  of  the  century.  He  used  to  dress  in  the 

1  "Evangelical  Magazine"  for  1824,  p.  113. 


THE  REV.  J.  E.  MILLSON.  31 

old-fashioned  clerical  style,  with  knee-breeches,  gaiters,  and  swallow-tail 
coat.  He  had  a  face  beaming  with  benevolence,  and  endeared  himself  to  all 
who  knew  him  by  his  kindness  ofmanner.1 

The  Rev.  John  Egarr  Millson  was  appointed  minister  in 
succession  to  Mr.  Greatbatch.  He  was  born  at  Thoones,  in 
Yorkshire,  on  March  7th,  1800,  his  mother  being  "descended 
from  an  old  Huguenot  family  of  the  name  of  Egarr,  which  found 
an  asylum  in  England,  and  settled  first  at  Sandtoft,  Lincoln 
shire,  and  subsequently  at  Thoones  Abbey."  He  was  first 
designed  for  the  ministry  in  the  Episcopal  Church,  but,  changing 
his  views  on  church  government,  he  entered  Rotherham  College 
in  his  sixteenth  year  to  be  trained  for  the  Congregational 
ministry.  His  first  settlement  was  Knottingley,  in  Yorkshire ; 
his  next  Pontefract,  whence  he  was  brought  by  considerations  of 
health  to  Southport,  beginning  his  duties  on  the  first  Sunday  in 
April,  1847.  The  success  of  his  ministry  showed  itself  in  repeated 
enlargements  of  the  chapel,  until  in  1866  the  old  building  was 
taken  down,  and  the  present  one  erected.  The  foundation  stone 
was  laid  on  March  3oth,  by  G.  Hadfield,  Esq.,  M.P.,  and  those 
who  assisted  in  the  interesting  proceedings  were  the  Revs.  A.  M. 
Stalker,  J.  Chater,  and  J.  E.  Millson.  On  the  8th  of  June,  1867, 
the  new  building  was  opened  for  public  worship  with  sermons  by 
the  Revs.  James  Parsons,  York,  and  John  Kelly,  Liverpool.  It 
contains  accommodation  for  1,000  persons,  and  is  described  as  of  the 
"  Classic  Temple  style,  a  useful  form  much  in  vogue  for  Congre 
gational  chapels  before  the  late  revival  of  Gothic  architecture." 
Its  main  entrance  is  in  Chapel  Street,  and  its  cost  was  about 
^4,500.  Attached  to  it  is  "a  large  schoolroom,  which  was  at 
one  time  used  for  the  purposes  of  a  Day  School,  but  now  only  for 
the  large  and  important  Sunday  School  which  meets  there  every 
Sunday."  Mr.  Millson,  who,  especially  in  his  early  years,  had 
several  times  been  attacked  by  serious  illness,  was  compelled  by 
deafness  and  a  paralytic  stroke  to  resign  his  charge  in  1869.  He 
resided  in  Southport  until  his  death,  which  took  place  on  March 
3oth,  1880,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years.  Previous  to  his  retire 
ment  there  had  been  associated  with  him  in  the  pastorate  for  two 

1  "  Southport  Guardian,"  for  June  18,  1890. 


32  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

years  the  Rev.  Edwin  Walker,  a  student  from  Airedale  College. 
He  removed  in  1867  to  Pendleton,  where  he  laboured  until  his 
death.1  The  Rev.  William  Park,  from  Troutbeck,  Windermere, 
followed,  Nov.  i4th,  1869,  and  after  a  brief  but  useful  ministry  re 
moved  to  Tollington  Park,  London,  in  1872.  His  present  pastorate 
is  Croydon.2  The  Rev.  J.  T.  Woodhouse,  who  had  been  educated 
at  Cavendish  College,  Manchester,  and  had  laboured  some 
ten  years  at  Stockport,  became  the  successor  of  Mr.  Park  in  1873 


CHAPEL    STREET    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH. 


For  nineteen  years  Mr.  Woodhouse  continued  a  successful 
ministry  here,  during  which  "upwards  of  £26,000  was  raised 
for  all  purposes  by  the  church."  He  removed  at  the  close  of 
1891  to  Bexley,  in  Kent,  where  he  now  labours.  The  present 
minister,  the  Rev.  Adam  Scott,  from  Sale,  formerly  of  Lancaster,3 
entered  upon  his  duties  as  such  on  Sunday,  January  29th,  of  this 
year. 

1  Vide  vol.  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 
2 Vide  vol.  i.  of  "Lancashire  Nonconformity." 
3  Ibid. 


6-3 


34  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 


IV.— WEST    END    AND    BIRKDALE    CONGREGATIONAL 
CHURCHES. 

THE  second  Congregational  Church  in  Southport  proper  owes  its 
existence  mainly  to  the  efforts  of  the  late  Mr.  Alderman  Booth- 
royd1  and  Mr.  William  Hinmers,  then  of  Farnworth,  but  who 
subsequently  came  to  reside  in  the  town.  Southport  was  no 
longer  a  small  village,  hidden  away  amongst  the  sandhills,  and  so 
utterly  heathen  that  its  earliest  religious  workers  seem  at  a  loss  for 
language  sufficiently  expressive  to  describe  it,  but  a  large  and 
rapidly-growing  town ;  and  in  no  part  of  the  town  had  its  growth 
been  more  real  than  in  the  direction  of  Birkdale.  It  was  in  1860 
that  a  few  members  of  Chapel  Street  Church  "  realised  the  desira 
bility  of  making  larger  provision  for  the  growing  religious  needs  of 
the  town  and  denomination.  There  was,  however,  some  hesitation 
on  the  part  of  the  church  itself  to  move  in  this  direction,  and  in 
consequence  independent  action  was  taken ; "  and  prominent 

1  In  a  sketch  of  Southport  Congregationalism  a  place  ought  to  be  found 
for  Mr.  Alderman  Samuel  Boothroyd,  J.P.,  whose  life  was  so  largely  bound 
up  with  the  history  of  the  town.  He  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Benjamin 
Boothroyd,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  an  eminent  Congregational  minister  in  Huddersfield, 
and  a  Hebrew  scholar  of  considerable  repute.  Samuel  Boothroyd  was  born 
in  1814,  and  when  quite  a  youth  was  led  to  serious  thought  and  ultimate 
religious  decision  through  coming  into  contact  with  the  Rev.  Richard  Knill, 
the  well  known  missionary,  who  at  the  time  was  over  on  deputation  work. 
In  early  life  he  came  to  Southport,  where,  from  "  small  beginnings,  he  raised 
himself  to  a  high  position,  occupying  many  important  offices  in  the  town,  and 
being  called  to  fill  four  times  the  important  office  of  Mayor."  (Rev.  John 
Chater,  in  the  "Lancashire  Congregational  Calendar"  for  1886.)  The 
church  at  West  End  is  not  the  only  memorial  of  his  efforts  to  extend  Congre 
gationalism  in  the  town,  for  the  Trafalgar  Road  Church  felt  at  his  decease 
that  a  generous  friend  had  been  taken  away.  Outside  the  church,  too,  his 
influence  was  widely  known.  At  the  opening  of  the  Southport  Pier  in  1860,  the 
chairman  of  the  company  stated  that  it  "had  mainly  originated  with  Mr. 
Boothroyd,  who,  with  indomitable  energy  and  perseverance,  had  steadily 
pursued  his  object  and  brought  it  into  shape."  He  was  known  also  as  the 
"Father  of  the  Council."  His  death  took  place  on  April  26th,  1886,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-two  years,  after  a  residence  in  Southport  of  fifty-two  years. 
He  is  worthily  represented  by  his  son,  Mr.  Benjamin  Boothroyd,  until  re 
cently  of  the  firm  of  Boothroyd,  Sons,  and  Rimmer. 


THE  RE  V.  JOHN  CHA  TER.  3 5 

amongst  the  leaders  in  this  new  movement  were  the  two  gentle 
men  just  named.  A  site  for  the  purpose  was  purchased  at  the 
cost  of  ;£i,ooo  by  Mr.  Hinmers,  which  he  generously  gave.  It 
is  at  the  top  of  Lord  Street,  near  the  entrance  to  Birkdale,  and 
close  by  the  "  Duke's  Folly,"  where  Congregationalism,  fifty  years 
before,  had  been  accustomed  to  hold  its  meetings.  On  September 
26th,  1861,  the  foundation  stone  of  the  West  End  Congregational 
Church  was  laid  by  James  Sidebottom,  Esq.,  of  Manchester,  and  the 
Rev.  J.  G.  Rogers,  B.  A.,  now  of  London,  delivered  an  address.  On 
the  2oth  of  August  following  the  building  was  opened  for  worship 
with  sermons  by  the  Revs.  S.  Martin,  of  London,  and  Dr.  Mellor, 
of  Halifax.  It  is  described  as  of  the  ';  early  decorated  style  of 
architecture,  and  consists  of  a  nave  42  feet  8  inches  wide  and  82 
feet  long,  together  with  a  vestibule  at  the  western  entrance  9  feet 
deep,  and  extending  the  entire  width  of  the  structure."  On  the 
north  side  it  has  "  a  tower  and  spire  135  feet  high,"  has  sitting 
accommodation  for  about  750  people,  and  its  total  cost,  including 
that  for  the  land,  was  about  ^£6,000.  Towards  this  sum  the 
Lancashire  Bi-centenary  Committee  voted  ^700.  In  September, 
1862,  a  church  of  nineteen  members  was  formed,  when  the  Rev. 
John  Kelly,  of  Liverpool,  presided,  and  "upwaidsof  fifty  mem 
bers  of  the  parent  church  and  other  Christian  churches  united  with 
them  in  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper."1  In  March,  1863, 
the  Rev.  John  Chater,  the  son  of  a  Congregational  minister  of  the 
same  name,  trained  at  Cheshunr,  and  who  had  previously  laboured 
a  few  years  at  Douglas,  Isle  of  Man,  was  invited  to  the  pastorate 
of  the  new  church.  The  invitation  was  accepted,  and  Mr. 
Chater  entered  upon  duty  on  the  second  Sunday  in  May. 
"  In  the  course  of  time,"  says  he,  "  very  handsome  and  commodious 
school  premises  were  added  to  the  church  at  a  cost,  including 
the  chapel- keeper's  house,  of  ^3,500.  The  value  of  the  church 
buildings  may  be  estimated  at  twelve  or  thirteen  thousand  pounds, 
and  the  money  raised  by  the  church  for  all  purposes  since  its  com 
mencement  [written  in  1891]  cannot  be  much  less  than  forty 
thousand  pounds."  Mr.  Chater  is  not  only  the  senior  minister 
in  Southport,  but  in  the  Liverpool  District  he  shares  the  seniority 

1  "Evangelical  Magazine"  for  1862,  p.  690. 


WEST   END    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH. 


BIRKDALE  CONGREGATIONALISM.  37 

with  the  Revs.  James  Allatt,  of  Newton-le -Willows,  and  George 
Lord,  of  Stanley.  In  1884  the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union 
placed  upon  him  the  highest  honour  of  which  it  has  command 
by  inviting  him  to  the  Presidential  chair.  In  the  social  and 
moral  well-being  of  the  town  he  has  taken  a  deep  interest  during 
his  nearly  thirty  years'  residence  there,  and  the  denomination  has 
found  in  him  an  able  and  earnest  representative.  The  member 
ship  of  the  church,  notwithstanding  serious  losses  by  withdrawals 
in  the  formation  of  new  interests,  has  steadily  increased. 

In  1878  the  West  End  Church  purchased  and  put  into  repair 
a  building  capable  of  holding  about  300  people,  which  had 
been  erected  "in  connection  with  a  school,  but  was  suitable 
for  a  place  of  worship,"  at  Trafalgar  Road,  Birkdale,1  "a  growing 
suburb  of  Southport."  It  was  opened  for  worship  on  September 
2oth,  1878,  by  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Rogers,  B.A.,  London,  and  the  cost 
of  the  whole  was  about  ^1,500.  The  Rev.  J.  E.  Lucas,  B.A., 
a  student  from  Spring  Hill  College,  took  charge  of  the  congrega 
tion  in  1879.  A  liberal  grant  was  obtained  from  the  Union 
Funds,  and  the  West  End  Church  for  several  years  contributed 
.£100  a  year  to  the  support  of  the  ministry.  To  the  regret  of  his 
congregation  Mr.  Lucas  resigned  in  1883.  He  is  now  the 
respected  Principal  of  Claremont  College,' Blackpool.  On  the 
first  Sunday  in  July,  1884,  the  Rev.  C.  F.  Moss,  educated  at 
New  College,  and  formerly  a  missionary  in  Madagascar,  began  his 
labours  here.  In  the  early  part  of  the  following  year  a  separate 
church  was  formed,  the  Revs.  J.  Chater,  J.  T.  Woodhouse,  and  P. 
Darnton  "  lending  their  kind  offices  for  the  occasion."  In  Sep 
tember,  1889,  Mr.  Moss  resigned.  He  is  still  resident  in  South- 
port,  and  acts  as  agent  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society. 
During  his  ministry  a  schoolroom,  vestry,  and  lavatory,  adjoining 
the  main  building  of  the  chapel,  were  erected.  The  present 
minister— the  Rev.  William  Scott— a  student  from  New  College, 
entered  upon  his  labours  on  the  second  Sunday  in  November, 
1890.  Mr.  Chater  appropriately  says  :—  "  This  cause  has  not  alto- 

1  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  Rev.  William  Alexander,  of  Church- 
town,  added  to  the  list  of  his  preaching  places  Birkdale,  "  a  village  five 
miles  distant.''  He  continued  to  visit  the  place  for  two  or  three  years. 


THE   WINE  QUESTION. 


39 


gether  justified  the  sanguine  hopes  that  were  entertained  at  the 
beginning,  but  it  is  still  hoped  that  in  coming  years  a  strong  and 
flourishing  church  will  be  established  in  this  growing  and  important 
district." 


V.— PORTLAND  STREET  AND  HAWKSHEAD  STREET  CON 
GREGATIONAL  CHURCHES,  TOGETHER  WITH  THE 
BOUNDARY  STREET  MISSION. 

PORTLAND  Street  Congregational  Church  originated  in  1871 
with  some  members  of  the  West  End  Church  who  differed  from 
their  brethren  in  regard  to  the  wine  to  be  used  at  the  Lord's 
Supper.  Having  separated  from  its  communion,  they  resolved 
upon  the  formation  of  a  separate  church  in  a  part  of  Southport 
practically  untouched  at  the  time  by  Congregationalism.  Meetings 
were  held  first  in  a  room  in  Upper  Aughton  Road,  Birkdale,  and  the 
church  was  formed  on  the  3  ist  of  August,  1871.  The  Rev.  G.  Hinds, 
from  Swanage,  in  Dorsetshire,  was  at  once  invited  to  the  pastorate, 
and  on  December  iyth  following  a  school  chapel  was  opened  for 
worship.  New  class  rooms  and  infant  school  were  added  in  1884, 
the  memorial  stone  of  which  was  laid  by  Mr.  Alderman  Booth- 
royd,  J.P.  Mr.  Hinds  continued  until  1876,  when  he  removed 
to  Leeds.  He  is  now  resident  at  Wimbledon  without  charge. 
His  successor  was  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Dyson,  a  student  from 
Airedale  College,  who  began  his  labours  January  7th,  1877. 
On  the  2oth  of  February  following  the  present  handsome  church 
was  opened  for  worship  by  the  Rev.  R.  W.  Dale,  M.A.,  of 
Birmingham.  The  building  is  Early  English  Gothic,  having  a 
spire  120  feet  high,  and  its  sitting  capacity  is  about  650.  The 
school  chapel  is  now  used  for  both  Day  and  Sunday  School 
purposes,  and  the  total  cost  of  all  the  buildings  is  estimated  at 
about  ^8,500.  Towards  meeting  these  expenses  the  Chapel 
Building  Society  made  a  grant  of  ^300.  Mr.  Dyson  concluded 
his  ministry  here  at  the  end  of  1884,  and  removed  to  Wakefield, 
where  he  continues  to  labour.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  W.  A. 
Blake,  educated  at  Owens  College,  and  who  had  previously  held 


40  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

pastorates  at  Over,  Crewe,  and  Stockpovt,  all  in  the  county  of 
Cheshire.  Mr.  Blake,  after  a  two  years'  ministry,  resigned  his 
charge  at  Portland  Street  in  1888,  and  for  some  months  devoted 
himself  to  the  work  of  conducting  Missions  in  connection  with 
our  churches.  He  is  now  pastor  of  Upper  Clapton  Congrega 
tional  Church,  London.  In  1889  the  present  minister,  Rev.  E.  J. 
Williams,  educated  at  Lancashire  College,  and  who  had  previously 
laboured  a  few  years  at  Horbury,  near  Wakefield,  took  charge  of 
the  church.  "The  amount  raised  by  this  church,"  says  Mr. 
Chater,  "since  its  foundation  exceeds  ^16,000,"  and  in  an  "im 
portant  district  of  the  town  a  good  work  is  still  being  done  for  the 
cause  of  Christ  and  the  denomination." 

The  Congregational  Church  at  Hawkshead  Street,  on  the  east 
side  of  the  town,  is  the  offspring  of  Chapel  Street  Church,  and 
grew  out  of  a  cottage  meeting.  Ground  was  taken  in  1879,  and 
on  October  26th,  1880,  memorial  stones  of  a  school  chapel 
were  laid  by  Mrs,  Boothroyd,  Mrs.  Berry,  Mrs.  Sidebottom, 
and  Miss  Carver;  Dr.  Parker,  of  London,  preaching  in  the 
evening  in  Chapel  Street  Chapel.  The  building  was  opened 
for  worship  in  May,  iSSi,  when  sermons  were  preached  by  the 
Revs.  Dr.  Bruce,  of  Huddersfield,  and  Dr.  Thomson,  of  Man 
chester.  The  cost  of  the  structure,  which  provided  accommodation 
for  250  worshippers,  was  about  ^1,850,  including  the  land,  and 
towards  this  amount  the  Lancashire  and  Cheshire  Chapel  Building 
Society  granted  the  sum  of  ^250.  The  Rev.  A.  S.  Welch,  a 
student  from  Lancashire  College,  began  his  ministry  here  in 
August,  1882,  and  a  separate  church  was  formed  on  October  22nd 
of  that  year,  consisting  of  thirty-eight  members,  of  whom  twenty-one 
were  dismissed  for  the  purpose  from  Chapel  Street  Church,  together 
with  some  from  West  End  Church.  With  the  growth  of  the 
neighbourhood  the  church  increased  both  in  numbers  and  social 
influence,  and  in  1885  it  was  able  to  dispense  with  the  help  it  had 
received  from  the  Union  Funds.  Memorial  stones  of  a  new 
church,  on  part  of  the  land  already  purchased,  were  laid  on  March 
28th,  1889.  It  was  opened  for  worship  on  January  22nd,  1890, 
with  sermons  by  the  Rev.  C.  A.  Berry,  of  Wolverhampton.  The 
new  building  "  occupies  an  angle  site  at  the  junction  of  Hawks- 
head  Street  and  Zetland  Street."  It  is  "designed  in  the  style  of 


42  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

the  thirteenth  century,  to  accommodate  400  worshippers,"  and, 
including  the  expense  of  furnishing  uniformly  throughout,  in  order 
to  make  all  seats  free  and  open,  cost  about  .£3,400.  The  whole 
amount  was  raised  before  and  at  the  opening  services,  so  that  the 
pastor  and  his  people  had  the  joy  of  entering  into  their  new  and 
more  convenient  house  without  any  burden  of  debt.  Mr.  Welch 
still  pursues  his  ministry  here  amongst  an  attached  people,  and 
this  youngest  born  of  the  Southport  Churches  presents  "every 
reason  for  congratulation  at  the  success  of  the  movement." 

In  concluding  the  account  of  Congregationalism  in  Southport 
proper,  notice  must  be  taken  of  some  other  matters.  At  Boundary 
Street,  near  to  the  Cemetery,  is  a  Mission  Hall,  regarding  which 
the  Rev.  John  Chater  writes  thus  in  1891  : — 

While  anxious  to  provide  accommodation  for  the  religious  needs  of  the 
middle  classes  who  form  the  bulk  of  the  population  of  such  a  town  as  South- 
port,  the  Congregationalists  have  not  been  wholly  neglectful  of  the  needs 
and  claims  of  the  working  population.  Evangelistic  work  of  some  kind 
has  for  some  years  been  carried  on  by  most  of  the  churches.  In  connection 
with  Chapel  Street,  in  addition  to  cottage  meetings  a  mission  has  been 
established  in  a  building  in  Virginia  Street,  the  preaching  in  which  is  supplied 
by  laymen  from  that  church.  For  many  years  a  Bible  woman  has  been 
employed  by  the  West  End  Church,  in  connection  with  whose  work  much 
good  has  been  done  amongst  the  poor  and  destitute  classes.  More  recently 
a  mission  work  on  a  much  larger  and  more  important  scale  has  been  com 
menced  in  a  district  of  the  town  which  has  a  large  and  growing  population 
of  the  working  classes.  It  originated  in  a  prayer  meeting  established  by  some 
members  of  the  Portland  Street  Congregational  Church,  held  at  first  in  a 
cottage  and  afterwards  in  an  upper  room.  As  there  seemed  a  likelihood  of 
a  large  work  being  done,  the  friends  at  Portland  Street  proposed  to  the 
Church  at  West  End  that  it  should  join  this  movement.  This  invitation  was 
cordially  accepted  on  the  understanding  that  a  wider  scope  should  at  once  be 
given  to  the  work,  that  an  Evangelist  should  be  appointed  and  a  large 
mission  hall  built.  These  conditions  have  been  carried  out.  A  committee 
comprising  members  of  the  two  churches  was  appointed  to  take  charge  of 
the  work.  A  very  suitable  Evangelist,  Mr.  J.  T.  Wilkins,  was  appointed, 
and  a  very  commodious  mission  church,  with  all  facilities  for  carrying  on 
mission  work  has  been  built.  The  land  on  which  the  church  stands  was 
generously  given  to  the  committee  by  the  Trustees  of  the  Scarisbrick  Estate. 
The  building,  which  will  accommodate  about  four  hundred  in  the  Central 
Hall,  has  cost  about  ^1,500.  It  was  opened  for  worship  in  November,  1890, 
the  Rev.  J.  G.  Rogers,  B.A.,  of  London,  preaching  on  the  occcasion.  Much 
of  the  success  of  this  work,  it  ought  to  be  said,  has  been  due  to  the  zeal  and 


HAVVKSHEAD    STREET    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH. 


44  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

generosity  of  two  friends  connected  with  the  two  churches,  Mr.  Henry  Ball, 
of  Portland  Street,  and  Mr.  John  Thompson,  of  West  End.  The  work  has 
already  succeeded  beyond  the  most  sanguine  anticipations,  and  promises  to 
be  one  of  the  most  successful  and  useful  of  the  movements  undertaken  by 
Congregationalists  in  the  town. 

Towards  the  amount  expended  in  the  erection  of  the  Mission 
Hall  the  Chapel  Building  Society  promised  ^300,  of  which 
the  sum  of  £200  has  already  been  given,  and  for  the  support  of 
the  work  here  the  Lancashire  County  Union  makes  a  liberal 
grant  yearly.  Mr.  Wilkins  is  still  the  Evangelist. 

To  meet  future  contingencies  also  a  valuable  site  for  a  Congre 
gational  Church  has  been  purchased  at  a  cost  of  ^"750,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Hesketh  Park,  and  near  the  Promenade. 

Southport  Congregationalism  has  a  history  which,  if  not  long, 
is  exceedingly  pleasant  reading,  and  full  of  encouragement.  For 
the  most  part  its  extensions  have  been  free  from  strife  and  jealousy, 
promoted  by  the  willing  co-operation  of  already  existing  churches, 
and  they  have  been  no  heavy  burden  upon  the  funds  of  the 
Lancashire  Congregational  Union.  Care  has  been  taken,  too, 
about  the  distribution  of  the  churches  :  they  are  at  a  sufficient 
distance  from  each  other  to  make  success  possible  for  the  one 
without  weakening  its  neighbour,  whilst  in  their  contributions  to 
denominational  objects  they  hold  a  most  honourable  place.  As 
an  illustration  of  this  it  may  be  mentioned  that  in  connection  with 
the  fund  to  commemorate  the  Jubilee  of  the  Congregational  Union 
of  England  and  Wales  in  1881  the  Southport  Churches  raised  a 
sum  by  which  all  debts  resting  at  the  time  upon  those  churches, 
amounting  to  ^3,424,  were  removed. 


VI.— CONGREGATIONALISM  AT  FORMBY  AND  AINSDALE, 
TOGETHER  WITH  AN  ACCOUNT  OF  DRUMMERSDALE 
CHAPEL,  SCAR1SBRICK. 

THE  Congregational  interests  at  these  two  places,  which  are  on  the 
sea  coast  a  few  miles  out  of  Southport,  in  the  direction  of  Liver 
pool,  are  illustrations  of  the  aggressive  spirit  of  the  Southport 


PREA  CHING  A  T  FORMB  Y.  45 

Churches.  But  before  sketching  their  history  a  few  sentences  may 
be  devoted  to  a  much  earlier  Congregational  movement,  which 
covered  a  wide  area  in  this  neighbourhood.  In  the  summer  of 
1816  the  Rev.  George  Greatbatch  often  preached  at  Formby,  and 
concerning  this  there  is  the  following  interesting  statement  in 
the  "Lancashire  County  Union  Report"  for  1817  :— 

If  he  can  procure  a  place  to  preach  in,  he  hopes  it  will  become  a  beautiful 
link  in  connecting  the  coast  between  Liverpool  and  Poulton,  and  that  the 
exertions  in  the  Filde  may  fill  up  the  chasm  between  the  latter  place  and 
Lancaster.  Thus,  some  progress  will  be  made  towards  that  desirable  con 
summation  when  our  island  shall  be  girt  about  with  salvation. 

In  1832  we  read  : — 

The  friends  at  Church  Town  and  Southport,  observing  the  very  ignorant 
and  destitute  state  of  the  population  on  the  sea  coast,  from  North  Meols  to 
Litherland,  a  tract  of  country  comprising  four  whole  parishes,  with  parts  of 
others,  and  twenty  villages  and  hamlets,  inhabited  by  not  less  than  14,000 
souls,  have  so  far,  at  their  own  expense,  employed  a  young  man,  who  has 
proved  himself  every  way  fitted  for  the  work,  in  going  about  distributing 
tracts,  reading  the  Scriptures,  and  conversing  and  praying  in  those  families 
to  which  he  can  obtain  access. 

The  young  man  referred  to  in  the  preceding  extract  was,  I 
imagine,  Mr.  Robert  Abram,  who  two  years  afterwards  is  men 
tioned  as  having  charge  of  the  Formby  District,  which  included 
preaching  stations  at  Formby,  Ainsdale,  Altcar,  Lydiate,  Down 
Holland,  Haskayne,  Halsall,  Bickerstaff  and  Sephton,  Maghull, 
Great  Crosby,  and  Thornton.  In  the  autumn  of  1837  Mr. 
Abram  removed  to  Martin  Top,  and  for  many  years  afterwards 
exercised  a  useful  Congregational  ministry  in  different  parts  of  the 
county.1  With  his  removal  preaching  had  to  be  confined  to 
Lydiate,  which  from  the  first  had  been  the  most  promising  of  the 
stations  in  the  itinerancy,  and  this  was  mainly  by  supplies  from 
Liverpool.  The  Rev.  Edwin  Robinson  was  appointed  Mr.  Abram's 
successor  in  July,  1838,  and  he  "discharged  the  duties  of  an 

1  The  reader  is  referred  to  vol.  ii.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity  ''  for 
further  information  respecting  this  worthy  man  who  was  much  after  the 
spirit  of  Mr.  Greatbatch,  to  whom  he  owed  his  introduction  to  the  Congrega 
tional  ministry. 


46  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

evangelist "  at  Lydiate,  Haskayne,  Down  Holland,  Barton,  Halsall, 
Maghull,  Aughton,  Altcar,  Little  Altcar,  and  Formby.  Kirby, 
Melling,  and  Simonswood  were  added  the  following  year.  Con 
cerning  the  whole  district,  Mr  Robinson  says :  "  I  labour  in  a 
wilderness  in  which  the  bones  are  very  dry."  In  1841  he  writes 
that  three  of  the  Lydiate  people  "  now  stand  proposed  as  candi 
dates  for  communion  with  the  church  at  Ormskirk."  In  that  year 


PORCH    TO    LYDIATE    CHAPEL,    CALLED    LYDIATE    ABBEY 


Mr.  Robinson  removed  to  Park  Chapel,  Ramsbottom,  where  he 
laboured  until  December,  1844,  when  he  resigned.1  He  sought 
no  other  charge,  and  removed  to  Manchester,  where  he  gave  himself 
up  to  commercial  life.  Subsequently  he  went  to  Sydney  where  he 
built  up  an  important  business,  and  died  in  May,  1892,  "one  month 
short  of  the  advanced  age  of  89."  Mr.  Barrett2  was  chosen  to 

1  Vide  vol.  iii.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

2  The  Rev.  John  Barrett,  I  imagine,  who  when  a  young  man  "  entered  into 
public  religious  work  in  the  Liverpool  Town   Mission,   but  soon  after  under 
took  the  charge  of  home  mission  stations  in   a  country  district  not  far  from 


ili 

llliil 


48  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

succeed  Mr.  Robinson,  and  the  station  came  to  be  known  as  the 
Kirby  Itinerancy.  He  removed  about  1845,  and  shortly  after  the 
station  seems  to  have  been  abandoned. 

As  already  indicated,  the  second  and  more  successful  attempt  to 
introduce  Congregationalism  into  this  district,  like  the  first, 
originated  with  the  Southport  Churches.  A  committee  represent 
ing  these  churches  was  formed,  and  work  commenced  in  the 
Ainsdale  Assembly  Room  on  September  2oth,  1877.  On  Septem 
ber  24th  of  the  following  year,  the  foundation  stone  of  a  school 
chapel  was  laid  by  Mr*  Alderman  Boothroyd,  and  on  May  5th, 
1879,  the  building  was  opened,  Dr.  Macfadyen,  of  Manchester, 
being  the  preacher.  The  accommodation  was  for  250  persons,  the 
cost  about  .£800,  towards  which  the  Chapel  Building  Society 
voted  the  sum  of  ^200.  The  Rev.  S.  H.  France,  educated  at 
Airedale  College,  and  who  had  laboured  a  few  years  at  Thirsk,  in 
Yorkshire,  took  charge  of  the  congregation  in  1880.  In  1881 
work  was  commenced  in  the  Formby  Assembly  Room,  and  on 
October  6th,  1882,  memorial  stones  of  a  school  chapel  were  laid, 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Pearson,  M.A.,  of  Liverpool,  giving  the  address 
on  the  occasion.  The  building  was  opened  free  of  debt  on 
Thursday,  April  5th,  1883,  by  the  Rev.  W.  J.  Woods,  B.A.,  of 
Manchester.  In  the  evening,  at  a  public  meeting  presided  over 
by  Wm.  Dixon,  Esq.,  addresses  were  given  by  the  Revs.  John 
Chater,  T.  Hodgkinson,  W.  L.  Roberts,  S.  H.  France,  Councillor 
Rimmer,  and  others.  The  opening  services  were  continued  on 
Sunday,  April  8th,  when  the  Revs.  John  Chater  and  W.  H. 
Dyson  were  the  preachers;  and  on  Sunday,  April  i5th,  when  the 
Rev.  S.  H.  France  conducted  the  services.  The  building  is 
described  as  "  exceedingly  pretty  and  commodious,"  erected  in 
the  "rear  part  of  a  piece  of  land  held  on  lease  from  Mr.  Weld- 
Blundell,  sufficient  room  being  reserved  in  front  for  the  erection  of 
a  larger  structure  when  the  growth  of  the  neighbourhood  demands 
it."  It  has  sitting  capacity  for  some  250  people,  and  cost  about 
;£Soo.  Mr.  France  had  charge  of  the  two  congregations  until  his 

Liverpool."  He  was  at  Little  Lever,  near  Bolton,  in  July,  1848,  and  sub 
sequently  held  Congregational  pastorates  at  Sedgley  and  Coleshill  (vide  vol. 
iii.  of  "Lanraiihire  Nonconformity"  and  "Congregational  Year  Book"  for 
1885,  p.  179. 


CONGREGA TIONALISM  AT  A INSDALE.         49 

resignation  in  1886.  Subsequently  he  went  out  to  Berbice  to 
become  the  minister  of  a  large  church  there,  where  he  died 
suddenly  on  the  25th  of  February,  1888,  at  the  early  age  of  thirty- 
five  years.1 

After  the  removal  of  Mr.  France,  the  two  congregations  became 
separate,  and  the  Rev.  F.  Smith,  then  resident  in  Southport,  took 
charge  of  Ainsdale  towards  the  end  of  1886.  He  was  educated  at 
New  College,  London,  and  had  previously  laboured  at  Springhead, 
near  Oldham,  Liverpool,  Sidcup  in  Kent,  and  Glasgow.  "  Additions 
and  improvements  to  building,"  says  Mr.  Chater,  "  have  been 
made  from  time  to  time  at  a  cost  of  ,£300,  and  at  the  present 
it  is  one  of  the  most  elegant  places  of  worship  in  the  district." 
Mr.  Smith,  who  had  served  the  congregation  faithfully  not  only  in 
the  matter  of  work,  but  by  generous  gifts,  was  compelled  to  resign 
on  account  of  failing  health  in  1891.  His  successor,  the  Rev. 
J.  W.  McEwen,  M.A.,  a  student  from  the  Edinburgh  Theological 
Hall,  entered  upon  duty  the  same  year,  and  is  still  the  pastor. 
No  separate  church  has  yet  been  formed,  and  the  County  Union 
makes  a  yearly  grant  to  the  station. 

The  congregation  at  Formby,  after  the  separation  from  Ainsdale, 
sought  and  secured  the  services  of  the  Rev.  W.  Elstub  as  pastor. 
He  received  his  ministerial  training  at  Airedale  College,  and 
previously  had  held  pastorates  at  Hull,  Market  Weighton,  and 
Wakeiield,  in  Yorkshire.  He  began  his  labours  at  Formby  in 
May,  1887.  A  church  was  formed  on  the  fourth  Sunday  in 
January,  1888,  when  fifty  persons  were  enrolled  as  members,  the 
Southport  ministers  conducting  "a  deeply  interesting  service."  A 
larger  building  became  necessary,  and,  pending  its  erection,  an 
iron  chapel,  capable  of  seating  about  500  people,  was  set  up  at  a 
cost  of  ^752.  Mr.  Elstub  removed  to  St.  Annes-on-the-Sea  in 
1892,  but  before  doing  so  the  Formby  Church  had  attained  to 
independence  of  the  Union  Funds.  The  present  minister,  the 
Rev.  W.  J.  Humberstone,  from  Richmond,  in  Yorkshire,  entered 
upon  his  labours  here  on  the  first  Sunday  in  January,  1893. 

1  It  may  interest  the  reader  to  know  that  the   Rev.  L.  Crookall,  formerly 
of  Egerton,  near  Bolton,  assumed  the  pastorate  at  Berbice,  rendered  vacant 
by  Mr.  France's  death,  v.-ho  was  his  brother-in-law.     (Vide  vol.  iii.  of  •'  Lan 
cashire  Nonconformity.") 
6-4 


50  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

At  Drummersdale,  Scarisbrick,  for  more  than  half  a  century 
there  has  existed  an  interesting  religious  movement,  which,  though 
not  distinctly  Congregational,  is  sufficiently  so  to  deserve  notice 
here.  Fifty-five  years  ago  the  scattered  population  of  the  Township 
of  Scarisbrick  was  largely  Roman  Catholic,  and  not  of  high  moral 
character.  It  was  about  this  time  that  a  youth  named  Richard  Sephton, 
son  of  a  farmer,  and  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church  at 
Ormskirk,  began  to  gather  a  few  children  together  and  teach  them 
on  Sundays.  The  first  meeting  place  was  a  kitchen,  and  as  this 
became  too  small  they  moved  into  a  gig  house  and  then  into  his 
father's  farm,  where  the  scholars  numbered  about  ninety.  Mr. 
Sephton  tells  a  good  story  of  one  of  his  early  helpers.  John 
Halsall  was  a  man  who  had  enjoyed  no  educational  advantages, 
but  who  was  possessed  of  much  natural  shrewdness.  Being  set  to 
teach  a  class  of  lads,  he  protested :  "  I  cannot  read  myself." 
"Nevermind,  you'll  get  on,"  was  the  reply.  The  start  was  not 
very  promising,  for  it  was  noticed  that  he  held  his  Bible  upside 
down  to  read.  A  lad  laughingly  pointed  this  out,  and,  with  perfect 
good  humour  and  self  possession,  John  said  :  "  There's  a  sharp 
lad  !  Of  course  its  upside  down."  The  lesson  proceeded.  "  What 
letter  is  that  ?  "  he  asked  one  day.  "A."  "  Is  he  right  ?  "  "  Yes  !  " 
"  How  many  say  that  is  A?"  All  said  so.  "That's  right,"  said 
John.  "Now  go  on."  And  they  went  on,  he  teaching  them  what 
he  knew  of  Christ,  while  they  were  unconsciously  teaching  him 
first  the  alphabet  and  afterwards  how  to  read.  Mr.  Sephton 
further  says  :  "I  was  never  in  a  Sunday  School  before  I  started 
this  one.  We  could  not  sing,  as  we  did  not  know  a  tune.  So 
we  made  a  tune  and  sang  out  of  "  Watts's  Divine  Songs  "  always  the 
same  hymn — 

Lord  I  ascribe  it  to  thy  grace, 
And  not  to  chance  as  others  do. 

Mr.  Charles  Scarisbrick,  the  squire,  himself  a  Roman  Catholic,  one 
day  sent  for  young  Sephton,  and  said : — "  I  can  trace  an  improve 
ment  in  those  village  lads  since  you  began  to  teach  them.  Now,  go 
on.  If  any  one  interferes  with  you  let  me  know.  And  if  you  need 
a  schoolroom  you  shall  have  land  and  brick  to  build  one."  A  modest 
structure  was  erected  in  1843,  and  Mr.  Sephton's  account  of  how 


WHAT  CAME  OUT  OF  POTATOES.  51 

this  came  about  is  interesting.  "  One  day,"  says  he,  "  I  was  with 
my  father,  looking  at  a  small  plot  of  land  that  he  said  he  would  sow 
with  corn.  I  said  'it  would  give  potatoes  well.'  He  said,  'I 
will  give  it  you  for  spending  money.'  We  planted  the  potatoes, 
they  came  up,  father  looked  at  them,  and  said  he  never  saw 
potatoes  look  so  well.  While  they  were  growing  we  were  convert 
ing  the  cart-shed  into  a  chapel.  They  were  a  very  large  yield,  and 
were  sold  for  £>2\  ios.,  and  this  amount,  with  what  was  given  at 
the  opening  service,  paid  all  the  cost  of  the  building,  and  we  were 
not  a  shilling  too  little,  nor  a  shilling  too  much."  Several  genera 
tions  of  scholars  have  passed  through  this  little  school,  and  are  fill 
ing  useful  positions  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  whilst  some 
have  found  homes  in  America,  Australia,  and  New  Zealand.  In 
.addition  to  the  Sunday  School,  divine  service  has  been  conducted 
weekly,  generally  by  lay  preachers  from  Liverpool  and  Southport. 
For  some  years  the  Rev.  G.  Compton  Smith,  M.A.,  formerly  a 
•deacon  of  the  West  End  Congregational  Church,  Southport,  went 
over  to  Scarisbrick  periodically  and  administered  the  Lord's  Supper, 
but  during  the  last  three  years  the  Rev.  A.  S,  Welch,1  and  other 
friends  from  the  Hawkshead  Street  Church  have  been  closely  in 
touch  with  the  people,  and  have  given  them  such  help  as  they  have 
needed.  Mr.  Sephton,  in  this  quiet  out-of  the-way  place,  has 
worthily  served  the  interests  of  Evangelical  religion.  During  all 
the  years,  so  long  as  strength  permitted,  he  attended  every  service 
.and  acted  as  superintendent,  deacon,  and  occasional  minister  for 
much  of  that  time.  It  is  probable  that  ere  long  this  interesting 
little  cause  will  be  even  more  closely  allied  with  Congregationalism 
than  as  yet  it  has  been. 

1  It  is  to  Mr.   Welch,  who  takes  deep  interest  in  this  movement,  that  I 
am  indebted  for  the  particulars  of  its  history. 


CHAPTER  II. 
NONCONFORMITY    IN     LIVERPOOL. 


I.— LIVERPOOL  AS   IT   WAS;    AND   EARLY   NONCONFORMITY. 

NONCONFORMITY  in  Liverpool  has  a  history  which  is  as  honourable 
as  it  is  long.  Its  beginnings  make  their  appearance  about  the 
commencement  of  the  seventeenth  century,  when  this  far-famed 
city  on  the  Mersey  was  very  different  in  appearance  from  what  it 
is  to-day.  Then  it  was  little  more  than  a  good-sized  village, 
without  harbour  and  ships  of  note,  and  was  "  considered  but  as 
a  creek  of  the  port  of  Chester."1  Its  growth,  like  most  other 
Lancashire  sea-side  towns,  has  been  rapid.  Leland,  writing  during, 
the  reign  of  Henry  the  Eighth,  says : — • 

Lyrpole,  alias  Lyverpoole,  a  paved  towne,  h^th  but  a  chapel,  Walton,  a  iiii 
miles  off,  not  far  from  the  Se  is  paroche  church.  The  King  hath  a  castelet 
ther,  and  the  Erie  of  Darbe  hath  a  stone  house  ther.  Irish  marchaunts  come 
much  thither  as  to  a  good  haven.  Good  marchandis  at  Lyrpool,  and  much 
Yrish  yarn  that  Manchester  men  do  by  ther.  At  Lyrpole  is  smaule  custume 
payd-  that  causith  marchauntes  to  resorte.2 

The  passage  just  cited  seems  to  suggest  that  the  "towne,"  in  the 
time  of  the  writer,  was  of  considerable  importance,  but  how 
exceedingly  miniature  it  was  will  be  evident  from  the  fact  that  it 
"  contained  only  138  householders  and  cottagers."  A  few  years 
after,  during  Elizabeth's  reign,  it  is  described  as  "her  Majesty's 
poor,  decayed  toun."3  An  improvement  appears  to  have  set  in 

1  Baines's  "History  of  Lancashire,"  vol.  ii.,  p.  302  (Edition  1870). 

2  Britton's  "Beauties  of  England  and  Wales,"  vol.  ix.,  p.  183. 

3  At  this  time  there  were  not  more  than  twelve  barks,  estimated  at  223 
tons  burden,  with  seventy-five  men,  belonging  to  the  port. 


SIEGE   Of  LIVERPOOL.  53 

when  Camden  wrote  about  the  end  of  the  sixteenth  century.  His 
description  is  interesting,  because  it  gives  also  a  brief  history  of 
the  place : — 

The  Mersey  spreading,  and  presently  contracting  its  stream  from 
Warrington,  falls  into  the  ocean  with  a  wide  channel  very  convenient  for 
trade,  where  opens  to  view  Litherpole,  commonly  called  Lirpoole  from  a 
water  extending  like  a  pool,  according  to  the  common  opinion,  where  is  the 
most  convenient  and  most  frequented  passage  to  Ireland;  a  town  more 
famous  for  its  beauty  and  populousness  than  for  its  antiquity  ;  its  name 
occurs  in  no  ancient  writer,  except  that  Roger  of  Poictou,  who  was  lord,  as 
then  stated,  of  Lancaster,  built  a  castle  here,  the  custody  of  which  has  now 
for  a  long  time  belonged  to  the  noble  and  knightly  family  of  Molineux,  whose 
chief  seat  is  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Sefton,  which  Roger,  aforesaid,  in  the 
early  Norman  times,  gave  to  Vivian  de  Molineux.  This  Roger  held,  as 
appears  by  Domesday  book,  all  the  lands  between  the  rivers  Ribble  and 
Mersey.1 

With  its  sister  towns  of  the  county  Liverpool  shared  in  the 
Civil  War,  which  ended  in  the  establishment  of  the  Commonwealth 
in  England — with  Cromwell  as  Protector.  Its  siege  and  capture 
by  Prince  Rupert,  in  1644,  when  it  was  held  in  the  interest  of 
Parliament  by  Colonel  Moore,  M.P.,  form  not  the  least  romantic 
episode  in  that  grim  struggle  for  supremacy  between  the  king  and 
the  people.  The  following  account  by  Seacombe  ("  Memoirs  of 
the  House  of  Stanley,"  published  in  1741)  is  here  inserted  partly 
because  it  gives  some  ides  of  the  appearance  and  extent  of  the 
town  at  that  date,  as  well  as  because  of  its  own  intrinsic  interest. 

Upon  the  Prince's  arrival  near  Liverpool,  he  was  inform'd  that  it  was  well 
fortified  with  a  strong  and  high  mud  wall,  and  a  ditch  of  twelve  yards  wide, 
and  near  three  yards  deep,  inclosing  the  town  from  the  East  end  of  the  Street 
called  Dale  Street,  and  so  Northward  to  the  River,  and  from  Dale  Street-end 
East,  and  South  East,  being  a  low,  marshy  ground,  was  covered  with  water 
from  the  River,  and  Batteries  erected  within  to  cover  and  guard  against  all 
Passage  over  or  thro'  that  water.  All  the  Street  Ends  to  the  River  were 
shut  up,  and  those  to  the  Land  inclosed  with  strong  gates,  defended  by 
Cannon  :  all  useless  2  women  and  children  were  sent  to  their  Friends  in  the 
Country,  on  both  sides  the  River.  There  was  also  a  strong  Castle  on  the 

1  "  Britannia,"  copied   from   Baines's  "  History  of  Lancashire,"  vol    ii., 
p.  300  (Edition  1870). 

2  These  old  writers  had  odd  ways  of  putting  things. 


54  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

South,  surrounded  with  a  Ditch  of  twelve  yards  wide  and  ten  yards  deep,, 
from  which  to  the  River  was  a  cover'd  Way,  thro'  which  the  Ditch  was  fill'd 
with  water,  and  by  which,  when  the  Tide  was  out  they  brought  in  men,  Pro 
visions,  and  Stores  of  War,  as  occasion  requir'  d.  In  and  upon  this  Castle  were 
planted  many  Cannon,  as  well  to  annoy  the  Besiegers  at  a  Destance,  as  to 
cover  the  Ships  in  the  Harbour,  which  was  then  where  the  Dock  is  now,  and 
at  the  Entrance  whereof  was  a  Fort  of  eight  guns  to  guard  that,  and  to 
prevent  all  Passages  by  the  River  side  at  low  water.  Besides  all  these 
advantages  of  Defence,  there  was  one  most  unhappy  circumstance  to*  many 
distressed  Families,  but  very  lucky  to  the  Besieged;  for  in  those  distracted 
confused,  and  rebellious  Times,  the  English  Protestants  had  great  numbers 
of  them  been  massacred  in  Ireland,  and  those  who  escap'd  with  Life  obliged  to 
fly  to  England  for  refuge  and  safety,  bringing  with  them  all  the  Effects  they 
possibly  cou'd  for  support,  amongst  which  was  great  quantities  of  wool.  The 
Besieged  covered  the  tops  of  their  Mud  Walls  with  bags  of  wool,  which  saved 


LIVERPOOL    CASTLE    IN    THE    lTH    CENTURY. 


them  greatly  from  the  small  shot  of  the  Besiegers.  The  Garrison  within 
was  numerous,  and  stor'd  with  Arms  and  Ammunition  of  all  kinds,  and  in  this 
state  thought  themselves  able  to  give  the  Prince  a  hearty  welcome  on  his 
visitation  of  them. 

Liverpool  is  scituate  upon  a  ridge  of  land  on  the  East  side  of  the  River 
Mersey,  running  from  the  North  side  of  the  Town  for  about  a  mile  to  the 
South  side  thereof,  where  it  falls  to  a  flat ;  but  in  its  form  for  the  most  part 
declines  on  the  West  side  to  the  River,  and  on  the  East  side  to  the  country. 
The  Town  was  at  that  time  but  small,  either  in  appearance  or  reality,  to 
what  it  is  now.  However,  the  Fortifications  of  it  now  included  most  of  all 
the  Town  as  it  is  at  present.  The  River  is  about  a  mile  broad  from  bank  to 
bank,  and  of  depth  sufficient  for  reception  of  the  largest  ships  up  to  the  Town. 
The  Country  near  it  is  high  land,  which  renders  it  unfit  to  sustain  a  long  Siege. 
Which  made  the  Prince,  upon  his  near  approach  and  view  of  the  Town,  being 
unacquainted  with  its  situation  (one  side  declining  to  the  Country  and  the 


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5  6  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

other  to  the  river,  as  above,  so  that  he  cou'd  see  but  little  of  it),  to  compare 
it  to  a  Crow  nest ;  but  e'er  he  became  Master  of  it,  he  said  it  might  have  been 
an  Eagle's  nest  or  a  one  of  Lyons.  He  fix'd  his  main  Camp  round  the  Beacon, 
a  large  mile  from  the  Town,  and  his  officers  in  the  villages  near  it ;  from 
whence  he  brought  a  Detachment  every  day  to  open  the  Trenches  and  erect 
Batteries.  The  latter  were  mostly  placed  upon  tne  ridge  of  ground  running 
from  the  North  of  Townsend  Mill  to  the  present  Copper  Works  and  Mills, 
and  the  Trenches  in  the  lower  ground  under  them.  He  relieved  his  Trenches 
and  Batteries  from  his  Camp  twice  every  twenty-four  hours,  and  from  thence 
he  battered  the  Town,  and  attacked  the  Besieged  and  their  works  very 
frequently  by  way  of  Storm,  but  was  always  repulsed  with  great  slaughter  of 
his  Soldiers  for  the  space  of  a  month  or  near  it,  when  some  say  the  Besieged 
on  the  North  side  deserted  the  Works  and  guard  of  them  ;  but  others  I  have 
heard  say  that  Collonel  Moor,  observing  they  wou'd  be  taken,  he,  to  ingratiate 
himself  with  the  Prince,  and  to  save  his  House  and  Kffects  at  Bank  Hall  near 
it,  gave  direction  to  the  Soldiers  to  retreat  from  those  works ;  but  be  that  as  it 
will,  deserted  they  were  on  the  North  side,  and  the  Prince's  Army  entered 
the  Town  on  that  side  about  three  in  the  morning,  and  put  all  to  the  sword 
they  met  with}  from  their  entrance  to  the  High  Cross,  which  stood  where  the 
Exchange  is  now  ;  and  there  they  found  a  regiment  of  Soldiers  from  the 
Castle  drawn  up  in  battle  array,  who  beat  a  parly,  and  demanded  quarter; 
which  on  treaty  they  were  allowed,  but  without  any  other  articles  than 
Prisoners  of  War,  and  Surrender  of  the  Castle,  with  their  Persons  and  arms; 
upon  which  they  were  all  sent  to  the  Tower,  Saint  Nichols's  Church,  &c., 
the  Prince  taking  possession  of  the  Castle  himself.1 

The  headquarters  of  Prince  Rupert  were  fixed  at  Everton,  then 
a  small  village  lying  to  tho  north  of  the  town,  and  the  house  which 
he  used  is  thus  identified  and  described  by  a  writer  of  fifty  years 
ago  : — 

The  Everton-road  passes  along  the  western  side  of  the  Necropolis  leading 
into  Everton  village — an  agreeable  place,  out  of  the  bustle  of  Liverpool — 
and  here,  down  what  is  called  Rupert-place,  yet  stands  the  cottage  occupied 
by  Prince  Rupert  as  his  head-quarters  during  the  siege  of  Liverpool  in 
1644.  It  consists  of  one  story,  and  most  probably  stood  alone  in  the  fields 
at  that  period,  though  now  surrounded  by  dwellings.  It  is  whitewashed, 
and  appears  to  be  carefully  preserved  as  a  relic  of  the  contest  for  absolute 
power  in  this  part  of  the  country  between  a  monarch  and  his  people.2 

1  "Civil    War  Tracts"    (Chetham     Society   publications,    vol.  ii.),    pp. 
199-201. 

2  "  Lancaster  Illustrated,"  p.  119. 


HOUSE    AT    EVERTON,    THE    HEADQUARTERS    OF    PRINCE    RUPERT. 


58  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

The  comparative  unimportance  of  the  town  in  the  seventeenth 
century  will  be  further  evident  from  the  fact  that  it  had  to  wait 
until  1699  before  it  was  "  elevated  to  the  rank  of  an  independent 
parish."  Previous  to  this  time  it  was  only  a  chapelry  belonging  to 
Walton-on-the-Hill.  Liverpool  Nonconformity  is  closely  asso 
ciated  with  the  chapel  of  St.  Nicholas,  of  very  ancient  date,  and 
near  which  "  stood  a  statue  of  St.  Nicholas,  a  tutelary  deity  of 
the  maritime  part  of  the  place,  to  which  seafaring  people  usually 
made  a  peace  offering  previous  to  their  embarking,  and  another 
as  a  wave  offering  on  their  return  for  the  successful  issue  of  the 
voyage."1 

On  the  2oth  of  October,  1622,  the  Corporation  of  Liverpool 
appoint— 

James  Hyatt,  Batchelor  of  Divinity  and  preacher  of  God's  word,  and 
covenant  to  provide  him  a  house  and  to  pay  him  the  some  of  tenn  pounds 
curraunt  English  money  at  the  feasts  of  the  Annunciac'on  of  or  blessed  ladie 
St.  Mary  the  virgine  and  St.  Michell  the  Archaunngell,  by  even  porcons.  In 
consideracon  whereof  the  said  James  Hyatt  doth  assume  and  promise  that 
he  will  continue  preacher  and  lecturer  at  Liv'pool  soe  longe  as  the  Lord 
Bushoppe  of  Chester  for  the  time  beinge,  and  John  Parker,  of  London, 
Esquier,  or  his  executors,  shall  not  enforce  the  said  James  Hyatt  to  leave  his 
living  at  Liv'poole.  Or  els  that  he,  the  said  James  Hyatt,  be  not  p'ferred  unto 
some  p'sonage  or  vicarage  of  his  owne.2 

The  following  from  the  Corporation  minutes  fixes  the  place  of 
his  abode : — 

At  an  assemblie  it  was  conceived  and  agreed  y*  Mr.  Hyatt  shall  enjoy 
dureing  the  term  of  fyve  years  that  p'  te  of  the  Old  Hall  3  whereof  he  is  now 
possessed,  and  being  the  inheritance  of  Edward  Moore,  Esquier,  and  the  said 

1  Britten's  "  Beauties  of  England  and  Wales,"  vol.  ix.,  p.  2O2. 

2  Sir  J.  A.  Picton's  "  Municipal  Archives,"  vol.  i.,  p.  197. 

3  The  Old  Hall,  "an  ancient  house  formerly  called  More  Hall,"  was  the 
town  residence  of  the  Moore  family,  their  country  mansion  being  at  Bank 
Hall,  in  Kirkdale.     The  declining  fortunes  of  the  family  led  to  its  being  leased 
in  1667  to  Thomas  Andow,  mayor  in  1665,  and  its  subsequent  history  is  thus 
given  by  Sir  J.  A.  Picton  : — "  The  Old  Hall  continued  to  flourish,  patched  up, 
repaired,  and  partially  rebuilt,  though  cribbed  and  shorn  of  its  pleasant  fields 
by  the  progress  of  building.     About   1712   it  passed,  with  the  remainder  of 
the  Moore  estates,  into  the  possession  of  the  Earl  of  Derby,  and  down  to  the 


'iaB      •   ^  ^ "  Nswnffl  '  - 


60  LANCASHIRE   NONCONFORMITY. 

Maior  and  Aldermen  doe  undertake  for  to  discharge  the  rente  thereof  yerely, 
beinge  foure  pounds  thirteene  shillings  and  four  pence.  And  the  said  Maior, 
Aldermen,  and  Comon  Councell  doe  undertake  for  them,  and  their  successors, 
that  after  the  expiracon  of  the  said  terme  of  fyve  yeres  they  will  pay  unto 
the  said  Mr.  Hyatt  yerely  the  some  of  fourteene  pounds  for  soe  long  tyme  as 
the  said  Mr.  Hyatt  shall  continue  his  teachinge  and  ministrie  at  Liv'poole. 
To  be  paid  at  such  tymes  and  feasts  as  the  said  Mr.  Hyatt  is  to  be  paid  Xu 
yerly  dureinge  the  said  fyve  yeres  wch  he  is  to  hold  the  Old  Hall.1 

Mr.  Hyatt  did  not,  however,  remain  at  Liverpool,  "  the  said  fyve 
yeres  ;"  for  about  1625  he  became  rector  of  Croston,  near  Preston. 
There  he  laboured  until  his  death,  which  occurred  at  Preston, 
Monday,  April  6th,  1663,  in  the  73rd  year  of  his  age.  The  Rev. 
Henry  Newcome,  M.A,,  of  Manchester,  an  intimate  friend,  was 
"  most  earnestly  sent  for  "  by  Mrs.  Hyatt,  whilst  her  husband  "  lay 
sicke  at  Preston ;"  and  in  his  diary  under  date  April  yth,  1663, 
Mr.  Newcome  thus  writes  : — 

I  rose  early,  &  tooke  horse  before  7.  It  proved  a  fine  day.  Wee  got  to 
Chorley  by  10,  but  yr  I  heard  yf  Mr.  Hiet  dyed  ye  day  before  at  Preston,  and 
so  I  turned  over  tow:  Croston,  called  at  my  friend's  house,  nr  Eccleston,  and 
staid  yr  2  houres  or  more.  It  was  someth:  yt  y1106  I  wrot  to  Mr.  Illingw: 
Min.  at  Camb  :  about  Edward's  removal  to  Oxeford,  to  aske  him  to  get  a 
certificate  for  his  time  in  Camb:  Wee  met  ye  corpse  from  Preston,  &  came 
to  Croston,  wth  ym  about  night.  Mr.  Loe  lay  in  ye  chamber  wth  mee,  who 
told  mee  many  thgs  of  y*  pretious  man  of  God  y*  is  gone,  haveinge  lived  wth 
him.2 

early  part  of  the  nineteenth  century  it  was  always  occupied  by  some  branch 
of  the  family.  In  1766  it  was  the  residence  of  the  Hon.  and  Rev.  John 
Stanley,  one  of  the  rectors,  and  after  his  decease  was  occupied  by  his  widow 
to  the  time  of  her  death,  about  1804.  In  Perry's  map  of  1769  it  is  shown  as 
a  large  house  with  centre  and  wings,  set  back  from  the  street ;  and,  though 
built  up  on  the  north  and  south  sides  by  the  houses  fronting  Union  and  Queen 
streets,  still  possessed  of  a  pleasant  garden  at  the  back.  Thirty-four  years 
later,  in  1803,  according  to  Horwood's  map,  it  had  undergone  little  change. 
When  the  street  was  widened,  under  the  Improvement  Act  of  1820,  a  portion 
of  the  Hall  was  taken  down,  and  some  years  afterwards  the  remainder  was 
leased  and  demolished,  to  be  rebuilt  for  commercial  purposes.  Not  far  from 
the  Old  Hall,  somewhere  about  the  corner  of  Queen  Street,  the  ancient  forti 
fications  crossed  the  line  of  Old  Hall  Street  ("  Memorials  of  Liverpool,"  vol. 
ii.,  p.  38  ;  vide  also  "  The  Moore  Rental,"  being  vol.  xii.  of  the  Chetham 
Society  Series). 

1  Sir  J.  A.  Pictori's  "  Municipal  Archives,"  vol.  i.,  p.  201. 

2  "Diary"  (Chetham  Society  Series,  vol.  xviii.),  p.  175. 


EJECTED  MINISTERS.  61 

Mr.  Hyatt  was  interred  in  Croston  Church  the  following  day, 
when  his  "  old  friend  &  neighbour,"  the  Rev.  Henry  Welch,  of 
Chorley,  preached  his  funeral  sermon  from  2  Kings,  ii.,  12.  In 
the  north  wall  of  the  chancel  is  a  brass  containing  a  long  Latin 
inscription,  which,  amongst  other  things,  declares  that  he  had  been 
thirty  eight  years  "  vicariatus  in  hac  Eccles.''  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  Calamy  places  him  in  his  list  of  ejected  ministers,  and 
says  that  he  was  a  native  of  London,  "  an  able  preacher,  had  a 
considerable  estate,  and  was  given  to  hospitality."1 

On  September  22nd,  1643,  ^  was  ordered  that  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Thompson  "  shalbe  minister,"  and  that  he  "  shalbe  content  wth 
such  allowance  as  ye  Connells  and  deputie  Leivetennts  shall 
approve."2  In  November  following,  Liverpool  being  "  a  m'kt 
towne,  and  of  great  resort,  a  garrison  towne,  and  the  Chiefe  port  of 
these  parts,  the  inhabitants  manie  and  well  affected,  It  is,  there 
fore,  thought  fit  and  soe  ordered  that  twoe  able  and  orthodox 
ministers  be  p'  vyded  to  officiate  there,  and  shall  have  out  of  the 
sequestracons  of  the  tithes  of  Walton  one  hundreth  pounds  a  year, 
to  be  divyded  betweene  them  by  the  Maior  and  the  Comon 
Councell  of  Liverpoole  as  they  shall  see  cause."3  Mr.  Thompson 
retained  his  position  as  "  chiefe  minister  "  under  this  new  arrange 
ment,  and  Mr.  Da\id  Ellison  was  appointed  in  January,  1644, 
"  to  serve  as  the  other  minister,  and  assistant."  Shortly  after  this 
Mr.  Thompson  removed  to  Sefton,  where,  Calamy  says,  "  he  had 
a  pleasant  seat  and  a  riche  parsonage,  which  he  quitted  in  1660." 
He  spent  the  latter  part  of  his  life  in  Ormskirk,  where  he  died 
about  i669.4  The  Rev.  John  Fogg,  born  at  Darcy  Lever,  near 
Bolton,  and  who  had  previously  officiated  for  some  time  at  Wigan, 
was  appointed  to  be  minister  on  October  2oth,  1645,  as  the  follow 
ing  shows  : — 

At  an  assembly,  &c.,  Mr.  Fogg  was  p'pounded  to  be  minister  heer,  and  is 
approved  of  by  this  assemblie  and  ellected  accordingly,  and  is  to  have  all  the 

1  "Nonconformist's  Memorial"  (1802),  vol.  i.,  p.  359;   vide  also  "Lanca 
shire  Nonconformity,"  vols.  ii.  and  iv. 

2  Sir  J.  A.  Picton's  "  Municipal  Archives,"  vol.  i.,  p.  201. 

3  Ibid,  p.  202. 

4  "Nonconformist's  Memorial"  (1802),  vol.  ii.,  p.  377. 


62  LANCASHIRE  NONCONFORMITY. 

allowance  of  tythes  if  that  will  satisfie  him,  or  otherwise  a  competent  some 
is  to  be  raysed  by  way  of  tax  for  his  wages  for  his  p'sent  yeare.  * 

The  Corporation  had  some  difficulty  with  Mr.  Fogg  in  the 
matter  of  salary,  as  the  following  minutes  show  : — 

1647,  May  3ist.  P'pounded  concerning  Mr.  Fogg  after  ye  draught  of  an 
ordr  red  for  ye  towne  to  pay  him  go11  yearly,  and  in  lew  thereof  the  towne 
to  have  all  ye  tythes,  it  was  respyted  till  another  full  meeting. 

1647,  Dec.  23rd.  Memorand'  that  a  former  order  of  this  house  made 
concerning  the  paym*  of  seaven  pounds  unto  Mr.  Fogg  by  Mr.  Balliol 
Cornell  is  confirmed,  yet  nevertheless  upon  his  and  Mr.  Blackmore's  allega- 
c'ons  it  is  referred  unto  Mr.  Ball'  Massam  &  William  Lurting  to  examine  the 
rolls  and  vallue  of  corne  at  that  tyme,  and  to  ordr  and  compose  the  same 
business,  or  to  report  their  oppinnions  to  this  house,  who  have  since  ord'red 
undr  theire  hands  and  reported  accordingly,  doe  thereupon  againe  ordr  him 
to  pay  6U  in  full  of  the  7U  formerly  ordered  and  afterwards  the  ijth  of  S'br, 
1648,  this  house  upon  a  further  debate  ord'red  them  to  pay  Vn  in  full  for 
ye  7U,  &  the  other  xls  to  be  paid  by  ye  towne.2 

Concerning  him  and  his  charge,  the  Parliamentary  Commis 
sioners  of  1650  thus  report : — 

Wee  present  and  find  that  in  the  Towne  and  Borough  of  Liv'poole,  wthin 
the  said  pish  of  Walton,  There  is  an  anncient  p'ochiall  chappell,  called 
Liv'poole  church,  and  neither  p'sonage  nor  viccarage  thereunto  belonginge, 
and  that  Mr-  John  ffogg,  a  godly  painfull  minister,  supplyes  the  Cure  there, 
and  came  in  by  Elleccon  of  the  Maior  and  Comon  Councell,  and  that  the  said 
Mr.  Fogg  receiues  for  his  Sallary  all  the  beniffitt  of  the  Tythes  growing  and 
aryseing  wthin  the  Libties  and  p'cincts  of  the  said  Towne  by  an  order  of  the 
Comittee  of  plundred  Ministrs,  wch  Tythes  are  of  the  yearly  value  of 
Seaventy  ffyve  pounds  p.  ann.  Alsoe,  he  further  receiues  the  sume  of  Tenn 
pounds  p.  ann.  by  way  of  augmentac'on  from  Walton,  or  the  Rector  thereof, 
and  also  the  anncient  yearly  Allowance  of  ffower  pounds  155.  yearly  from 
the  receivr  of  the  late  King's  revenues,  fforth  of  the  publique  receipts  of  the 
same  Revenues,  save  and  except  that  the  said  Mr.  Fogg  payes  out  of  the 
Tythes  of  Liv'poole  Elleaven  pounds  Tenn  shillings  vnto  Doctor  Clares 
wiffe,  according  to  an  order  of  the  honnorble  Comittie  of  plundred  Minist"  ; 
and  wee  doe  find  that  the  said  p'ochiall  Chappell  is  farr  remote  from  any 
other  Church  or  Chappell,  and  therefore  doe  conceiue  itt  fitt  to  bee  made  a 
p'ish  of  it  selfe.3 

1  "  Municipal  Archives,"  vol.  i.,  p.  203. 

2  Ibid,  p.  204. 

3 "  Commonwealth   Church    Survey"    (Record  Society   Series,   vol.  i.), 
p.  84. 


THE  REV.  JOHN  FOGG.  63 

Mr.  Fogg  shortly  after  this  was  deprived  of  his  post  because  of 
his  attitude  towards  the  Engagement,  an  instrument  which  promised 
loyalty  to  Cromwell's  Government.  On  October  2ist,  1650,  the 
Council  of  State  ordered  :— 

Mr.  Fogg  to  be  required  to  leave  the  garrison  of  Liverpol  within  ten  days, 
and  not  return  thither  or  repair  to  any  other  garrison  within  the  nation  until 
further  order.  Colonel  Birch  to  put  this  in  execution  unless  Fogg  takes  the 
Engagement  on  its  being  tendred  to  him.1 

The  Corporation  minutes,  under  date  October  3ist,  1650,  give 
the  following  : — 

Forasmuch  as  it  is  made  to  appeare  unto  this  house  that  the  some  of  fiftie 
pounds,  p'te  of  ayeere's  tythes  belonging  to  this  towne  remains  in  the  hands 
of  Mr.  Thompson  after  hee  was  pr  feered  unto  Sefton,  wch  said  some  Mr. 
Fogg  or  minister  challenged  to  be  due  and  payable  to  him,  and  now  having 
relinquished  the  same  soe  that  it  becomes  payable  to  the  Maior  and  Ballives 
to  be  desposed  of  to  the  use  of  such  minister  or  ministers  as  shall  happen  to 
officiate  hereafter,  It  is  therefore  now  ord'red  that  ye  said  Mr.  Thompson 
shall  pay  the  said  some  of  5OU  by  ten  pounds  in  hand  and  xlu  at  the  next 
monethe's  end  to  be  desposed  of  as  above  said  ordr  by  without  detraccon  or 
diminution  in  aniewise  to  such  minister  or  ministers  as  shall  suply  the  place 
in  the  tyme  of  vacansie.2 

The  "  vacansie  "  was  not  easily  filled  up  as  the  following  under 
date  June  soth,  1651,  shows: — 

It  was  propounded  by  Mr.  Maior  concerning  the  Elleccon  of  a  Minister  who 
(by  the  Anntient  Custom  heere  tyme  out  of  mynde  used)  is  to  be  elected, 
chosen,  and  approved  of,  by  the  said  Assembly.  Upon  full  debate  it  was 
Ordered  and  agreed  upon  that  twoe  Orthodox  Ministers  shold  be  elected  to 
officiate  heere  for  the  future,  in  regard  there  is  hopes  of  better  meanes  and 
allowance  for  their  mantenance  in  this  Place  than  formerly,  it  being  the 
Cheefe  Port  and  the  only  garrison  in  these  parts  and  a  place  of  great  resort ; 
That  Mr.  Peter  Stanynough  and  Mr.  Michael  Briscowe,  who  are  p'  pounded 
and  approved  of  shall  stand  and  be  elected  Ministers  joyntly  to  officiate  and 
serve  the  Cure  heere  ;  they  divyding  the  meanes  and  allowance  as  it  shall 
falle  equally  betwixt  them ;  according  to  the  Comittie's  order  and  for 
p'  cedence  as  they  can  agree,  dureinge  their  good  demeano*  only  and  untill 
further  order  in  this  behalfe.3 

1  "  Manchester    Classis "   (Chetham    Society   publications,   New  Series, 
vol.  xxii.,)  p.  135. 

2  "  Municipal  Archives,"  vol.  i,  p.  204. 

3  Ibid,  p.  205. 


64  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

With  Mr.  Briscoe  we  shall  meet  again  in  the  history  of  Toxteth 
Chapel,  and  Mr.  Stanynough  held  the  office  only  about  two 
months,  resigning  for  the  rectory  of  Aughton.  On  the  loth  of 
September  following  the  minutes  read  thus : — 

Memd.  That  Mr-  Briscow  hath  sent  a  letter  of  resignac'on,  and  refuses  to 
come,  being  otherwise  ingudged,  to  the  Place  where  hee  formerly  lived 
[Walmsley,  near  Bolton].  Mr.  Rigby  [appointed  in  Mr.  Stanynough's  place] 
discontinues  by  reason  of  the  Sicknes  ;  since  wch  tyme  the  towne  (being  dis- 
apoynted)  some  overture  hath  beene  made  concerning  M.  Fogg's  retorne 
v/ch  may  be  effected  if  hee  (by  subscrybeing  the  ingudgmt)  put  himselfe  in  a 
capacitie  to  officiate  in  this  garrison  wch  the  towne  is  very  desireous  of,  and 
have  written  to  him  to  that  purpose.1 

Mr.  Fogg's  recall  and  subsequent  stipulations  as  to  stipend  are 
given  in  the  subjoined  extract  from  the  Corporation  minutes  : — 

1652,  Januy  i4th.    Att  an  assemblie  held  this  day,  before  Thomas  William 
son,  Maior,  &c.,  it  was    p'   prounded    concerning   the   electing    of  a   minister, 
whereupon,  by  a  general  consent  of  this  house,   they  doe  nominate  and  elect 
John    Fogg,    clerk,    to    be    minister    hereof,    p'vyded   that  hee  subscrybe  the 
ingudgem*,  and  declare  his  consent  and    submission  unto   the  p'sent  govern 
ment,  wch  afterwards  hee  did  accordingly  p'form,  and  is  established. 

1653,  Januy  3ist.     Merrui.     At  an  assembly,  &c..  it  was   p'pounded  by  Mr. 
John  Fogg,  minister  of  the  Corporacon,  to  have  ye  overplus  of  a  yeare's  p'fitt 
in  his  absence  to  be  pd  him,  and  of  ye  5O1'  paid  in  by  Mr.  Joseph  Tompson. 

2.  To    be   freed    by   the    Corporacon   of  all  leyes    and    taxacons    w.ch  hee 
alladged  was  p'mised  at  his  comeing  to  be  doune. 

3.  To  have  all  ye  Church  dues  paid  unto  him,  and  to  have  ye  towne's  assist 
ance  in  ye  collecting  of  them,   and  to  have  ye  arrerres  of  the  X11  p.  ann.  due 
to  ye  minister  heere,  to  lie  paid  him  by  Mr.  Ward,  parson  of  Walton. 

4.  To  have  six  moneth  warning  given  him  whensoevr  he  is  to  be  removed- 
All  \vch  p'  positions  being   made   by  ye  said   Mr.   Fogg,  wth  a  long  apoligie 

after  he  was  withdrawen  and  departed.     The  said  p'ticulars  were  taken  into 
consideracon,  and  ord'red  and  answered  as  followeth,  viz*  : — 

To  the  first,  that  there  is  noe  ovrplus  at  all  left,  the  said  moneys  being 
wholly  bestowed  upon  such  ministers  as  supplyed  here  in  his  absence,  and  in 
ye  beginning  of  ye  tyme  of  ye  visitacon  heere. 

And  to  ye  seacond,  it  was  ord'red  formerly  by  this  assembly  y*  hee  shold  pay 
his  proporcon  in  all  leyes  and  taxacons,  &c. 

1  "  Municipal  Archives,"  vol.  i.,  p.  206. 


DR.  H ALLEY  CORRECTED.  65 

To  the  third  it  is  readily  granted  him  that  all  Church  dues  shalbe  paid  him, 
and  that  ye  towne's  officers  wilbe  readie  to  assist  him  in  ye  collecting  of  them 
if  they  be  denyed,  and  yt  if  anie  bee  in  arreare  it  is  his  owne  fault  in  not 
calleinge  for  them. 

To  the  fourth  they  will  not  be  bound  to  anie  other  notice  but  in  curtesie. 

1655,  July  nth.  At  an  assemblie,  &c.,  Mr.  John  Fogg,  minister,  presents  a 
petition,  whereby  he  desires  that  the  house  and  backsyde,  called  Cooke's 
house,  situate  in  Tythe  Barne  Streete,  lately  confiscate  and  fallen  into  the 
towne's  hand  may  be  allowed,  and  sett  appart  unto  him  for  a  habitation,  and 
soe  continue  unto  all  other  ministers.  It  is  therefore  ordered  and  agreed  that 
the  said  house  shalbe  allowed  unto  him  and  his  successors,  provided  they 
shall  inhabite  and  dwell  there,  and  shall  keep  the  same  in  repaire  ;  and  this 
gifte  to  stand,  and  be  in  lewe  and  satisfaccon  of  all  moneys  and  legacies 
heretofore  given  and  bequeathed  unto  the  ministers  here.1 

Mr.  Fogg's  mercenary  character  in  all  this  is  more  prominent 
than  one  could  wish  ;  yet  like  many  of  his  Lancashire  brethren  he 
was  sufficiently  staunch  to  principle  to  accept  ejectment  in  1662- 
rather  than  sacrifice  conscience. 

After  this,  Calamy  says,  "he  and  his  Father-in-law,  Mr.  GlendalQi 
Chester,  liv'd  together  in  the  Parish  of  Great  Budivorth  in  Cheshire 
in  great  Amity,  and  useful  as  they  had  oppportunity ;  he  dy'd  in 
1670.  ^Etat  48."3  He  is  described  as  "a  Man  of  fine  Parts, 
good  Learning,  a  serious  Christian,  and  a  useful  preacher."4  To 
what  extent  Liverpool  Nonconformity  is  indebted  to  the  three 
ejected  ministers  whose  names  have  been  given  is  not  clear, 
but  they  deserve  a  place  in  the  religious  history  of  the  town.  With 
Bishop  Gastrell's  notice  of  ecclesiastical  Liverpool,  written  early 
in  the  last  century,  the  present  section  may  be  concluded : — 

1  "  Municipal  Archives,"  vol.  i.,  pp.  206,  207. 

-  Why  Dr.  Halley  ("  Lancashire  Puritanism,"  vol.  ii.,  p.  186)  says  that  Mr. 
Fogg  is  omitted  from  Calamy's  list  of  ejected  ministers  I  do  not  know,  for  such 
is  not  the  case.  A  full  account  of  him  is  given  in  the  edition  of  1713,  and 
and  even  in  Palmer's  abridged  edition  of  1802  he  finds  a  place  at  the  end  of 
vol.  lii.  Can  it  be  that  Dr.  Halley,  not  finding  him  in  the  Lancashire  list  of 
vol.  ii.,  did  not  trouble  to  consult  the  index  or  acquaint  himself  with  an  earlier 
edition  of  Calamy  ? 

3  This  cannot  be  correct,  because  he  was  officiating  at  Liverpool  in  1645, 
according  to  which  he  could  only  be  thirteen  years  old  at  the  t'me. 

4  Calamy's    "Account  of    the  Ejected  or    Silenced  Ministers"  (Edition 
1713),  vol.  ii.,  p.  408. 

6-5 


66  LANCASHIRE  NONCONFORMITY. 

LIVERPOOL  :  Two  CHURCHES  AND  ONE  CURE. — Here  was  formerly  only 
a  Chapel  of  Ease,  belonging  to  Walton  Parish  ;  but  now  this  chapel  is 
enlarged,  and  another  church  built  called  the  New  Church,  consecrated 
[June  2gth]  anno  1704,  and  dedicated  to  St.  Peter;  and  both  these  Churches 
are  made  Rectoryes  by  Act  of  Parl*  10  and  u  of  William  3.  The  old 
Chapel  is  called  the  Parochiall  Chapel  of  our  Lady  and  St.  Nicholas.  The 
additionall  building  of  this  Chapel  was  made  by  Order  granted  Anno  1718. 

The  two  Rectours  of  these  medietyes  are  to  have  by  Act  of  Parlfc  loo1 
per  annum  each,  \vthout  any  deduction  assessed  upon  Houses,  and  are  to 
divide  ye  Duty  and  the  Surplice  Fees  between  them  :  but  upon  ye  Rector  of 
Walton's  death,  the  Tythes  of  this  Towns?    are    to   goe    to  ye  Corporation 
in  case  of  ye  assessm*  upon  Houses.     Value  6O1  per  annum. 

The  Patronage  (wch  was  purchased  of  Ld  Molineux,  Patron  of  Walton)  is 
by  ye  Act  vested  in  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  such  as  have  been  Aldermen 
or  Bailiffs,  Peers,  and  ye  Common  Councill,  for  ye  time  being;  But  it  not 
being  said  by  the  Major  part  of  yin  ;  and  a  dispute  happening  upon  it,  between 
ye  BI>  and  ye  Town,  another  Act  was  obtained,  wth  ye  consent  of  the  Bp,  in 
wch  these  words  are  added. 

Anno  1675  I  warden  and  i  Assistant.1 


II.— THE    ANCIENT    CHAPEL    OF    TOXTETH    PARK. 

TOXTETH  PARK,  now  a  wilderness  of  streets  and  part  of  a  great 
city,  as  its  name  implies,  was  formerly  charmingly  rural,  and  some 
three  miles  south  of  Liverpool.  In  early  documents  it  appears 
as  "  Stochestede,"  the  "wooden  station,"2  and  was  formed 
into  a  park  for  his  "recreation  and  amusement"  by  King  John, 
who  early  in  his  reign  bought  it  from  the  Molyneux  family.  In 
Queen  Elizabeth's  day  it  was  waste  land  without  inhabitants,  but 
in  1 604  it  was  disparked,  and  became  the  home  of  a  number  of 
farmers  who  undertook  its  cultivation.  The  Puritan  character  of 
these  first  settlers  may  be  inferred  from  the  names  which  still 
linger  about  here.  The  river  "  Jordan  "  runs  by  a  farm  called 
"  Jericho,"  and  "  David's  Throne  "  is  a  rock  standing  out  between 
the  two  branches  of  the  Dingle,  whilst  "  Adam's  Buttery  "  is  a 

1  "  Notitia    Cestriensis  "  (Chetham   Society  publications,  vol.  xxi.),  pp. 
190-192. 

2  Sir  J.  A.  Picton's  "  Memorials  of  Liverpool,"  vol.  ii.,  p.  527. 


PURITAN  NOMENCLA  TURE.  6  7 

cave  hard  by.  At  one  time  it  is  said  that  the  whole  district  was 
called  "  The  Holy  Land."1  Evidence  is  lacking  as  to  the  precise 
date  when  the  chapel  was  erected  to  meet  the  religious  require 
ments  of  the  people,  who,  besides  finding  the  chapel  of  St. 
Nicholas,  in  Liverpool,  to  be  too  distant,  probably  also  found 
themselves  out  of  sympathy  with  the  character  of  its  worship. 
Mr.  Henry  Taylor,2  who  is  followed  by  Mr.  Davis,  thinks  about 
1618,  but  Sir  J.  A.  Picton  inclines  to  an  earlier  date,  as  the  follow 
ing  shows  : — 

A  chapel  was  built  not  far  from  the  dell  of  the  Dingle,  in  whose  shady 
recesses  tradition  reports  that  in  times  of  persecution  the  faithful  disciples 
were  wont  to  assemble  for  worship.  This  structure  was  certainly  in  existence 
early  in  the  reign  of  James  the  First,  and  was  most  probably  erected  in  the 
days  of  Elizabeth  when  Bishop  Chadderton  made  such  friendly  overtures  to 
the  Puritan  party.3 

The  one  certain  fact  is,  that  in  1611  the  "prudent  and  religious 
people"  of  Toxteth  Park,  '-'being  desirous  of  their  own  good  and 
of  their  posterity  after  them,"  had  established  a  school  for  the 
"better  education  of  their  children;"  and  at  this  date  we  are 
introduced  to  two  interesting  persons,  who  may  be  called  the 
fathers  of  Nonconformity  here.  Edward  Aspinwall,  "  one  of  the 
most  considerable  landowners  in  the  neighbourhood,"  whose  son 
married  the  sister  of  Sir  Gilbert  Ireland,  of  Hale,  is  described  by 
Dr.  Halley  as  "  the  intimate  friend  of  the  sainted  Mrs.  Brettargh/ 
and  her  comforter  in  her  last  hours  of  mortal  sickness."5  He  was 
both  learned  and  pious,  and  the  following  appreciative  notice  of 
him  by  Dr.  Halley  is  well  deserved : — 

1  "  Some  Account  of  the  Ancient  Chapel  of  Toxteth  Park,"  by  the  Rev. 
Valentine  D.  Davis,  B.A.,  p.  i,  note. 

2  MS.  History  of  Toxteth  Park  Chapel,  now  the  property  of  the  Renshaw 
Street  Congregation,   printed   in  the  main    in    the    Christian    Reformer    for 
1862. 

3  "  Notes  on  the  Origin  and  History  of  the  Congregational  Churches  in 
Liverpool,"  p.  5. 

4  Mrs.  Brettargh  was  the  wife  of  William  Brettargh,  of  Brettarghaugh, 
near  Liverpool,  and  sister  of  John  Bruen,  the  celebrated  Puritan  preacher. 

5  "  Lancashire  Puritanism  and  Nonconformity,"  vol.  i.,  p.  245. 


68  LANCASHIRE   NONCONFORMITY. 

The  Church  of  Christ  has  some  reason  to  venerate  his  memory,  lor  by 
the  influence  of  his  holy  conversation,  his  beautiful  example,  and  his  domestic 
piety,  the  young  schoolmaster,  Richard  Mather,  was  won  over  to  the  Puritan 
cause,  and  prepared  for  the  great  work  which  he  did  so  well  in  New  England 
What  the  Mathers,  father  and  four  sons  and  many  grandsons,  did  for  New 
England  may,  under  God,  be  attributed  in  no  small  degree  to  the  holy  life  of 
Edward  Aspinwall.1 

Mr.   Aspinwall    was   interred   in   Toxteth  Chapel,   with   whose 

foundation  he  had  so  much  to  do ;  and  in  the  main  aisle  is  the 

stone    covering    of  a   vault,    on   which    is  a   brass    plate    thus 
inscribed : — 

"  Edward  Aspinwall,  of  Tocksteth  Park,  Esquire,  Departed  this 
life  in  March,  the  Twenty-ninth,  A.D.,  1656.  It  is  sown  a  naturall, 
it  is  raised  a  spiritual!,  body  :  for  this  corruptible  must  put  on 
incorruption ;  so  when  this  corruptible  shall  have  put  on  incorrup- 
tion,  then  shall  be  brought  to  pass  the  saying  that  is  written,  death 
is  swallowed  up  in  victory." — i  Cor.,  chap,  xv.,  verses:  xliv.,  liii.,  liv.2 

The  second  of  those  interesting  names  is  the  Rev.  Richard 
Mather.  He  was  born  in  1596,  at  Lowton,  in  the  parish  of 
Winwick,  a  few  miles  from  Warrington.  His  parents  were  Thomas 
and  Margaret  Mather,  "of  ancient  families  in  Lowton  aforesaid; 
but  by  reason  of  some  mortgages  they  were  reduced  into  a  low 
condition  in  regard  to  their  outward  estate."3  Anxious  that  their 
son  should  become  a  "  scholar,"  he  was  sent  at  an  early  age  to 
Winwick  Grammar  School,  "  in  great  repute  as  a  seminary  of 
learning."  Mather's  school  days  were  so  unhappy,  because  of  the 
"  cruel  severity  "  of  the  schoolmaster,  that  he  earnestly  besought 
his  father  to  take  him  away  and  devote  him  to  some  secular 
calling ;  but  his  "  father's  wisdom  and  firmness "  prevailed,  and 
the  young  lad  pursued  his  studies  with  such  diligence,  that  when 
only  fifteen  years  of  age  he  was  recommended  by  his  master  to 
take  charge  of  the  newly-established  school  of  Toxteth  Park  in 

1  "  Lancashire  Puritanism  and  Nonconformity,"  vol.  i.,  p.  245. 

2  There  were  two  Nonconformist  ministers  in  the  seventeenth  century, 
both  natives  of  Lancashire,  Peter  and  William  Aspinwall.     Were  they  con 
nected  in  any  way  with  Mr.  Aspinwall,  of  Toxteth  Park? 

3  "Christian  Reformer"  for  1862,  p.  346. 


70  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

1611.  He  found  a  home  in  the  house  of  Mr.  Edward  Aspinwall, 
through  whose  "eminent  piety  and  most  exemplary  walk,"  together 
with  the  preaching  of  Mr.  Harrison,  of  Huyton,  and  the  reading  of 
Perkins's  work,  showing  "How  far  a  Reprobate  may  go  in 
Religion,"  he  was  led  to  "apply  the  precious  promises  of  the 
Gospel  to  his  soul."  Doubtless  it  was,  as  Dr.  Halley  suggests, 
Mr.  AspinwalFs  influence  also  which  led  him  to  think  of  the 
Christian  ministry,  and  assisted  by  his  good  people,  he  entered 
Brasenose  College,  Oxford,  where  he  was  rejoiced  to  find  many 
who  had  been  his  "  quondam  schollars."  Mather  was,  however, 
prevented  from  completing  his  college  course  by  the  importunity  of 
his  people,  who  desired  that  he  "  would  return  to  them,  to  instruct, 
not  so  much  their  children  as  themselves,  and  that  not  in  mere 
human  literature,  but  in  the  things  of  God."  This  call  he  accepted, 
and  on  November  30th,  1618,  he  preached  his  first  sermon. 
"  There  was  a  very  great  concourse  of  people,"  says  his  biographer 
"  (the  word  of  God  being  precious  at  that  time  in  those  parts),  to 
hear  him,  and  his  labours  were  highly  accepted  of  by  those  who 
were  judicious.  Such  was  the  vastness  of  his  memory,  as  that  the 
things  which  he  had  prepared  and  intended  to  deliver  at  that  time, 
contained  no  less  than  six  long  sermons."  Whether,  however,  all 
the  "prepared  things"  were  delivered  on  the  occasion  is  not  clear, 
but  our  fathers  could  stand  much  longer  sermons  than  we  can. 
As  already  noted,  this  is  the  date  fixed  upon  by  several  writers  on 
Liverpool  Nonconformity  for  the  erection  of  the  first  Toxteth  Park 
Chapel.  The  land  was  obtained  from  Sir  Richard  Molyneux,  a 
Roman  Catholic,  and  its  situation  is  thus  described  by  Mr.  Davis 
in  his  admirable  little  book  : — 

The  humble  little  chapel  was  built  by  a  stream  which  ran  down  the  course 
of  what  is  now  Park  Road,  the  sources  of  which  have  long  since  been  dried 
up.  The  rising  ground  towards  Liverpool  shut  out  the  view  of  the  Church 
tower  and  the  turrets  of  the  old  castle,  and  it  must  have  been  a  beautifully 
secluded  spot.1 

The  chapel  does  not  seem  to  have  been  consecrated,  but  Puri 
tanism  was  not  yet  sufficiently  advanced  amongst  the  people  to 

1  "Some  Account  of  the  Ancient  Chapel  of  Toxteth  Park,"  p.  3. 


MATHER  AND  MORTON.  71 

object  to  Episcopal  ordination,  and  Richard  Mather  was  advised  to 
apply  for  such  to  the  Bishop  of  Chester.  This  was  Morton,  a  church 
man  of  high  order,  and  the  author  of  the  famous  "  Book  of  Sports," 
which  arose  out  a  sermon  he  preached  before  King  James,  amidst  the 
frolics  and  fooleries  of  his  visit  to  Hoghton  Tower.  "  Grave  appre 
hensions,"  says  Sir  J.  A.  Picton,  "  were  entertained  of  an  unfor 
tunate  issue,  owing  to  the  young  preacher's  Nonconformity,1  and 
when,  at  the  conclusion  of  the  service,  Morton  singled  out  Mather 
from  the  others  who  were  being  ordained  with  the  words, — "  I  have 
something  to  say  to  you,  between  you  and  me  alone,"  it  was 
thought  that  the  Bishop  meant  to  rebuke  him  for  his  Non 
conformist  irregularities.  Mather,  however,  was  surprised  to  hear 
the  Bishop  say,  "  I  have  an  earnest  request  unto  you,  and 
you  must  not  deny  me  ;  it  is  that  you  will  pray  for  me  ;  for  I 
know  (said  he)  that  the  prayers  of  men  that  fear  God  will 
avail  much,  and  such  an  one  I  believe  you  to  be."  This 
acceptance  of  ordination  at  the  hands  of  a  prelate  was  ever 
after  "  no  small  grief  of  heart  to  him  ;"  and  many  years  after, 
one  of  his  sons,  noticing  a  torn  parchment  in  his  father's  study, 
asked  what  it  was,  and  was  told  that  it  was  the  ordination  cer 
tificate  which  he  had  received  from  the  Bishop  ;  "  and,"  said  he, 
"  I  tore  it  because  I  took  no  pleasure  in  keeping  a  monument  of 
my  sin  and  folly  in  submitting  to  that  superstition,  the  very 
remembrance  whereof  is  grievous  unto  me."  On  September 
29th,  1624,  he  married  Catherine  Hoult,  daughter  of  Edmund 
Hoult,  Esq.,  of  Bury,  when  he  "removed  his  habitation  three  miles 
from  Toxteth,  to  Much  Woolton."  In  addition  to  his  duties  at 
Toxteth  Chapel  he  was  one  of  the  preachers  in  the  Liverpool 
pulpit  in  connection  with  the  monthly  lecture ;  and  every  alternate 
Tuesday  morning  he  u  kept  a  lecture  at  a  market  town  called 
Prescot."  This  latter  service  especially  caused  him  to  be  "  much 
taken  notice  of,  and  so  he  became  more,  to  the  adversaries  of  the 
truth,  an  object  of  envy/'  In  August,  1633,  he  was  suspended, 
but,  by  the  intervention  of  several  Lancashire  gentlemen,  reinstated 
in  the  following  November.  In  1634,  however,  Dr.  Neile,  Arch- 

1  "  Notes  on  the  Origin  and  History  of  the  Congregational   Churches  in 
Liverpool,"  p.  6. 


THE  DINGLE.  73 

bishop  of  York,  sent  his  visitors  into  Lancashire  to  enquire  into 
the  alleged  Nonconformity  of  some  of  the  clergy.  Mather,  who 
had  never  worn  a  surplice,  was  summoned  before  the  court  at 
Wigan,  when  it  was  charged  against  him — 

That  he  never  made  the  sign  of  the  Cross  in  baptism,  nor  administered  the 
sacrament  to  the  communicants  kneeling.  He  was  treated  with  great 
severity  by  the  Commissioners  ;  was  prohibited  from  preaching,  and 
threatened  with  fine  and  imprisonment  if  he  officiated  again  without  giving 
satisfaction  for  his  future  conformity.  This  he  refused  to  do,  and  conse 
quently  never  in  this  country  resumed  his  public  functions.1 

During  these  years  Mather's  views  on  Church  government 
underwent  an  important  change.  From  being  a  simple  Puritan, 
willing  to  accept  Episcopal  ordination,  he  was  led  to  adopt  the 
"  Congregational  form,"  to  which  he  remained  loyal  to  the  end  of 
life.  It  was,  doubtless,  during  this  period  of  suspension  and  per 
secution,  that  the  "  bosky  dells  of  the  Dingle,  and  the  rocky 
promontory  of  Dingle  Point,  resounded  occasionally  with  the 
voice  of  melody,  and  re-echoed  the  fervid  accents  of  prayer. "- 
From  Sir  J.  A.  Picton's  "  Memorials  of  Liverpool "  is  extracted 
the  following  passage  descriptive  of  this  charming  retreat,  with 
which  such  sacred  Nonconformist  traditions  are  associated : — 

The  Dingle,  situated  immediately  to  the  south  of:  the  borough  boundary, 
which,  though  limited  in  extent,  is  one  of  the  most  lovely  bits  of  scenery  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Liverpool.  In  the  olden  time  a  tiny  stream,  rising 
somewhere  about  the  high  land  not  far  from  the  High  Park  Coffee  House, 
ran  its  little  course  down  the  line  of  Park  Road,  past  the  old  chapel,  and 
debouched  into  the  river  by  a  deep  gully  behind  a  rocky  promontory.  The 
sources  of  this  stream  have  long  dried  up,  and  the  little  valley  no  longer 
echoes  to  the  tinkle  of  the  waters.  About  1808  the  estate,  of  which  this 
forms  a  part,  was  purchased  by  the  Rev.  John  Yates,  then  the  minister  of  the 
Unitarian  Church,  Paradise  Street.  A  house  already  existed  on  the  land,  on 
the  site  of  Dingle  Head,  now  the  residence  of  Mr.  Charles  Turner,  M.P.  for 
South  West  Lancashire  [written  about  1873].  This  house  was  occupied  in 
1768  by  Dr.  Kennion,  or  Kenyon,  a  connection  of  Lord  Kenyon's,  and  a  great 
collector  of  antiquities.  Mr.  Yates  was  capable  of  appreciating  the  beauties 
of  his  purchase,  and  in  addition  to  building  several  houses  for  members  of 

1  Sir  J.  A.   Picton's  "  Notes  ot  the    Origin    and    History   of  the  Con 
gregational  Churches  in  Liverpool/'  p.  7. 

2  Ibid. 


74  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

his  family,  he  improved  the  natural  capabilities  by  judicious  planting,  laying 
out  walks,  and  opening  out  the  best  points  of  view.  About  1821  he  sold  the 
western  part  of  the  property  to  Mr.  James  Cropper,  who  also  built  several 
villas  overlooking  the  river.  The  proprietors  of  this  little  "  Vallombrosa  " 
have  for  many  years  kindly  and  liberally  thrown  open  the  grounds  to  the 
public  on  two  evenings  in  the  week.1 

Mather   saw  no  prospect    of    again  exercising  his  ministry    in 
England.      There  were  signs  of  a  terrible  storm   not  far  away. 


ARCHBISHOP    LAUD. 


Charles  had  taken  his  father's  place  upon  the  throne,  and  Laud,  a 
name  little  less  odious  than  that  of  Judge  Jeffreys,  was  Primate  of 
all  England.  The  story  of  the  Mayflower  and  of  the  Pilgrim 
Fathers  in  the  New  World,  who  had 


Left  unstained  what  there  they  found- 
Freedom  to  worship  God, 


*  Vol.  ii.,  p.  548. 


76  LANCASHIRE  NONCONFORMITY. 

was  quite  fresh,  and  Mather  began  to  look  westward  for  the  scene 
of  his  future  ministry.  Very  beautiful  and  pathetic  is  that  picture 
which  represents  him  on  the  rocky  promontory  of  Dingle  Point, 
when — 

Looking  one  summer  evening  over  the  sea  he  repeated  the  words  of  the 
Psalmist :  "  O  that  I  had  wings  like  a  dove !  Lo  !  then  would  I  wander  far 
off,  and  remain  in  the  wilderness.  I  would  hasten  my  escape  from  the  windy 
storm  and  tempest."  x 

The  longing  grew  into  a  fixed  purpose,  and  "with  much  sorrow, 
many  tears  being  shed  by 'those  that  expected  to  see  his  face  no 
more  in  this  world,"  he  parted  from  his  friends  at  Toxteth  Park. 
He  began  his  journey  to  Bristol  for  the  purpose  of  taking  ship 
there  in  April,  1635,  but  he  was  "forced  to  change  his  outward 
habit,  that  he  might  travel  incognito,  because  pursevants  were 
designed  to  apprehend  him."  Arriving  safely  at  Bristol,  he  set  sail 
for  New  England,  June  4th,  1635,  and  "after  a  most  tempestuous 
passage  "  landed  at  Boston  on  the  i  yth  of  August  following.  In  the 
land  of  his  adoption  not  less  earnestly  than  in  the  land  of  his 
birth,  whence  he  had  been  cast  out  by  persecution,  Mather 
laboured  in  the  cause  of  truth  both  by  his  pen  and  voice,  and  very 
materially  assisted  in  determining  the  type  of  religious  life  there. 
For  well  nigh  thirty-four  years  he  ministered  to  the  congregation 
at  Dorchester,  terminating  his  labours  with  his  death  on  the 
evening  of  April  22nd,  1669.  Until  near  the  close  of  life  he  had 
no  serious  affliction,  and  during  fifty  years  never  once  failed  a 
Sabbath  service  through  ill-health.  Latterly,  however,  he  grew 
deaf,  seven  years  before  the  end  lost  the  sight  of  one  eye,  and  for 
two  years  suffered  from  stone,  which  was  the  cause  of  death. 
He  married  for  a  second  wife  the  widow  of  Dr.  John  Cotton,  an 
old  personal  friend,  who  had  preceded  him  to  America,  and  who 
died  in  1652.  Richard  Mather  left  six  sons,  four  of  whom 
became  eminent  ministers.  Samuel  crossed  the  Atlantic  with 
him,  being  then  nine  years  old,  graduated  at  Harvard  College, 
and  returned  to  England.  He  was  ejected  in  1662  from  the  little 
chapel  at  Burton  Wood,  near  the  ancestral  home  at  Lowton,  and 

1  Halley's  "  Lancashire  Puritanism  and  Nonconformity,"  vol.  i.,  p.  250. 


THE    REV.    RICHARD    MATHER. 


THE    REV.    SAMUEL    MATHER. 


THE  MA  THER  FA  MIL  Y.  7  9 

went  to  Dublin,  where  he  ministered  more  or  less  until  1671, 
when  he  died.  His  successor  there  was  Nathaniel,  his  brother, 
five  years  old  when  his  father  took  him  to  America.  He  also 
graduated  at  Harvard,  and  on  the  completion  of  his  studies 
came  to  England.  His  first  preferment  was  Harberton,  near 
Totnes,  in  Devonshire,  and  in  1656  he  was  presented  by  Crom 
well  to  Barnstaple,  in  the  same  county.  The  Restoration  led  to 
the  loss  of  all  his  preferments,  and  for  a  time  he  was  pastor  of  the 
English  congregation  at  Rotterdam.  In  1671  he  took  charge  of 
the  congregation  at  Dublin,  whom  the  death  of  his  brother 
Samuel  had  deprived  of  a  pastor,  and  in  1688  settled  over  the 
Lime  Street  Independent  Church,  London.  There  he  laboured 
until  his  death,  being  interred  at  Bunhill  Fields,  where  a  long 
Latin  inscription  was  placed  upon  his  tombstone,  of  which  the 
following  is  a  translation  : — 

Under  this  tomb  is  laid 
The  Rev.  Mr.  NATHANIEL  MATHER, 

The  honour  of  both  Englands. 
The  County  of  Lancaster,  in  our  England, 

Gave  him  birth  : 
And  the  American  England 
Trained   him    up   in    literature, 

And  honoured  him  with  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts, 

To  which  country,  when  he  was  very  young, 

Through  the  severity  of  the  times, 

He  fled  with  his  father. 

Returning  thence, 

He  was  unanimously  Chosen  Pastor 

Of   a    church    at    Dublin,    in    Ireland; 

Whence  being  called  by  a  Christian  Society 

To  this  city, 
He  here  closed  his  life  and  pastorship. 

If  you  inquire  his  merits, 

Take  his  character  in  a  few  words 

He  had  rich  endowments  of  mind, 

Was  profoundly  learned, 

Had  an  exact  judgment, 

And  a  most  piercing  understanding  : 

In  a  word,  Nature  and  Science 

Enriched  him  with  all  their  stores, 

And  all  were  consecrated  to  the  service  of  his  God 


So  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

He  was  well  qualified 
For  all  the  branches  of  his  work. 

He  faithfully  preached 

The  Gospel  of  his  blessed  Redeemer, 

And  adorned  it  with  a  most  exemplary  life. 

In  him  benevolence,  modesty,  and  patience 

Mingled  their  glories, 

And  he  was  a  most  illustrious  pattern  of  holiness. 

He  was  equal,  and  constant  to  himself; 

A  most  pious  Christian, 

A  most  tender  husband, 

An  able  and  laborious  Minister, 

And  a  faithful  and  vigilant  Pastor. 

In  the  exercise  of  his  sacred  office 

He  with  an  holy  art  concealed  the  man, 

That  the  Lord  alone  might  be  exalted  : 

In  fine,  he  was  ennobled  with  every  virtue, 

And  was  meritorious  of  the  highest  Praise, 

But  alas  !  how  severe  the  affliction,  he  is  gone. 

But  with  a  full  sail  of  faith, 

He  entered  his  port  of  glory, 

And  began  his  everlasting  triumph. 

He  died  July  26,  1697, 

Aged  67. 

Eleazar  Mather  was  born  at  Dorchester,  educated  at  Harvard, 
and  became  pastor  of  a  church  at  Northampton,  New  England, 
where  he  laboured  eleven  years,  and  died  July  24th,  1669,  aged 
thirty-two  years.  Increase  Mather  was  born  in  1639,  and  after 
graduating  at  Harvard  and  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  preached  for 
some  time  in  England.  He  returned  to  Boston,  when  he  became 
President  of  Harvard  College  and  pastor  of  the  church  at  Boston. 
He  was  sent  to  England  in  1688  by  the  patriotic  party  in  Boston 
to  lay  before  the  King  the  tyrannous  conduct  of  Governor  Sir 
Edmund  Andros.  He  died  at  Boston,  August  23rd,  1723,  aged 
eighty-four  years.  By  a  daughter  of  Dr.  John  Cotton  he  had, 
amongst  other  children,  Dr.  Cotton  Mather,  the  learned  historian 
of  New  England,  and  assistant  to  his  father  in  the  ministry  at 
Boston  for  many  years.1  Members  of  the  Mather  family  have 
been  connected  with  Toxteth  Chapel  since  at  least  1650,  for 

1  Wilson's  "  History  of  Dissenting  Churches,"  vol.  i.,  pp.  229-234. 


THE  REV.    THOMAS  CROMPTON,  M.A.  81 

there  is  a  pew  to  the  right  of  the  pulpit  bearing  that  date  with 
the  initials  D.M.  The  family  vault  is  below,  and  on  the  wall  is 
a  brass  which  states  that  the  "ancient  family  of  yeomanry  named 
Mather  were  settled  in  Toxteth  Park  as  early  as  the  reign  of 
Queen  Elizabeth."  There  is,  however,  no  direct  evidence  that  the 
Rev.  Richard  Mather  was  related  to  this  family.1 

From  the  expulsion  of  Mather  in  1634  to  the  establishment  of 
Presbyterian  ism  in  1646  we  have  no  information  respecting 
Toxteth  Chapel,  but  to  this  period  belong  probably  those  secret 
meetings  in  the  Dingle  of  which  tradition  speaks.  At  the  latter 
date  Robert  Port  appears  as  a  member  of  the  fifth  Classical 
Presbytery,  being  then  the  minister  of  the  chapel  here.  About 
him  I  have  no  further  information;  but  in  1650  the  Parliamentary 
Commissioners  say  : — 

Wee  alsoe  present  and  find  that  there  is  in  Toxteth  Parke  a  Chappell 
called  Toxteth  Chappell,  and  that  Mr.  Haggon  [Huggins]  is  minisf-  there, 
and  is  an  appved  Ministr-  and  hath  for  his  Sallary  or  manteynance  the  pffitts 
of  the  Tyths  of  the  said  Town  or  hamett,  wch  wee  conceiue  to  be  worth  nearly 
fforty  ffyve  pounds  p  ann,  and  an  Addiconal  sume  of  Tenn  pounds  from  Mr. 
Ward,  Rector  of  Walton  ;  And  that  the  said  Chappell  of  Toxteth  p'ke  is 
farr  distant  from  any  other  Church  or  Chappell,  and  therefore  wee  think  it 
very  fitt  to  bee  made  a  pish,  and  that  these  howses  in  Aighburgh,  formly 
wthin  the  pish  of  Childwall,  to  be  added  vnto  it,  vidzt,  John  Walworths, 
Thomas  Seddon,  Richard  Fisher,  Raph  Whittfield,  Nehemiah  Britter,  John 
Holland,  George  Lawrenson.- 

Mr.  Huggins  is  described  as  "  an  honest,  Godly  man,  and  a 
graduate,"3  but  the  dates  of  his  appointment  and  retirement  have 
not  been  ascertained.  Probably  his  immediate  successor  was  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Crornpton,  M.A.,  a  native  of  Great  Lever,  who  was 
ministering  at  Toxteth  Park  in  1657,  but  how  long  before  I  do  not 
know.  The  Uniformity  Act  of  1662,  which  deprived  so  many 
ministers  in  Lancashire  of  their  livings,  left  him  undisturbed,  though 

1  The  reader  is  also  referred  to  vols.  ii.  and  iv.  of  "  Lancashire  Noncon 
formity"  for  accounts  of  the  Revs.  Benjamin  Mather  and  Tatlock  Mather, 
Nonconformist  ministers  in  this  part  of  the  county,  of  which,  I  believe,  they 
•were  natives. 

;  "  Commonwealth  Church  Survey  "  (Record  Society  Series,  vol.  i.),  p.  81. 

:J  Ibid,  p.  128. 
6—5 


1 HE  REV.   C.  RICHARDSON,  ALA.  83 

he  in  no  way  conformed  to  the  requirements  of  the  Act,  but  was  in 
"  some  way  privileged."  "  There  was,"  says  Sir  J.  A.  Picton, 
''evidently  some  irregularity  and  laxity  on  the  part  of  the  Govern 
ment  authorities  in  not  resuming  possession  of  the  chapel  and  the 
income  of  the  benefice,  but  it  is  not  difficult  of  explanation.  Lord 
Molyneux  was  a  Roman  Catholic,  and  in  a  state  of  hostility  to  the 
Established  Church.  It  answered  his  purpose  quietly  to  appro 
priate  the  tithes  and  allow  the  Dissenters  to  retain  possession  of 
the  building.  The  population  of  the  locality  was  small,  and 
consisted  principally  of  Nonconformists,  who  were  quite  satisfied 
with  the  arrangement."  x  Almobt  from  the  commencement  of  his 
ministry  here  there  was  associated  with  Mr.  Crompton  the  Rev. 
Michael  Briscoe,  from  VValmsley.  His  invitation  to  join  Mr.  Peter 
Stanynough  in  the  pastorate  of  the  Liverpool  pulpit  has  been 
previously  mentioned,-  from  which  it  appears  that  he  had  a  high 
reputation  in  these  parts.  Mr.  Briscoe  was  one  of  the  foremost 
Independents  of  his  day,  whilst  Mr.  Crompton,  his  colleague,  is 
described  as  a  Presbyterian,  yet  they  worked  peaceably  together, 
each  doing  duty  on  alternate  Sundays.3  The  reader  will  find  in 
volume  three  of  this  work  a  full  account  of  this  worthy  man,  who 
continued  to  labour  at  Toxteth  Park  until  his  death,  September, 
1685.  His  place  was  supplied  by  the  Rev.  Christopher  Richardson, 
M.A.  He  was  born  in  1618,  probably  in  the  city  of  York,  being 
baptised  on  January  lyth,  1618,  at  the  Parish  Church  of  St.  Mary, 
Bishophill.  He  was  placed  in  the  rectory  of  Kirkheaton,  near 
Huddersfield,  in  1646,  whence  he  was  ejected  in  i662,4  but,  buying 
Lassell  Hall,  he  preached  there,  using  the  staircase  as  a  pulpit. 

1  "  Notes  on  the  Origin  and  History  of  the  Congregational  Churches  in 
Liverpool,"  p.  9. 

2  Vide  ante  p.  63. 

:!  The  truth  is,  the  difference  between  the  Presbyterians  and  Independents 
was  not  great — the  names  were  often  used  interchangeably.  Time  gradually 
brought  about  a  rapprochement  between  the  two  bodies,  so  that,  as  Sir  J.  A. 
Picton  says,  "  Subsequent  to  the  Restoration,  Presbyterianism,  as  a  form  of 
church  government,  can  hardly  be  said  to  have  existed  in  England,  until 
revived  in  after  years  by  the  influx  from  Scotland  "  (Notes,  &c.,p.  9).  It  was 
therefore  nothing  very  unusual  tor  Mr.  Crompton  and  Mr.  Briscoe  to  be  joined 
together  in  the  pastorate  of  one  church. 

4  So  Calamy  ;   but  others  say  he  was  silenced  in  1661. 


84  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

Oliver  Heywood,  who  was  an  intimate  friend,  has  preserved  in  his 
diary  an  interesting  account  of  a  service  at  Lassell  Hall,  which 
shows  the  type  of  man  Mr.  Richardson  was : — 

On  Jan.  2,  7^,  I  joyned  with  Mr.  Richardson  at  an  exercise  at  Lassell-hall, 
abundance  of  people  came,  when  Mr.  R.  was  preaching  Sr  John  Kays 
sergeant  came,  and  thrust  through  the  crowd,  made  inquiry  whether  he  had 
a  licence  to  preach  there,  Mr.  R.  smartly  answered  wt  have  you  to  doe 
with  that?  the  man  withdrew  Mr.  Richardson  went  on,  I  confesse  at 
first  it  something  affrighted  me,  and  I  thought  with  my  self  if  he  came  again 
when  I  am  preaching  it  will  put  me  quite  out.  Well,  he  finished,  I  succeeded, 
and  when  1  had  prayed  and  was  preaching,  he  came  again,  demanded  if  we 
had  licence.  Mr.  Rich:  ans:  sharply  saying  what  authority  have  you  to 
inquire,  he  ans:  his  master  sent  him,  who  is  your  master  sd  he,  he  ans: 
Sr  John  Kay,  and  he  commanded  us  both  in  the  kings  name  to  goe  along  with 
him  to  his  master,  Mr.  R.  ans:  we  would  not  goe  without  a  warrant,  we  desired 


AUTOGRAPH  OF  THE  REV.  C.  RICHARDSON. 


to  see  it,  he  shewed  it  us  I  read  it,  wherein  both  our  right  names  were, 
when  I  saw  that  I  gave  him  mild  words  and  desired  him  to  stay  awhile  till 
we  had  done  our  work  and  then  we  would  obey  him,  well  sth  he  I  shall  wait 
your  leisure,  he  stood  by,  I  went  on  with  my  sermon,  and  God  graciously 
helped  above  fear,  it  was  quite  gone,  and  God  helpt  memory,  and  elocution 
and  affection, — when  we  had  done  our  work  we  went  along  with  that  man 
and  two  of  Sir  Johns  livery  men,  came  to  Woodsome  that  dark  (I  suppose 
he  was)  was  churlish  and  snappish,  told  me  he  thought  we  had  not  made  such 
particular  reflections  as  we  did.  I  askt  him  in  wht  ?  sth  he,  I  took  good 
notice  of  your  words,  I  bade  him  speak  truth,  and  I  cared  not  what  he 
said.1 

For  some  years  Mr.  Richardson  acted  as  chaplain  to  Mr.  Wm. 
Cotton,  of  Denby  Grange,  Penistone ;  preached  at  Sheffield  and 
Norton  (Derbyshire),  and  removed  to  Liverpool  in  1687.  An 

1  Heywood's  "Diaries,"  vol.  iii.,  p.  119,  by  J.  H.  Turner. 


AN  OLD  LOVE  LETTER.  85 

interesting  love  letter  to   his   second  wife,1  Hephzibah   Pry  me,   or 
Prime,  has  been  preserved,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy  : — 

My  Dearest  Love, 

I  doubt  not  but  since  my  departure  from  you,  you  have  found  my 
word  too  true,  I  meane  that  the  warrants  are  forth  against  us.  The  Lord 
preserve  and  keep  us  out  of  their  hands.  I  would  gladly  hope  your  father 
came  safely  home,  and  is  in  safety  there.  I  called  at  Carr  House,  but  finding 
the  captaine  much  better  I  made  noe  stay  not  soe  much  as  to  dine  with  him. 
I  have  sent  by  this  bearer  some  bedding  and  other  goods.  I  feare  they  will 
be  found  very  much  spoyled,  but  1  cannot  help  it,  we  must  take  them  as  they 
are.  I  commit  them  to  your  disposal,  not  doubting  you  will  order  them  to 
the  best.  I  am  at  my  own  house  at  present,  and  I  blesse  God  in  health  and 
wellfare,  but  not  without  feare,  resolving  as  soon  as  I  can  and  hopeinge  ere 
long  to  see  my  dearest  deare  :  In  the  meanwhile,  as  I  desire  to  doe,  soe  you 
also  may  deceive  the  weary  time  with  some  diversion,  a  better  I  cannot 
commend  unto  you  than  in  the  intervalle  of  other  business  to  intertaine  God 
into  your  thoughts  with  something  relating  unto  him  either  his  attributes, 
words,  or  works,  especially  his  vvorke  of  mercy  wherein  he  aboundeth  towards 
us  in  Christ  Jesus  such  meditation  will  purge  your  ininde  from  vaine  thoughts 
the  bane  of  heavenly  mindednesse,  the  food  power  &  nourishers  of  corrupt 
affections  and  lusts.  The  quenchers  of  the  Spirit,  the  griefe  of  gracious  but 
the  complacency  and  pleasure  of  carnall  heartes.  It  will  also  leave  a  sweet 
relish  upon  your  spirit  and  give  more  solid  delight  unto  your  soul  than  all  the 
vanityes  of  this  world  can  afford  you,  which  when  they  have  found  entertain 
ment  in  your  thoughts  having  kept  out  better  things  leave  nothing  but 
emptiness  and  a  sting  behind  them.  As  I  have  been  honoured  to  bee  received 
into  your  closet,  soe  that  which  most  appeared  and  took  me  there  was  the 
sight  of  your  bible  layd  upon  your  table,  which  when  I  opened  I  observed 
marked  with  pieces  of  paper  to  direct  unto  the  places  which  I  conceive  were 
a  course  in  your  dayly  reading;  whence  I  gathered  (and  I  hope  truly)  that 
you  keep  a  constant  dayly  course  of  reading  the  Scriptures.  To  which  I 
question  not  but  you  joyne  secret  prayer.  God  Almighty  continue  you  in 

that  good  way  and  bless  you  ;   which  is  and  shall  bee  the  prayer  of -,  who 

is  and  hopeth  to  bee 

Yours  whilst  his  owne 

C.  Richardson.2 

Lassell  Mall 

November  24,  82. 

1  His  first  wife,  Elixabeth  Richardson,  was  buried  at  Kirkheaton, 
December  3oth,  1668,  when  the  Revs.  Oliver  Heywood  and  Joseph  Dawson 
attended  the  funeral. 

-  Turner's  "Yorkshire  Genealogist"  for  July,  1890,  p.  288. 


MRS      HEPHZIBAH     RICHARDSON. 


MRS.  RICHARDSON.  87 

Mrs.  Richardson  was  the  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Edward  Prime, 
ejected  minister  of  Sheffield.  She  was  born  January  3rd,  1654-5, 
and  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Richardson  took  place  on  January 
23rd,  1682.  After  his  death  she  married,  on  the  26th  of  July, 
1722,  the  Rev.  Robert  Fern,  who  also  had  been  ejected,  and  died 
a  widow  in  1735,  at  Hemsworth,  near  Norton,  about  three  miles 
from  Sheffield. 

Mr.  Richardson  preached  fortnightly  at  Liverpool,  and  the  inter 
vening  Sunday  at  Toxteth  Park,1  and  to  him,  doubtless,  belongs 
the  honour  of  founding  the  first  dissenting  congregation  in  the 
city,  though  it  is  not  certain  in  what  year  he  ceased  his  connection 
with  Toxteth  Park  Chapel.  He  died  in  December,  i698,2  aged 
about  eighty  years.  Calamy  says  :— 

His  preaching  was  to  the  last  very  neat  and  accurate,  tho'  plain  and  popu 
lar.  He  had  a  healthful  constitution,  which  continued  till  old  age.  He  was 
weighty  in  the  Scriptures,  being  able  on  a  sudden  to  analyze,  expound,  and 
improve  any  chapter  he  read  in  the  pious  families  which  he  visited.  In 
Yorkshire  he  was  more  followed.  A  neighbouring  minister,  whose 
parishioners  used  to  go  to  hear  him,  complaining  once  to  him  that  he  drew 
away  his  flock,  Mr.  Richardson  answered,  "Feed  them  better,  and  they  will 
not  stray."  3 

In  the  Kirkheaton  Church  a  tablet  has  been  erected  to  his 
memory,  which  is  thus  inscribed: — 

To  the  Memory  of 

CHRISTOPHER    RICHARDSON,    A.M., 

Of  Trin.    Coll.,    Cambridge,  and   Lassell    Hall,    in    this    parish,    Rector   of 
Kirkheaton  1646-61,  in  which  latter  year  he  was  silenced. 

1   So  Calamy;   but  Mr.  Davis  puts  it  the  other  way  about. 

-  So  Calamy;  and  Oliver  Heywood,  in  his  "  Northowram  Register" 
(p.  95),  has  the  following:  "Mr.  Christopher  Richardson,  of  Liverpool,  dyed 
Dec.,  1698-9,  aged  81."  Mr.  Davis,  however,  says:  "  In  a  chapel  register, 
kept  by  Samuel  Angier,  of  Dukinfield,  from  1677  to  1713,  there  is  the  follow- 
ing  entry:  "  Mmd.  Mr.  Richard  ...  of  Liverpool,  aged  89  years,  died  in 
November,  1698,  which  will  have  been  Richardson,  and  gives  us  the  more 
exact  age  and  date  of  death  than  Calamy."  I  think  the  longer  age  is 
doubtful. 

3  "  Nonconformist's  Memorial"  (1802),  vol.  iii.,  p.  439. 


THE    REV.    C.    RICHARDSON,    M.A. 


PERSONAL  FRIENDS.  89 

He  established  the  first  Presbyterian  Church   in  Liverpool  in  1688,  and  died 

in  that  city  in  1698,  aged  80. 

This  memorial  was  erected  by  John  Richardson,  of  Bromley,  Kent,  Frances 

Richardson,  of  Ventnor,  and  Martha  Sparks,  of  Crewkerne, 

His  descendants  in  the  fifth  generation,  July,  1884. 

Four  personal  friends,  the  Revs.  Joshua  Kirby,  of  Wakefield  ; 
Oliver  Heywood,  of  Coley  ;  Christopher  Richardson,  the  ejected 
minister  of  Kirkheaton ;  and  Mr.  Cotton,  an  eminent  layman,  sent 
each  a  son  to  be  trained  for  the  ministry  by  Mr.  Hickman,  near 
Bromsgrove,  Worcestershire.  The  party  set  out  on  Monday, 
May  1 9th,  1673.  They  remained,  however,  only  a  short  time,  for 
in  June,  1674,  they  were  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Richard 
Frankland,  whose  academy  was  then  at  Natland,  near  Kendal. 
Christopher  Richardson,  junior,  completed  his  studies  at  Edin 
burgh  University,  but  he  does  not  seem  to  have  been  ordained, 
living  and  dying  at  Lassell  Hall.1 

A  short  time  previous  to  the  death  of  Mr.  Richardson,  senior, 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Crompton  had  removed  to  Eccles,  to  take  charge 
of  the  congregation  then  worshipping  at  Monks  Hall.  The  pre 
cise  date  of  his  removal  cannot  be  given,  but  ic  was  shortly  after 
1695,  in  which  year  the  Rev.  Thomas  Baldwin  died,  whom  he 
succeeded  at  Monks  Hall.  Four  years  after  this  he  himself  died. 
The  following  appears  in  the  "  Northowram  Register "  : — 

Mr.  Thomas  Crompton,  of  Toxteth  Park,2  having  been  in  Darbishire, 
returning,  dyed  at  Apothecary  Holbrooks,  in  Manchester,  was  carried  thence 
to  be  buried  at ,  Sept.  2,  99,  aged  64. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Angier  probably  took  Mr.  Richardson's  place 
as  assistant  to  Mr.  Crompton.  He  was  a  relative  of  the  Rev.  John 

1  Calamy  mentions  "  Mr.  Richardson,   a  competent  scholar,  and  a  pious 
man,"  who,  by  nature  of  a  license  obtained  in    1672,   preached  at   Chorlton, 
and  died  in  1680  ("  Nonconformist's  Memorial,"  1802,  vol.  ii.,  p.  369). 

2  Page  97.  He  was  so  described,  though  resident  near  Manchester,  because 
of  his  long  connection  with  Toxteth  Park.     He  is  to  be  distinguished  from  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Crompton,  of  Astley,  in  the  parish  of  Leigh,  who   was  ejected 
in  1662,  and  died  January  i7th,  1690. 


go  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

Angier,  of  Denton;  and  Oliver  Heywood,  who  married  John 
Angler's  sister,  calls  him  both  "nephew"  and  "cousin."1 
Probably  this  was  the  Samuel  Angier  who  entered  the  academy  of 
the  Rev.  Richard  Frankland  when  it  was  at  Natland,  April  24th, 
1676,  and  was  ordained,  along  with  Matthew  Smith,  Eliezer  Hey 
wood,  Edward  Byrom,  and  Nathaniel  Heywood,  at  Oliver 
Heyvvood's  house,  June  ist,  1687.  Samuel  Angier,  along  with  Mr. 
Thomas  Crompton,  appeared  at  a  meeting  of  the  United  Brethren, 
held  at  Bolton,  May  7th,  1694,  as  representing  the  church  or 
churches  of  Liverpool,  and  Angier's  name  is  continued  as  such 
until  August  loth,  1697.  Shortly  after  this  he  died,  as  the  follow 
ing  from  the  Register  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Angier,  of  Dukinfield, 
shows  : — 

1698.     Mr.  Samuel  Angier,  of  Toxteth   Park,  minister  of  ye  Gospel,  died 
Feb.  20,  and  was  buried  Wednesday,  ye  23rd. 

In  Oliver  Heyvvood's  "  Northowram  Register  "  also  appears  the 
following  : — 


Mr.  Samuel  Angier,  my  nephew,  a  N.  C.  minr.  at  Liverpool,  bur.  Wednes 
day,  feb.  23,  1698,  aged  40.'- 

In  a  small  Goldsmith's  Almanac  for  1682,  which  formerly 
belonged  to  the  Rev.  Samuel  Angier,  of  Dukinfield,  are  some 
interesting  notices  of  his  family  connections,  amongst  them  being 
these  two,  which  I  imagine  refer  to  Samuel  Angier,  of 
Liverpool  : — 

Sept.  21.     Cousin  Sam.  Angier  came  to  my  house  26  of  Nov. Cousin 

Sam.  went  from  my  house.3 

1  Oliver  Heywood  used  these  terms  quite  loosely,  so  that  no  certain  con 
clusions  can  be  drawn  from  them. 

2  Page  92. 

3  This   curious   little   volume,    which   formerly    belonged   to    the    Rev. 
Richard  Slate,  of  Preston,  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  John  Hargreaves, 
of  Rock  Ferry. 


THE  REV.  SAMUEL  ANGIER.  91 

Near  the  south  entrance  of  the  chapel  is  a  gravestone  which 
records  the  burials  of  several  members  of  the  Angier  family, 
during  the  last  century,  amongst  them  Samuel  Angier,  M.D.,  Ob. 
1767  (P)1  In  the  "  Dukinfield  Register"  is  also  the  following 
entry  respecting  the  widow  and  son  of  Mr.  Samuel  Angier  :— 

May  7,  1700.  I  heard  that  William,  son  of  Cousin  Samuel  Angier,  of 
Toxteth,  deceased,  and  Rebecca,  his  now  widow,  was  dead,  falling  into  a 
well  the  14  of  Aprill,  being  Sab.  evening,  when  his  mother  was  catechising 
the  rest  of  her  children,  which  is  the  fifth  breach  amongst  the  relations  of 
that  family  in  a  short  time. 

The  Minutes  of  the  United  Brethren,  under  date  August  i3th, 
1700,  state  that — 

Whereas  two  persons  coming  from  Liverpool  did  desire  our  opinion  whether 
Mr.  Parr  should  come  to  them  to  be  their  minister,  we  judged  it  not  proper 
to  determine  anything  about  it  without  hearing  both  sides,  the  case  not 
having  been  already  before  the  classes  to  which  it  belonged  primarily.2 

The  "  Brethren "  never  again  met,  and  Mr.  Parr,  I  imagine, 
made  Preston  his  home  instead  of  Liverpool,3  the  Rev.  John 
Kennion,  becoming  the  minister  of  Toxteth  Park.  He  entered 
Mr.  Frankland's  Academy  at  Rathmell,  January  9th,  1691,  and 
settled  at  Toxteth  Park  about  1700.  During  his  ministry  there 
was  a  congregation  of  249  persons,  of  whom  twenty-four  were 
county  voters,  and  this  is  the  period  into  which  falls  Bishop 
Gastrell's  description  of  the  place  :— 

Park  Chapel  in  Toxteth  Park,  near  Childwall,  supposed  to  be  extra- 
parochial,  or  in  ye  Parish  of  Lancaster,  possessed  by  Dissenters,  held  by  a 
Lease  from  Ld  Molineaux,  and  was  given  in  as  a  house  belonging  to  his  LP  by 

1  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  this  gravestone  is  now  broken,  and  the 
inscription  upon  it  in  places  quite  undecipherable.  There  appears  upon  it 
a  coat  of  arms,  which  shows  that  the  owners  of  the  grave  were  a  family  of 
considerable  importance. 

2."  Manchester  Classis"  (Chetham  Society,  New  Series,  vol.  xxiv.), 
P.  364. 

3  Vide  vol.  i.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


92  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY, 

his  Agents,  wn  they  Registered  his  Estate.  Anno.,  1718.  This  was  a  Park 
and  waste  land  wthout  Inhabitants  in  Queen  Elizabeth's  reign.  There  is  a 
Tradition  that  an  Irish  Bishop  has  preached  several  Sundays  in  this  Chappell.1 

Mr.  Kennion  continued  to  serve  the  congregation  until  his  death 
in  1728.  He  was  buried  in  the  graveyard  of  the  chapel,  and  on 
his  tombstone  is  the  following  inscription  : — 

The  REVD-  MR.  JOHN  KENION,  died  Aug*- 

i6th-  1728,  Aged  55. 
MILICENT  KENION,  his  wife,  died  Decbr- 

I5th>  I732)  Aged  58. 
JOHN   KENNION,  ESQR->  Collector  of 

Customs,  Liverpool,  died  the 

20th  of  June,  1785,  Aged  59  years. 

ALICE   KENNION,  his  wife,  died 

the  27th  of  Jan>'->   1813,  Aged    83  years. 

A  brother  of  the  Rev.  John  Kennion  was  an  eminent  physician 
in  Liverpool,  and  members  of  the  family,  as  the  tombstones  and 
tablets  show,  continued  to  be  associated  with  the  chapel  long 
after  his  death.  Dr.  Raffles  says  that  he  was  "  a  man  of 
finished  education  and  polished  manners,  and  withal  an  excellent 
preacher,  so  that  the  chapel  was  well  attended  during  his 
ministry."2  On  the  authority  of  Dr.  Raffles,  a  Rev.  Mr.  Gillibrand 
is  included  in  the  list  of  ministers  here,  and  is  mentioned  as  Mr. 
Kennion's  immediate  successor.  Little  is  known  of  him  beyond 
the  fact  that  he  was  "an  amiable  young  man,"  and  was  carried 
away  after  a  few  years  by  a  decline.  He  is  to  be  distinguished 
from  the  Rev.  Joseph  Gillibrand,  long  the  popular  minister  of  St. 
Helens.3 

The  Rev.  William  Harding  comes  next.  He  is  described  as  a 
Cheshire  farmer  from  the  neighbourhood  of  Congleton,  but  it  is 
certain  that  he  underwent  some  training  for  the  ministry  at  Dr. 
Charles  Owen's  Academy,  Warrington.  The  Minutes  of  the 
Cheshire  Classis  contain  the  following  : — 

1  "  Notitia  Cestriensis"  (Chetham  Society  Series,  vol.  xxi.),  p.  171. 

2  "  Christian  Reformer"  for  1862,  p.  356. 

3  Vide  vol.  iv.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


I  HE  REV.    WILLIAM  HARDING,  93 

April,  1714. — Mr.  William  Harding  was  examined,  approved,  and  allowed 
to  preach  as  a  candidate  by  Mr.  Risley  and  Mr.  Owen,  with  whom  he  had 
then  lived. 

The  next  meeting  is  to  be,  if  the  Lord  will,  upon  the  first  Tuesday  in 
August,  1716,  and  Mr.  William  Harding,  who  hath  officiated  at  or  near 
Middlewich  for  some  time,  is  then  to  be  ordained. 

In  1715  he  was  settled  as  minister  at  Partington,  Cheshire,  and 
on  August  7th,  1716,  his  ordination  took  place  at  Knutsford,  of 
which  we  have  the  following  account : — 

Mr.  William  Harding  was  then  ordained.  The  evening  before  he  exhibited 
his  thesis,  and  defended  it.  His  question  was  "Qiitfnain  est  consecratia 
Eiicharistitf  et  qualis  consecratia  sit  necessaria  ?"  The  day  following,  namely, 
August  7th'  in  a  very  numerous  assembly  of  ministers  and  people,  met  together 
in  the  new  chapel  (at  Knutsford),  he  was  solemnly  set  apart  to  ye  office  and 
work  of  ye  ministry.  The  minister  of  the  place  began  with  prayer  and  reading 
some  portions  of  Scripture.  Then  Mr.  Waterhouse  prayed  before  ye  sermon, 
which  was  preached  by  Mr.  Fletcher  from  Matthew  v.,  16.  After  sermon 
ended,  Mr.  Irlam  called  for  a  confession  of  his  faith,  which  he  made  before 
ye  congregation ;  and  then  put  the  usual  questions  to  him,  to  which  he 
answered  verbis  conceptis  :  and  so  he  was  set  apart  by  prayer  and  imposition 
of  hands  of  Mr.  Owen  (who  also  prayed  over  him)  Messrs.  Irlam,  Gardner, 
Fletcher,  Wraterhouse,  and  Lea.  Then  Mr.  Owen  gave  ye  exhortation  from 
from  i  Timothy  vi.,  20.  O  Timothy ',  keep  that  which  is  committed  to  thy  trust. 
So,  concluding  with  prayer,  thanksgiving,  singing,  and  pronouncing  ye  bless 
ing,  ye  congregation  was  dismissed.1 

Up  to  1730  Mr.  Harding  confined  his  labours  to  Partington, 
but  after  that  he  gave  one  fourth  of  his  time  to  Cross  Street  (Sale). 
Respecting  his  Cheshire  ministry  we  have  the  following : — 

He  was  a  regular  attendant  at  the  ministers'  meetings  till  August,  1737, 
taking  part  at  ordinations  and  other  services  of  importance,  and  he  appears 
to  have  been  a  man  of  acknowledged  worth.2 

In  1737  he  removed  to  Toxteth  Park,  where  he  continued  his 
ministrations  until  his  death  in  1776.  Dr.  Raffles,  in  his  valuable 
MS.  collection  hardly  does  justice  to  Harding's  educational  attain- 

1  Urwick's  "  Nonconformity  in  Cheshire,"  p.  376. 

2  Ibid,  p.  377. 


94  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

ments  when  he  describes  him  as  "  a  man  of  no  education  or 
regular  training  for  the  ministry."  Dr.  Halley  seems  equally  at 
fault  when  he  says  : — • 

He  seems  to  have  mistaken  his  proper  gift  of  God.  Having  been  useful 
as  an  exemplary  extemporaneous  preacher,  he  became  ambitious  of  a  higher 
distinction,  and,  to  show  that  he  was  no  longer  a  Methodist  itinerant,  but  a 
regular  dissenting  minister,  he  assumed  a  clerical  dress,  wore  a  becoming  wig, 
and  betook  himself  to  the  reading  of  long  and  elaborate  sermons."1 

The  Cheshire  minutes  previously  cited  show  that  Harding 
received  a  training  not  inferior  to  that  of  many  of  his  day,  and 
that  his  being  "  a  Cheshire  farmer "  must  not  be  understood  to 
imply  lack  of  culture.  It  does,  however,  seem  clear  that  his 
Lancashire  ministry  was  not  a  success.  Dr.  Raffles  says  : — 

He  was  in  the  habit  of  reading  his  sermons,  which  are  described  as  being 
long  and  tedious,  seldom  less  than  an  hour  and  a  half,  and  so  destitute  of 
evangelical  truth  that  no  one  could  gather  his  theological  sentiments.  It  is 
no  marvel  that  under  him  the  congregation  should  decline,  and  during  the 
greater  part  of  his  ministry  be  very  small.'- 

Pointing  to  the  same  conclusion  is  the  following  passage  from 
Dr.  Halley's  pen  :— 

On  his  death  a  pleasing  memorial  of  the  old  times,  or  what  would  have 
been  so,  had  it  not  through  his  negligence  lost  its  significance,  was  discon 
tinued  by  the  congregation.  In  the  time  of  persecution,  the  good  people  of 
the  Park  were  accustomed  to  meet  for  religious  worship  in  different  houses, 
in  order  to  elude  the  observation  of  the  informers.  On  the  passing  of  the 
Act  of  Toleration,  they  perpetuated  the  memory  of  their  sufferings  by 
licensing  those  houses  (no  fewer  than  twelve),  having  monthly  prayer  meet 
ings  in  them  successively,  and  so  completing  the  rotation  every  year.  In 
may  seem  strange  that  these  assemblies  should  have  been  continued 
throughout  Mr.  Harding's  long  and  negligent  ministry.  They  were  so, 
because  he  allowed  them  to  degenerate  into  convivial  meetings,  in  which 
drinking  ale  and  smoking  tobacco  took  the  place  of  exhortation,  psalm 
singing,  and  prayer.3 

1  "  Lancashire  Puritanism  and  Nonconformity,"  vol.  ii.,  p.  457. 

2  "Christian  Reformer"  for  1862,  p.  356. 

3  u  Lancashire  Puritanism  and  Nonconformity,"  vol.  ii.,  p.  458. 


THE  ANCIENT  CHAPEL.  95 

It  was  this  ministerial  laxity  which  brought  on  ministerial  failure 
and  diminished  congregations,1  and  to  "recruit  his  resources"  Mr. 
Harding  "resumed  his  old  occupation  of  farming;  the  milk  and 
butter  being  taken  by  his  daughters  for  sale  to  the  Liverpool 
market."'2  Towards  the  end  of  his  days,  however,  an  important 
event  took  place,  viz.,  the  rebuilding  of  the  chapel.  Dr.  Raffles 
says  : — 

It  first  underwent  considerable  repairs,  but  these  were  scarcely  completed 
when  the  walls  began  to  give  way,  and  it  was  found  necessary  entirely  to 
rebuild  it.  So  much  had  the  building  been  neglected  that  prior  to  the  first 
repairs  bushes  actually  grew  out  of  the  walls  and  within  the  pews.  After 
the  completion  of  these  repairs  some  incendiaries  endeavoured  to  burn  it 
down,  but  the  combustibles  did  not  ignite,  though  matches  which  had 
evidently  been  alight  were  found  among  them.3 

As  anything  which  can  help  us  to  understand  what  the  old 
chapel  was  like  will  interest  the  reader,  I  venture  to  transcribe  the 
following  passage  from  Mr.  Davis's  little  book  : — 

There  is  a  statement  of  Josh.  Mercer  and  W.  Lassell's  (1803)  about  the 
old  chapel  :  "  It  was  originally  built  of  rough  stone,  set  in  clay.  In  1774  its 
state  was  such  that  it  was  fixed  on  by  the  trustees  to  take  it  all  down  and 
rebuild  it."  The  old  tombs  in  the  chapel  show  that  the  original  site  was 
retained.  The  only  other  approach  to  a  description  of  the  old  chapel  that  I 
have  been  able  to  find  is  in  a  deposition  made  in  1833  by  John  and  Thomas 
Dickenson  with  reference  to  the  school  house,  preserved  among  the  congre 
gational  papers.  These  two  remembered  being  sent  as  boys  to  the  old 
school  house  adjoining  the  Toxteth  Chapel.  Occasionally  the  burial  of  a 
member  of  the  congregation  took  place  in  the  school  house,  on  which 
occasion  the  boys,  of  course,  had  a  holiday.  They  state  that  the  old  chapel 

1  Mr.  Davis,  in  his  "History  of  Toxteth  Chapel,"  attributes  the  falling  off 
in  the  congregation  of  Mr.  Harding  to  the  multiplication  of  dissenting  interests 
in  Liverpool.     Hardly  so  ;  for,  besides  the  growth  of  population  which  made 
those  interests  necessary,  all  except  one  (The  Octagon)  had  been  in  existence 
fifty  years  or  more  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Harding's  death,  thus  covering  some  of 
the  most  prosperous  years  of  Toxteth  Chapel.     It  must  be  remembered,  too, 
that  Dr.  Raffles,   who  is  our  principal  authority  in  these  adverse  views  of 
Mr.  Harding's  ministry,  lived  amongst  those  unto  whom  that  ministry  was  a 
very  clear  memory. 

2  Sir  J.  A.  Picton's  "  Notes,"  &c.,  p.  n. 

3  "  Christian  Reformer,"  for  1862,  p.  357. 


96  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

stood  about  on  the  site  of  the  present  building,  but  that  the  south  gallery 
was  approached  only  by  means  of  stone  steps  outside  the  chapel,  and  the 
north  gallery  by  a  wooden  staircase  passing  up  through  the  school  house. 
There  is  also  an  old  plan  of  the  chapel  in  1773  which  confirms  this  state 
ment.  From  this  it  appears  that  approaching  from  Liverpool  along  the  lane, 
which  is  now  Park  Road,  you  come  first  to  the  entrance  porch,  and  passed 
through  this  into  the  school  room,  where  there  was  the  staircase  up  to  the  north 
gallery,  and  also  an  entrance  into  the  chapel  downstairs.  It  seems  that  the 
old  school-house  was  pulled  down  before  the  end  of  last  century,  and  a  more 
elaborate  building  erected.  There  is  a  plan  of  this,  made  in  1835,  by  Charles 
Whiteside,  the  last  master.  The  entrance  was  in  the  middle  of  the  building, 
facing  Park  Road,  on  the  left  were  the  master's  apartments,  on  the  right  the 
schoolrooms — the  boys'  downstairs,  the  girls'  on  the  first  floor.  At  the  south 
end  of  the  school  room  was  a  door  leading  into  the  vestry  of  the  chapel,  but 
the  chapel  itself  was  now  approached  directly  from  Park  Road  by  a  new 
porch.  A  new  staircase  leading  up  to  the  north  gallery  was  also  built  inside 
the  chapel.  It  is  not  clear  whether  the  whole  of  the  outer  structure  of  the 
chapel  built  in  1774  was  new  or  not,  but  there  is  a  stone  over  one  of  the 
windows  bearing  the  date  1650,  and  some  of  the  old  woodwork  was  retained, 
notably  the  door  of  the  Mather  pew,  with  its  carved  inscription,  "  D.  1650. 
M."  There  is  an  old  bell,  also,  which  still  announces  to  the  congregation 
the  times  of  service.  Tradition,  with  amusing  unlikelihood,  ascribed  the  gift 
of  this  bell  to  Oliver  Cromwell.  I  regret  to  say  that  I  have  rriounted  the 
roof  and  invaded  the  solitude  of  our  old  friend.  He  claims  only  to  have 
been  born  in  1751.  There  is  no  further  inscription,  only  the  date  in  old- 
fashioned  figures  forming  part  of  an  ornamented  ring  about  the  upper  part 
of  the  bell.1 

As  we  have  seen,  Mr.  Harding  survived  the  rebuilding  of  the 
chapel  only  some  two  years.  His  remains  lie  in  the  graveyard, 
and  his  tombstone  reads  thus : — 

This  Stone  calls  to  our  re 
membrance  ELIZABETH  HARDING, 
Who    died    October    the    24th-     1766, 

In  the  75th  year  of  her  age. 

Also    the    Revd-    WILLIAM    HARDING,    who 

Departed  this  life  15th  July,  1776,  aged  85 

years. 

The  Rev.  James  McQuhae,  then  at  Tockholes,  subsequently 
at  Blackburn,  was  invited  to  the  pastorate,  but  he  declined  the 

1  "  Some  Account  of  the  Ancient   Chapel  of  Toxteth   Park,  Liverpool/' 
PP.  39,  40 


THE    REV.     SAMUEL    MERCER.  97 

invitation,  and  the  Rev.  Hugh  Anderson  was  appointed,  "much  to 
the  dissatisfaction  of  a  considerable  minority,  who  desired  to 
hear  more  of  the  evangelical  doctrine  than  he  preached  to  them."1 
Before  dealing  with  the  consequences  of  this  choice  I  shall  present 
the  reader  with  some  interesting  correspondence  respecting  the 
appointment  of  a  successor  to  Mr.  Harding,  together  with  some 
notes  of  the  Mercer  family,  members  of  which  frequently  cross  the 
pathway  of  the  Lancashire  Nonconformist  historian.  Two  or  three 
years  previous  to  Mr.  Harding's  death  his  infirmities  and  negligence 
gave  considerable  anxiety  to  those  who  were  interested  in  the 
prosperity  of  the  place.  Writing  to  his  brother,  Mr.  Jonathan 
Mercer,  of  Allerton,  on  December  roth,  1774,  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Mercer,  of  Chowbent,  says  : — 

I  am  surprised  to  hear  Mr.  Harding  is  still  living,  but  imagine  there  i 
little  probability  indeed  of  his  ever  being  useful  again.  With  respect  to  the 
Religious  Sy.  at  Toxteth  Park,  I  have  had  many  thoughts  about  them  in 
their  present  situation,  and  could  sincerely  wish  it  were  in  my  power  to  serve 
them  in  any  way.  I  have  made  frequent  enquiries  of  my  friends  who  come 
at  a  distance,  whether  they  knew  of  any  person  that  would  suit  the  place 
but  at  present  have  not  heard  of  any.  When  I  see  Mr.  Smalley  I  will  make 
the  proper  enquiries  of  him,  but  an  attempt  to  remove  while  Mr.  Harding  is 
living,  I  should  think  you  have  it  not  in  your  power  to  give  any  other 
minister  proper  encouragement  to  settle  amongst  you.  Of  this,  however, 
you  are  much  better  qualified  to  judge  than  I  am.  But  if  you  cannot,  I 
should  think  it  more  advisable,  as  I  told  Sister  Bradley,  to  engage  as  many 
of  the  neighbouring  ministers  as  you  can  to  supply  the  place  for  a  while. 
This  may,  perhaps,  be  the  means  of  keeping  the  people  in  good  humour  for 
a  time,  and  until  you  are  able  to  make  such  proposals  to  another  minister, 
whether  as  an  assistant  to  Mr.  Harding,  or  as  your  stated  pastor,  which  may 
be  thought  a  sufficient  encouragement  for  him  to  come  and  settle  among 
you.  Would  it  not  be  much  better  to  drop  all  thoughts  of  it  at  present, 
especially  as  a  period  of  six  or  eight  months  possibly  may  not  elapse  without 
producing  some  important  change  or  changes.  I  wish  not  to  be  understood 
as  advising  you  against  fixing  with  another  minister,  so  soon  as  you  can  either 
meet  with  one  that  will  be  agreeable,  or  you  are  able  to  make  a  decent  and 
comfortable  provision  for  one.  But  if  you  cannot,  besides  the  £20  per 
an.  which  you  propose  giving  to  Mr.  Harding  during  his  natural  life,  afford 
to  pay  a  supply  constantly  after  the  rate  of  155.  per  day  (which  I  am  afraid 
will  not  be  in  your  power),  it  is  not  very  probable  I  think  that  you  will  meet 
with  any  person,  much  more  such  a  one  as  you  could  wish,  who  would  pay 

1  Halley's  "  Lancashire  Puritanism  and  Nonconformity,"  vol.  ii.,  p.  458. 
6-7 


98  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

much  attention  to  your  proposals.  Mr.  Boult  is  going  into  Derbyshire  next 
week  to  settle,  Mr.  Horrox  is  gone  to  Cottingham,  near  Hull,  and  I  think  it 
not  improbable  that  Mr.  Valentine  may  soon  be  engaged  to  supply  Tunley 
every  other  Lord's  Day.  Possibly  it  may  be  in  my  power  again  to  assist  you 
two  or  three  days  by  way  of  exchange. 

p.S. — If  the  Revd-  Mr.  Dewhurst,  of  Oswestry,  would  suit  you,  I  doubt 
not  but  he  would  be  willing  to  remove.  At  present  he's  only  an  assistant  to 
an  old  gentleman  with  whom,  I  believe,  he  is  not  on  the  most  friendly  terms 
I  have  been  informed  that  he  would  be  very  willing  to  accept  of  Tunley. 
Mr.  D.  had  his  grammar  learning  under  Mr.  Smalley,  was  educated  at 
Daventry,  but  hear  he  is  not  a  popular  preacher. 

Mr.  Mercer's  next  letter,  dealing  with  the  same  subject,  is  dated 
January  23rd,  1775,  and  reads  thus  :— 

Yesterday  I  recea  a  letter  from  the  Revd  Mr.  Nisbett,  of  Congleton,  &c. 
Here  comes  the  following  extract  from  it : — "The  other  place  you  mention, 
to  wit,  Toxteth  Park,  has  circumstances  to  recommend  it  the  reverse  of 
Tunley.  A  pleasing  situation  and  an  agreeable  neighbourhood,  but  a 
people  rather  stiff  in  their  sentiments.  I  freely  own,  Sir,  that  some  of  the 
peculiar  doctrines  of  Calvinism  are  too  hard  for  my  digestion.  I  can  see  no 
foundation  for  them  in  the  N.  T.  Nevertheless,  I  ministered  for  two  years 
to  people  much  of  their  turn  of  mind  with  general  approbation.  Mr.  John 
Angier,  my  predecessor  at  Swanland,  nr.  Hull  (a  gentleman  known  well  at 
Liverpool),  was  their  minister  near  32  years.  The  ruling  principle  in  my 
public  performances  has  been  to  drop  all  controversies  and  confine  myself 
to  confessedly  important  themes.  If  I  hear  nothing  further  to  forbid  me,  I 
shall  endeavour  to  wait  upon  them  at  the  time  appointed,  i.e.,  the  ad  Sabth 
in  Feby."  Mr.  Mercer  goes  on  to  express  his  opinion  that  "  a  man  of  moderate 
sentiments  like  Mr.  N.  would  suit  them  best,  and  be  more  likely  to  draw  a 
congregation  from  Liverpool  than  a  flaming  bigotted  Calvinist."  He  con 
cludes  his  letter  thus :  "  Should  be  glad  to  know  in  your  next  whether  Mr. 
Priestley  preached  for  you  last  Lord's  day,  and  what  the  sentiments  of  your 
society  were  of  him." 

Writing  on  November  2ist,  1775,  Mr.  Mercer  says  :— 

Last  Sunday  Evg.  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Fenner,  which  I  have 
enclosed  for  your  satisfaction  and  the  rest  of  the  members  of  your  Soy ,  and 
from  Mr.  F.'s  account  of  Mr.  Darracott  am  sorry  you  have  met  with  such  a 
disappointment. 

The  letter  of  the  Rev.  John   Ludd  Fenner,  who  had  recently 


INTERESTING    LETTERS, 


99 


settled  at  Monton  Chapel,1  near  Manchester,  is  dated  November 
i yth,  1775,  and  reads  as  follows  : — 

Dr.  Sir, 

I  last  night  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Darracott,  the  contents  of 
which  are  as  follows  :—  That  he  esteems  himself  obliged  to  his  friends,  but 
is  now  situated  amongst  all  his  relations,  and  upon  the  whole  is  as  happy  as 
he  ever  expects  to  be,  and  therefore  cannot  think  to  move.  You  will  please 
to  return  this  answer  to  the  people  at  Toxteth  Park.  I  am  sorry  both  on 
their  account  and  my  own.  Mr.  D.  is  a  worthy  man,  and  worth  gaining,  or  I 
would  not  have  recommended  him.  I  hope  the  great  Head  of  the  Church 
will  direct  them  to  a  suitable  choice. 

Messrs.  Mercer  and  Lassell  received  a  communication  from  Dr. 
Fisher,  Tutor  of  Homerton  College,  dated  January  25th,  1775,  to 
the  following  effect : — 

Sirs  and  Vn  friends, 

In  yours  dated  the  i6th  inst.,  you  in  some  particulars 
state  the  case  of  the  church  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev  Mr. 
Harding,  who  is  now  far  advanced  in  life,  &c.  One  Mr.  Kello,  a  hopeful, 
promising  young  person,  now  a  student  here,  will  probably  some  time  in 
April  or  May  pass  his  trials  for  the  ministry,  but  till  that  period  and  pro 
bation  he  cannot,  according  to  established  rule,  preach  in  any  place  save  in  the 
church  where  he  is  :n  special  communion.  But  if  after  or  about  that  time  the 
good  people  at  T.  P.  should  be  in  want  of  a  supply  Mr.  R.,  upon  application 
made,  will  have  no  disinclination  to  make  you  a  visit. 

The  next  correspondent  is  the  Rev.  James  McQuhae,  an  extract 
from  whose  letter,  dated  from  Tockholes,  April  i3th,  1776,  is  here 
given  : — 

I  understand  you  have  got  a  young  gentleman  from  Galloway  to  supply 
for  you  at  the  Park.  Please  write  me  what  encouragement  he  meets  with  ; 
if  he  is  evangelical  and  likely  to  be  useful,  and  if  he  desires  to  be  ordained 
among  you. 

Mr.  Mercer  replies  :— 

You'l  please  to  excuse  my  enlarging  on  the  Toxteth  Park  affair.  I  heard 
Mr.  Andersen  deliver  8  discourses  before  my  friends  gave  him  an  invitation 
to  fix  among  them,  the  substance  of  which  discourses  did  not  appear  to  me 
and  others  evangelical.  The  consequence  was  we  were  excluded  in  the 

1  Vide  vol.  v.  of  ''Lancashire  Nonce  nformity." 


ioo  LANCASHIRE   NONCONFORMITY. 

choice  because  we  would  not — the  truth  is  we  could  not — fall  in  with  a 
party.  It  is  annoying  to  hear  the  language  of  professors  in  our  day.  For 
my  own  part  I  claim,  what  I  will  freely  grant,  a  right  of  private  judgment, 
which  I  think  no  man  on  earth  has  a  power  over  ;  but,  alas,  by  far  the 
greater  part  of  professors  either  don't  understand  themselves,  or  their  lan 
guage  betrays  gross  ignorance  in  this  as  well  as  other  religious  matters. — I 
remain,  &c. 

The  Rev.  James  Scott,  of  Heckmondwike  Academy,  writes  to 
Mr.  Jonathan  Mercer,  on  the  same  subject,  June  6th,  1776. 

Sir, 

Mr.  Thos.  Priestley,  of  Birstall,  informed  me  that  you  lately  had  some 
converse  with  Mr.  Hudson,  of  Gildersome,  about  sending  one  of  my  students 
to  preach  at  Park  on  trial.  Mr.  H.  had  not  an  opportunity  to  hear  Mr. 
Cockin,  &c.  Mr.  Cockin  is  a  hopeful  young  man,  but  is  not  yet  far  advanced 
in  learning,  so  that  it  would  be  a  great  disadvantage  to  him  to  be  interrupted 
and  broke  off  from  his  present  studies,  and  an  hindrance  to  future  usefulness. 
I  have  another  student  who  is  more  advanced  in  learning,  who  hath  preached 
in  our  meeting  and  in  several  places  acceptably.  His  name  is  Bruce.  He's, 
I  believe,  truly  serious  and  sound  in  the  doctrines  of  Christianity.  Accord 
ing  to  our  ordinary  course  of  education  he  should  continue  some  time  longer 
with  me,  but  several  of  my  students  being  acceptable  to  congregations  upon 
trial  have,  upon  the  earnest  desire  of  the  people,  been  dismissed  at  the  same 
period  with  respect  to  learning  that  Mr.  B.  hath  attained.  Now,  sir,  if  you 
think  it  proper  to  take  a  trial  of  him,  I  shall  send  him  to  you  at  the  time  you 
appoint,1  if  the  Lord  spare  life  and  health,  and  you  may  take  trial  of  him 
for  a  month  or  two,  and  then  do  as  you  and  the  people  think  proper,  for  a 
dismission  will  be  no  disappointment.  My  students  have  always  had  invita 
tions  to  places  as  soon  as  they  were  prepared  for  them,  &c. 

The  letters  above  given  serve  to  show  how  important  was  the  place 
which  members  of  the  Mercer  family  held  in  Nonconformist  circles 
during  the  eighteenth  century.  Their  home  was  at  Allerton,  near 
Liverpool.  Samuel  Mercer,  of  Allerton,  is  mentioned  as  trustee  in  a 
deed  of  gift  to  Gateacre  Chapel  in  1715.  The  Rev.  Jonathan  Mercer, 

1  Dr.  Raffles  says,  "  Previously  to  Mr.  Anderson's  being  chosen  pastor, 
Mr.  Jon11-  Mercer  sent  to  Mr.  Scott,  of  Heckmondwike,  for  a  student  from 
his  academy.  He  sent  Mr.  David  Bruce.  He  preached  but  one  sermon, 
however,  in  the  Park  Chapel.  His  text  was  somewhat  singular  for  such  an 
occasion,  and  under  such  circumstances — Cant.  7.  i.  Many  came  from 
Liverpool  to  hear  the  young  divine,  and  the  sermon  caused  much  stir  and 
debate.  Those  who  were  for  Mr.  Bruce  took  the  Jews'  synagogue  in  Liver 
pool,  and  finally  built  Newington  Chapel." 


A    STUDENTS    LETTER    HOME.  101 

ordained  at  Long  Melford,  in  Suffolk,  July  iSth,  1733,  minister  for 
many  years  at  Spalding,  in  Lincolnshire,  invited  to  become  assistant 
to  the  Rev.  C.  Bassnett,  of  Liverpool,  and  who  subsequently  laboured 
twenty-nine  years  at  St.  Helens,  in  a  letter  to  his  family  at  Allerton, 
dated  from  Spalding,  September  24th,  1726,  gives  an  account  of 
his  invitation  to  Liverpool,  with  reasons  for  not  accepting  the  same. 
Mr.  Joseph  Mercer,  of  Allerton,  writing  June  2nd,  1770,  to  some  one 
unknown,  about  the  appointment  of  a  successor  to  his  brother  at 
St.  Helens,  says  that  if  a  person  could  be  sent  as  minister  who 
would  be  "orthodox,  sound  in  his  principles,  I  should  much  rejoice 
and  be  thankful  to  you  for  the  sake  of  the  people,  who  have  always 
since  I  knew  them  been  a  quiet,  peaceable,  and  well-behaved  con 
gregation  towards  their  ministers."  The  Rev.  Samuel  Mercer, 
extracts  from  whose  letters  have  already  been  given,  was  the  son 
of  Mr.  Joseph  Mercer,  of  Allerton.  His  brother  was  Mr.  Joseph 
Mercer,  and  he  was  nephew  to  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Mercer,  of 
St.  Helens.  Samuel  Mercer  was  educated  at  Dr.  Doddridge's 
Academy,  Northampton,  and  the  following  interesting  letter  to  his 
parents  whilst  he  was  a  student  there  has  been  preserved  :— 

Novr-  12,  1750. 
Hond-  Parents, 

I  recd-  your  last,  which  I  had  intended  to  have  answered 
sooner,  had  I  not  had  so  much  business  upon  my  hands,  which  to  have 
omitted  would  have  been  to  my  disadvantage,  &c.  As  for  seeing  you  and 
my  brother  at  Northampton  I  should  be  extremely  glad,  but,  perhaps,  you 
may  think  that  may  be  an  excuse  for  my  not  coming  home,  for,  I  will  assure 
you  I  cannot  go  to  London  along  with  you,  for  our  vacation  will  begin  the 
latter  end  of  June,  so  that  if  you  come  it  will  but  be  unnecessary  charges  for 
you  to  come  through  Northampton,  but  I  should  be  very  glad  if  you  would 
send  me  word  in  your  next  letter  whether  you  would  have  me  come  home  or 
no,  &c. 

If  I  have  been  extravagant  in  my  expences  I  a'n  not  sensible  of  it.  You 
see  always  all  my  bills  that  are  of  any  importance,  and  as  I  have  sent  you 
some  enclosed  in  this  letter,  which  I  hope  you  will  have  no  objection  to.  The 

everlasting  which   you   see  is  for  two   pair  of waistcoats,  one  pair  of 

which  I  have  worn  out  almost,  and  my  gown  is  so  far  gone  that  it  will  scarce 
last  me  till  a  few  weeks  longer.  I  have  bought  a  new  wig,  which  I  stood  in 
great  want  of.  I  wore  my  old  one  till  it  was  not  worth  a  penny,  and  that 
wig  which  I  had  when  I  came  first  is  almost  done.  And  I  have  bespoke  a 
new  pair  of  boots,  which  I  cannot  possibly  do  without,  for  if  you  knew  what 
I  undergo  by  going  into  the  country  towns  to  repeat  sermons  and  pray.  It 


102  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

happened  I  and  another  of  my  fellow  pupils  were  gone  out  to  repeat  a 
sermon,  and  being  without  boots  we  were  two  hours  in  a  storm  of  rain  and 
wind.  We  were  lost  in  a  country  where  we  did  not  know  nothing  at  all  of,1 
so  that  I  think  it  is  not  only  useful  but  necessary  to  have  a  pair.  I  have, 
according  to  your  desire,  bought  a  quantity  of  coals,  of  which  I  have  bought 
10  Hund.,  which  cost  I2s.,  which  I  borrow'd  of  my  mistress.  I  should  be 
very  glad  to  know,  in  particular,  whether  Mr.  Harding  preached  from  that 
text,  and  whether  he  has  converted  any  of  the  new  notioners  by  preaching. 
I  should  be  very  glad  if  you  would  desire  Mr.  Harding  to  let  me  have  a  few 
of  his  most  orthodox  sermons  to  go  to  repeat.2  I  wish  you  would  be  so  good 
as  to  ask  of  him  that  favour,  if  you  think  it  would  not  be  improper.  If  he 
could  I  hope  you  would  send  them  immediately.  Let  me  know  in  your  next 
how  the  affair  is,  since  sermons  of  the  same  kind  are  so  very  scarce  that  we 
can  scarce  light  of  a  book  to  write  a  good  sermon  out  of,  but  one  or  another 
has  heard.  Pray  let  me  know  in  this  particular  the  next  letter.  And  I 
should  be  very  glad  if  you  would  send  me  my  watch,  and  send  me  a  box  with 
a  few  of  your  best  books,  which  will  be  the  most  convenient  for  me,  as  soon 
as  possible.  And  let  me  know  how  my  brother  Robert  goes  on,  whether  he 
is  gone  to  St.  Helen's  school,  and  if  he  is  pray  dont,  and  I  earnestly  beg  you 
would  board  him  at  William  Claughton's,  for  if  you  do,  so  young  as  he 
is,  he  will  certainly  be  ruined  j1  for  I  have  seen  the  many  dangers  and 
difficulties,  and  have  wondered  since  how  I  broke  through  them  ;  so  that  for 
your  own  happiness,,  and  his  everlasting  happiness,  do  not  send  him  thither, 
for  if  I  thought  you  would  send  him  thither  I  should  never  be  easy,  &c. 
So  I  must  beg  leave  to  conclude  with  my  respects,  as  due. 
From  your  very  dutiful  son, 

S.  MERCER. 

1  These  letters  from  the  MSS.  of  the  late  Dr.  Raffles  are  copied  almost 
exactly  as  they  appear  there.  They  do  not  always  read  easily  or  gramma 
tically,  and  sometimes  they  present  omissions,  but  I  have  not  cared  to 
assume  the  responsibility  of  altering  them. 

2  The  practice  of  preaching  other  men's  sermons  does  not  appear  to  have 
been  uncommon  amongst  the  Dissenters  of  the  last  century.  The  Rev.  J. 
Wilding,  at  one  time  minister  at  Elswick,  and  afterwards  at  Prescot  (vide 
vols.  i.  and  iv.  of  ''  Lancashire  Nonconformity"),  writing  to  the  Rev.  John 
Seddon,  of  Warrington,  from  Derby,  on  January  lyth,  1766,  says: — 

"  Sir, — I  took  the  opportunity  of  returning  by  Master  Compton  [Crompton  ?] 
the  MSS.  you  lent  me.  Along  with  them  I  have  sent  half  a  dozen  of  my  own. 
But  I  don't  know  whether  you  will  think  proper  to  make  any  use  of  those  I 
send  you.  However,  I  determined  to  send  them,  if  for  no  other  reason  that 
I  might  at  least  with  a  better  grace  be  entitled  to  some  of  yours ;  for  you 
must  give  me  leave  to  tell  you  that  I  find  more  satisfaction  in  delivering 
yours  (as  well  likewise  as  I  know  they  please  our  congregation  better)  than 
any  I  can  pretend  to  make  of  myself.  I  shall,  therefore,  thank  you  for  as 
many  of  your  MSS.  as  you  choose  to  spare  me."  (Waddington's  "Con 
gregational  History,"  vol.  iii.,  p.  506.) 


CHESHIRE    CHEESES.  103 

The  following  appears  to  have  been  a  kind  of  postscript  to  his 
father  only : — 

Dr.  Father, — I  should  esteem  it  not  only  as  a  great  favour,  but  as  a  great 
honour  paid  to  me,  if  you  would  be  so  good,  as  it  is  for  my  interest,  to  make 
a  present  to  the  doctor  of  a  couple  of  Cheshire  cheeses,  not  strong,  but  mild 
and  fat,  which  will  be  very  acceptable  to  the  doctor,  as  he  provided  me  a 
tutor  last  year,  and  I  do  not  know  whether  he  will  be  paid  for  it,  and  like 
wise,  if  you  please,  that  I  should  make  a  present  of  something,  about  a  crown 
value,  to  the  Drs.  assistant,  who,  when  he  should  have  been  taking  recreation, 
has  been  instructing  me,  so  that  it  would  be  a  means  of  my  further  improve 
ment;  and  likewise  to  send  my  Dame,  for  she  is  a  widow,  and  she  behaves 
very  well  to  me.  I  hope,  father,  you  will  not  forget.  And  I  must  beg  the 
favour  in  particular  to  send  a  Cheshire  cheese  to  one  of  my  particular 
acquaintance,  a  shop  keeper,  where  I  buy  my  stockings,  and  where  I  am 
positive  of  it,  I  am  used  as  if  I  were  almost  some  of  their  family,  whose  son 
I  have  under  my  care  to  teach  Latin,  and,  who,  if  it  lay  in  their  power,  would 
help  me  in  the  greatest  extremity,  who  have  made  me  several  handsome 
presents,  and  sell  me  their  goods,  as  I  have  seen  with  my  own  eyes — a  pair  of 
stockings  I  have  bought  6d  cheaper  than  they  have  sold  to  any  one  of  our 
gentlemen — who  are  very  religious  people,  not  those  who  cant  people  out 
of  their  money,  and  give  them  fair  words. 

Mr.  Mercer,  on  the  completion  of  his  ministerial  duties,  settled 
for  a  short  time  at  Tockholes,  near  Blackburn,  and  subsequently 
at  Charlesworth,  Gee  Cross,  and  Chowbent.1  Mr.  Jonathan  Mercer, 
his  brother,  was  a  not  less  prominent  member  of  the  family  than  its 
ministerial  members.  He  was  the  recipient  of  several  of  the  letters 
above  given  and  some  others  which  follow,  for  many  years  a 
leading  spirit  in  the  Toxteth  Park  congregation,  and  helped  to 
originate  Independency  in  Liverpool  and  Warrington. 

The  appointment  of  the  Rev.  Hugh  Anderson  as  Mr.  Harding's 
successor  was  to  Mr.  Jonathan  Mercer  and  a  "considerable  minority" 
a  sore  grief;  and  eventually  advised  by  the  Rev.  James  McQuhae 
and  some  others,  unto  whom  they  applied  for  help,  they  seceded 
from  the  church  of  their  fathers,  and  erected  the  first  Indepen 
dent  Chapel  in  Liverpool,  of  which  an  account  will  be  given 
subsequently.  Mr.  Anderson  was  a  Scotchman,  coming  to 
Liverpool  from  Galloway  in  the  summer  of  1776,  and  was 
ordained  on  October  ist,  1777,  in  Key  Street  Chapel,  along  with 

1  Vide  vols.  ii.  and  iv.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


104  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

the  Rev.  John  Yates,  recently  settled  there.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Enfield 
preached  a  sermon  on  the  occasion,  and  the  Rev.  Richard 
Godwin,  of  Gateacre,  gave  the  charge  to  the  minister.  This  was 
the  longest  ministry  in  connection  with  Park  Chapel,  and  it  was 
"  the  period,"  says  Mr.  Davis,  "  in  which  the  question  was  decided 
whether  the  Presbyterians,  who,  like  so  many  of  their  brethren 
throughout  the  country,  had  developed  doctrinally  into  Unitarians, 
should  retain  possession  of  their  Meeting  House,  or  whether  it 
should  pass  into  the  hands  of  the  Independents."  During  the 
closing  years  of  Mr.  Anderson's  ministry  the  congregation  was  very 
small,  as  the  following,  written  about  1825,  shows  : — 

The  congregation  is  literally  gone  to  nothing,  consisting  often  entirely  of 
official  persons,  viz.,  the  doorkeeper,  the  gravedigger,  the  singers,  and  the 
preacher.  I  have  been  there  when  there  were  only  a  dozen  persons  present.1 

In  1827  the  Rev.  John  Porter,  born  in  1800,  and  educated  at 
Belfast,  was  chosen  colleague  to  Mr.  Anderson,  but  practically  was 
sole  minister.  Mr.  Anderson,  now  quite  infirm,  could  only  take 
occasional  duty  at  a  baptism  or  funeral.  He  died  in  1832,  and  in 
the  graveyard  of  the  chapel  is  a  tombstone  thus  inscribed  :— 

Mrs.  MARY  BREW, 

of  Liverpool, 
Obiit.  Oct.  25th-  A.D.  1793,  /Eta.  77. 

Here  lie  the  Remains  of  SAML- 
WEBSTER,    who    died    12th    May,    1801, 

Aged  64  years. 

MARY,  Relict  of  Samuel  Webster, 
Died  28th    March,    1813,      Aged    71    years. 

MARY,  wife  of  the  Revd-  Hugh 
Anderson,    Died    Sepr-    2gth-    1816, 

In  the  47th  Year  of  her  AGE. 

Also  the  Revd-  HUGH  ANDERSON, 

Died  6th  April,  1832,  Aged  86  years, 

And   56   years   minister   of  this    Chapel. 

In  1829  Mr.  Porter  left  Toxteth  Park  for  Belfast,  and  died  in 
1874.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  John  Hamilton  Thorn,  son 
of  the  Rev.  John  Thorn,  of  Newry,  in  Ireland.  Educated,  like 

1  "  Manchester  Socinian  Controversy,"  p.  158. 


THE    OLD    SCHOOL    HOUSE.  105 

his  predecessor,  at  Belfast,  he  assumed  the  pastorate  of  Toxteth 
Chapel  in  1829,  and  remained  until  1831,  when  he  became  the 
minister  of  the  Renshaw  Street  congregation.  The  Rev.  Charles 
Wicksteed,  B.A.,  was  the  next  minister.  He  was  educated  at 
Glasgow,  and  began  his  labours  at  Toxteth  Park  in  1831, 
terminating  them  in  1835,  in  which  year  he  removed  to  Mill 
Hill  Chapel,  Leeds.  Subsequently  he  was  at  Hope  Street,  Liver 
pool,  and  died  in  1885.  The  Rev.  Henry  Giles  was  minister  from 
1835  to  1840,  sailing  in  the  early  part  of  the  latter  year  for  the 
United  States,  where  he  became  a  popular  lecturer.  Several  of 
his  lectures  have  been  published  in  volume  form.  He  died  in 
1882,  aged  seventy-three  years.  In  1840  the  Rev.  John  Robberds, 
B.A.,  who  had  been  educated  at  Manchester  College  (York),  and 
had  previously  laboured  at  Yeovil,  Somersetshire,  became  Mr. 
Giles's  successor.  In  December  of  that  year  Mr.  Charles  White- 
side,  who  had  held  the  position  of  schoolmaster  for  thirty- 
seven  years,  resigned  "  from  infirmity,  and  losing  all  his 
scholars."  "  In  the  following  year,"  says  Mr.  Davis,  "  the  old 
school-house  was  pulled  down,  and  the  present  north  front,  with 
vestry  and  library  attached,  was  added.  About  the  same  time  a 
considerable  piece  of  land  adjoining  the  old  burial-ground  was 
bought  by  Mr.  Richard  Vaughan  Yates,  a  member  of  the  congre 
gation,  and  laid  out  as  a  garden  cemetery.  This  ground  is  now 
held  by  trustees  separate  from  those  of  the  chapel,  and  is  retained 
for  the  use  of  the  members  of  the  Liverpool  Unitarian  congrega 
tions."1  Mr.  Robberds  left  in  1866,  and  for  many  years  was  resident 
at  Cheltenham,  without  charge.  He  died  at  Bridgwater,  February 
8th,  1892,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  The  Rev.  Charles  Barnes 
Upton,  B.A.,  B.Sc.,  of  the  Manchester  New  College,  London, 
followed  Mr.  Robberds,  in  1867.  In  1875  he  resigned  to  become 
Professor  of  Philosophy  in  the  college  where  he  had  received  his 
training.  He  is  now  resident,  without  charge,  at  St.  George's, 
Littlemore,  near  Oxford.  The  Rev.  James  Harwood,  B.A.,  was 
minister  from  1875  to  1878,  removing  in  the  latter  year  to 
Monton,-'  near  Manchester.  The  Rev.  J.  E.  Odgers,  M.A., 

1  "Some  Account  of  the  Ancient  Chapel  of  Toxteth  Park,  Liverpool," 
p.  49. 

-  Vide  vol.  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


io6  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

educated  at  Manchester  New  College,  London,  and  who  had  pre 
viously  been  assistant  minister  at  Renshaw  Street,  Liverpool,  and 
in  charge  of  the  congregation  at  Kendal,  began  his  labours  at 
Toxteth  Parkin  1878.  He  removed  to  Altrincham  in  1882,  where 
he  still  ministers ;  and  in  the  beginning  of  1883  the  present  minister, 
the  Rev.  Valentine  David  Davis,  B.A.,  educated  at  Manchester 
New  College,  London,  and  who  had  previously  spent  three 
years  at  Nottingham,  entered  upon  duty  as  successor  to  Mr. 
Odgers.  The  chapel,  which  stands  at  the  junction  of  Park  Road 
and  Dingle  Lane,  has  still  a  very  primitive  appearance,  both 
internally  and  externally.  It  is  a  low  structure,  in  the  centre  of  a 
graveyard  of  considerable  size,  which  is  rich  in  interesting 
memorials  of  Liverpool  worthies  of  many  generations.  The 
pews  are  all  straight-backed,  made  of  oak,  chiefly  square,  and 
lined  with  green  baize.  Its  sitting  accommodation  is  barely 
for  200  people,  consequently  whatever  alterations  it  has  under 
gone  in  the  course  of  time  it  is  much  the  same  size  as  it  was 
when  the  fathers  of  Liverpool  Nonconformity  preached  therein. 
There  is  a  small  pulpit  fixed  against  the  wall,  from  which  the 
minister  may  almost  reach  the  people  in  the  galleries,  which  go 
round  the  chapel,  except  on  that  side.  The  windows  are  composed 
of  small  square  panes,  and  marble  tablets  adorn  the  walls,  whilst 
tombstones  partly  make  up  the  flooring  of  the  main  aisle.  One 
would  fain  linger  over  the  names  which  arrest  the  eye  of  the 
visitor,  nearly  all  of  which  could  recite  a  story  of  thrilling 
interest,  but  neither  time  nor  space  permits.  One  name,  how 
ever,  demands  exemption  from  such  treatment.  It  is  that  of 
Jeremiah  Horrox,  who  was  both  minister  and  scientist,  and  whose 
connection  with  the  district  is  appropriately  commemorated  by  a 
handsome  tablet  in  the  chapel.  It  consists  of  a  white  marble  disc, 
with  a  square  of  dark  dove  coloured  marble  as  background,  and 
a  white  star  in  each  corner.  The  inscription  upon  it  shows  in 
what  way  the  celebrated  astronomer  was  connected  with  Toxteth 

Chapel  :— 

This   Tablet   is   erected 

to  the  memory  of 

JEREMIAH     HORROX, 

Who  foretold,  and  was  the  first  to  observe, 

The   Transit   of  Venus   across   the    Sun's   Disc, 

On  the  24th  Nov.,  1639. 


loS  LANCASHIRE  NONCONFORMITY. 

He  also  made  other  valuable  Discoveries 

in  Astronomy. 
He    was   born   in   Toxteth    Park,    near   Otterspool, 

About  1618, 

And  died  there  3  January,  1641. 

It  is  believed  that  betore  going  to  Cambridge, 

He   was    a   pupil   of   the    Revd-    Richard    Mather, 

The  first  minister  of  this   Chapel, 

And  that  within  its  precincts 

He  was  buried. 

The  tablet  was  erected  in  1891,  and  on  Sunday,  October  nth, 
of  that  year,  the  Rev.  V.  D.  Davis,  pastor,  preached  an  appropriate 
sermon  from  Gen.  I.,  1,3.  It  is  surely  to  be  regretted  that  the 
tablet  contains  no  reference  to  his  ministry  at  Hoole  Church,  near 
Preston,  where  his  most  important  astronomical  observations  were 
made.  The  late  Mr.  J.  E.  Bailey  says  that  Jeremiah  Horrox  was 
probably  the  son  of  "William  Horrockes,  of  Toxteth  Park,"  a 
small  farmer  of  Puritan  stock,  an  abstract  of  whose  will  is  here 
given,  because  of  the  interesting  names  it  contains  : — 

Will  of  Wm.  Horrockes,  of  Toxteth  Parhe :  He  makes  his  executors,  Joane, 
his  wife,  his  brother,  John  Horrockes,  and  his  "cosin,1  Alexander  Horrockes, 
preacher  of  God's  word."  Of  his  messuage  tenement,  and  lands,  &c., 
whereon  he  then  dwelt,  he  left  a  fourth  part  to  his  wife  during  life,  and  the 
residue  for  the  education  of  his  son  John  and  the  rest  of  his  children,  until 
John  was  21  years  of  age.  The  remainder  of  the  estate  was  to  go  to  the  use 
of  his  son  John,  provided  he  gave  100  marks,  when  21,  to  the  use  of  all  the 
rest  of  his  children  equally  among  them.  In  providing  for  the  family  his 
executors  were  to  consult  his  beloved  friends,  Mr.  (Richard)  Mather,  Edward 
Aspinwall,  William  ffox,  and  Thomas  Aspinwall.  (They  attest  the  will.)  Of 
the  rest  of  his  goods  his  wife  was  to  have  .£100,  and  the  residue  was  to  be 
equally  divided  amongst  his  younger  children,  "and  by  the  endeavour  of  my 
executors,  with  the  best  advice  of  my  forenamed  friends,  be  ymployed  faith 
fully,  with  feare  of  God,  to  the  most  preferment  in  their  understandinges  of 
my  said  younger  children." 

An  inventory  of  Farming  stuff,  with  list  of  leases  granted  to  William 
Horrockes,  is  appended,  and  is  said  to  be  '-'given  by  William  Horrockes,  the 
3  March,  iGiS-'ig],"  upon  trust  to  John  Horrockes,  Tho.  Aspinwall, 
Alexander  Horrcckes,  and  the  other  friends.  The  .£100  which  was  bequeathed 
to  the  wife  is  referred  to. 

1  Probably  the  noted  Puritan  Vicar  of  Deane,  near  Bolton,  who  died 
before  1650,  and  was  spoken  of  by  the  Royalist  soldiers  as  ''that  old  rogue 
that  preaches  in  his  grey  cloak.''  A  relation  of  his,  Elizabeth  Horrocks, 
married  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  Cotton,  of  New  England  fame  (vide  ante  p.  76). 


v  ,  i ,        *feV^i^w^?^;'^f^I  ^^% 

-    i  ••'••.' , ,     :  |  '    V'tf wfifflft  S  ' -:rv-/> -vif  -^jK_^ 

*"  J  »SfKllSj  '•  cS^r^1^—"-^^^^     '•>k'"'J!\\ 

^  i«M?.i 

Mi 
. 


r 

•  '-V^tf"    ^--\   Mi^S^^^^fc^*:: 


no  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

A  memorandum,  dated  23  April,  1619,  states  that  the  goods  and  estates 
remained  "  in  the  hands  of  Jenet  Horrockes,  widow,  late  wife  of  the  above- 
named  William  Horrockes,  in  trust  for  the  children,  &c.  It  is  signed  by  the 
widow  and  the  friends  named  in  the  will.  The  agreement  was  exhibited  in 
June,  I646."1 


III.— RENSHAW      STREET     CHAPEL. 

ALL  writers  on  Liverpool  Nonconformity  claim  the  Rev. 
Christopher  Richardson,  M.A.,  as  the  founder  of  the  first  Non 
conformist  congregation  in  Liverpool  proper,  to  which  it  is  said  he 
ministered  until  his  death  in  1698.  In  the  account  of  Toxteth 
Chapel  just  given  I  have  not  ventured  to  differ  from  other  writers 
in  the  story  of  his  life,  because  of  insufficient  evidence,  but 
I  have  grave  doubts  as  to  its  accuracy.  I  regret  that  I  can 
only  express  doubts  :  my  researches  have  not  enabled  me  to 
throw  any  fresh  light  upon  Mr.  Richardson's  connection  with 
Liverpool.  It  would  be  interesting  to  know  what  brought  him 
to  Liverpool  when  about  seventy  years  of  age2  to  endure  all  the 
hardships  of  the  ministry  at  Toxteth  Park,  when  he  might  have 
spent  the  closing  years  of  his  life  in  peace  on  his  own  estate  at 
Lassell  Hall.  Strange,  too,  it  is,  that  he  never  seems  to  have 
returned  to  Lassell  Hall ;  for  it  is  -said  that  he  died  at  Liverpool, 
and  was  buried  in  the  graveyard  of  St.  Nicholas  Chapel.  As  the 
facts  stand,  and  I  am  not  able  to  dispute  them,  though  they  call 
for  some  further  explanation,  they  present  unto  us  a  deeply 
interesting  picture ;  they  show  what  fine  material  our  Noncon 
formist  fathers  were  made  of;  and  how  deep  and  strong  was  their 
passion  for  the  service  of  Christ.  It  is  said  that,  in  addition  to 
assisting  the  minister  of  Toxteth  Park  Chapel,  for  the  convenience 
of  the  people  Mr.  Richardson  preached  in  Liverpool  on  alternate 

1  Copied  from  "The  Palatine  Note  Book,"  for  December,  1882,  p.  254. 

2  Dr.  Halley  ("  Lancashire  Puritanism,"  &c.,  vol.  ii.,  p.  323)  says  that 
he  was  invited  to  Liverpool  in  1672.    That,  of  course,  is  wrong.    He  certainly 
was  at  Lassell  Hall  in  1682,  and  both  Mr.  Briscoe  and  Mr    Crompton  were 
at  Toxteth  Park  in  1685. 


DIFFICULTIES    AND    DOUBTS.  in 

Sundays;  that  these  services  led  to  the  erection  of  Castle  Hey 
Chapel  about  1688;  and  that  the  two  places  were  worked  together 
until  his  death  in  1698.  It  is  this  statement,  especially  the  date 
of  the  erection  of  the  chapel,  which  seems  most  open  to  question. 
Sir  J.  A.  Picton,  in  his  "  Municipal  Archives,"  has  the  following : — 

1692,  Februry  I4th.  Upon  y«  request  of  Mr.  Thomas  Collins,  Mr. 
Richard  Mercer,  and  Lawrence  Fletcher,  who  desire  a  house  at  ye  end  of 
Lord  Street,  Liverpool,  belonging  to  Mr.  David  Poole,  of  ye  same,  merchant, 
to  be  sett  apart  for  ye  exercise  of  religious  worship,  it  is  agreed  by  the 
justices  that  they  may  be  enjoy'd  to  that  end,  according  to  ye  intention  of 
ye  Act  of  Parliam'  and  the  said  Mr.  Thomas  Collins  is  to  be  allow'dto  preach 
there. l 

If  already  a  chapel  had  been  erected  for  the  convenience  of 
the  Liverpool  Nonconformists,  it  is  difficult  to  see  what  the  mean 
ing  of  that  passage  is.  Then,  in  the  minutes  of  the  United 
Brethren,  extending  from  April,  1693,  to  August,  1700,  Mr. 
Richardson's  name  never  once  appears.  Mr.  Crompton  and  Mr. 
Angler  are  both  mentioned  as  representing  Liverpool,  and  Mr. 
Holt's  name  occurs  in  1699;  but  the  minutes  are  absolutely 
silent  respecting  Mr.  Richardson.  The  silence  is  singular  if  at 
the  time  he  was  actually  minister  of  a  congregation  in  Liverpool ; 
for  the  "  Brethren  "  did  not  readily  overlook  absence  from  their 
meetings.  Yet  another  thing  .-  Oliver  Heywood,  in  recording  Mr. 
Richardson's  death  (vide  ante  p.  87,  note  3),  contrary  to  his  usual 
practice,  does  not  call  him  a  minister.  He  says  simply  "  of 
Liverpool."  I  have  already  stated  my  inability  to  make  all  this  read 
clearly,  and  it  is  only  inserted  to  show  that  there  is  yet  considerable 
room  for  research  respecting  Mr.  Richardson's  life  in  Liverpool 
and  the  origin  of  the  first  Nonconformist  foundation  here.  I  am 
inclined  to  think  that  Mr.  Richardson  had  retired  from  active 
duty  some  time  before  his  death,  and  that  whilst  he  may  have 
conducted  services  in  Liverpool  as  well  as  at  Toxteth  Park  Chapel, 
it  was  well  on  towards  the  end  of  the  century  before  the  Castle 
Hey  congregation  had  a  definite  existence.  As  to  the  site  of  this 
first  building  nothing  is  known.  "  No  local  tradition  even,"  says 
the  Rev.  Geo.  Eyre  Evans,  "remains  to  identify  it.  Henry  Taylor,. 

1  Vide  vol.  i.,  p.  330. 


ii2  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

in  his  valuable  manuscript  volume,  says  : — *  Castle  Hey  Chapel  was 
probably  pulled  down,  as  no  trace  of  it  can  be  remembered,  nor 
can  the  spot  on  which  it  stood  be  ascertained.'  "*  About  1699  the 
Rev.  Richard  Holt  became  the  minister.  He  was  educated  by 
the  Rev.  Richard  Frankland,  becoming  a  student  in  his  academy 
at  Rathmell,  February  6th,  1690,  a  month  after  the  Rev.  John 
Kennion,  subsequently  of  Toxteth  Park  Chapel.  With  his  advent 
it  is  said  that  the  Castle  Hey  congregation  ceased  to  be  worked 
in  conjunction  with  the  one  at  Toxteth  Park.  Mr.  Holt  continued 
to  be  the  minister  until  his  death  in  1718.  In  the  "Northowram 
Register  "  appears  the  following  :— 

"Mr.  Richd.  Holt,  minr.  in  Leverpool,  died  Mar.  [iyi8]."2 

His  successor  was  a  man  of  considerable  eminence,  Dr.  Henry 
Winder.  Born  at  Hutton  John,  near  Graystock,  in  Cumberland, 
May  i5th,  1693,  educated  in  part  by  Dr.  Dixon,  of  Whitehaven, 
and  afterwards  by  Mr.  Boyse,  at  Dublin,  he  settled  at  Tunley  in 
1714.  On  the  nth  of  September,  1716,  he  was  ordained  at  St. 
Helens,  when  the  Rev.  Christopher  Bassnett3  preached  the  sermon, 
which  was  published  the  following  year  under  the  title  of  "Church 
Officers  and  their  Missions."  About  1 7  ig  he  removed  to  Liverpool, 
where  he  continued  to  labour  until  his  death,  August  9th,  1752, 
and  was  interred  in  the  graveyard  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  the  follow 
ing  inscription  being  placed  upon  his  tombstone : — 

Here  lieth  the  Body  of  the 
Revd.   HENRY    WINDER,    D.D., 
Who  died  Aug.    .    .    .     1752, 
.     .     6oth   year   of   his   age. 

1  "  History  of  Renshaw   Street  Chapel,"  p.  2.      To  this  work  I  am  in- 
debted  for  much  of  the  information  about  Renshaw  Street  Chapel  here  given. 
Dr.  Thorn  ("Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels,"  p.  20  and  note  i)  conjectures 
that  a  "Dissenting  chapel"  in  Harrington  Street  (originally  Castle   Hey) 
opened  as  a  church  in  1776  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bragg,  and  called   St.    Mary's, 
was  the  building  where  the  Castle  Hey  congregation  worshipped. 

2  P.  274. 

3  This  is  the  correct  spelling  according  to  Mr.  Bassnett's  own  signature, 
and  so  previous  forms  must  give  way  to  this. 


DR.     WILLIAM   ENFIELD.  n3 

He  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  in  1740  from  the 
Glasgow  University.  It  was  owing  to  the  success  of  his  ministry 
that  the  congregation  removed  from  Castle  Hey  to  a  new  building 
erected  in  Benn's  Garden,  South  Castle  Street,  which  was  opened 
for  public  worship  in  1727.  Dr.  Winder  "  bequeathed  his  valuable 
library  to  the  congregation  for  the  use  of  the  members,"  and 
amongst  his  papers  still  preserved  in  the  library  is  a  small 
manuscript  book  thus  entitled  : — 

"  My  last  Sermon  preached  in  ye  Old  Chapel,  on  Wednesday, 
June  28,  1727.  i  Peter  4,  8."1 

The  Rev.  John  Henderson,  afterwards  Dr.  Henderson,  who  was 
educated  at  Glasgow  University,  and  who  had  been  Dr.  Winder's 
co  pastor  a  short  time  previous  to  his  death,  assumed  the  sole 
charge  of  the  congregation  in  1753.^  In  1763  he  conformed  to 
the  Established  Church,  and  in  1769  was  appointed  incumbent  of 
the  newly  completed  Church  of  St.  Paul,  in  Liverpool,  where  he 
had  as  curate  for  a  time  the  Rev.  Gilbert  Wakefield,  B.A.,  subse 
quently  one  of  the  tutors  of  Warrington.3  Here  Dr.  Henderson 
continued  his  labours  until  July  4th,  1779,  when  he  died,  and  was 
interred  at  the  south  end  of  the  church.  Dr.  William  Enfield, 
who  had  been  educated  at  Daventry,  was  the  next  minister,  being 
ordained  as  such  in  November,  1763.  He  remained  until  1770, 
when  he  removed  to  Warrington  to  take  charge  of  the  congregation 
there,  and  become  tutor  of  the  academy.  In  1785  he  settled  at 
the  Octagon  Chapel,  Norwich,  when  death  terminated  his  labours, 
November  3rd,  1797.  He  was  the  author  of  several  works,  not 
the  least  interesting  amongst  them  being  a  "  History  of  Liverpool," 
now  somewhat  scarce.4  The  Rev.  Robert  Lewin  followed.  He 

1  Vide  vol.  iv.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity  "  for  additional  information 
respecting  him. 

2  In    the  Baptismal   Register  of  the   Benn's   Garden  congregation   are 
several  entries  by  the  Rev.   Mr.   Owen   between   the  years   1751    and    1757. 
This  was  probably  the  Rev.  John  Owen,  who  succeeded  his  father,  Dr.  Charles 
Owen,  at  Warrington.     Whether  he  was  more  than  an  occasional  supply  for 
the  Liverpool  congregation  is  not  clear. 

3  Vide  vol.  iv.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

4  Ibid. 
6—8 


ii4  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

was  born  in  London,  though  descended  from  an  ancient  family 
in  Oxfordshire,  "  and  after  being  for  some  years  head  master  of  a 
considerable  classical  school  near  the  Metropolis,  he  was  admitted 
student  at  the  academy  under  the  Rev.  Dr.  Jennings,  the  learned 
author  of  the  Jewish  antiquities,  though  he  resided  all  the  time 
under  the  parental  roof."1  On  September  ist,  1762,  he  was 
ordained  pastor  of  the  church  at  Debenham,  in  Suffolk,  removing 
two  years  afterwards  to  Ipswich  in  the  same  county.  There  he 
remained  until  November,  1770,  when,  "with  his  wife  and  three 
young  children,  he  arrived  in  Liverpool,  having,  out  of  three 
invitations  to  large  congregations,  selected  that  of  becoming  sole 
minister  of  Benn's  Garden  Chapel."  In  1811  the  congregation 
left  Benn's  Garden  for  Renshaw  Street  Chapel,  erected  "  in  a  more 
central  and  convenient  situation."  Mr.  Lewin  preached  the  last 
sermon  in  the  old  building  on  Sunday,  October  13th,  1811,  and 
on  the  Sunday  following  the  first  sermon  in  the  new  one,  the  Rev. 
John  Grundy,  of  Manchester,  preaching  in  the  afternoon  from 
Rom.  xiv.,  4.  Benn's  Garden  Chapel  was  sold  to  the  Welsh 
Wesleyan  Methodists,  who  occupied  it  until  1866,  when  it  was 
again  sold  and  put  to  commercial  uses.  Mr.  Lewin  remained  the 
minister  until  the  close  of  1816,  when  he  resigned.  His  death 
took  place  in  January,  1825,  at  which  time  he  was  "aged  85  years 
and  5  months,"  being  interred  in  the  graveyard  of  Toxteth  Park 
Chapel,  where  his  tombstone  bears  this  record  : — 

Hallowed 

To  the  Memory  of 

ROB  ERT     LEWIN, 

Nearly  half  a  century  minister  to  the  congregation  of  Benn's  Garden 

Chapel,  born  in  London,  Aug.  14,  1739, 

Died  Jan.  15,  1825  ; 

and  to 

MARY, 

His  wife, 

Born  25th  Dec.,  1745,  died  I3th  Jany-,  1816. 
Eheu!  Olim! 

Also  to 

RACHEL,  HARRIET,  &  THOMAS, 
Their  Children. 

1  '•  Monthly  Repository"  for  1825,  p.  180. 


THE   REV.    GEORGE   HARRIS.  115 

Mr.  Lewin  had  associated  with  him  in  the  pastorate  from  1776  to 
1781  Dr.  Nicholas  Clayton,  from  the  Octagon  Chapel,  in  Liverpool.1 
and  from  1781  to  1801  the  Rev.  Joseph  Smith.  Mr.  Smith  was  a 
native  of  Hyde,  educated  at  Warrington  Academy,  and  settled  at 
Shrewsbury  in  1774  as  assistant  to  Mr.  Fownes  on  the  removal  of 
the  Rev.  Ralph  Harrison  to  Manchester.  His  next  charge  was 
at  Liverpool,  where  for  twenty  years,  as  co-pastor  with  Mr.  Lewin, 
he  served  the  Renshaw  Street  congregation.  Failing  health  led  to 
his  resignation  in  1801,  but  he  continued  to  worship  with  the  con 
gregation  till  his  death,  August  8th,  1815.  He  was  buried  in 
the  graveyard  of  Toxteth  Park  Chapel,  his  tombstone  being  thus 
inscribed : — 

In  memory 

of  the  Revd.  JOSEPH  SMITH,  of  Liverpool, 
who  died  Aug.  8,  1815,  aged  60. 

The  Rev.  George  Harris  entered  upon  his  duties  as  pastor  in  success 
ion  on  July  1 2th,  1817.  Mr.  Harris  was  born  at  Maidstone,  in  Kent, 
May  i5th,  1794,  his  father  being  the  Rev.  Abraham  Harris,  a  Dissent 
ing  minister.  In  November,  1812,  he  entered  the  Glasgow  University, 
to  be  educated  for  the  ministry.  It  was  while  Mr.  Harris  was  tour 
ing  in  England  to  raise  funds  for  a  contemplated  chapel  at 
Greenock  that  he  was  brought  under  the  notice  of  the  Liverpool 
congregation,  mainly  through  the  influence  of  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Belsham.  Shortly  after  his  arrival  in  Liverpool  he  commenced  the 
delivery  of  Sunday  evening  lectures  on  doctrinal  subjects,  which 
created  quite  a  sensation  in  the  town,2  and  gave  rise  to  a  heated 
controversy,  in  which  many  eminent  ministers  of  all  shades  of 
theological  thought  took  part.3  "  The  spirit  of  missionary  zeal,"  says 
Mr.  Evans,  "  burned  strongly  in  Mr.  Harris's  breast.  He  was  the 

1  Vide  p.  136;  also  vol.  iv.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

2  It  is  recorded  that  for  several  months  the   walls  of   the  town  were 
chalked   with   allusions    to  the  subjects   of  the    lectures — "Harris  kill    the 
devil,"    "  No    hell-fire,"  &c.,    &c.,    and  the   chapel   was   called    "  No-Devil 
Chapel." 

3  Vide  vol.  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity."     It  was  the  speech  of 
Mr.  Harris  at  the  farewell  dinner  given  in  honour  of  the  Rev.  John  Grundy, 
on  his  removal  from  Manchester  to  Liverpool,  which  gave  rise  to  the  Man 
chester  Socinian  Controversy. 


u6  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

promoter  of  the  Lancashire  and  Cheshire  Unitarian  Association, 
one  of  the  objects  of  which  was  to  promote  the  principles  of 
Unitarian  Christianity  by  means  of  popular  preaching.  Soon  after 
it  was  founded,  Mr.  Harris  made  a  fortnight's  missionary  tour 
through  East  Lancashire,  travelled  over  220  miles,  and  preached 
thirteen  times  to  large  gatherings  of  eager  hearers.  The  mode  of 
action  adopted  by  Mr.  Harris  was  disapproved  of  by  many  of  his 
ministerial  and  lay  friends,  who  became  alienated  from  him.  The 
result  of  this  was  to  make  him  redouble  his  labours  in  the 
missionary  work.  At  the  close  of  a  highly  successful  course  of 
lectures  in  the  winter  of  1821-22,  Mr.  Harris  tendered  his  resigna 
tion  to  the  congregation,  and  preached  for  the  last  time  as  minister 
of  the  chapel  on  3ist  March,  1822. 5>1  He  removed  to  Bolton, 
where  he  took  charge  of  the  congregation  worshipping  in  Moor 
Lane  Chapel,  an  offshoot  from  Bank  Street.  In  1825  he  left 
Bolton  for  Glasgow,  went  afterwards  to  St.  Mark's  Chapel,  Edin 
burgh,  and  next  to  Hanover  Square,  Newcastle-on-Tyne,  where  he 
laboured  until  his  death,  December  24th,  1859.  The  Rev.  William 
Hincks  followed.  He  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Dix 
Hincks,  LL.D.,  and  was  born  at  Cork  in  1793,  when  his  father 
was  minister  there.  On  completing  his  education  at  Manchester 
College,  York,  he  settled  at  Cork  in  1814,  as  co-pastor  with  the 
Rev.  William  Hort,  his  father's  successor.  In  1816  he  removed 
to  Exeter,  where  he  remained  until  November  3rd,  1822,  when  he 
began  his  labours  at  Liverpool.  He  resigned  in  1827,  and  became 
Tutor  in  Mathematics,  and  Natural,  Mental  and  Moral  Philosophy,  in 
Manchester  College,  continuing  to  be  such  until  1839,  when  he 
removed  to  London,  where  he  gave  "  valued  aid  to  the  chapel  in 
Stamford  Street."  Subsequently,  he  became  Professor  of  Natural 
History  in  Queen's  College,  Cork,  and  afterwards  Professor  of 
Natural  History  in  University  College,  Toronto.  He  died  Sep 
tember  loth,  1871,  aged  seventy-eight  years,  "a  few  weeks  after 
he  had  resigned  his  college  post."  From  1842  to  1849,  Mr. 
Hincks  edited  the  Inquirer,  "  bringing  it  safely  through  the 
many  trials  and  difficulties  which  generally  attend  the  early  years 
of  such  a  newspaper."  The  Rev.  John  Hincks  was  appointed  his 
successor,  and  began  his  ministry  as  such  on  August  26th,  1827. 

1  "  History  of  Renshaw  Street  Chapel,"  p.  16. 


THE  REV.    IV.  H.   CHANNING.  117 

He  was  the  brother  of  the  Rev.  William  Hincks,  just  named,  born 
at  Cork  in  1804,  obtained  his  early  education  at  Trinity  College, 
Dublin,  and  subsequently  pursued  his  studies  at  the  Belfast 
Academical  Institution,  under  his  father.  He  declined  an  invita 
tion  to  the  Toxteth  Park  congregation,  and  accepted  as  his  first 
charge  Renshaw  Street.  Death  terminated  his  career  after  three 
years,  and  in  the  burial  ground  of  Renshaw  Street  Chapel  his 
tombstone  may  be  seen  thus  inscribed  : — 

Sacred 

To  the  Memory  of 

THE     REVEREND     JOHN     HINCKS, 
Pastor  of  the    Unitarian    Congregation,    Renshaw    Street. 

He  lived  beloved  and  revered, 

A  beautiful  example  of  gentleness,  holiness,  and  piety. 
He  sustained  with  fervour  and  love   the  devoted  character  of  a   minister  of 

Christ. 

He  was  consecrated  to  religion  ;  a  living  sacrifice  to  his  God. 
His  meek  and  pure  spirit,  tempered  for  heaven,  was  released  from  its  earthly 

discipline  to  enter  upon  immortality. 
Born  Feb.  24,  1804.  Died  Feb.  5,  1831. 

The  Rev.  John  Palmer,  a  convert  from  the  Church  of  England, 
a  Trinity  College  man,  was  engaged  for  four  months,  immediately 
after  Mr.  Hincks  died.  On  leaving  Liverpool  he  became  minister 
of  Dudley,  where  he  laboured  eighteen  years,  when  he  accepted 
the  appointment  of  Treasurer  of  the  Island  of  Dominica.  He 
returned  to  England  in  1866,  and  died  at  Waterford,  March 
8th,  1869.  The  Rev.  John  Hamilton  Thorn,  of  Toxteth  Park 
Chapel,1  accepted  the  invitation  of  the  congregation,  and  began 
his  labours  on  August  6th,  1831.  His  marriage  with  Hannah 
Mary,  second  daughter  of  William  Rathbone,  Esq.,  of  Green- 
bank,  Mayor  of  Liverpool,  took  place  on  Tuesday,  January  2nd, 
1838.  After  twenty-three  years  of  ministerial  service  Mr.  Thorn 
intimated  to  his  congregation  his  intention  to  go  into  retirement 
for  some  time,  and  accordingly  he  preached  his  farewell  sermon  on 
Sunday,  June  25th,  1854.  The  Rev.  William  Henry  Channing, 
educated  at  Harvard,  U.S.A.,  the  nephew  and  biographer  of  Dr. 
Channing,  was  engaged  to  officiate  as  minister  twelve  months.  He 
came  to  Liverpool  in  the  autumn  of  1854,  and  at  the^end  of  the 

1  Vide  ante  p.  104. 


n8  LANCASHIRE  NONCONFORMITY. 

first  year  was  unanimously  invited  to  remain  as  minister  for  two 
years  longer.  On  the  completion  of  this  period  he  became  the 
pastor  of  Hope  Street  Church,  Liverpool,  and  in  November,  1857, 
Mr.  Hamilton  Thorn  commenced  a  second  ministry  at  Renshaw 
Street  Chapel.  The  Rev.  Edward  Samuel  Howse,  B.A.,  educated 
at  Manchester  New  College,  London,  was  Mr.  Thorn's  assistant  from 
October,  1864,  to  October,  1865.  Subsequently  he  was  at  South- 
port  and  Altrincham,  and  is  now  resident  at  Hampstead  without 
charge.  The  Rev.  James  Edwin  Odgers,  M.  A.,  served  in  the  same 
capacity  from  1865  to  1866,  becoming  afterwards  the  minister 
of  Toxteth  Park  Chapel.1  Mr.  Thorn  withdrew  finally  from  the 
ministry  at  the  close  of  1866,  and  is  now  resident  at  Wavertree, 
near  Liverpool,  without  charge.  The  Rev.  Charles  Beard, 
B.A.,  educated  at  Manchester  New  College,  and  who  had  pre 
viously  laboured  some  seventeen  years  at  Gee  Cross,  Cheshire, 
became  Mr.  Thorn's  successor  on  the  first  Sunday  in  March,  1867. 
He  continued  in  charge  until  his  death,  which  took  place  April 
9th,  1888.  The  present  minister  is  the  Rev.  Lawrence  P.  Jacks, 
M.A.  He  was  educated  at  Manchester  New  College,  and 
assumed  the  pastorate  in  1888.  Connected  with  the  chapel  is  a 
very  considerable  library,  which  is  rich  in  scarce  works,  and  interest 
ing  MSS.  relating  to  the  early  history  of  Liverpool  Nonconformity. 
The  congregation  has  been  Unitarian  for  many  years. 


IV.— HOPE    STREET   CHURCH. 

THE  second  Nonconformist  place  of  worship  in  Liverpool  was 
probably  necessitated  by  the  growth  of  population  caused  by  a 
large  "  influx  of  settlers  from  Scotland  and  the  north  of  Ireland."2 
It  was  erected  in  Key  Street,  and  was  licensed  as  a  meeting  house 
for  worship  November  24th,  1707,  the  first  minister  being  the  Rev. 
Christopher  Bassnett.  He  was  educated  by  the  Rev.  Richard 
Frankland,  entering  his  academy  at  Rathmell,  April  ist,  1696,  and 
doubtless  had  held  a  pastorate  previous  to  his  settlement  at  Liver- 

1  Vide  ante  p.  105. 

2  Thoni's  "  Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels,"  p.  6. 


THE   LAWTON  FAMILY.  119 

pool,  but  where  is  not  known.1  Mr.  Bassnett  appears  to  have 
been  a  man  of  considerable  ability,  who  "long  ministered," 
says  Dr.  Halley,  "  to  the  satisfaction  and  benefit  of  a  large 
and  influential  congregation.  He  seems  to  have  preserved 
the  old  Puritan  habit,  which  was  then  becoming  unusual  with 
Presbyterian  ministers,  of  preaching  extemporaneously."2  His 
sermon  on  "Church  Officers  and  their  Missions,"  at  the  ordination 
of  Dr.  Winder,  in  1717,  "sufficiently  proves  the  high  notions  he 
entertained  of  the  efficacy  of  the  hands  of  the  Presbyters.''3  Three 
years  previously  he  had  published  a  small  volume  of  sermons, 
entitled  "  Zebulon's  Blessings  opened;  applied  in  Eight  Ser 
mons."  It  was  dedicated  "  to  all  that  have  friends  at,  or 
deal  to  sea,  merchants,  and  others,  belonging  to  Leverpool," 

1  It  has  already  been  stated  that  there  is  much  which  requires  explanation 
in  the  history  of  early  Liverpool  Nonconformity  as   given  by   all    previous 
writers,  and  of  this  we  have  here  another  illustration.  Christopher  Bassnett  is 
said  to  be  the  first  minister  of  Key  Street  Chapel,  built,  according  to  the  usual 
accounts,  in  1707  ;  but  either  here  or  in  the  history  of  the  Castle  Hey  congre 
gation  room  must  be  found  for  the  Rev.  James  Lawton.    He  was  educated  by 
the  Rev.  Richard   Frankland,  entering  his  academy  at  Rathmell,  March  2Qth, 
1698,  and  was  ordained  at  Warrington  along  with  seven  others,  June  i6th, 
1702.      He  is  mentioned  in  connection  with   Greenacres  Chapel,   Oldham, 
probably  only  as  a  supply,  some  time  after  the  death  of  the   Rev.  Robert 
Constantine  in  1699,  and  it  is   recorded  that  he  removed  to  Liverpool  (vide 
vol.  v.  of  "Lancashire  Nonconformity.")     In  the  "  Northowram   Register" 
(p.  239)  appears  the  following : — "  Mr.   James  Lawton,   minr.   at   Liverpool, 
died  May  7,  1706;   buried  May  10,  1706.     A  young  man  had  preached  about 
five  years,  and  was  married  May  10,  1705."     Matthew  Henry,  also,  who  had 
taken  part  in   Mr.    Lawton's  ordination,  has  the  following    respecting   his 
death: — "Mr.  Lawton,  a  minister  in  Liverpool,  died  on   Monday  last,  May  6 
[May  7,  says  the  N.  R.],  1706,  after  long  weakness.     He  is  the  second  of  the 
eight  who  were  ordained  at  Warrington  four  years  ago  that  are  dead.     He 
was  buried  at  Toxteth  Park   Chapel  last   Friday,    May  10,  and  on  the  I3th 
Mr.    [Charles]    Owen    was   at    Liverpool,    preaching   his    funeral    sermon." 
("  Memoirs  of  the  Rev.  M.  Henry,"   p.  263,  by  J.  B.  Williams,  F.S.A.)     One 
of    the    early  ministers   of    Newton    Heath,    near    Manchester,    was    a    Mr. 
Lawton,  who  died  in  1688,  but  whether  he  was  related  to  James  Lawton,  of 
Liverpool,  I  do  not   know  (vide  vol.   v.  of    "  Lancashire    Nonconformity," 
P-  39)-     The  Rev.  Joseph  Lawton,  of  Gateacre,  is  to  be  distinguished  from 
The  Rev.  James  Lawton,  of  Liverpool  (vide  p.  194). 

2  "Lancashire  Puritanism  and  Nonconformity,"  vol.  ii.,  p.  323. 

3  "  Monthly  Repository  "  for  1822,  p.  23,  note  2. 


120  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

and  allusion  is  made  to  "  the  dock,"  not  then  finished.  Mr. 
Bassnett  married,  February  9th,  1714,  Mrs.  Cheney,  widow 
of  John  Cheney,1  of  Warrington,  and  daughter  of  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Eaton,  of  Stand.  He  continued  to  serve  the  Key 
Street  congregation  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  took 
place  July  2 2nd,  i744>2  his  wife  having  died  September  i3th,  1737. 
Mr.  Bassnett  kept  most  carefully  a  register  of  Baptisms,  which  is 
now  at  Somerset  House,  London.  It  begins  with  September, 
1709,  two  years  after  the  Key  Street  Chapel  was  licensed  for 
worship,  and  gives  the  approximate  date  of  the  commencement  of 
his  ministry,  pointing  also  to  the  probability  of  a  predecessor  in 
the  pastorate.3  On  the  front  page  appears  the  following:  — 

A 

Catalogue  of  all  that  have  been  been  baptised  by  me  in  ye  congregation  to 
wch  I  stand  related,  from  Sept.  13,  y  1709. 

Very  interesting  are  many  of  its  entries,  as  for  instance  : — 

My  daughter,  Francis  Bassnet,  was  baptis'd  in  ye  P.  [Presbyterian]  con 
gregation  by  me,  C.  Bassnett,  Dec.  n,  1715,  Lev'pool.  [Note  the  difference 
in  the  spelling  of  the  name.] 

1  John  Cheney  is  to  be  distinguished  from  the  Rev.  John  Cheney,  of 
Warrington,  a  remarkably  clever  writer  against  the  Quakers,  though  it  is 
quite  probable  that  he  was  a  relation.  John  Cheney,  whose  widow  married 
Mr.  Bassnett,  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Matthew  Henry,  who  refers 
to  his  death  in  the  following  terms  in  his  diary  : — "  Mr.  John  Cheney, 
of  Warrington,  died  January  22,  1709-10,  or  thereabouts.  He  was  a 
mercer,  aged  about  twenty-nine;  married  Mr.  Eaton's  daughter,  of 
Manchester.  He  was  an  eminent  Christian,  very  intelligent,  obliging,  and 
judicious.  Mr.  [Charles]  Owen  preached  at  his  funeral,  on  Ps.  xii.,  i. ; 
'  Help,  Lord,  for  the  godly  man  ceaseth,  for  the  faithful  fail  from  among  the 
children  of  men.'  He  only  left  one  son,  a  month  old." — (Memoirs  of  the 
Rev.  M.  Henry,  p.  267). 

2  Dr.  Raffles  says :  "  It  is  supposed  that  Mr.  B.  lost  himself  towards  the 
close  of  his  life.       It  is  related  of  him  that  he  used  to  wander  amongst  the 
caves  and  rocks  in  the  Park  on  the  sea  shore — and  once  he  had  resolved  to 
drown  himself,   but  just  as  he  was  about  to  throw  himself  into  the  sea  it 
thundered.      He  started  at  the  sound,  and  cried,  '  Can  I  do  this  and  hear  that 
voice  ?'      He  immediately  left  the  shore,  and  went  to  Mr.  Angler's.    He  was 
buried  in  Toxteth  Park  Chapel." 

3  Vide  ante  p.   119,  note  i. 


"BRIEFS."  121 

A  child  of  Hilton's,  y  Baptist,  the  mother  answering  for  it.  March  16, 
1724. 

Under  date  March  26,  1711,  Mr.  Bassnett  writes  : — 

God  having  been  pleased  to  lay  me  under  a  sad  melancholy  indisposition, 
which  lasted  for  above  3  quarters  of  a  year,  w*  were  baptised  belonging  to  the 
congregation  in  y  interval  were  baptised  by  other  hands. 

His  last  entry  was  inserted  April  i6th,  1743-4,  and  after  it  the 
Rev.  John  Brekell,  his  assistant  and  successor,  places  the  following 
note  : — 

Here  ends  ye  Register  of  ye  late  Mr.  Christopher  Bassnett,  minister  of 
ye  congregation  of  Protestant  Dissenters  meeting  in  Key  Street,  Liverpool. 
As  I  was  co-pastor  with  him,  I  kept  a  Register  also  of  ye  children  baptised  by 
me  \vch  I  shall  insert  in  ye  following  Pages  :  yfc  So  both  may  be  preserved 
together  for  ye  Information  of  Posterity.  Witness  my  hand  this  31  day  of 
December,  1744.  John  Brekell. 

N.B. — The  age  of  my  own  children  is  registered  at  ye  beginning  of  my 
Field's  Bible,  interleaved,  in  2  vols  Folio,  which  according  to  my  design 
will  be  deposited  at  Ben's  Garden  meeting  in  Liverpool  aforesaid,  or 
ye  Library  in  John's  Street. 

Brek ell's  Bible,  containing  many  MS.  notes  from  his  own  pen,  is 
in  the  valuable  library  of  Renshaw  Street  Chapel,  successor  to 
Benn's  Garden  Chapel. 

Mr.  Bassnett's  Register  also  contains  several  entries  of  collec 
tions  on  "  Briefs,"  ranging  over  nearly  the  whole  of  his  ministry. 
The  following  is  a  specimen  : — 

June  4,  1711,  Two  Briefs  were  put  into  my  Hands. 
Edinburgh— loss  by  fire,  3572  I  ster, 
St  Helens  alias  Edington,  in  ye  Isle  of  Wight : 
Charge  1203  and  upward.     JOHN  RICHARDSON,  Collector. 
Aug.  5.     Was  collected  upon  y   same  Briefs,  viz.  : — 

1    s      d 

Edinburgh o  18     6 

St  Helens  alias  Edington, 

in  ye  Isle  of  Wight 026 

Nov.  jo.     Three  more  Briefs  were  put  into  my  Hands. 
Fradmore — loss    ...      1169^ 

Long-Melford 1800  I 

Woolwich  5069  I 

Thomas  Hitchcock,  Collector. 


122  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY 

Dec.  2.     Was  collected  upon  the  foresaid  Briefs:  — 

1      s     d 

Fradmore o     g     o 

Long-Melford   ...    o     3     6 
Woolwich     036 

His  growing  years  and  consequent  infirmities  led  the  people  to 
look  in  the  direction  of  an  assistant  for  him  some  time  before  his 
death.  An  attempt  was  made  in  1726  to  secure  the  Rev.  Jonathan 
Mercer,  of  Spalding  and  Holbeach,  who  was  offered  ^40  a  year; 
bat  he  declined  the  invitation,  and  settled  subsequently  at  St. 
Helens.1  "An  assistant  of  greater  ability,"  says  Dr.  Halley,  was 
obtained  in  the  person  of  the  Rev.  John  Brekell.  He  was  a 
native  of  Lancashire,  his  birthplace  being  North  Meols,2  and  his 
ministerial  training  is  supposed  to  have  been  received  from  the 
Rev.  John  Hardy,  of  Nottingham.  The  date  of  the  commence 
ment  of  his  co-pastorship  at  Liverpool  is  variously  put  down  at  1728, 
1730,  1 732,*  and  on  the  death  of  Mr.  Bassnett,  in  1744,  he  became 
sole  minister,  remaining  such  until  1767.  With  the  help  of  an 
assistant  he  continued  his  labours  until  his  death  in  1769.  In  the 
graveyard  at  Toxteth  Chapel  is  his  tombstone,  partly  covered  up, 
from  which  the  following  has  been  taken  : — 

Rev. 

JOHN  BREKELL,  who  died  28th  Dec., 
1769,  aged  73. 

1  Vide  vol.  iv.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity,"  where  part  of  the  interest 
ing  correspondence  is  given  which  passed  between  Mr.  Mercer  and  the  Key 
Street  authorities. 

2  In  the  Baptismal  Register  are    the  following  interesting   particulars 
respecting  Mr.  Brekell  and  his  family  : — 

Revd.  John  Brekell,  born  1697. 

J.  &  Eliz.  Brekell,  married  A.D.  1736,  nth  November. 

1  George  Brekell,  born  Feby.  7,  1737-8. 

2  Ann  Brekell,  born  Decr  8,  1739. 

3  Richard  Brekell,  born  June  14,  1742. 

4  Alice  Brekell,  born  Novr  24,  1744. 

5  William  Brekell,  born  July  17,  1746. 

6  On  (?)         June  28,  1747. 
William  Brekell,  died  9  April,  1750. 
Richard  Brekell,  died  2  Aug*.  1751. 

3  Mr.  Brekell's  first  entry  in  the  Baptismal  Register  is  dated  April  6th, 
1732. 


THE  REV.  JOHN  BREKELL.  123 

Mr.  Brekell  was  prominent  in  the  controversy  on  a  Public 
Liturgy,  which  excited  considerable  interest  amongst  the  Dissenting 
congregations  of  Lancashire  last  ceutury,  and  the  outcome  of 
which  was  the  "Octagon  Chapel"  in  Liverpool.  He  published  also 
various  pamphlets,  principally  of  a  theological  character.  I  doubt 
if  Mr.  Henry  Taylor  in  the  following  passage  does  justice  to  his 
opinions,  or  correctly  describes  his  theological  position  : — 

Mr.  Brekell's  congregation  never  distinctly  understood  what  his  real  senti 
ments  were  on  doctrinal  points,  but  I  judged  from  his  private  conversation 
that  he  was  an  Arian.  My  friend,  Dr.  Enfield,  who,  some  years  after  his 
death,  had  access  to  his  papers,  however,  told  me  that  from  them  he  could 
ascertain  him  to  have  been  in  fact  a  Socinian.  He  passed  with  his  people  as 
an  orthodox  man  ;  and  from  an  idea,  then  very  prevalent  among  free  thinking 
ministers,  he  considered  it  his  duty  not  to  endanger  his  usefulness  among 
them  by  shocking  their  prejudices.1 

From  a  lengthy  pamphlet  before  me,  published  in  1749,  and 
entitled  "  The  Divine  Oracles  ;  or,  the  Sufficiency  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  as  a  rule  of  Religion,  asserted  according  to  the  Sixth 
Article  of  the  Church  of  England,  &c.,"  I  should  judge  that  Mr. 
Brekell  neither  tried  to  conceal  his  theological  position,  nor  did  it 
at  all  approximate  to  that  of  the  Socinian.  Quoting  from  Irenaeus 
with  evident  approval,  he  says  : — 

Learn  this  great  truth  from  a  most  venerable  father  that  "  The  Scriptures 
are  perfect,  as  being  dictated  by  the  word  of  God  and  his  spirit."  Therefore, 
to  borrow  a  distick  from  a  modern  author :  "  Charge  imperfection  on  the 
written  word,  and  you  arraign  the  spirit  of  the  Lord."  It  is  the  doctrine  of 
the  Church  of  England  that  the  "  Holy  Scripture  containeth  all  things  neces 
sary  ;  so  that  what  is  not  read  therein,  nor  may  be  proved  thereby,  is  not  to 
be  required  of  any  man."  Here,  then,  let  us  stick;  here  let  us  all  abide  with 
unshaken  confidence,  with  a  firm  and  rational  assurance  that  the  infinitely 
wise  and  good  God  would  never  exhibit  to  the  world  a  written  inspired  rule 
of  religion,  incapable  of  answering  the  proper  end  of  a  rule,  without  being 
beholden,  after  all,  to  the  uncertainties  and  contradictions  of  oral  unwritten 
traditions. 

The  Rev.  Philip  Taylor  was  the  next  minister.  He  was  the 
grandson  of  Dr.  John  Taylor,  of  Norwich,  being  born  there  May 

1  "  Monthly  Repository"  for  1822,  p.  24. 


124  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

nth,  1747,  and  was  sent  to  the  Warrington  Academy  in  1761  ; 
but  in  the  autumn  of  the  following  year  he  was  removed  to  the 
Academy  of  the  Rev.  Micaiah  Towgood,  at  Exeter.  In  1765  he 
returned  to  Warrington  Academy,  where  he  finished  his  theological 
training.  In  April,  1766,  he  preached  for  the  first  time  in  public 
at  Blackley,1  near  Manchester;  and  in  September,  1767,  was 
chosen  assistant  to  Mr.  Brekell,  at  whose  death,  in  1769,  he 
assumed  the  sole  pastorate.  In  July,  1770,  he  was  ordained,  and 
in  1777  removed  to  Eustace  Street,  Dublin,  where  he  laboured 
until  1828,  when  his  infirmities  and  age  led  to  his  retirement.  He 
died  at  Harold's  Cross,  Dublin,  on  September  27th,  1831.  The 
Rev.  John  Yates  succeeded  Mr.  Taylor  at  Liverpool.'2  A  native 
of  Bolton,  and  educated  at  Warrington  Academy  he  accepted  the 
invitation  of  the  Key  Street  congregation  on  the  completion  of  his 
college  course  in  1777.  His  ordination,  along  with  that  of  the 
Rev.  Hugh  Anderson,  of  Toxteth  Park  Chapel,  took  place  on 
October  ist  in  that  year.  It  was  during  his  ministry  that  a  new 
place  of  worship  was  erected  in  Paradise  Street  to  meet  the  growing 
needs  of  the  congregation,  which  was  opened  September  nth, 
1791.  The  old  chapel  in  Key  Street  was  sold,  consecrated,  and 
opened  in  1795  as  St.  Matthew's  Church.  Writing  in  1854,  Dr. 
Thorn  says  of  it : — 


It  was  substantial,  although  plain  in  its  appearance;  stood  on  the  western 
side  of  Key  (Kay  or  Kaye)  Street,  about  fifty  or  sixty  yards  from  Tithebarn 
Street ;  and  was  taken  down  three  or  four  years  ago,  its  site,  and  the  site  o 
the  land  or  yard  connected  with  it,  having  been  required  for  the  terminus  of 
the  East  Lancashire  and  Lancashire  and  Yorkshire  Railways.  The  traveller 
leaving  the  railway  by  the  incline  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  station  now 
passes  unconsciously  over  the  spot  where  once  the  praises  of  God  ascended 
from  the  lips  of  devout  worshippers.3 


1  Vide  vol.  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

2  The  Baptismal    Register   contains   the   following  :     "  On   the    ist   of 
August,    1777,  Philip  Taylor  gave  up  his  charge  as  minister  of  Key  Street 
Chapel,  Liverpool,  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Yates  in  compliance  with  an  invitation 
given  him  to  succeed  his  father-in-law,  Dr.  Isaac  Weld,  as  one  of  the  Pastors 
of  Eustace  Street  Congregation  in  the  city  of  Dublin." 

3  "  Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels,"  p.  5. 


THE    YATES  FAMILY.  125 

After  a  ministry  of  forty-six  years,  during  which  he  was  "  accept 
able  as  a  preacher  and  much  esteemed  for  his  private  virtues,"  Mr. 
Yates  resigned  in  the  spring  of  1823,  on  which  occasion  he  was 
presented  with  a  piece  of  plate  by  his  congregation  of  the  value 
of  one  hundred  guineas.  He  died  November  loth,  1826,  on  the 
yist  anniversary  of  his  birthday.  Some  years  before  his  death 
Mr.  Yates  bought  the  Dingle  estate,  so  interesting  because  of  its 
association  with  Nonconformity  in  the  dark  days  of  persecution. 
One  of  his  children  was  Mr.  Richard  Vaughan  Yates,  whose  marble 
tablet  in  the  graveyard  of  Toxteth  Park  Chapel  names  amongst 
the  "monuments  of  his  benevolence"  which  "remain,"  Prince's 
Park,  which  he  gave  "for  the  enjoyment  of  the  people."  The 
Rev.  Pendlebury  Houghton  shared  the  pastorate  of  Paradise  Street 
Chapel  with  Mr.  Yates  from  1812  to  1823.  He  was  the  son  of 
the  Rev.  John  Houghton,  of  ftatt  Chapel,  near  Manchester,  for  a 
short  time  assistant  tutor  in  the  Warrington  Academy,  where  he 
was  educated,  and  exercised  his  ministry,  amongst  other  places,  at 
Dob  Lane,  Shrewsbury,  and  Norwich.  He  resigned  when  Mr. 
Yates  did,  and  died  April  3rd,  I824.1  "Abilities  of  a  superior 
order,"  writes  Dr.  Thorn,  "combined  with  great  taste,  have 
uniformly  been  ascribed  to  him  by  his  admirers.  While  at  Norwich, 
in  1790,  he  published  a  volume  of  sermons,  a  second  edition  of 
which  appeared  in  1809,  having  annexed  to  it  Essays  on  the  natural 
argument  for  a  future  state,  and  a  discourse  for  a  charitable 
purpose  which  he  had  preached  and  published  in  1801.  Two 
additional  volumes  of  sermons  were  prepared  and  sent  to  press  by 
Mr.  Houghton  a  short  time  before  his  decease,  but  did  not  appear 
until  after  that  event,  in  1825.  They  were  published  by  Rowland 
Hunter,  London,  are  embellished  by  a  portrait  of  the  author,  and 
have  prefixed  to  them  a  sketch  of  his  life  and  character,  by  Mr. 
J.  G.  Robberds,  of  Manchester."2  The  Rev.  John  Grundy,  from 
Cross  Street,  Manchester,  succeeded  in  1823.  It  was  on  the 
occasion  of  his  removal  that  the  Rev.  George  Harris  made  the 
aggressive  speech,  previously  referred  to,  which  originated  the 
"  Manchester  Socinian  Controversy."3  He  resigned  his  charge  at 

1  Vide  vols.  iv.  and  v.  of  "Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

2  "  Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels,"  p.  62. 

3  Vide  ante  p.  114,  note  3;  also,  vol.  v.  of  "Lancashire  Nonconformity," 
for  further  particulars  respecting  Mr.  Grundy. 


i26  LANCASHIRE  NONCONFORMITY. 

Liverpool,  in  1832,  owing  to  impaired  health,  and  died  at  Bridport, 
May  gth,  1843.  The  Rev.  James  Martineau  followed.  He  is  a 
native  of  Norwich,  and  brother  to  the  talented  Miss  Harriet 
Martineau.  He  was  educated  at  Manchester  College  (York),  and 
had  for  his  first  charge  Eustace  Street,  Dublin,  in  succession  to  his 
aged  relative,  the  Rev.  Philip  Taylor,  one  of  his  predecessors 
also  in  the  ministry  at  Liverpool.  After  about  four  years  he 
removed  from  Dublin  to  Liverpool  in  1832,  and  remained  until 
1857.  It  was  during  his  ministry  that  the  congregation  again 
changed  its  place  of  meeting  for  the  present  splendid  Gothic 
edifice  in  Hope  Street.  The  first  stone  of  this  building  was  laid 
on  May  9th,  1848,  by  Thomas  Bolton,  Esq.,  and  the  opening 
service  was  held  October  iSth,  1849,  when  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Madge,  of  Essex  Street,  London,  discoursed  on  Acts  i.,  13,  14. 
Sir  J.  A.  Picton  records  the  subsequent  history,  and  gives 
an  interesting  description  of  Paradise  Chapel  in  the  following 
passage : — 

At  the  corner  of  School  Lane  and  Paradise  Street  stands  the  Coliseum 
Theatre,  with  its  appurtenances.  The  theatre  itself,  now  hidden  from  view 
by  the  buildings  in  front,  was  originally  constructed  for  a  Unitarian  Chapel 
by  the  Congregation  from  the  old  Presbyterian  Chapel  in  Key  Street.  It 
was  opened  in  1791  by  the  pastor,  the  Rev.  John  Yates,  the  founder  of  a 
family  the  members  of  which  have  risen  to  stations  of  high  respectability  in 
the  community.  The  building  was,  as  a  piece  of  architecture,  by  no  means 
without  merit.  It  was  octagonal  in  plan,  a  form  which  seems  about  that 
period  to  have  found  favour  with  many  Nonconformist  congregations.  The 
material  was  brick  faced  with  stone.  Towards  Paradise  Street  there  was  a 
projecting  portico,  with  attached  columns  carried  to  the  height  of  the  build 
ing,  and  finished  with  a  pediment.  The  roof  was  conical,  crowned  at  the 
summit  with  a  small  cupola.  An  open  yard  surrounded  it,  and  behind 
were  commodious  schoolrooms.1 

In  addition  to  his  pastoral  duties  Mr.  Martineau  held  the 
position  of  Professor  of  Mental  and  Moral  Philosophy  in  the 
Manchester  New  College  from  1840  to  1857.  In  the  latter  year 
he  removed  to  Little  Portland  Street,  London,  and  continued  to 
serve  the  Manchester  New  College,  then  removed  to  London,  in 
the  capacity  of  Philosophical  Tutor.  Dr.  Martineau,  for  such  he 

1  "  Memorials  of  Liverpool,"  vol.  ii.,  p.  167. 


THE  REV.  R.  A.  ARMSTRONG,  B.A.  127 

now  is,  has  long  been  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  the 
Unitarian  world,  and  both  as  a  preacher  and  author  has  won  a 
high  reputation  far  wider  than  the  denomination  which  he  has  so 
long  and  ably  served.  He  is  still  resident  in  London  without 
charge,  having  attained  to  the  ripe  age  of  eighty-eight  years.  In 
1857  the  Rev.  William  Henry  Channing,  from  Renshaw  Street 
Chapel,  became  the  minister.  In  the  summer  of  1861  he  was 
summoned  home  to  America  by  the  Civil  War.  He  stayed 
at  Washington  to  undertake,  as  he  said,  three  sets  of  duties : 
"  His  duty  to  the  Unitarian  Society,  of  which  he  was  pastor ; 
to  the  House  of  Representatives,  of  which  he  was  chaplain ;  and 
to  the  wounded  soldiers,  of  whom  he  was  friend."1  He  died  in 
London,  December  23rd,  1884,  and  was  buried  in  Boston,  U.S.A., 
January  24th,  1885.  The  Rev.  Charles  Wicksteed,  B.  A.,  formerly 
of  Toxteth  Park  Chapel,  and  for  nineteen  years  minister  of 
Mill  Hill  Chapel,  Leeds,2  was  minister  from  1864  to  1872,  his 
colleague  during  that  period  being  the  Rev.  Alexander  Gordon, 
M.A.  Mr.  Gordon  was  educated  at  Manchester  New  College, 
and  on  his  removal  from  Liverpool,  in  1872,  settled  at  Norwich, 
and  subsequently  at  Belfast.  He  is  now  the  respected  Principal 
of  the  Unitarian  Home  Missionary  College,  and  is  an  authority 
upon  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  history  of  the  old  Dissenting 
foundations  of  the  country.  The  Rev.  E.  M.  Geldart,  M.  A.,  educated 
at  Balliol  College,  Oxford,  and  formerly  curate  of  St.  George's, 
Everton,  had  sole  charge  of  the  congregation  from  1873  to  1876. 
Subsequently  he  was  at  Croydon,  and  died  in  1885.  The  next 
minister  was  the  Rev.  Charles  John  Perry,  B.A.,  who  was  educated 
at  Manchester  New  College.  He  settled  at  Liverpool  in  1878, 
and  died  at  Nottingham  in  1883.  The  present  minister  is  the 
Rev.  R.  A.  Armstrong,  B  A.  He  also  is  an  alumnus  of  Man 
chester  New  College,  and  had  previously  laboured  at  Banbridge, 
and  the  High  Pavement,  Nottingham.  He  began  his  Liverpool 
ministry  in  1884,  and  in  addition  to  his  pastoral  duties  has  taken 
a  deep  interest  in  the  moral  and  social  wellbeing  of  the  city, 
having  contributed  largely  towards  lessening  the  size  of  the  "  black 

1  Frothingham's  "  Memoir,"  p.  322. 

2  Vide  ante  p.  105 


128  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

spot  on  the  Mersey."  The  congregation  here  also  is  "  prevailingly 
Unitarian  in  opinion,  but  minister  and  people  most  jealously  guard 
the  absolute  doctrinal  freedom  which  they  have  received  from 
their  predecessors."1 


V.— THE    OCTAGON    CHAPEL. 

THE  story  of  the  "  Octagon  Chapel "  is  peculiar  to  Liverpool 
Nonconformity.  It  was  a  bold  experiment,  so  far  as  I  know 
attempted  only  here;  and  had  it  met  with  success  it  would  very 
materially  have  altered  the  type  of  Lancashire  Nonconformity.  It 
was  remarkable,  however,  not  more  for  the  boldness  of  its  design 
than  for  the  completeness  of  its  failure.  Dr.  Thorn  says  that  the 
chapel  was  erected  by  "  persons  disaffected  to  popular  theological 
dogmas,  or,  as  the  phrase  then  in  vogue  was,  entertaining  liberal 
and  rational  notions  on  the  subject  of  religion."2  A  writer  in  the 
"  Monthly  Repository  "  for  1813  remarks  :— 

It  is  believed  to  have  originated  in  the  desire  of  some  liberal  Dissenters 
(who  had  not,  on  the  one  hand,  any  particular  dissatisfaction  with  the  mode 

1  The  above  sentence  is  extracted  from  a  letter  kindly  sent  me  by  Mr. 
Armstong,  who  also  supplies  the  following  note  : — "  It  is  laid  down  in  the 
Trust  Deed  of  Hope  Street  Church,  that  this  society  or  congregation  of 
Protestant   Dissenters   from  the    Church  of   England  deliberately   abstains 
from  requiring  to  be  taught  or  observed,  and  from  forbidding  to  be  taught  or 
observed,  any  particular  doctrines  or  opinions,  or  mode  of  regulating  worship 
in  the  said  church,  chapel,  or  meeting  house."     I  doubt  if  the  open  Trusts  of 
these  old  Nonconformist  foundations  are  capable  of  the  interpretation  which 
many  of  our  Unitarian  friends  put  upon  them.     They  belong  to  the  beginning 
of  the   1 8th  century,   when   Unitarianism  was  not   any   great  force  in  the 
country.     Romanism  and  Episcopalianism  were  the  two  things  from  which 
our  fathers  had  most  suffered,   and  these  were  mainly  before  them  in  the 
making  of  their  deeds.     In  every  case  known  to  me  the  words  "  Protestant 
Dissenters"   appear,   and  they  were  a  sufficient  protection  as  things  then 
were.     Whether  if  the  deeds  had  been  made  forty  or  fifty  years  later  the 
Trusts  would  have  been  so  open  is  very  doubtful.     It  seems  necessary  to 
state  so  much,  though  in  the  production  of  this  work  I  have  not  sought  to 
enter  into  questions  of  so  controversial  a  character. 

2  "  Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels,"  p.  2. 


THE    LIVERPOOL    LITURGY.  129 

of  worship  observed  by  their  own  ministers,  or,  on  the  other,  the  objections 
entertained  by  their  forefathers  to  a  form  of  public  prayer,  provided  that  it 
were  not  imposed)  to  give  the  many  members  of  the  Established  Church, 
whom  they  daily  heard  complain  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  but  who 
yet  disliked  the  Dissenters'  mode  of  extemporary  prayer,  an  opportunity  of 
joining  in  the  use  of  a  liturgy  that  should  be  free  from  all  objection.1 

Whatever  weight  these  things  may  have  had  with  the  originators  of 
the  movement,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  prime  cause  of 
it  was  the  desire  for  a  liturgical  service,2  which  was  making 
itself  felt  in  several  Dissenting  chapels.  About  the  year  1750  a 
number  of  Lancashire  Dissenting  ministers  formed  themselves  into 
a  society  for  the  purpose  of  occasionally  meeting  together  "in 
order  to  a  full,  impartial,  and  public  inquiry  into  the  state  and 
conduct  of  public  worship,  and  all  affairs  of  religion  amongst  the 
Protestant  Dissenters  of  that  part  of  the  kingdom  where  we  reside, 
and  to  consult  upon,  and  put  into  execution  all  methods  which 
shall  be  judged  expedient,  and  conducive  to  the  general  advantage 
and  improvement  of  religion."3  The  first  meeting  of  this  society 
was  held  at  Warrington,  July  3rd,  1750,  and  amongst  the  questions 
proposed  for  discussion  was  the  following  :  — 

As  Christian  Societies  have  a  discretionary  power  of  conducting  the 
public  forms  of  their  worship  in  the  manner  which  they  apprehend  most 
agreeable  to  their  own  circumstances  and  the  general  design  of  the  Christian 
religion,  whether  public  forms  might  not  be  introduced  amongst  the  Dis 
senters  with  general  advantage. 

At  a  meeting  held  at  Preston,  September  zoth,  1751,  when 
thirteen  ministers  were  present,  the  majority  declared  their  opinion 
to  be— 

1  Page  626. 

2  The  following,  from  the  Rev.   Josiah  Thompson's  MS.  account  of  the 
state  of  the  churches  in  1772  and  1773,  is  additional  evidence  of  this  view  : 
"  The  Society  belonging  to  the  Chapel  at  Liverpool,  known  by  the  name  of 
the  Octagon,  is  put  down  in  this  list  as  a  Dissenting  Congregation,  because 
they  call  themselves  such  :   tho'  the  organ  and  the   Liturgy  they  use,   and  in 
short  the  manner  in  which  the  whole  service  is  conducted  is  so  very  different 
from  what  was  ever  known  among  Dissenters;  as  renders  it  very  diliicult  by 
what  name  to  describe  them." 

3  "  Monthly  Repository  "  for  1822,  p.  21. 
6-9 


1 3o  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

That  a  proper  variety  of  public  devotional  offices,  well  drawn  up,  in  no 
respect  to  be  imposed,  and  to  be  altered  at  any  time  as  circumstances  shall 
require,  might  be  introduced  amongst  the  Dissenters  with  general  advantage. 

The  controversy  thus  begun  ran  on  for  several  years.  The  Rev. 
Job  Orton,  of  Shrewsbury,  "  whose  assistance  was  desired,"  warmly 
opposed  the  liturgical  scheme,  so  did  the  Rev.  John  Brekell, 
minister  of  Key  Street  Chapel,  and  more  vigorously  still  Dr. 
John  Taylor,  formerly  of  Norwich,  and  subsequently  of  Warrington 
Academy,  in  his  "Scripture  Account  of  Prayer,"  published  in 
1761  shortly  after  his  death.  The  following  spirited  and  eloquent 
passage  from  that  work  is  worth  insertion  : — 

The  principles  and  worship  of  Dissenters  are  not  formed  upon  such  slight 
foundation  as  the  unlearned  and  thoughtless  may  imagine.  They  were 
thoroughly  considered  and  judiciously  reduced  to  the  standard  of  Scripture 
and  the  writings  of  antiquity,  by  a  great  number  of  men  of  learning  and 
integrity ;  I  mean  the  Bartholomew  divines,  or  the  ministers  ejected  in  the 
year  1662.  They  had  the  best  education  England  could  afford ;  most  of 
them  were  excellent  scholars,  judicious  divines,  pious,  faithful,  and  laborious 
ministers ;  of  great  zeal  for  God  and  religion ;  undaunted  and  courageous  in 
their  Master's  work  ;  keeping  close  to  their  people  in  the  worst  of:  times  ; 
diligent  in  their  studies,  solid,  affectionate,  powerful,  lively,  awakening 
preachers,  aiming  at  the  advancement  of  real  vital  religion  in  the  hearts  and 
ives  of  men,  which  it  cannot  be  denied  flourished  greatly  wherever  they 
could  influence.  Particularly,  they  were  men  of  great  devotion  and  eminent 
abilities  in  prayer,  uttered  as  God  enabled  them  from  the  abundance  of  their 
hearts  and  affections;  men  of  divine  eloquence  in  pleading  at  the  throne  of 
grace,  raising  and  melting  the  affections  of  their  hearers,  and  being  happily 
instrumental  in  transfusing  into  their  souls  the  same  spirit  and  heavenly 
gift.  And  this  was  the  ground  of  all  their  other  qualifications  ;  they  were 
excellent  men,  because  excellent,  instant,  and  fervent  in  prayer. 

Such  were  the  Fathers,  the  first  formers  of  the  Dissenting  interest ;  and 
you,  here,  in  Lancashire  had  a  large  share  of  these  burning  and  shining  lights. 
Those  who  knew  them  not  might  despise  them ;  but  your  forefathers,  wiser 
and  less  prejudiced,  esteemed  them  highly  in  love  for  their  works'  sake. 
You  were  once  happy  in  your  Newcomes,  your  Jollies,  your  Heywoods,  your 
Finches,  your  Anglers,  your  Harrisons,  Pendleburys,  Cromptons,  Mathers,  and 
many  others,  who  left  all  to  follow  Christ ;  but  Providence  cared  for  them, 
and  they  had  great  comfort  in  their  ministerial  services.  The  presence  and 
blessing  of  God  appeared  in  their  assemblies,  and  attended  their  labours. 
How  many  were  converted  and  built  up  in  godliness  and  sobriety  by  their 
prayers,  pious  doctrine,  and  conversation  ?  How  many  days  on  particular 
occasions  were  set  apart  and  spent  in  warm  addresses  to  the  throne  of  grace, 


THE    THREE    AUTHORS.  131 

and  how  much  to  the  comfort  of  those  who  joined  in  them  !  But  now,  alas 
we  are  pursuing  measures  which  have  a  manifest  tendency  to  extinguish  the 
light  which  they  kindled,  to  damp  the  spirit  which  they  enlivened,  and  to 
dissipate  and  to  dissolve  the  societies  which  they  raised  and  formed. 

The  principal  person  on  the  other  side  of  the  controversy  was 
the  Rev.  John  Seddon,  of  Warrington,  and  to  whose  exertions 
mainly  the  academy  there  owed  its  existence.  To  him,  along  with 
the  Revs.  Richard  Godwin,  of  Gateacre,  and  Philip  Holland,  of 
Bolton,  the  work  of  composing  a  liturgy  expressly  for  use  at  the 
Octagon  Chapel  was  eventually  entrusted.  Previous  to  this,  however, 
a  "circular  letter,"  with  a  "set  of  instructions,"  was  sent  to  several 
ministers,  soliciting  their  help  "in  drawing  up  a  liturgy  for  the 
use  of  a  congregation  in  Liverpool,"  of  which  the  following  is  a 
copy  :— 
Revd-  Gentlemen, 

A  society  of  Protestants  in  Liverpool,  who  do  not  entirely  approve 
of  the  present  method  of  conducting  the  publick  devotions  in  dissenting 
congregations,  and  who  cannot  comply  with  the  terms  of  conformity  to  the 
Established  Church,  are  desirous  of  introducing  a  rational  Liturgy  into  their 
form  of  worship.  And  as  they  would  wish  it  as  perfect  as  possible  they  make 
free  to  solicit  the  assistance  of  some  of  their  learned  friends  in  the  compilation 
of  it,  who  may  approve  of  the  design;  especially  you  gentlemen,  to  whom  this 
letter  is  addressed.  They  are  very  sensible  of  the  difficulty  of  the  task  ;  and 
of  the  large  portion  of  time  and  attention  that  it  must  necessarily  take  up  ; 
but  they  are  inclined  to  hope,  the  great  importance  of  the  work,  and  the 
agreeable  prospect  that  may  be  opened  by  the  proposed  reformation  will 
induce  you  to  favour  their  expectations,  and  to  join  your  abilities  in  this 
publick  service. 

Liverpool,  Oct.  16,  1760, 

The  title  of  the   work,  which  was  published   in    1763,   is  here 
given  : — 

A 
Form  of  Prayer 

and 

A  New  Collection  of  Psalms, 

For  the  Use  of 

A  Congregation 

of 
Protestant  Dissenters 

in 
Liverpool. 


1 32  LANCASHIRE   NONCONFORMITY. 

Printed  for  the  Society, 

And  Sold  by 
Chr.  Henderson,  under  the  Royal  Exchange,  London, 

and  by 

John  Sibbald,  Bookseller,  in  Liverpool. 
MDCCLXIII. 

In  the  copy  before  me,  which  belonged  to  Mr.  Joseph  Finney 
(of  whom  more  presently),  has  been  written  the  following  preface, 
which,  it  is  said,  "  was  Intended  to  have  been  Printed"  :  — 

Though  all  men  have  an  undoubted  right  to  worship  God  according  to 
their  own  Judgements  and  Consciences  without  being  Oblidg'd  to  give  an 
Account  of  their  Conduct,  herein,  to  any  Human  Authority,  and  though  our 
Lord  and  Jesus  Saviour,  Christ,  hath  expressly  commanded  his  Disciples  to 
call  no  man  upon  Earth  Master,  yet  out  of  Respect  to  many  worthy  Persons 
who  may  have  been  Led  to  think  Unfavourably  of  this  Society,  for  whose 
use  the  Following  Prayers  are  intended,  we  have  determined  to  give  in  this 
Place  a  Brief,  Plain,  and  Sincere  Representation  of  our  general  Principles, 
and  design  Not  by  way  of  Defence,  But  to  prevent  Mistakes,  For  as  we  have 
neither  power  nor  Inclination  to  Impose  any  Sentiments  upon  any  Man  or 
Society  of  Men  whatsoever,  so  we  can  have  no  Controversy  with  any 
Friend  to  Christian  Liberty  and  Toleration.  These  forms  of  Devotion  were 
at  first  drawn  up  and  are  now  Printed  for  the  use  of  a  Society  of  PROTESTANT 
DISSENTERS  who  do  not  approve  of  the  method  of  EXTEMPORE  PRAYER 
generally  used  in  Dissenting  Congregations,  and  who  cannot  Conscientiously 
conform  to  the  Church  Established  by  Law.  We  agree  with  all  Consistent 
Protestants  in  asserting  for  ourselves  and  allowing  to  others  the  right  of 
PRIVATE  JUDGEMENT  in  Religious  Matters — that  Divine  and  Christian 
Principle  without  which  there  never  could  have  been  either  Christians  or 
Protestants,  and  by  which  principle  alone  any  Religion  can  be  Rationally 
and  Conscientiously  profess'd  and  Defended.  OUR  PRAYERS  are  not  calculated 
to  oppose  or  defend  any  Curious  Speculations  or  Particular  doctrines  ;  but 
drawn  up  on  the  most  Enlarg'd  Principles  of  natural  Piety  and  Christianity, 
that  every  one  might  be  Left  to  Form  his  own  private  creed  from  the 
Scriptures  and  the  works  of  God.  It  is  our  Main  design,  and  our  Highest 
Ambition  by  Plain  and  Rational  Devotions  such  as  every  man  may  under 
stand  and  every  Christian  join  in,  to  Exalt  our  minds  to  an  ardent  love  and 
humble  Imitation  of  the  Supreme  Being,  and  to  arm  our  Hearts  with  an 
impartial  and  Universal  Benevolence,  Including  our  duty  to  GOD  and  our 
NEIGHBOUR,  as  taught  by  our  Blessed  Lord  and  Saviour  JESUS  CHRIST. 

The  exact  share  in  the  production  of  this  work  of  each  of  the 


MR.    JOSEPH   FINNEY.  133 

confreres  previously  mentioned  is  not  known,  but  it  is  believed 
that  Mr.  Seddon  was  responsible  for  the  major  portion,  and  that 
Mr.  Godwin's  contribution  was  less  than  Mr.  Holland's.  It  was 
ready  for  use  in  1763,  and  in  Mr.  Finney's  copy  is  a  note  which 
says : — 

The  following  service  was  first  publickly  used  by  the  Reva-  Mr.  N.  Clayton 
and    Revd    Mr.    Kirkpatrick,    June   5th-    1763,!    in  the  Octagon  Chapel,  at 


THE    OCTAGON    CHAPEL. 

LIVERPOOL.  Which  was  Designed  and  Conducted  by  Joseph  Finney, 
Architect.  In  Gratification  thereof  the  Subscribers  were  Pleas'd  to  Give  and 
Confirm  to  him  and  His  the  seat  No.  61  in  the  Gallery  of  the  Said  Chapel. 

1  The  Octagon  Chapel  Register  begins  with  February  i5th,  1762,  on 
which  date  the  Rev.  Richard  Godwin,  of  Gateacre,  baptised  Matthew 
Dobson.  It  would  therefore  appear  that  at  that  date  the  congregation  had 
some  sort  of  existence,  though  more  than  twelve  months  elapsed  before  its 
proper  house  of  worship  was  completed. 


134  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

Having  dealt  thus  lengthily  with  the  Liturgy  we  must  now 
sketch  the  history  of  the  chapel  for  which  it  was  specially  pre 
pared.  It  stood  at  the  angle  between  Temple  Court  and  Temple 
Lane,  its  "  vestry  was  decidedly  the  most  commodious  and 
comfortable  of  any  in  the  town,  and  a  perfect  model  of  what  such 
an  appendage  to  a  place  of  worship  should  be.  It  was  large  and 
well  famished,  with  an  ante-chamber  adapted  for  meetings  of  the 
trustees  and  managers,  as  well  as  for  the  use  of  the  clergymen,  and 
by  its  position  at  the  upper  part  of  the  building  was  exempt 
from  damp  and  offensive  smells.  With  the  edifice  there  was 
connected  a  graveyard  in  which  were  burial  places  belonging  to 
several  of  the  wealthy  and  influential  inhabitants  of  the  town."1  It 
was  of  the  octagonal  form  from  which  circumstance  the  worshippers 
came  to  be  called  "Octagonians."  The  designer  was  Mr.  Joseph 
Finney,  a  clock  and  watch  maker  in  Thomas  Street,  who  so  pleased 
the  subscribers  with  his  work  that  pew  No.  6r  in  the  gallery  was 
confirmed  to  him  and  his  as  some  acknowledgment  of  his  services. 
The  bell  was  the  gift  of  a  Mr.  S.  Green.  The  original  worshippers 
were  mainly  seceders  from  the  Nonconformist  congregations  in 
Key  Street  and  Benn's  Garden,  but  some  were  from  the  Established 
Church.  It  is  recorded  that  Mr.  Seddon  met,  by  previous  agreement, 
on  January  6th,  1762,  "  the  friends  of  the  new  liturgy,  to  the  number 
of  three  or  four  and  twenty  persons,  consisting  both  of  Dissenters 
and  seceders  from  the  church,  at  the  Merchants'  Coffee  House  in 
Liverpool,  and  there  exhibited  to  them  the  work."2  The  principal 
promoters  of  the  movement  were  Mr.  Thomas  Bentley,  a  merchant, 
who  lived  in  Paradise  Street,  afterwards  known  as  the  friend  and 
partner  of  Josiah  Wedgwood ;  and  W.  Wyke,  "  proprietor  of  a 
house  and  garden  situated  at  the  corner  of  Dale  Street  and  Hatton 
Garden,  as  well  as  of  several  other  houses  more  to  the  west  in 
Dale  Street."3  The  chapel  was  opened  for  worship  June  5th,  1763. 
The  idea  of  the  promoters  had  been  to  have  Liturgy,  chapel,  and 
minister  all  ready  at  once,  and  they  succeeded.  Whilst  the  build 
ing  was  in  course  of  erection  overtures  were  made  to  several 
leading  ministers  to  assume  the  pastorate,  amongst  them  being  Dr. 

1  Thorn's  "  Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels,"  p.  i. 

2  "Christian  Reformer"  for  1854,  P-  234- 

3  Thorn's  "  Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels,"  p.  2,  note  5. 


MR.   THOMAS    BENTLEY.  135 

Joseph  Priestley  and  the  Rev.  John  Seddon.  A  pressing  invita 
tion  was  sent  to  the  latter  gentleman  some  time  during  1762, 
which  he  says  "  did  very  much  engage  my  attention  ; "  but  on 
July  8th  of  that  year  he  wrote  declining  the  call,  and  in  the  follow 
ing  passage  gives  his  principal  reason  for  so  doing  : — 

Very  early  after  your  present  design  was  publicly  known,  there  were 
great  pains  taken  to  make  the  world  believe  that  there  was  a  conceal'd  con 
nection  between  it  and  the  Academy  at  Warrington,  and  that  the  latter 
was  principally  instituted  not  only  to  facilitate  the  introduction  of  a  Liturgy 
in  Liverpool,  but  to  extend  it  to  neighbouring  congregations,  and  gradually 
to  bring  it  into  general  use  amongst  the  Dissenters.  As  this  was  a  repre 
sentation  the  most  contrary  to  truth,  I  was  always  willing  to  flatter  myself 
no  ill  effects  would  arise  from  it,  but  in  this  I  was  mistaken.  It  did  influence 
the  minds  of  many  ;  it  awakened  jealousies  and  suspicions,  to  the  very  great 
disadvantage  of  the  Academy,  insomuch  that  great  numbers  declared  their 
dissatisfaction  with  it  on  this  account,  and  refused  to  concur  in  its  support 
till  this  matter  was  fully  cleared  up.  Every  prudent  method  was  pursued  to 
convince  the  public  how  much  it  was  abused  in  this  invidious  representation, 
and  that  it  was  no  more  than  an  artifice  of  the  enemies  of  the  Academy  to 
injure  and  destroy  that  useful  institution.  It  must  be  acknowledged  that  a 
good  deal  has  been  done  towards  removing  these  prejudices,  but,  after  all, 
such  is  the  state  of  many  people's  minds,  particularly  in  London,  and  that 
not  only  amongst  the  ministers,  but  many  very  considerable  persons  of  the 
laity,  that  should  I  engage  in  the  service  of  your  church  it  wou'd  be  the 
means  of  reviving  these  prejudices  afresh,  and  fixing  them  in  the  minds  of 
those  who  are  otherwise  disposed  to  befriend  our  little  seminary  at  War 
rington.  I  cannot  think  myself  at  liberty  to  hazard  the  success  of  an 
institution  which  promises  so  much  publick  utility ;  and  the  generous 
concern  which  I  know  you  bear  to  the  same  valuable  object  will  incline 
you  to  admit  the  weight  which  this  consideration  has  in  my  present 
conduct.  I  am  very  sensible  how  unreasonable  these  prejudices  are,  and 
see  with  concern  the  unhappy  spirit  which  has  discovered  itself  upon  this 
occasion ;  a  spirit  very  unbecoming  the  Sons  of  Freedom,  and  alike  incon 
sistent  with  the  character  of  Christian,  Protestant,  or  Dissenter.  But  there 
are  some  circumstances  in  human  life  in  which  it  is  right  to  yield  a  little  to 
popular  prejudice.1 

Mr.  Thomas  Bentley  was  the  correspondent  for  the  Liverpool 
friends,  and  writing  on  July  22nd,  1762,  after  expressing  the  dis 
appointment  which  Mr.  Seddon's  letter  had  created,  says  :— 

1  "Christian  Reformer"  for  1855,  p.  369. 


136  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

And  now  for  an  helmsman  !  Yes,  but  who  will  take  us  under  his  care, 
when  he  who  knew  us  best,  and  was  well  acquainted  with  the  construction  of 
the  ship,  has  refused  to  come  aboard  ?  This  is  a  bad  symptom,  and  yet  the 
reason  is  so  public,  that  I  hope  it  will  do  us  no  mischief.  I  have  a  very 
agreeable  letter  from  Mr.  Heywood,  of  Chesterfield,  that  looks  a  little  like 
nibbling ;  but  I  shall  understand  nothing  about  the  matter  without  he  speaks 
plainer.  If  he  wou'd  move,  he  has  many  qualities  very  suitable  for  us,  tho' 
there  are  many  obstacles  in  the  way ;  but  if  he  was  to  come,  the  Heywood's 
connection  wou'd  be  fixed  in  our  favour,  as  he's  not  only  a  relation,  but  much 
admired  by  them. 

The  Rev.  James  Heywood  referred  to  in  the  foregoing  extract, 
did  subsequently  speak  "  plainer,"  and  elected  to  stay  at  Chester 
field  until  1772,  when  he  retired  from  ministerial  duty,  dying 
August  1 8th,  1787,  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years.  Eventually  the 
two  ministers  were  chosen  whose  names  are  associated  with  the 
opening  of  the  chapel,  viz.,  the  Rev.  Hezekiah  Kirkpatrick  and 
the  Rev.  Nicholas  Clayton,  afterwards  Dr.  Clayton.  How  Mr. 
Kirkpatrick  was  brought  before  the  notice  of  the  congregation  is 
stated  in  the  following  letter  from  Mr.  Bentley  to  the  Rev.  John 
Seddon  : — 

Liverpool,  Sept.  25,  1762. 

Dear  and  Rev.  Sir, 

The  two  last  times  I  passed  through  Warrington  I  had  not  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  you,  so  must  be  obliged  to  write  what  I  cou'd  have  said  in 
conversation. 

The  time  now  draws  very  near  when  our  building  will  be  finished  ;  and 
if  the  Liturgy  and  minister  are  not  ready  at  the  same  time  we  shall  grow 
languid  and  indifferent,  which  I  am  afraid  is  the  case  with  some  of  us 
already.  Since  I  saw  you  I  have  been  at  Derby  to  hear  a  gentleman  that 
was  much  recommended,  and  very  deservedly  in  many  respects  ;  and  I  also 
visited  Mr.  Heywood  to  sound  his  inclinations,  but  found  him  too  fully 
engaged  where  he  is  to  think  of  a  removal.  I  am  anxious  to  know  what  you 
have  learnt  of  the  gentleman  at  Boston,  or  whether  you  have  heard  of  any 
other  person,  for  we  have  no  time  to  lose.  With  respect  to  the  Liturgy,  I 
think  it  may  be  finished  soon ;  as  I  hope  our  gentlemen  will  be  prevailed 
upon  to  defer  the  composition  of  the  particular  offices  till  we  have  a  minister 
settled  with  us.  We  should  have  some  family  prayers  at  the  end,  one  for 
Sunday  morning,  one  for  Sunday  evening,  one  for  either  morning  or  evening, 
one  when  any  of  the  members  of  a  family  are  sick,  a  thanksgiving  for 
recovery,  and  a  paraphrase  of  the  Lord's  Prayer.  If  these  were  done  we 
could  get  about  printing  immediately.  There  appears  to  me  but  one  objec 
tion  of  any  weight  against  the  Derby  gentleman,  which  is  his  youth,  and  a 


THE    FATE    OF    THE    OCTAGON.  137 

little  juvenile  inattention  to  the  dignity  and  importance  of  his  character.  He 
is  an  agreeable,  ingenious  man,  and  a  good  preacher.  His  name  is  Kirk- 
patrick.  Mr.  Hawks,  of  Birmingham,  recommended  him  to  Derby.  Can 
you,  in  confidence,  get  Mr.  Hawks's  opinion  of  his  abilities  and  character  ? 
I  heard  him  preach  both  parts  of  the  day,  and  had  his  company  to  Matlock, 
but  never  proposed  anything  of  our  design  to  him,  though  I  sounded  his  dis 
position  to  a  removal  by  proposing  him  to  come  to  Liverpool,  and  take  a  few 
gentlemen's  sons  under  his  care,  which  I  found  he  would  consent  to,  and  I 
am  endeavouring  to  get  him  a  few  scholars  ;  tho',  if  upon  consideration  he 
should  be  thought  fit  for  our  main  design,  this  must  be  dropt. 

I  wish  much  to  hear  from  you,  and  am,  with  respects  to  Mr.  Priestley 
and  compliments  to  Mrs.  Seddon,  your  most  affectionate  friend  and  humble 
servant, 

THOMAS  BENTLEY. 

Mr.  Kirkpatrick  had  been  educated  for  the  ministry  at  the 
Academy  of  Dr.  Jennings,  London,  and  when  visited  by  Mr. 
Bentley  was  assisting  the  Rev.  Mr.  White,  of  Derby.  The  result 
of  that  visit  was  his  removal  to  Liverpool  in  June,  1763,  when  he 
assisted  at  the  opening  of  the  Octagon  Chapel.  His  colleague 
was  the  Rev.  Nicholas  Clayton,  who  was  born  at  Enfield  Old 
Park,  Middlesex,  in  1733,  an(^  educated  by  Dr.  Doddridge,  at 
Northampton,  completing  his  ministerial  training  at  Glasgow.  At 
the  time  of  his  invitation  to  Liverpool  he  was  settled  at  Boston,  in 
Lincolnshire,  and  is  probably  the  " gentleman"  referred  to  by  Mr. 
Bentley  in  his  letter.  He  also  began  his  ministry  at  the  Octagon 
with  the  opening  of  the  chapel.  In  1765  Dr.  Clayton  married 
Dorothy,  eldest  daughter  of  James  Nicholson,  of  Liverpool,  "  an 
excellent  and  amiable  woman,  but  of  very  delicate  health."  She 
died  in  1785.  For  thirteen  years  Dr.  Clayton  and  his  colleague 
laboured  here,  but  the  undertaking  proved  a  failure,  and  on 
February  25th,  1776,*  Dr.  Clayton  preached  the  last  sermon  in  the 
chapel  from  John  iv.,  19-23.  The  building  was  purchased  by  the 
Rev.  W.  Plumbe,  rector  of  Aughton,  and  licensed  for  worship  as 
a  church  of  the  Establishment  under  the  name  of  St.  Catherine's. 

1  The  Rev.  Robert  Lewin,  in  his  Baptismal  Register,  inserts  the  follow 
ing  against  March  26,  1776  ;  "  They  were  the  first  that  Mr.  Clayton  baptized 
after  the  union  between  the  congregation  of  Benn's  Gardens  &  ye  Octagon 
Chapel."  This  points  to  1776,  and  not  1775,  as  some  have  said,  as  the  date 
of  the  closing  of  the  Octagon  Chapel. 


138  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

It  is  said  that  when  Mr.  Plumbe  applied  to  Bishop  Porteus,  of 
Chester,  for  a  license  the  bishop  complimented  him  on  having 
diminished  the  number  of  conventicles.  "  It  existed,"  says  Dr. 
Thorn,  "  until  the  month  of  March,  1820.  Having  got  out 
of  repair,  and  standing  in  the  way  of  improvements  of  the 
town,  it  was  then  taken  down  by  order  of  the  Corporation,  and  its 
materials  sold.  Previous  to  its  demolition  such  bodies1  as  had 
been  interred  in  the  adjacent  cemetery  were  removed  to  other 
places  of  sepulture."'2  Mr.  Kirkpatrick  appears  to  have  remained 
in  Liverpool  several  years  after  the  closing  of  the  Octagon,  though 
how  employed  has  not  been  ascertained.  In  [786  he  became  the 
minister  of  the  clmpel  at  Park  Lane,  near  \Vigan,  where  he  con 
tinued  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  September  iQth,  1799, 
at  the  age  of  sixty-one  years.  The  greater  portion  of  the  Octagon 
congregation  joined  Benn's  Garden,  and  Dr.  Clayton  was  associated 
with  the  Rev.  Robert  Lewin  in  the  pastorate,  tn  1781  he  removed 
from  Liverpool  to  Warrington  to  become  Divinity  Tutor  of  the 
Academy,  which  was  fast  falling  into  decay.  It  was  an  unfor 
tunate  step  for  himself,  for  the  Academy  was  beyond  recovery. 
In  1786  the  Academy  was  dissolved,  and  Dr.  Clayton,  with 
"broken  spirits  and  shattered  health/'  retired  to  his  former  friends 
at  Liverpool,  whose  "kind  attentions  greatly  contributed  to  lessen 
the  blow  of  an  event  by  himself  quite  unforeseen."  After  spending 
a  short  time  at  Nottingham,  as  the  colleague  of  an  old  fellow 
student,  the  Rev.  George  Walker,  he  returned  to  Liverpool,  where 
he  died  May  2oth,  1797.  "Of  his  sermons,"  writes  one,  "few 
persons  have  ever  heard  him  preach  without  being  struck  with  the 
excellence  of  the  composition,  and  the  originality  and  importance 
of  the  sentiments.  It  was  a  common  remark  of  Dr.  Aikin's  that 
he  never  heard  a  sermon  from  Mr.  Clayton  that  was  not  fit  to  be 
immediately  sent  to  press."3  The  history  of  the  "  Octagon 
Chapel"  is  not  without  its  lessons  for  the  present  day.  Dr.  Halley 

1  Amongst  them  was  that  of  Dr.  Clayton,  which  was  removed  to  the 
burial  ground  of  Renshaw  Street  Chapel. 

"  "  Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels."  p.  3. 

3  "Monthly  Repository"  for  1813,  p.  627.  Vide  also  vol.  iv.  of 
"  Lancashire  Nonconformity,"  for  additional  information  respecting  both  Dr. 
Clayton  and  the  Rev.  Hezekiah  Kirkpatrick 


THE    REV.    S.    BRABROOK'S    LETTER.        139 

perhaps  goes  beyond  what  is  permissible  when  he  says  :  "This 
failure  affords  another  illustration  of  what  I  think  is  undeniable, 
that  no  liturgy,  other  than  that  of  the  English  Church,  is  ever 
acceptable  to  English  people  ;J>1  but  it  is  "  undeniable"  that  there 
is  still  much  to  be  done  before  the  liturgy  will  become  a  Non 
conformist  institution,  and  there  are  grave  doubts  in  the  minds  of 
many  people  as  to  whether  that  much  is  worth  doing. 


VI.— NEWINGTON    CONGREGATIONAL    CHAPEL. 

CONGREGATIONALISM  took  a  new  departure  on  the  appointment  of 
the  Rev.  Hugh  Anderson,  in  1776,  as  minister  of  the  Toxteth 
Park  Chapel.  A  considerable  number  of  persons,  dissatisfied  with 
his  theological  views,  seceded,  and  eventually  undertook  to  erect 
a  place  of  worship  for  themselves  nearer  the  town.  This  step  was 
not,  however,  taken  hastily  or  without  consultation  with  several 
Nonconformist  ministers,  as  the  following  letters  to  Mr.  Jonathan 
Mercer,  a  prime  mover  in  the  affair,  show.  The  first  is  from  the 
Rev.  Samuel  Brabrook,  of  St.  Helens,  and  is  dated  Eebruary  23rd, 
1776:— 

My  dear  friend, 

I  have  been  considering  your  case,  &c.,  with  some  degree  of 
anxiety.  I  am  very  sorry  the  people  at  the  Park  have  used  you  and  family 
so  exceedingly  ill,  and  that  the  future  of  religion  is  likely  to  suffer  through 
the  imprudence  and  rashness  of  some  ignorant  people.  But  as  measures  are 
already  taken  which  you  disapprove  of,  and  without  consulting  your  opinion 
of  them,  they  have  fairly  cast  you  off.  I  would  not  have  you  frightened  with 
the  charge  of  schism,  which,  perhaps,  some  may  be  ready  enough  to  lay  upon 
you,  for  the  case  may  so  happen  that  not  those  who  separate  from  a  society 
of  men.  but  those  who  by  unwarrantable  steps  force  them  to  withdraw, 
are  guilty  of  schism.  This  appears  to  me  to  be  the  exact  case  in  point. 
You  only  contest  for  right  of  private  judgment,  and  a  liberty  to  follow  the 
dictates  of  conscience  in  a  matter  which  concerns  your  present  improvement 
and  future  happiness.  These  are  points  that  must  be  granted,  unless  we 
renounce  Protestantism,  and  especially  every  principle  by  which  we  justify 
our  separation  from  the  national  establishment,  and  considering  the  part  your 

1  "Lancashire  Puritanism  and  Nonconformity,"  vol.  ii.,  p.  411. 


140  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

friends  have  acted,  and  the  temper  they  have  shewn,  and  are  still  shewing, 
I  don't  see  how  you  can  exercise  a  sufficient  degree  of  charity  to  unite  with 
them  as  church  members  in  future.  But  you  will  perhaps  say  what  must  we 
do  ?  Shall  we  make  a  representation  of  our  case  at  London  ?  This  is,  I 
confess,  a  point  of  some  difficulty,  but  not  insurmountable.  There  are 
reasons  for  the  measure,  but  in  my  judgment,  more  and  stronger  against 
it  for  the  present.  Mr.  Joseph  gave  me  some  hints  of  some  dissatisfaction  in 
town,  and  it's  probable  a  separate  interest  may  arise  upon  the  Evangelical 
plan.  That,  I  think,  is  the  providential  affair  upon  which  you  should  have 
your  eye.  It  may  be  advisable  to  feel  the  pulse  of  people  in  a  gentle 
manner,  and  to  leave  the  thing  to  ripen  by  degrees.  Whenever  it  comes  to 
a  proper  state  of  maturity  you  can  then  throw  your  whole  weight  into  the 
scale.  This  appears  to  me  the  most  prudent  course  you  can  take.  Doubt 
not  if  it  go  forward,  but  it  will  be  so  considerable  as  to  be  able  to  support 
itself.  It  will  be  highly  desirable  to  form  a  society  of  such  persons  as 
engage  to  support  a  truly  Evangelical  strain  of  preaching,  for  as  to  those  who 
may  separate  only  through  other  causes  of  disgust,  they  will  be  but  a  dead 
weight  upon  you.  For  men  to  separate  on  any  other  account  than  conscience 
and  a  desire  of  edification  betrays  too  little  a  sense  of  religion  to  hope  much 
from.  It  is  clear  to  me  if  anything  permanent  is  expected  it  must  be  from 
a  man  well  established  in  the  doctrines  of  human  depravity,  the  sacrifice  and 
atonement  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  the  influences  of  the  Divine  Spirit,  to 
begin  and  conduct  Christians  through  the  whole  course  of  the  Divine  life. 
A  man  who  can  handle  these  things  in  a  judicious  manner,  without  cant, 
that  has  the  happy  art  of  building  the  superstructure  of  holiness  upon  these 
foundations,  and  of  blending  them  more  or  less  in  his  discourses,  might, 
through  the  blessing  of  God,  make  something  considerable  out.  I  have  given 
you  the  best  advice  I  am  master  of,  and  with  a  sincere  view  to  your  peace 
and  improvements.  I  need  not  add  that  in  cases  of  this  nature  especially  it 
is  of  great  importance  to  imitate  the  practice  of  good  King  Jehoshaphat  : 
"  We  know  not  what  to  do,  but  our  eyes  are  upon  Thee." 
I  remain  affectionately  yours, 

(Signed),         S.  BRABROOK. 

P.S. — I  have  heard  nothing  from  Liverpool  about  my  uncomfortable  affair. 
Am  afraid  nothing  more  can  be  expected,  and  if  so  I  must  very  soon  sink 
into  a  state  of  distress,  beyond  what  I  at  present  can  express,  and  which  I 
fear  will  be  too  much  to  bear.  Let  none  see  this  letter  but  those  you  have 
an  entire  confidence  in. 

On  the  2nd  of  July,  1776,  the  Rev.  James  Scott  sent  the 
following  : — 

Dr.  Sir,— 

I  received  yours  of  the  I2th  inst.  in  due  time,  &c.     I  am  sorry  to 
hear  the  distressing  situation  of  things  with  respect  to  Christianity  at  Toxteth 


LETTERS    OF    THE    REV.    JAMES    SCOTT.     141 

Park,  the  name  of  which  place  I  knew  long  ago  from  the  account  of  the  life 
of  Mr.  Mather,  which  I  have  read.  The  case  is  very  difficult,  and  as  I  hope 
you  love  Jesus  Christ,  and  are  zealous  for  his  glory  and  your  own  soul's 
edification,  and  the  salvation  of  others,  you  have  good  reason  to  be  much 
afflicted,  especially  as  I  suppose  you  were  a  principal  encourager  of  the  Interest 
of  Christ  at  Toxteth.  While  you  and  others  slept  the  enemy  sowed  tares. 
Christ's  eye  is  upon  the  ways  and  concerns  of  his  professing  people ;  but  it  is 
a  matter  of  grief  and  sorrow  when  any  thing  grievious  happens  to  the  Interest 
of  Christ  through  our  mismanagement.  The  thing  is  indeed  grevious,  for 
if  the  gospel  be  not  preached  all  spiritual  profiting  is  at  an  end.  The  Lord 
will  not  bless  what  is  not  his  word  to  the  Salvation  of  sinners. 

The  first  advice  I  would  give  you,  which  I  hope  you  have  practised  already, 
is  earnest  prayer  to  the  head  of  the  Church,  not  only  in  secret,  but  with  your 
Christian  friends  meeting  together  for  that  purpose — that  he  would  shew  you 
the  way  of  duty,  and  that  he  would  order  that  you  may  enjoy  the  gospel  at  the 
old  place.  An  indifferent  minister  hath  been  effectively  removed  upon  prayer. 
You  say  Mr.  Anderson  is  fixed.  I  hope  he's  not  ordained.  If  he  is  he  seems 
resolved  upon  continuing.  Is  there  no  ground  to  expect  his  removing,  as  so 
many  have  left  the  place  ?  His  encouragement  must  be  small,  unless 
others  assist.  Mr.  Bradbury  told  me  that  the  place  was  left  to  those  of  the 
Calvinist  principles.  Cannot  the  other  trustees  be  convinced  that  they  have 
not  acted  as  they  ought,  and  so  endeavour  his  removal.  If  there  be  any 
prospect  of  his  removing,  it  may,  perhaps,  be  best  to  wait  a  little;  but  delays 
may  be  dangerous.  If  the  use  of  the  Methodist  Meeting  could  be  procured 
for  two  months,  I  would  send  Mr.  Bruce  to  make  a  trial  for  that  time  ;  and  if 
the  Lord  should  please  to  attend  his  work  with  power,  you  would  then  know 
what  is  fit  to  be  done.  But  I  refer  the  conclusion  of  this  affair  to  a  consulta 
tion  betwixt  you  and  Mr.  Priestley  ;  if  any  means  could  be  used  to  get  Mr. 
Anderson  removed  that  would  be  the  most  likely  means  to  the  establishing 
the  gospel  at  Toxteth.  May  the  Lord  direct,  &c. 

P.S. — If  any  assistance  should  be  presently  expected  from  me,  I  desire  to 
hear  as  soon  as  possible,  as  Mr.  Bruce  is  designing  to  go  to  another  place. 

Shortly  after  the  receipt  of  this  letter  it  appears  the  decision  to 
hold  separate  meetings  was  taken,  and  on  July  i5th,  1776,  the 
Rev.  James  Scott  again  writes  Mr.  Mercer,  and  at  the  same  time 
sends  Mr.  David  Bruce,  one  of  his  students,  as  supply.  The 
letter  reads  : — 

Dr.  Sir,— 

I  received  yours  of  the  loth  inst,  and  also  a  line  from  Mr.  Priestley, 
wherein  he  says  that  he  really  thinks  that  Mr.  Bruce  will  be  joyfully  received 
among  the  people  at  Toxteth,  and  as  yours  gives  some  encouragement  to  the 
same  purpose,  I  herewith  send  him.  May  the  Almighty  Head  of  the  Church 
accompany,  and  make  the  Gospel  by  him  the  power  of  God  to  all  that  may 
hear  it,  &c. 


142  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

That  the  monies  belonging  to  Toxteth  Congregation  were  left  by  the  donors 
in  strong  terms  for  an  orthodox  ministry,  is  a  very  strong  argument  in  favour 
of  the  attempt.  Mr.  Anderson  may,  perhaps,  profess  to  be  orthodox,  for  as 
I  suppose  he  was  licensed  in  Scotland,  their  rules  oblige  him  to  subscribe  the 
Westminster  confession  of  faith ;  but  this  is  no  evidence  of  orthodoxy,  for  I 
suppose  some  subscribe  to  the  things  contained  in  it  as  articles  of  peace  and 
not  ot  truth.  If  a  man  do  not  know  Christ  and  trust  in  him  for  his  own 
salvation,  he's  not  like  to  preach  him  as  a  Saviour  to  others. 

Shortly  after  this,  in  1776,  Mr.  Thomas  Priestley,  of  Birstall,  writes : 

I  was  much  rejoiced  to  hear  the  good  news  Mr.  Bruce  told  me  about  your 
settling  in  a  separate  meeting.  I  really  think  it  will  be  better  for  you  to  fix 
in  the  town  than  at  Park.  More  people,  I  think,  will  be  inclined  to  come 
there  than  to  go  to  the  Park  Chapel.  I  humbly  hope  the  Lord  has  work  for 
the  young  stripling  to  do  in  Liverpool,  and  through  his  assistance  and 
blessing  he  will  raise  a  congregation  among  you.  Pray  hard  for  him,  which 
will  encourage  him  a  deal,  and  the  Lord  be  with  you  and  bless  you,  and 
make  you  into  a  large  flock. 

Another  of  Mr.  Priestley's  interesting  letters,  dated  November  Qth, 
1776,  reads  thus  :  — 

I  hope  I  can  truly  rejoice  with  you  in  thanking  God  for  the  present  appear 
ance  of  success  you  have,  and  I  hope  is  likely  to  go  on.  As  with  regard  to 
your  house,  you  must  strive  and  jam  in  as  close  as  you  can  ;  cold  weather  is 
coming  on,  and  if  a  few  of  you  be  staunch  and  well  inclined,  Providence,  I 
make  no  doubt,  will  provide  a  new  place  in  time. 

It  looks  well  when  there  is  a  many  bibles  used  in  a  meeting ;  its  like  as  if 
people  wanted  to  be  led  into  the  truth.  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  have  some 
praying  people  among  you.  Keep  close  to  a  throne  of  grace,  and  there  is  not 
a  doubt  in  your  case.  I  do  not  wonder  you  have  so  many  scoffers  and  re 
proaches  among  you.  Do  ye  not  know  how  that  serpents  hiss  when  the  seed 
of  the  woman  is  pleaded  for  ? 

My  dear  friend,  you  know  I  always  profess  plainness  and  honesty.  I  hear 
you  are  not  for  Mr.  Bruce  speaking  the  whole  truth  in  the  pulpit,  but  that  you 
rather  cramp  him  for  fear  he  should  be  too  plain  with  the  people,  so  by  that 
means  you  cannot  get  a  congregation.  If  this  be  the  case,  you  certainly  are 
taking  the  direct  means  to  ruin  my  friend,  and  never  to  establish  the  gospel,  &c. 

In  a  postscript  Mr.  Priestley  addresses  Mr.  Bruce,  exhorting  him 
to  "  humility  in  the  prospects  of  success  that  were  opening  before 
him,  to  faithfulness  in  preaching,  and  to  meekness  towards  any 
that  might  oppose  him  or  the  truth."  In  another  letter  to  Mr. 
Mercer,  dated  December  28th,  1776,  Mr.  Priestley  enquires  how 


WARRINGTON  CONGREGATIONALISM.       143 

the  subscriptions  towards  the  new  meeting  house  were  proceeding, 
and  assures  him  to  his  "great  satisfaction"  that  Mr.  Bruce  had 
"  cleared  up  all  the  reflections"  that  had  been  thrown  upon  him. 
After  thus  meeting  for  several  months  in  temporary  places,  a  piece 
of  land  was  purchased  for  ^107  in  what  is  now  Renshaw  Street,  and 
.Newington  Chapel  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  .£730,  being  opened 
for  worship  on  September  3rd,  1777.  Renshaw  Street  is  now  central 
enough,  but  when  the  chapel  was  erected  it  was  quite  out  of  the 
town,  and  had  to  be  approached  by  a  stile ;  and  on  that  account 
Mr.  Jonathan  Mercer,  who  made  the  purchase,  had  considerable 
difficulty  in  overcoming  the  objections  of  some  of  the  people. 
The  first  minister,  as  already  indicated,  was  the  Rev.  David  Brace, 
from  the  Heckmondwike  Academy,  who  was  a  native  of  that  town, 
his  father  being  a  respectable  tailor  there.  He  entered  upon  his 
duties  at  Liverpool,  in  the  summer  of  1776.  In  1778  Mr.  Bruce  was 
in  London  begging  for  his  new  place  of  worship,  and  on  December 
22nd  he  writes  Mr.  Jonathan  Mercer,  who  was  then  resident  at 
Warrmgton,  giving  some  account  of  the  little  success  which  had 
attended  his  efforts  :— 

Can  assure  you  for  my  part  I  am  most  heartily  weary  of  my  business.  The 
last  week  I  got  but  very  little.  Money,  indeed,  is  very  bad  to  come. 
Numbers  have  told  me  that  they  could  formerly  have  given  ^5  towards  such 
a  case  with  more  propriety  than  they  can  give  one  now.  In  all  I  have  got 
betwixt  £go  and  ;£ioo.  Shall  not  be  able  to  get  much  more,  therefore  I 
think  to  return  into  Lancashire  in  about  2  or  3  weeks.  I  hope  to  be  at 
Liverpool  upon  the  third  Sabbath  from  this.  You  would,  perhaps,  think  it 
strange  were  you  to  see  your  parson  in  a  gown,  and  preaching  in  a  place 
where  the  Common  Prayer  is  read  before  sermon.  I  have  preached  8  times 
in  3  such  places.  Shall  preach  next  Sabbath  evening  in  one  of  these 
places  again.  For  these  few  weeks  past  have  preached  6  times  a  week,  and 
sometimes  7.  I  have  received  far  more  favours  from  what  we  call  Methodists 
than  the  Independents  and  Presbyterians. 

It  has  just  been  stated  that  Mr.  Jonathan  Mercer  was  resident  in 
Warrington  in  1778.  What  led  to  his  removal  thither  is  not  clear, 
but  being  there  he  helped  to  originate  Warrington  Congregational 
ism.  The  Raffles  MSS,  give  much  interesting  information  hitherto 
unpublished  respecting  early  Congregationalism  in  that  town,  and 
as  this  is  the  closing  volume  of  "Lancashire  Nonconformity"  I 
venture  to  digress  somewhat  from  the  story  of  Newington  Chapel 
that  the  reader  may  be  put  in  possession  of  that  information. 


144  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  license  permitting  Flag  Lane,  or 
Stepney  Chapel,  to  be  used  as  a  place  of  worship  : — 

To  the  Right  Rev1-  L*.  Bp.  of  Chester. 

We  whose  names  are  hereunder  written,  being  Protestant 
Dissenters,  of  the  Independent  denomination,  do  request  that  a  new  building 
on  the  side  of  a  certain  lane,  called  Flag  Lane,  in  Warrington,  in  the  county 
of  Lancaster,  be  licensed,  according  to  Act  of  Parliament,  for  the  religious 
teachings  of  Almighty  God. 
June  26,  1779. 

JAMES  KENWORTHY, 

THOMAS  WAINWRIGHT, 

JOHN  GRIFFITH, 

THOMAS  HAYES, 

JOHN  HAYES, 

JONATHAN   MERCER, 

THOMAS  JONES. 
The  same  was  registered  accordingly  2gth  June,  1779. 

Some  difficulty  was  experienced  in  obtaining  a  minister  for 
Stepney  Chapel.  An  invitation  was  given  to  the  Rev.  J.  Cockin, 
of  Kipping,  towards  whose  support  Mr.  Mercer  and  some  others 
promised  liberal  subscriptions,  as  the  following  shows  : — 

We,  whose  names  are  under- written,  belonging  to  the  Society  meeting  at 
Stepney  Chapel,  do  here  subscribe  as  below,  towards  a  yearly  contribution 
for  the  Revd-  Mr.  Cockin,  as  witness  our  hands,  I7th  September,  1779. 

Thomas  Hayes  20  o  o 

Joseph  Downing    20  o  o 

Thomas  Gaskell 10  o  o 

Jonathan  Mercer  20  o  o 

Sep.  17,  1779.  Be  it  remembered  that  the  above  subs118-  are  not  to  be  paid 
annually  except  necessity  require  ;  it  being  so  agreed. 

Mr.  Cockin  did  not,  however,  accept  the  invitation,  and  the  Rev. 
James  Grimshaw,  of  Tockholes,  was  next  approached.  His  letter 
from  Tockholes  to  Mr.  Mercer,  dated  January  i3th,  1780,  is  as 
follows : — 

Dear  Sir, — 

Yours  came  to  hand  last  night,  and  at  the  same  time  one  from 
Mr.  Blackburn  at  Cave,  whom  our  people  had  sent  for  to  come  hither  on  trial. 
He  purposes  being  at  Tockholes  next  Sabbath  but  one,  that  is  the  23rd  inst., 
so  that  you  may  expect  me  on  that  day  at  Warrington.  Am  sorry  that  you 


THE  REV.  JAMES  BURGESS.  145 

have  had  no  supply,  but  more  so  if  there  is  reason  to  think  that  Mr.  Gaskell 
will  prove  defective.  The  number  at  W.  is  so  small  that  there  are  none  to 
lose  of,  and  am  well  persuaded  in  my  own  mind  that  when  the  burthen  lies 
heavy  on  a  few,  as  it  must  at  W.,  a  minister  cannot  be  happy.  Since  I  left 
W.,  I  have  received  a  letter  from  a  friend  of  mine,  a  minister  in  Yorkshire,  in 
which  he  dissuades  me  very  earnestly  not  to  go  to  W.  He  says  that  he  has 
been  told  that  some  of  the  Warrington  people,  that  whatever  they  may 
promise  there  is  no  probability  of  their  giving  any  minister  more  than  ^40 
a  year.  That  he  has  heard  Mr.  Kenworthy,  that  he  thinks  him  one  of  the 
best  preachers  that  have  gone  from  Mr.  Scott's,  his  language  good,  and  his 
thoughts  judicious.  This  letter  has  given  me  some  uneasiness  and  your  hint 
respecting  Mr.  Gaskell  has  rather  increased  it.  Am  afraid  lest  I  should 
have  been  too  hasty  in  consenting  to  come.  Have  been,  and  still  am  willing 
to  think  and  hope  for  the  best. 

(Signed.)  Yrs.  sincerely.  J.  GimisHAw.1 

Mr.  Mercer  after  a  few  years  returned  to  Allerton,  and  with  the 
two  following  letters,  which  the  Rev.  James  Burgess,  of  Whitworth, 
sent  to  him,  our  notice  of  him  shall  end.  They  contain  much 
interesting  matter  besides  the  additional  information  they  supply 
respecting  Mr.  Mercer  : — 

Dear  Sir,  Near  Rochdale,  Oct.  13. 

On  the  footing  of  old  acquaintance  and  intimacy  many  years  ago, 
I  take  the  freedom  of  introducing  and  recommending  to  your  regards  a  letter 
now  sending  to  you  by  two  persons  deligated  by  us  of  Whitworth  vacant 
congregation,  who,  having  been  favoured  with  two  Lord's  Days  supplied  by 
your  former  minister,  Mr.  Kenworthy,  are  very  desirous  to  have  some  queries 
put  by  them  faithfully  solved,  without  either  partiality  or  prejudice.  This 
I  am  persuaded  you  will  do.  If  I  knew  either  a  fitter  or  more  likely  person 
to  do  this  than  yourself  I  would  not  have  devolved  this  trouble  upon  you, 
tho'  I  think  it  will  be  accounted  no  trouble  by  one  who  has  in  various 
peculiar  expensive  instances,  discovered  such  a  public  spirit  and  concern  for 
our  Dissenting  places  of  worship  and  their  congregations.  Having  nearly 
finished  my  y6th  year,  when  both  head  and  hand  fail  me  in  letter  writing,  I 
abruptly  conclude, 

Your  very  respectful  Friend, 

And  devoted  servant  in  the  Gospel, 

JAS.  BURGESS. 

1  In  vol.  iv.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity,"  the  opinion  was  hazarded 
that  the  first  minister  of  Stepney  Chapel  was  a  Mr.  Grimshaw.  The  letters 
above  given,  of  whose  existence  I  was  then  ignorant,  attest  the  correctness  of 
that  opinion.  Mr.  Grimshaw  was,  however,  a  stranger  to  me  at  that  time. 
He  did  not  remain  at  Warrington,  being  eventually  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
James  Kenworthy.  The  account  of  Mr.  Grimshaw  in  vol.  ii.  of  "  Lancashire 
Nonconformity  "  will  need  to  be  corrected  by  what  is  here  given. 
6 — 10 


1 46  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

P.S. — We  have  been  informed  that  the  chief  ground  of  Mr.  Kenworthy's 
uneasiness,  and  of  the  diminution  of  his  congregation,  is  his  not  running,  &c., 
far  into  fatalism,  and  the  most  rigid  parts  of  Calvinism,  as  some  young 
persons  in  his  congregation  wished  him  to  do.  Pray  inform  us,  dear  sir, 
whether  this  be  the  true  and  chief  cause  of  the  complaint  and  uneasiness  ? 
If  it  be  it  will  ye  more  recommend  and  endear  him  to  ye  congregation  at 
Whitworth. 

The  following  is  the  letter  which  Mr.  Burgess  recommends  in  the 
preceding  paragraph  : — 

The  congregation  at  Whitworth  has  been  destitute  of  a  minister  for  some 
time  past,  and  has  had  supplies  from  various  parts  of  the  country,  amongst 
whom  Mr.  Kenworthy,  of  Warrington,  has  been  applied  to,  and  the  congre 
gation  in  general  approve  of  his  ministerial  gifts.  But  they  have  been 
informed  that  there  is  some  uneasiness  betwixt  him  and  his  congregation, 
and  they  wish  to  be  informed  what  is  the  real  ground  thereof,  as  Whitworth 
congregation  has  no  design  of  breaking  in  upon  any  other  when  minister 
and  people  are  unanimous,  and  when  the  Gospel  of  Christ  seems  to  flourish. 

Please  to  write  an  answer  as    soon    as  possible  and  oblige  your  friends 

in  Christ. 

(Signed)         THOMAS  PILLING. 

Octr.  13,  1794.  ABM.  KERSHAW. 

Direct  as  follows  : — 

To  be  left  at   Mr.   James   Hamilton's,    Rochdale,   for  the   Rev. 
Mr.  Jas.  Burgess. 

Probably   in   the  same  year,    certainly    about  that  time,  was  the 
following  letter  written  : — 

Nov.  13. 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  long  and  valuable  letter  was  a  very  acceptable  present. 
It  exactly  expressed  the  sentiments  of  my  own  head,  and  the  experiences  of 
my  own  life.  I  perceive  you  have  met  with  ill  treatment  from  Professors 
high  in  the  new  light,  and  others  who  ran  extravagant  lengths  in  the  old 
light.  So  have  I.  You  have  been  a  great  benefactor  both  to  Toxteth  Park 
and  the  two  independent  congregations  in  Liverpool  and  Warrington,  but 
have  met  with  ungrateful  returns  from  each  of  them.  But  this  is  no  uncom 
mon  case.  I  have  known  various  instances  of  Christians  who  have  done 
more  than  any  others  for  the  benefit  of  those  congregations  of  which  they 
were  very  active  members,  yet  more  reflected  on  than  others,  and  their  good 
deeds  misrepresented.  But  a  more  especial  reward,  not  indeed  of  merit,  but 
of  grace,  awaits  such  in  a  better  world  ;  whereof  the  Apostle  Peter  speaks,  I 
think,  in  his  former  epistle,  and  which  has  often  been  a  sweet  solace  to  me 


THE  REV.  DAVID  BRUCE.  i47 

amidst  trials  and  tribulations  of  that  sort.  The  remarks  you  make  of  that 
soft  and  indulgent  strain  of  preaching  which  our  independent  ministers  have 
of  late  fallen  into,  has  often  given  me  great  uneasiness,  and  is  likely  to 
produce  very  bad  effects  amongst  their  hearers.  They  who  are  so  constantly 
fed  with  sweetmeats,  instead  of  the  solid  food  of  repentance—faith,  regene 
ration,  and  self-denial,  must  in  time  have  very  lean  souls.  How  very  different 
is  this,  as  you  justly  observe,  from  the  searching  sermons  of  our  Puritan 
divines  of  the  last  age.  During  8  years  last  past  in  which  my  infirmities 
have  constrained  me  to  be  more  frequently  a  hearer  than  a  preacher,  I  never 
heard  a  sermon  on  relative  duties  except  one,  which  was  preached  by  a  pious 
Evangelical  minister  of  the  Established  Church.  Nor  have  I  heard  the  vices 
of  the  times  largely  treated  upon  by  those  of  our  communion,  who  seem 
highly  to  rate  themselves  on  their  pretended  orthodoxy.  This,  among  other 
things,  has  caused  a  very  considerable  declension  of  serious  practical  religion 
in  my  old  congregation  at  Whitworth.  However,  several  regular  Christians 
yet  remain  in  it.  They  have  nov/  given  Mr.  Kenworthy  a  call.  According 
to  your  order  I  send  you  by  the  bearer  of  it,  ;'The  Reconciler,"  in  two  parts, 
and  thro'  my  wife's  importunity,  I  also  send  my  comments  and  meditations 
on  Daniel.  They  were  delivered  in  a  set  of  Expositions  and  Sermons  to 
Whitworth  Congregation,  which  made  such  deep  and  strong  impressions  on 
their  minds,  that  some  desired  they  might  be  published.  They  have  had 
such  a  run  that  not  more  than  4  or  5  remain  unsold.  Their  selling  price  is 
2S.  4d.  If  it  does  not  suit  your  taste  would  have  you  send  it  back  by  Mr. 
Kenworthy,  who,  I  expect  will  come  over  hither  shortly.  My  wife,  who  has 
long  had  a  bad  state  of  health,  retains  with  me  a  very  thankful  sense  of  the 
kind  usage  and  hospitable  entertainment  received  from  you  and  Mrs.  Mercer 
at  Liverpool.  But  the  bearer  is  in  haste  to  depart,  so  I  must  abruptly  con 
clude  this  hasty  incorrect  scrol,  &c. 

J.    BURGESS.1 

Returning   from  this  digression  to   the   account  of  Newington 
Chapel,    Mr.    Bruce   during  more  than    thirty  years  exercised    a 

1  The  reader  will  find  full  information  in  vols.  ii.,  iii.,  and  v.  of  "  Lan 
cashire  Nonconformity  "  respecting  the  Revs.  James  Burgess,  father  and  son, 
who  were  dissenting  ministers  in  Lancashire  during  the  last  century.  Writing 
about  1794,  the  Rev.  James  Burgess,  author  of  the  letters  above  given, 
says :  "  After  I  had  struggled  several  years  with  a  constitutional  cough  and 
hoarseness,  which  greatly  obstructed  my  pulpit  work  I  desisted  from  stated 
preaching  some  years  ago  but  have  all  along  carried  on  pulpit  services 
occasionally,  not  only  at  Whitworth  where  I  frequently  officiate  during  their 
present  vacancy,  but  elsewhere.  But  I  have  not,  like  Demas,  forsaken 
Christ  in  order  to  pursue  the  world.  On  the  contrary  I  have,  in  proportion 
to  my  growing  infirmities,  been  as  diligent  as  ever  in  the  serving  of  the 
best  Master  by  some  publications  sent  abroad  into  the  world  since  my 
retirement." 


148  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

useful  ministry  in  Liverpool,  which  death  terminated  in  June, 
1808.  A  plain  tablet  was  placed  in  Newington  Chapel  thus 
inscribed  : — 

Sacred   to   the    Memory   of   the   late 

Reverend    DAVID    BRUCE, 

first  minister  of  this  place.  And  of  his  faithful  and  zealous 
labours,  accompanied  with  a  uniform  Christian  deportment 
and  holy  conversation,  for  more  than  thirty  years,  is  this 
Monument  respectfully  erected  by  his  friends  as  a  lasting 
memorial  how  highly  they  esteemed  him  as  a  man,  and  as  an 

useful  and  worthy  minister  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 

Died  June  28th>    1808,  in  the  57th  year  of  his  age,  and  the 

32nd  of  his  ministry. 

For  a  few  years  previous  to  his  death  his  nephew,  the  Rev.  John 
Bruce,  had  been  his  assistant.  He  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Bruce,  of  Wakefield ;  was  born  at  Great  Grhnsby,  July  yth,  1782, 
when  his  father  was  minister  there ;  studied  at  Homerton  College 
under  Dr.  Pye  Smith ;  and  on  leaving  college  settled  in  Liverpool. 
In  December,  1807,  he  accepted  the  charge  of  the  Congregational 
Church  at  Newport,  Isle  of  Wight,  and  eventually  withdrew  from 
the  ministry  through  failure  of  health,  which  affected  especially  his 
voice,  becoming  chaplain  of  the  Necropolis,  Liverpool.  This  post 
he  held  for  many  years.  His  death  took  place  in  January,  1874, 
at  the  patriarchal  age  of  ninety-one  years.  He  was  the  author  of 
"Dorcas,"  "The  Abrahamic  Covenant,"  "Twenty-one  Sermons, 
Chiefly  Intended  to  aid  the  Devotions  of  the  Closet  and  the  Re 
ligious  Exercises  of  the  Family,"  and  some  other  minor  works  which 
reached  several  editions.  During  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  David 
Bruce,  in  1792,  several  of  the  Scotch  members  of  his  congregation 
left  and  erected  Oldham  Street  Church  in  connection  with  the 
Established  Church  of  Scotland.  The  Rev.  Thomas  Spencer  was 
called  to  succeed  Mr.  Bruce  in  181  E.  He  was  a  mere  youth  at  the 
time,  having  been  born  at  Hertford,  January  2ist,  1791,  and  so 
was  just  twenty  years  of  age  when  he  entered  upon  his  responsible 
charge  in  Liverpool.  Mr.  Spencer  had  been  trained  at  Hoxton, 
and  towards  the  end  of  his  student  days  "  preached  much  in  and 
about  London,  and  wherever  his  name  was  announced  the  crowd 
that  flocked  to  his  ministry  proved  how  extensive  and  deep  the 


A    YOUTHFUL  PREACHER. 


149 


impression  was  which  it  had  excited."1  Appointed  by  the  com 
mittee  of  the  College  to  spend  the  midsummer  vacation  of  1810 
at  Newington  Chapel,  Liverpool,  Mr.  Spencer  preached  his  first 
sermon  there  on  June  3oth,  from  Luke  xxiv.,  32.  In  the  afternoon 
and  evening  his  texts  were  respectively  Heb.  xii.,  24  i.;  i  Cor.  xv.,  25, 


and  the  following  is  the  testimony  of   Dr.   Raffles  respecting  the 
services  of  that  and  following  days  : — 

The   impression   produced   by  the  labours  of  this   Sabbath   will   be  long 

remembered.     The  emotion   then   awakened   has  not  subsided   to  this  day 

vvritten  in  1820"!.     Kvery  sermon  that  he  preached  tended  to  deepen  the 

conviction  of  his  piety  and  talents,  and  to  endear  him  to  the  people.       His 

Life  of  Spencer,"  by  Dr.  Raffles,  p.  in. 


150  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

lively,  affectionate  manner,  and  the  simple  but  elegant  style  of  his  discourses, 
captivated  all  who  heard  him.  Every  sermon  produced  accessions  to  the 
congregation.  The  report  of  his  extraordinary  powers  prevailed,  and  all 
classes  pressed  to  witness  them.  The  chapel  soon  became  thronged  to 
excess,  and  not  alone  the  thoughtless  and  the  gay,  whom  the  charms  of  a 
persuasive  eloquence  and  an  engaging  manner  might  attract,  but  pious  and 
experienced  Christians  sat  at  his  feet  with  deep  attention  and  delight. 
There  seemed  to  be,  indeed,  a  shaking  amongst  the  dry  bones.  A  divine 
unction  evidently  attended  his  ministry,  and  such  were  the  effects  produced 
that  every  beholder  with  astonishment  and  admiration  cried— What  hath 
God  wrought !  l 

Mr.  Spencer  received  and  accepted  the  "  unanimous  and 
pressing  invitation "  of  the  church,  and  began  his  duties  as 
minister  on  Sunday,  February  3rd,  iSn.  "The  uncommon 
attention  excited  in  Liverpool  by  Mr.  Spencer's  ministry,"  says 
Dr.  Raffles,  "soon  suggested  the  necessity  of  providing  more 
accommodation  than  Newington  Chapel  could  afford  for  the 
numbers  who  were  anxious  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  his  stated 
labours.  At  first  the  idea  of  enlarging  the  old  place  of  worship 
presented  itself,  but  some  difficulties  arising  this  was  relinquished, 
and  early  in  March  [1811]  it  was  resolved  that  a  chapel  capable 
of  accommodating  two  thousand  persons  should  be  erected."  -  On 
the  i5th  of  April,  therefore,  Mr.  Spencer  laid  the  foundation  stone 
of  a  new  chapel  in  Great  George  Street  in  the  presence  of  an 
assembly  "computed  to  consist  of  about  six  thousand  persons." 
His  ordination  took  place  on  June  2yth  following,  and  as 
his  own  chapel  was  small  the  Baptists  "handsomely  granted" 
their  chapel  in  Byrom  Street  for  the  purpose.  The  Revs.  William 
Evans,  of  Stockport ;  Joseph  Fletcher,  M.A.,  of  Blackburn;  and 
Joseph  Cockin,  of  Halifax,  assisted  in  the  service,  whilst  the  Rev. 
William  Hordle,  of  Harwich  (Mr.  Spencer's  former  tutor  and 
friend),  gave  him  the  charge  from  Col.  iv.,  27,  and  the  Rev.  Wm. 
Roby  preached  to  the  congregation  from  Gal.  iv.,  18.  How  the 
brilliant  career  of  this  young  and  saintly  minister  was  terminated 
a  few  weeks  afterwards  the  following  sentences  tell : — 

His  last  sermon  was  preached  on  Sunday,  August  4th,  1811,  from  St.  Luke 
x.,  42,  "  One  thing  is  needful :  and  Mary  hath  chosen  that  good  part 

1  "  Life  of  Spencer,"  pp.  162,  163. 
I  "Ibid,"  p.  199. 


DROWNED    WHILST  BATHING.  151 

which  shall  not  be  taken  away  from  her."  The  throng  was  enormous, 
hundreds  having  to  go  away  after  vain  attempts  to  enter.  It  is  said  that  he 
had  never  been  so  fervid  and  solemn  in  his  appeals.  On  Monday,  August 
5th,  he  went  alone,  as  he  had  often  done  before,  to  bathe  in  the  river,  in  a 
sequestered  part  of  the  south  shore,  near  the  Herculaneum  Potteries.  He 
entered  the  water  in  a  rocky  part  of  the  coast,  and  sank  beneath  the  waves, 
to  be  fifty  minutes  later  drawn  out  a  lifeless  corpse.  The  excitement  con 
sequent  on  the  circulation  of  the  sad  news  through  the  town  was  such  as  has 
been  rarely  witnessed.  All  classes  and  denominations  had  thrilled  with  his 
eloquence,  and  had  hung  on  his  lips,  and  now  joined  with  his  more  immediate 
friends  in  their  heartfelt  expressions  of  sorrow.  The  funeral  took  place  on 
Tuesday,  the  I3th  August,  attended  by  crowds  of  sympathising  friends,  the 
streets  through  which  the  procession  passed  being  lined  with  spectators.1 

"  Religion,  humanity,  friendship,  and  genius,"  says  Dr.  Raffles, 
"  mingled  their  tears  at  his  grave.  The  procession  moved  from 
the  Park  about  eleven  in  the  morning  in  the  following  order  :— 

The  Gentlemen  of  the  Faculty  ; 
Ministers,  four  abreast; 


The  Pall,  supported  by  the  Ministers,  five  on  each  side; 

The  Mourners  ; 

Friends  of  the  Deceased, 

To  the  number  of  One  Hundred  and  Thirty, 

With  White  Hatbands  and  Gloves, 

Six  abreast."2 

The  oration  at  the  grave  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Fletcher,  M.A.,  and  on  the  following  Sunday  the  funeral  sermon 
in  Newington  Chapel  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Wm.  Roby  from 
Hebrews  xiii  ,  7,  8.  In  the  Great  George  Street  Chapel  a  monu 
ment  was  subsequently  erected  bearing  the  following  inscription  :  — 

Sacred  to  the  Memory  of 

The    REVEREND    THOMAS    SPENCER; 

He  was  born  at  Hertford,  January  21,  1791  ; 

Was  ordained  to  the  pastoral  office  over  the  Independent  Church, 

Then  assembling  in  Newington,  but  now  in  this  place, 

June  27th,  1811, 

1  "Notes  on  the  Origin  and  History  of  the  Congregational  Churches  in 
Liverpool,"  by  Sir  J.  A.  Picton,  p.  13. 

2  "  Life  of  Spencer,"  p.  238. 


152  LANCASHIRE   NONCONFORMITY. 

And  was  drowned  while  bathing  in  the  river  Mersey, 

The  5th  Of  August  following, 

In  the  2ist  year  of  his  age. 

His  remains  lie  in  the  burial  ground  of  Newington  Chapel. 
This  edifice,  the  result  of  his  successful  labours,  is  his 

Lasting  memorial  upon  earth, 
But  his  Imperishable  Record  is  on  high. 

In  December,  1811,  a  call  was  given  to  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Raffles,  M.A.,  which  was  accepted,  and  he  entered  upon  the  pas 
torate  in  April,  1812.  The  new  chapel  in  Great  George  Street 
was  opened  the  following  May  an  account  of  which  and  of  Dr. 
Raffles's  ministry  must  be  reserved  for  another  section. 

A  few  friends  clung  to  the  old  building  in  Renshaw  Street  after 
the  removal  of  the  church  and  congregation  to  their  new  premises 
in  Great  George  Street,  and  in  1814  the  church  was  reconstituted, 
and  the  Rev.  Robert  -Philip  was  appointed  minister.  He  was  a 
native  of  Scotland,  being  born  at  Huntly,  in  1791,  and  his 
father  was  an  elder  in  the  church  of  the  Rev.  G.  Cowie,  "  the  founder 
and  first  promoter  of  Independency  in  the  North  of  Scotland.''1 
At  the  age  of  nineteen  Robert  Philip  entered  the  Hoxton  Academy 
to  be  trained  for  the  ministry,  and  on  the  completion  of  his  college 
course  settled  in  Liverpool.  His  ordination  took  place  on  August 
nth,  1815,  of  which  we  have  the  following  interesting  account : — 

The  Rev.  Robert  Philip  was  ordained  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Church 
of  Newington,  Liverpool.  Mr.  J.  Lister  commenced  the  service  by  prayer 
and  reading  the  scriptures ;  Mr.  Raffles  gave  a  luminous  statement  of  a 
gospel  church  ;  Mr.  Charrier  put  the  usual  questions  and  offered  up  the 
ordination  prayer  in  the  most  impressive  manner ;  Dr.  Stewart  delivered  an 
affectionate  and  solemn  charge;  Mr.  Reynolds,  of  Chester,  preached  an 
excellent  sermon  to  the  people,  and  Mr.  Fisher  concluded  by  prayer.  The 
solemnity  and  cordiality  which  prevailed  on  the  occasion  could  not  be 
exceeded  ;  all  seemed  to  feel  that  they  were  near  to  the  pulpit  and  sepulchre 
of  Spencer.2 

During  his  ministry  in  Liverpool,  which  extended  over  eleven 
years,  he  interested  himself  in  the  "spiritual  improvement  of  the 
sailors  frequenting  the  port  of  that  town/'  and  published  a  small 
volume  of  sermons  to  seamen  under  the  title  of  ;_u  Bethel  Flag." 

1  "Congregational  Year  Book,"  for  1859,  p.  213. 

2  "  Evangelical  Magazine,"  for  1815,  p.  465. 


DR.    W.  L.  ALEXANDER.  153 

Owing  to  his  exertions  also  an  important  alteration  was  effected  in 
the  chapel  of  which  Dr.  Thorn  gives  the  following  account  in 
1854:- 

It  was  during  the  incumbency  of  Mr.  Philip,  early  in  1820,  that  the  present 
neat  Gothic  facade  of  Newington  Chapel,  as  seen  from  Renshaw  Street,  was 
put  up.  Previously,  the  chapel  had  fronted  Cropper  Street.  To  the 
kindness  and  generosity  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Baker,  marble  mason  and  statuary, 
the  congregation  were  indebted  for  a  present  of  the  stones,  by  which  they 
were  enabled  to  carry  a  very  decided  and  desirable  improvement  of  their 
place  of  worship  into  effect.  Those  now  alive  who  can  recollect  the  not 
merely  plain  but  unsightly  aspect  of  the  Renshaw  Street  end  of  the  chapel 
before  the  alteration  took  place,  and  have  remarked  its  present  appearance, 
are  thereby  qualified  to  understand  how  by  means  of  a  little  taste,  enterprise, 
and  pecuniary  outlay,  a  positive  eyesore  may  be  converted  into  an 
ornament.1 

Mr.  Philip  removed  to  Maberley  Chapel,  London,  in  January, 
1826,  of  which  he  remained  pastor  until  his  death,  May  i,  1858. 
He  was  a  very  considerable  writer,  amongst  his  works  being — 
« The  Life  of  Bunyan,"  "  The  Life  and  Times  of  Whitefield," 
and  "The  Life  of  Dr.  Milne  of  China."  The  Rev.  Robert 
Maclean  followed  in  1826.  He  was  one  of  the  Rev.  Wm.  Roby's 
students,  and  had  previously  laboured  at  Kendal.2  About  1830  he 
removed  to  Stone,  in  Staffordshire,  and  subsequently  to  Nantwich. 
His  successor  was  the  Rev.  Patrick  Thomson,  M.A.,  a  student 
from  Highbury  College,  whose  father  was  the  Rev.  Alexander 
Thomson,  for  fifty  years  a  Congregational  minister  in  Scotland. 
Mr.  Thomson  was  ordained  at  Newington  Chapel,  October  14!!), 
1830.  He  removed  to  Edmonton  Congregational  Church,  London, 
of  which  he  was  recognised  pastor  November  28th,  1832.  Sub 
sequently  he  exercised  his  ministry  at  Chatham,  Manchester 
(Grosvenor  Street  Chapel),  Bristol,  Leorninster,  and  Rochester. 
He  died  November  8th,  1871,  aged  sixty-three  years.  His 
publications  were  principally  sermons,  a  volume,  issued  in  1850, 
entitled  "The  Soul:  its  nature  and  destinies,"  bringing  help 


to  many.3    The  Rev.  William  Lindsay  Alexander,  M.A.,  succeeded. 


1  "Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels,"  p.  56. 

2  Vide  vol.  i.  of  "Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

3  Vide  vol.  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


i54  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

Born  at  Leith  in  1808,  a  graduate  of  St.  Andrew's  University, 
where  he  studied  under  Dr.  Chalmers,  he  became  Professor 
of  Classics  and  Mathematics  in  the  Blackburn  Academy  in 
1828.  At  the  end  of  four  years  he  relinquished  this  position 
and  entered  the  University  of  Edinburgh  as  a  student  of  medicine. 
A  severe  illness  laid  him  aside  for  some  months,  and  sent  him  to 
some  friends  in  North  Wales  with  a  view  to  convalescence. 
Passing  through  Liverpool  on  his  way  home,  and  the  expected 
"supply"  for  Newington  Chapel  being  unable  to  keep  his 
appointment,  Mr.  Alexander  consented  to  preach.  This  led  to 
his  continuance  for  over  twelve  months  (1833-1834),  when  to 
further  fit  himself  for  the  ministry  he  proceeded  to  Germany  and 
attended  theological  lectures  in  Halle  and  Leipzig.  Dr.  Alexander, 
as  a  Congregational  minister  in  Edinburgh  and  Principal  of  the 
Theological  Hall  there,  did  a  work  whose  value  it  is  beyond  words 
to  say.  After  a  comparatively  brief  illness  he  died  December  20th, 
1884.  "While  in  Liverpool,"  says  Dr.  Thorn,  "he  became 
favourably  known  as  a  controversialist.  The  Rev.  William  Dalton, 
A.M.,  then  incumbent  of  St.  Jude's,  having  in  1834  published  his 
*  Reasons  for  Attachment  to  the  Church  of  England,'  Mr.  Alexander 
immediately  assailed  it  in  his  'Examination  of  the  Reasons,'  &c., 
a  pamphlet  displaying  his  possession  of  a  vigorous  intellect  and 
splendid  argumentative  powers."1  The  Rev.  William  Dallison, 
who  had  previously  laboured  at  Soham  in  Cambridgeshire,  Burslem 
in  Staffordshire,  and  Sutton  in  Cheshire,  supplied  Newington 
Chapel  about  midsummer,  1834.  This  led  to  his  being  invited  to 
the  pastorate,  and  having  accepted  the  invitation  he  began  his 
labours  here  in  April,  1835.  He  died  at  the  early  age  of  thirty- 
six  years,  on  Monday  morning,  September  i4th  following,  and  was 
interred  in  the  tomb  of  his  predecessor,  "  the  late  lamented 
Spencer."  In  connection  with  his  funeral  Dr.  Thorn  tells  the 
following  affecting  story  : — 

Immediately  behind  the  corpse,  in  the  procession,  was  seen  Dr.  Raffles, 
condescendingly  and  affectionately  holding  by  the  hand  a  little  boy,  the 
eldest  son  of  the  deceased,  and  apparently  from  time  to  time  whispering 
words  of  consolation  in  the  ear  of  the  youthful  mourner.2 

1  "  Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels,"  p.  57. 

2  "Ibid,"  p.  57,  note. 


THE  REV.  H.   GRIFFITHS.  155 

The  next  minister  was  the  Rev.  William  Bevan,  whose  minis 
terial  training  was  obtained  at  Highbury  College,  and  whose  first 
charge  was  at  Wellingborough.  He  became  pastor  of  Newington 
Chapel  in  1837,  the  church  being  at  the  time  in  an  enfeebled 
condition.  In  1847  he  removed  to  London  to  become  Secretary 
of  the  Evangelical  Alliance.  His  subsequent  pastorates  were  at 
Snow  Hill,  Wolverhampton,  and  Harley  Street  Chapel,  Bow.  He 
died  June  4th,  1874,  aged  sixty-one  years.  His  successor  was  the 
Rev.  Robert  Spence,  M.A.  Like  one  of  his  predecessors,  he  also 
was  a  native  of  Huntly,  being  born  there  September  26th,  1822. 
After  a  brilliant  University  career  at  Aberdeen  he  entered 
Highbury  College  for  his  theological  training,  and  having  com 
pleted  his  college  course  became  pastor  of  Newington  Chapel, 
where  he  was  ordained  October  26th,  1848.  In  1853  he  removed 
to  Dundee,  where  he  remained  until  1870,  when  his  health 
suddenly  gave  way  and  led  to  his  resignation.1  He  died  at  London 
quite  unexpectedly,  June  24th,  1870.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that 
about  1863  Mr.  Spence  was  invited  to  become  one  of  the  Professors 
of  Lancashire  College,  but  he  "  could  not  honourably  or  satis 
factorily  to  himself  accept  the  important  post."2  His  brother  was 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Spence,  formerly  of  Preston.  The  Rev.  Henry 
Griffiths,  F.G.S.,  followed.  He  was  educated  at  Coward  College, 
and  settled  first  at  West  Cowes,  Isle  of  Wight,  whence  he  removed 
to  become  President  of  Brecon  College.  "  He  was  torn  away,  to 
his  great  regret,  from  his  beloved  work  of  tutorship  "  to  assume 
the  pastorate  of  Newington  Chapel  in  1853.  He  removed  to 
Bowdon  in  1864,  and  subsequently  to  Barnet.  His  death  took 
place  on  Friday,  August  i4th,  1891,  aged  seventy-nine  years. 
During  his  residence  in  Liverpool  he  rendered  valuable  service  to 
the  Queen's  College  founded  there.  "His  pen  was  never  idle," 
says  his  biographer.  "  He  was  always  publishing  something, 
apologetic  or  ethical,  scientific  or  harmonising.  But  in  Barnet  he 
gave  to  the  world  his  maturest  thoughts  on  life  and  destiny  in  his 
celebrated  book  'Faith  the  Life  Root  of  Science"  The  Rev. 

3  Mr.  Spence  had  as  assistant  minister  the  Rev.  Thomas  Hamer,  now  of 
Little  Lever,  from  September,  1869,  to  the  time  of  his  resignation.  (Vide 
vols.  iii.  and  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity.") 

2  "Congregational  Year  Book,"  for  1871. 

3  "Ibid,"  for  1892,  p.  176. 


156  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

James  Wayman  was  the  next  minister.  He  held  the  pastorate 
from  1865  to  the  end  of  1868,  when  he  removed  to  Blackpool. 
Here  he  completed  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  of  useful  service, 
and  removed  to  Kentish  Town,  London,  were  he  still  labours.1 
The  Rev.  William  Parkes,  formerly  of  Cannon  Street,  Manchester, 
and  Park  Road,  Blackburn,  was  minister  from  1870  to  1872.  He 
went  to  Mexico.'2  No  successor  was  appointed,  and  in  1872  the 
Newington  Chapel  was  sold  and  appropriated  as  a  German  Church. 


VII.— GREAT  GEORGE  STREET  CHAPEL. 

THE  foundation  stone  of  Great  George  Street  Chapel  was  laid  by 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Spencer  in  April,  1811,  but  he  was  not  per 
mitted  to  see  its  completion.  His  death  occurred  four  months 
after  that  event,  and  the  building  was  not  opened  for  worship  until 
May  27th,  1812,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Jay,  of  Bath,  preaching  in  the 
morning  from  Ps.  Ixxii.,  6,  and  Dr.  Collyer,  of  London,  in  the 
evening,  from  i  John  iv.,  8.  Its  cost  was  about  ^13,000,  and 
the  sitting  accommodation  was  for  nearly  2,000  persons. 

The  first  minister  of  Great  George  Street  Chapel  was  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Raffles,  M.A.  He  was  the  only  son  of  Mr.  William 
Raffles,  of  Spitalfields,  London,  where  he  was  born  May  lyth, 
1788.  In  1800  he  was  sent  to  a  large  boarding  school  at  Peck- 
ham,  conducted  by  the  Rev.  Martin  Ready,  a  Baptist  minister, 
where  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  Richard  Slate,  afterwards 
Congregational  minister  in  Preston,  for  whom  through  life  he 
cherished  the  deepest  affection.  In  1805  he  entered  Homerton 
College,  having  as  one  of  his  tutors  Dr.  J.  Pye  Smith;  and,  after 
refusing  invitations  to  several  churches,  settled  at  Hammersmith 
on  the  completion  of  his  college  course.  His  ordination  here 

1  Vide  vol.  i.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

2  Vide  vols.  ii.  and  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity."     It  appears  that 
Mr.  Parkes  left  Blackburn  in  1866  for  Buenos  Ayres,  and  returned  to  England 
for  a  short  time,  during  which  period  he  was  minister  at  Newington  Chapel, 
after  which  he  again  left  the  country. 


THE    REV.    THOMAS    RAFFLES,    LL.D.,    D.D. 


158  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

took  place  on  June  22nd,  1809.  He  removed  to  Liverpool  in 
1812,  and  began  his  labours  at  Newington  Chapel  on  Sunday, 
April  i Qth,  preaching  in  the  morning  from  Heb.  xii.,  i,  2,  and  in 
the  evening  from  John  i.,  13.  On  May  28th,  the  day  following 
the  opening  of  the  chapel,  Mr.  Raffles  "  was  set  apart  to  the 
pastoral  office  over  the  church  and  congregation,"  when  Dr. 
Collyer,  "who  delivered  the  charge  to  Mr.  Raffles  at  his  ordination 
at  Hammersmith,  delivered  an  impressive  sermon  from  2  Thess. 
iii.,  i."1  Dr.  Raffles  (for  such  he  ultimately  became,  receiving  his 
LL.D.  from  Aberdeen  in  1820,  and  his  D.D.  from  Union  College, 
Connecticut)  two  years  later,  in  a  speech  delivered  on  the  occasion 
of  his  Jubilee,  gives  a  very  vivid  picture  of  the  condition  of 
Liverpool  at  the  time  of  his  settlement : — 

And  what  was  Liverpool  when,  in  November,  1811,  I  crossed  the  Mersey 
from  the  Cheshire  side  in  an  open  boat — for  they  had  no  others  then — and 
set  my  foot  for  the  first  time  upon  her  shore  ?  The  great  and  rapidly 
increasing  town  opposite  to  us,  destined  ere  long  to  have  its  representative 
in  the  Imperial  Parliament,  did  not  then  exist.  It  was  a  perfect  solitude,  a 
park  filled  with  splendid  oaks,  and  appertaining  to  the  ancient  abbey  of 
Birkenhead.  And  what  was  Liverpool  then?  Under  100,000  in  its  popula 
tion.  Little,  reputed  as  Evangelical  preaching,  was  found  in  any  of  the 
churches  of  the  Establishment  save  one,  perhaps,  where  the  spirit  and  temper 
of  the  preacher  were  such  as  greatly  to  damage  the  influence  of  his  preach 
ing,  and  prevent  the  people  from  attending  it ;  while  such  a  thing  as  a 
Sabbath  evening  service  was  altogether  unknown.  Amongst  the  Noncon 
formists  of  the  various  denominations,  the  places  of  worship  were  few  and 
far  between.  I  will  not  pledge  myself  to  perfect  accuracy,  for  I  speak  from 
memory,  but,  as  far  as  I  can  remember,  when  I  first  came  to  Liverpool  our 
Scotch  friends  had  but  two  places,  the  old  kirk  in  Oldham  Street,  and  the 
Seceders'  Chapel  (as  it  was  then  called)  in  Gloucester  Street;  in  the  former 
Dr.  Kirkpatrick  was  the  minister,  and  in  the  latter  my  old  and  much  loved 
friend,  Dr.  John  Stewart.  Our  Wesleyan  Methodist  brethren  indeed,  even 
then,  had  four  chapels,  viz.,  Leeds  Street,  Pitt  Street,  Mount  Pleasant,  and 
Brunswick,  then  recently  erected  and  just  opened.  Our  Baptist  friends  had 
Byrom  Street  (then  vacant)  and  Lime  Street,  where  the  truly  excellent 
Rev.  James  Lister  occupied  the  pulpit.  Byrom  Street  Chapel  had  been 
rendered  famous  by  the  labours  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Medley  ;  at  that  time  it 
had  a  large  and  influential  congregation,  and  was  regarded  as  a  sort  of 
cathedral  of  that  denomination  in  these  parts.  With  regard  to  ourselves,  the 
Independents,  we  had  but  two  chapels,  viz.,  Newington  and  Bethesda.  In 

1  "  Evangelical  Magazine"  for  1812,  p.  320. 


FIRE  AND  INSURANCE.  159 

Bethesda  the  pastorate  was  ably  filled  by  the  Rev.  Peter  Samuel  Charrier 
one  of  the  most  faithful  preachers,  and,  withal,  one  of  the  most  amiable  of 
men.  I  esteemed  it  an  honour  and  a  privilege  of  no  ordinary  kind  to  enjoy 
his  most  intimate  friendship  from  my  first  entrance  into  Liverpool,  and  I 
cherish  his  memory  with  the  truest  regard  to  this  day.  The  first  Great 
George  Street  Chapel,  which  was  totally  destroyed  by  fire  in  February,  1840, 
was  only  then  just  covered  in ;  nor  were  its  walls  more  than  a  few  yards 
above  the  ground  when  the  admirable  Spencer  was  carried  past  them  to  his 
early  tomb.  To  his  lodgings,  as  well  as  to  his  pulpit,  I  succeeded,  and, 
seated  in  his  own  chair,  in  his  own  study,  on  his  own  table,  and  with  the 
last  pen  he  ever  used,  I  wrote  his  life ;  and  there,  after  days  of  labour  and 
hours  of  study,  oftimes  carried  on  far  into  the  succeeding  morning,  upon  his 
own  couch  I  laid  me  down  to  rest.1 

The  destruction  of  Great  George  Street  Chapel  by  fire  mentioned 
in  the  preceding  passage  took  place  on  February  igth,  1840.  The 
sad  event,  due  probably  to  the  recent  introduction  of  stoves  for 
heating  the  building,  occurred  whilst  Dr.  Raffles  was  at  Man 
chester  attending  a  meeting  of  the  College  Building  Committee. 
" The  destruction,"  writes  one,  "which  was  greatly  facilitated  by 
the  gas,  which  had  not  been  turned  off  from  the  main,  was  the 
work  of  only  about  forty  minutes,  in  which  time  one  of  the  largest 
and  most  commodious  of  our  chapels  in  the  kingdom  was  brought 
to  ruins."2  The  building  was  insured  for  ^£4,000,  not  more  than 
"  half  of  the  cost  of  its  erection  again,"  and  singularly  enough  this 
insurance  had  only  been  effected  the  day  previous  to  the  outbreak 
of  the  fire.  The  agent  who  sent  up  to  London  by  the  same  post 
the  notice  of  the  acceptance  of  the  insurance  and  the  destruction 
of  the  chapel,  said  to  Dr.  Raffles  :  "  Pretty  fellows  you  are  to 
insure  your  chapel  one  day  and  burn  it  down  the  next."  The 
resolution  to  rebuild  was  "  most  earnest  and  unanimous ; "  the 
sum  of  ,£5,000  was  speedily  subscribed,  and  on  Thursday, 
October  2ist,  1840,  the  present  Great  George  Street  Chapel  was 
opened  for  public  worship.3  Dr.  Raffles  took  the  introductory 

1  "  Memoirs  of  the  Rev.  T.  Raffles,  D.D.,  LL.D.,"  by  his  son,  Thomas 
Stamford  Raffles,  Esq.,  B.A.,  pp.  479,  480. 

2  "Congregational  Magazine,"  for  1840,  p.  199. 

3  Dr.  Raffles  and  his  people  worshipped  during  the  interval  in  the  hall  of 
the  Mechanics'  Institute,  where  he  preached  the  first  Sunday  after  the  fire 
from  Is.  Ixiv.,  II,   "Our  holy  and  our  beautiful  house,  where  our  fathers 
praised  thee,  is  burned  up  with  fire :  and  all  our  pleasant  things  are  laid 
waste;"  also  from  I.  Kings,  xix.,  12  ;  Ps.  xlvi.,  10. 


i6o 


LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 


part  of  the  morning  service,  and  offered  the  dedicatory  prayer,  and 
Dr.  Fletcher,  of  London,  preached.  In  the  afternoon  the  pulpit 
was  occupied  by  the  Rev.  John  Kelly,  and  in  the  evening  by  the 
Rev.  James  Parsons,  of  York.  On  the  following  Sunday  Dr. 
Raffles  was  the  morning  preacher,  and  Dr.  Harris,  President  of 
Cheshunt  College,  evening.  Dr.  Halley,  of  Manchester,  brought 
the  services  to  a  conclusion  with  a  sermon  on  Monday  evening, 
October  25th,  The  new  edifice  cost,  including  a  few  additional 
yards  of  land  and  an  organ,  ^"13,922,  and  the  accommodation 


GREAT    GEORGE    STREET    CHAPEL. 

provided  was  for  about  r,8oo  persons.  Twenty  years  longer  Dr. 
Raffles  exercised  his  ministry  in  Liverpool  with  ever  increasing 
popularity.  "In  chapel  openings,"  writes  his  biographer, 
"preaching  anniversary  sermons,  and  taking  part  in  ordination 
services  he  was  frequently  employed.  Perhaps  no  minister 
amongst  Congregationalists  ever  preached  more  sermons  or 
travelled  more  miles  in  doing  his  Master's  work  than  Dr.  Raffles."1 


1  Congregational  Year  Book,"  for  1864,  p.  238. 


DR.  RAFFLES.  161 

For  many  years  he  was  Secretary  of  the  Lancashire  County  Union, 
and  to  his  thoughtful  care  we  are  indebted  for  the  set  of  County 
Reports  now  in  the  possession  of  his  successor  in  office  the  Rev. 
R.  M.  Davies,  who  has  kindly  lent  them  for  this  work.1  He  was 
one  of  the  originators  of  the  Blackburn  Academy,  and  a  warm 
supporter  of  the  project  to  remove  it  to  Manchester  in  1843.  At 
the  laying  of  the  foundation  stone  of  the  Lancashire  Independent 
College,  on  September  23rd,  1840,  he  was  present,  and,  along 
with  Mr.  George  Hadfield,  should  have  given  an  address,  but  the 
giving  way  of  a  covered  platform,  and  the  consequent  serious 
injury  of  several  ladies,  made  it  impossible  to  carry  out  the  day's 
proceedings  as  arranged.  The  College  was  opened  on  April  26th, 
1843,  when  Dr.  Raffles  conducted  the  introductory  part  of  the 
service,  whilst  Dr.  Vaughan,  the  President,  gave  the  inaugural 
address.  His  biographer  thus  writes  : — 

To  Dr.  Raffles,  as  Chairman,  the  satisfactory  conclusion  of  the  labours  of 
the  Building  and  Education  Committees  was  a  cause  of  great  thankfulness. 
Much  responsibility  had  devolved  upon  him,  and  the  editor  feels  that  he 
may  affirm,  without  any  fear  of  contradiction,  that  the  great  influence,  the 
urbane  and  genial  manner,  and  the  ready  tact  and  discretion  of  Dr.  Raffles 
contributed  in  no  small  measure  to  the  establishment,  on  its  present  basis,  of 
the  Lancashire  Independent  College.  His  heart  was  thoroughly  in  the  work, 
and  the  institution  occupied  a  high  place  in  his  affections  to  the  last.- 

Dr.  Raffles  used  his  pen  freely,  his  "Life  of  Spencer"  and 
"  Lectures  on  Christian  Faith  and  Practice  "  being  valuable  con 
tributions  to  literature ;  whilst  many  of  his  hymns  "  incorporated 
with  the  hymnology  of  the  Christian  Church  will  hand  down  his  name 
to  posterity."  Antiquarian  in  his  tastes,  and  especially  interested 
in  Congregational  history,  he  collected  much  of  the  material  out 

1  Vide  vol.  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

-  "  Memoirs  of  the  Rev.  T.  Raffles,  D.D.,  LL.D.,"  p.  354.  The  Jubilee 
of  Lancashire  Independent  College  was  celebrated  in  June,  1893,  and  friends 
of  the  College  will  hardly  need  to  be  reminded  of  the  ''  Raffles  Memorial 
Library"  and  the  "Raffles  Scholarship,"  which  witness  to  the  deep  and 
abiding  interest  which  the  donor  took  in  the  institution.  The  money  raised 
for  the  purpose  by  his  friends  in  Manchester  and  "  other  towns  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  county"  was  presented  to  Dr.  Raffles  at  the  College  by  Mr.  G. 
Hadfield,  M.P.,  on  June  2oth,  1861,  on  attaining  to  the  Jubilee  of  his  ministry 
in  Liverpool. 
6— ii 


162  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

of  which  Dr.  Halley  afterwards  composed  his  "Lancashire:  its 
Puritanism  and  Nonconformity ; "  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  he 
had  one  of  the  most  valuable  MS.  collections  bearing  on  Dissenting 
history  in  existence.  It  was  the  wish  of  Dr.  Raffles  to  complete 
the  Jubilee  of  his  ministry  in  Liverpool,  but  his  manifold  labours 
had  told  upon  his  constitution,  and  under  the  gentle  pressure  of 
his  son  he  was  induced  to  send  his  resignation  to  the  church  in 
December,  1861.  He  preached  his  last  sermon  from  the  pulpit 
he  had  so  long  and  honourably  filled  on  the  24th  of  February, 
1861,  at  the  beginning  of  his  Jubilee  year,1  and  his  church 
generously  assigned  him  an  annuity  of  ^400  per  annum. 
He  did  not,  however,  long  enjoy  this;  for  on  August  i8th, 
1863,  ne  died.  His  remains  were  laid  in  the  Necropolis, 
his  successor,  the  Rev.  Enoch  Mellor,  M.  A.,  conducting  the 
funeral  service.  A  short  time  previous  to  the  resignation  of 
Dr.  Raffles  efforts  were  made,  without  avail,  to  obtain  a  col 
league,  both  his  nephew,  the  Rev.  James  Baldwin  Brown,  B.A., 
of  London,  and  the  Rev.  William  Fulsford,  of  Edinburgh, 
refusing  hearty  invitations.  In  October,  1861,  the  Rev.  Enoch 
Mellor,  M.A.,  entered  upon  his  duties  as  minister.  Bom  at 
Salendine  Nook,  near  Huddersfield,  a  graduate  of  Edinburgh 
University,  and  subsequently  a  student  of  Lancashire  College, 
on  the  completion  of  his  college  course  he  settled  at  Square 
Church,  Halifax.  Thence  he  removed  to  Liverpool,  and  after 
six  years,  "  through  the  urgent  pressure  of  his  old  friends  in 
Halifax,"  he  was  induced  to  return  to  his  first  charge.  Here  he 
laboured  until  his  death,  October  26th,  1881,  aged  fifty-seven 
years.  Dr.  Mellor's  name  will  long  be  remembered  in  Lancashire 
not  alone  because  of  his  eloquence  as  a  preacher,  but  because  of 
his  ability  as  a  Nonconformist  lecturer.  His  degree  of  D.D.  was 
conferred  upon  him  by  his  own  University  of  Edinburgh  in  1870  ; 
in  1863  he  was  Chairman  of  the  Congregational  Union  of  England 
and  Wales ;  and  his  contributions  to  literature,  which  are  consider- 

1  Reference  has  been  made  to  the  Rev.  R.  M.  Davies,  of  Oldham,  as 
successor  to  Dr.  Raffles  in  the  Secretaryship  of  the  Lancashire  Congregational 
Union.  What  was  denied  Dr.  Raffles  has  been  permitted  Mr.  Davies;  for  in 
June,  1893,  he  celebrated  fifty  years  of  faithful  service  in  Oldham. — (Vide 
vol  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity.") 


THE  REV.  S.  PEARSON,  ALA.  163 

able,  indicate  a  "keenness  of  logical  faculty"  and  "robustness  of 
mind  "  which  make  them  of  permanent  value.  The  Rev.  Samuel 
Pearson,  M.A.,  educated  at  New  College,  and  who  had  exercised 
a  brief  ministry  in  Birmingham,  succeeded  Dr.  Mellor  at  Great 
George  Street  in  February,  1869.  In  1877  the  church  celebrated 
its  Centenary,  in  connection  with  which  event  Mr.  Pearson  preached 
the  Centenary  sermon  on  Sunday  morning,  September  2nd,  from 
the  words  :  "  I  have  considered  the  days  of  old,  the  years  of  ancient 
times,"  Ps.  Ixxvii.,  5  ;  and  Sir  J.  A.  Picton  published  his  pamphlet 
on  "Liverpool  Congregationalism,"  so  often  referred  to  in  these 
pages.  In  connection  with  the  Centenary  celebrations  also,  a  fund 
was  started  to  pay  off  all  the  chapel  debts  in  Liverpool,  amounting 
to  about  ^  1 9, ooo.  Mr.  Pearson  worthily  sustained  the  best  tradi 
tions  of  the  Great  George  Street  pulpit,  but  the  changing  character 
of  the  neighbourhood,  owing  to  the  removal  of  wealthy  and  in 
fluential  families  to  the  suburbs,  increased  the  difficulties  of  his 
position.  At  a  cost  of  about  ,£3,000,  vestries  were  added  to  the 
chapel  during  Mr.  Pearson's  ministry.  In  1888  he  removed  to 
Highbury  Quadrant,  London,  and  is  now  the  respected  minister 
of  Broughton  Park,  Manchester.  He  filled  the  chair  of  the 
Lancashire  Congregational  Union  in  1874,  and  is  the  author  of 
several  works,  of  which  the  following  may  be  mentioned : — 
'•Facets  of  Truth,"  "First  Steps  to  God,"  "Work  Day  Living— a 
book  for  young  men,"  "Thyself  and  Others,"  and  "Service  in 
Three  Cities."  The  present  minister  is  the  Rev.  J.  K.  Nuttall.  He 
was  educated  at  Rotherham  College,  and  previous  to  his  settlement 
at  Great  George  Street  in  1891  had  successfully  held  pastorates  at 
Bradford  and  Sunderland.  To  adapt  his  church  to  the  changed 
conditions  of  the  neighbourhood,  Mr.  Nuttall  has  thrown  himself 
enthusiastically  into  the  P.  S.  A.  movement.  The  society  in  con 
nection  with  Great  George  Street  is  one  of  the  largest  in  the 
kingdom,  having  a  membership  of  2,000.  Connected  with  the 
church  are  two  missions.  The  "Raffles  Memorial  Mission 
Rooms."  erected  at  a  cost  of  about  ,£5,000,  in  Greenland  Street, 
by  the  congregation,  to  perpetuate,  as  the  name  suggests,  the 
memory  of  their  old  pastor,  were  opened  in  May,  1864.  There 
is  sitting  accommodation  for  600  persons.  The  "  Knight  Street 
Mission"  was  commenced  in  1868. 


164  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

VIII.— CRESCENT  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH. 
THE  second1  Congregational  church  in  Liverpool  originated  with  a 
number  of  persons  who  seceded  from  All  Saints  in  1800  because 
of  dissatisfaction  with  the  clergyman,  the  Rev.  Robert  Banister. 
Barton  Haigh,  William  Merriman,  Hill  Wilson,  Samuel  Hall, 
Peter  Robinson,  and  Robert  Innes  are  mentioned  amongst  these 
seceders,  who  rented  a  small  chapel  in  Maguire  Street,  and 
organised  themselves  into  a  Congregational  church.  The  Rev. 
James  Macpherson  became  the  minister,  but  he  remained  only  a 
short  time,  and  in  1803  he  appears  at  Cockspur  Street  Chapel 
with  a  congregation  of  Independents.  Here  he  continued  until 
towards  the  end  of  1806,  and  of  him  Dr.  Thorn  says,  "  he  has  been 
represented  to  me  as  having  possessed  considerable  talents,  and  is 
well  known  to  have  been  at  one  time  exceedingly  popular  among 
persons  holding  strict,  or,  as  some  would  say,  high,  Calvinistic 
sentiments."2  The  Rev.  John  Ralph,  who  had  previously 
laboured  at  Stone  and  Cleckheaton,  was  chosen  as  the  second 
minister  of  the  congregation.  In  1803  Bethesda  Chapel  in 
Hotham  Street  was  opened  for  public  worship,  an  account  of  the 
services  in  connection  with  which  is  here  subjoined  : — 

Jan.  3,  1803,  was  opened  Bethesda  Chapel,  Liverpool,  a  new  and  com 
modious  place  of  worship,  erected  by  the  Independent  congregation  under 
the  Rev.  John  Ralph,  late  of  Cleck  Heaton,  Yorkshire.  Three  sermons  were 
preached  by  the  Revs.  P.  S.  Charrier,  W.  Roby,  and  S.  Bradley,  of  Man 
chester,  from  Ps.  xc.,  16  ;  Phil.,  i.  17;  and  I  Cor.  xii.,  27.  Messrs.  John- 
stone,  Davies,  Sharp,  Bruce,  and  Alexander  engaged  in  prayer  in  the 
different  services.3 

"So  limited,"  says  Dr.  Thorn,  "were  their  numbers  and  means 
at  this  time  that  it  was  not  until  after  the  lapse  of  a  considerable 
interval  they  were  able  to  put  up  a  gallery."4  "  Certain  painful 

1  Great   George    Street  Church  is  the  first    Congregational   church  in 
continuity.      The  Church  meeting  in   Newington  Chapel  was  reconstituted 
in   1814,  and  so  makes  the  third;    but     for    convenience    I  have   made   its 
history  piece  on  to  that  of  the  original  Newington  Church  up  to  its  removal 
for  Great  George  Street  Chapel. 

2  "  Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels,"  p.  96. 

3  "  Evangelical  Magazine"  for  1803,  p.  314. 

4  "Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels,"  p.  101. 


THE  REV.  P.  S.   CHARRIER.  165 

disclosures"  terminated  Mr.  Ralph's  ministry  in  1808,  and 
subsequently  he  removed  to  Wigan,  where  he  faithfully  laboured 
until  his  death  in  i822.]  The  Rev.  Peter  Samuel  Charrier,  who 
was  ordained  as  minister  of  High  Street  Chapel,  Lancaster, 
on  May  9th,  1792,  when  the  Revs.  Timothy  Senier,  of  Elswick, 
Thomas  Kennedy,  M.A.,  of  Manchester,  and  E.  Parsons,  of  Leeds, 
conducted  the  service,  accepted  the  invitation  to  the  pastorate 
of  Bethesda  Chapel,  and  entered  upon  his  duties  in  June,  1809. 
After  a  devoted  ministry  of  nearly  seventeen  years,  serving 
not  only  his  church,  but  his  denomination,  being  Secretary 
of  the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union  much  of  that  time, 
Mr.  Charrier  died  suddenly,-  March  29th,  1826,  at  the  age 
of  fifty-six  years.  His  remains  were  laid  in  the  graveyard  of  High 
Street  Chapel,  Lancaster,  and  his  intimate  friend,  the  Rev.  Wm. 
Roby,  of  Manchester,  preached  his  funeral  sermon  at  Bethesda 
Chapel.  Dr.  Thorn  hardly  does  justice  to  the  character  of  this 
excellent  minister  in  the  following  passage  : — 

Till  the  close  of  his  life  his  extraction  [of  French  Huguenot  parentage] 
was  apparent  in  the  polished  and  ceremonious  courtesy  of  his  manners,  his 
peculiarly  stiff  although  gentleman-like  gait,  and  the  natural  irascibility  of 
his  temper.3 

The  testimony  of  those  who  knew  him  best  is  of  another  kind. 
The  Rev.  Wm.  Roby  says  that  he  was  a  "  charming  companion," 
a  pastor  who  endeared  himself  unto  his  congregation  "by  the 
suavity  of  his  manners  combined  with  unbending  integrity."  The 

1  Vide   vol.  iv.  of  "Lancashire  Nonconformity  "  for  a  portrait  and  full 
account  of  Mr.  Ralph,  who,  whatever  his  experiences  in  Liverpool,  in  Wigan 
proved  himself  to  be  "  A  good  minister  of  Jesus  Christ." 

2  Dr.  Raffles  says:  "  Died,   March  2gth,  1826,  between   i   and  2  in  the 
morning,  of  a  mortification  in  the  bowels.    He  attended  the  District  meeting 
of  the  County  Union,  at  Warrington,  on  the   previous  Thursday,  and  on  the 
Friday  he  gave  an  address  to  the  Teachers  of  the  Liverpool   Sunday  School 
Union  at  the  breakfast  in  Great  George  Street  School-room,  and  he  prayed 
in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  after  Dr.  Raffles's  sermon  at  the  opening  of 
the   new    Welsh   Chapel,   Rose   Hill.     He  called   on  Saturday  on  2  of    his 
friends,  complained  of  being  poorly  that  night,  and  never  rose  from  his  bed 
again,  but  expired  peacefully  the  following  Wednesday  morning." 

3  "  Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels,"  p.  102. 


i66 


LANCASHIRE   NONCONFORMITY. 


Rev.  John  Alexander,  of  Norwich,  says  that  he  was  "  faithful  and 
affectionate  in  his  friendships."  Dr.  Raffles  calls  him  "one  of  the 
most  faithful  preachers,  and,  withal,  one  of  the  most  amiable  of 
The  Rev.  John  Kelly,  a  student  from  Airedale  College, 


men. 


was  sent  "to  supply  temporarily"  in  January,  1827.     This  led  to 
his  being  invited  to  assume  the  pastorate,  and  on  the  understanding 


THE    REV.    P.  S.   CHARRIER    WHEN    AT    LANCASTER. 

that  he  should  be  allowed  to  complete  his  college  course  he 
accepted  the  overtures  made  to  him.  He  entered  upon  his  duties 
as  minister  in  July,  1829,  and  on  the  23rd  of  September  following 
was  ordained,  when  Dr.  R.  W.  Hamilton,  of  Leeds,  gave  him 
the  charge,  and  the  Rev.  John  Ely,  then  at  Rochdale,  addressed 

1  A  full  account  of  Mr.  Charrier  will  be  found  in  vol.  i.  of  "  Lancashire 
Nonconformity." 


BETHESDA   CHAPEL. 

the  church  and  people.  Bethesda  Chapel  soon  became  too  small 
for  the  congregation,  and  in  1837  the  present  "Crescent  Chapel," 
on  the  slope  of  Everton  Brow,  was  erected.  The  building  was 
opened  for  worship  in  November,  1837,  wnen  the  Revs.  Dr. 
Fletcher,  of  London,  Dr.  Raffles  and  Dr.  McAll,  of  Manchester, 
took  part  in  the  services.  The  cost  was  over  ,£9,000,  and  the 


THE    REV.    P.    S.    CHARRIER    IN    HIS    OLD     AGE. 


sitting  accommodation  is  for  1,200  persons.  Bethesda  Chapel, 
after  being  left  by  the  Congregationalists,  was  sold  to  the 
New  Connexion  Methodists,  who  continued  in  possession  until 
1869,  when  it  was  again  sold  and  converted  into  a  dancing 
saloon.  In  1846  the  handsome  and  commodious  Crescent  Chapel 
Day  Schools  were  erected  at  a  cost  of  over  ,£7,000,  providing 


i68  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

accommodation  for  700  or  800  scholars.  Mr.  Kelly's  ministry 
continued  until  September,  1873,  when  growing  infirmities  led 
to  his  retirement,  and  his  church  presented  him  with  an  illuminated 
address  and  a  cheque  for  ^2,700.  He  was  Chairman  of  the 
Congregational  Union  of  England  and  Wales  in  1851;  with  Dr. 
Raffles  he  made  many  a  journey  to  collect  funds  for  Lancashire 
College ;  he  was  a  voluminous  writer,  and  to  his  exertions  some 
of  the  Congregational  churches  in  Liverpool  and  neighbourhood 
owe  their  existence.  George  Gilfillan,  in  his  "  Reminiscences  of 
his  English  Tour,"  thus  writes  respecting  Mr.  Kelly  and  his 
congregation  in  1847  '•— 

He  is  a  decided  specimen  of  the  Scottish  school.  His  preaching  is  able, 
clear,  critical,  and  searching,  but  without  ease  and  without  imagination. 
Mr.  K.  is  a  robust,  middle-sized,  middle-aged  person,  preaches  to  a  respectable 
but  thin  audience,  and  stands  deservedly  high  in  his  body.  We  were  struck 
with  the  intellectual  aspect  of  his  congregation.  Large  heads  and  foreheads, 
brows  knitted  in  profound  attention,  eyes  fixed  with  piercing  glance  upon 
the  speaker,  and  hands  ever  ready  to  turn  up  the  Scriptures  at  his  quotations, 
gave  us  the  assurance  of  a  body  of  men,  not  of  fashionable  fribbles  or  weak- 
minded  enthusiasts.  It  seemed  such  an  assembly  as  Hall  would  have  wished 
to  address ;  and  we  are  morally  certain  that  it  could  not  have  been  in  this 
chapel  where,  according  to  his  own  statement,  when  in  Liverpool,  he 
"preached  like  a  pig  to  a  parcel  of  pigs."  There  was  much  in  Mr.  Kelly, 
and  in  his  audience,  to  remind  us  of  Dr.  Russell,  of  Dundee,  though  he  is 
more  conversational  and  practical  in  his  style  of  preaching.1 

Mr.  Kelly  died  at  Liverpool — where  he  continued  to  reside  after 
his  retirement — on  Tuesday,  June  i2th,  1876,  aged  seventy- 
five  years.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Blackie,  B.A.,  LL.B. 
He  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  John  Blackie,  of  Bungay,  educated  at 
New  College,  and  settled,  on  the  completion  of  his  college  course, 
at  Leamington.  He  removed  thence  to  Liverpool,  in  1873, 
remaining  until  1877,  when  he  became  the  pastor  of  the  Congrega 
tional  Church  at  Sudbury,  in  Suffolk.  His  last  charge  was  at 
Cheltenham.  He  died  December  28th,  1889,  aged  forty-nine 
years.  The  Rev.  J.  Ogmore  Davies,  from  Sunderland,  succeeded 
in  1878,  and  removed  to  Craven  Chapel,  London,  in  1882.  His 
long  illness  and  pathetic  end,  whilst  the  minister  of  Chapel  Street 

1  "Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels,"  p.  102,  note  2. 


THE  TENT  METHODISTS.  169 

Congregational  Church,  Blackburn,  will  be  fresh  in  the  mind  of 
the  reader.  On  February  23rd,  1892,  at  the  age  of  forty-five 
years,  exactly  two  years  after  the  death  of  his  wife,  and  a  few 
days  before  his  intended  marriage,  Mr.  Davies  was  suddenly  called 
away  to  his  reward.1  The  next  minister  was  the  Rev.  J.  H. 
Riddette,  from  Rotherhithe.  He  held  the  pastorate  from  1883  to 
1886,  when  he  resigned.  He  is  now  the  minister  of  the  New 
Congregational  Church  at  Haydock,  near  St.  Helens.  The  Rev. 
F.  A.  Russell,  educated  at  Airedale,  and  for  two  years  minister  of 
the  Congregational  Church  at  Inverurie  N.B.,  followed  Mr. 
Riddette  in  1887.  Mr.  Russell  has  recently  accepted  an  invitation 
to  Salem  Chapel,  York,  and  to  his  new  sphere  of  labour 
in  the  sister  county  he  will  carry  with  him  the  good  wishes  of  a 
large  circle  of  friends.  The  pulpit  of  Crescent  Chapel  is  still 
vacant.  The  church  has  maintained  continuously  several  flourishing 
mission  stations. 


IX.— BERKLEY  STREET  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH. 

IN  1820  "The  Tent  Methodist"  movement  came  into  being,  which 
gave  at  least  two  very  worthy  men  to  the  Congregational  ministry. 
Bristol  was  its  place  of  birth,  and  Messrs.  Pocock  and  Pyer  were  its 
two  apostles.  Anxious  to  evangelise  the  dark  villages  of  England, 
they  took  with  them  tents,  pitched  them  wherever  they  chose,  and 
there  preached  the  Gospel.  The  Wesleyan  ministers  of  Bristol 
viewed  the  movement  with  suspicion,  and  required  that  it  should 
be  under  the  control  of  the  society,  which,  being  refused,  a 
secession  took  place,  and  a  new  sect  was  formed,  bearing  the 
name  of  "The  Tent  Methodists."  Manchester  and  Liverpool 
were  the  two  places  in  Lancashire  which  this  movement  reached. 
A  large  chapel  was  erected  at  Ancoats,  Manchester,  where  Mr. 
Pyer,  who  ultimately  became  an  eminent  Congregational  minister, 
preached  for  several  years.  This  eventually  developed  into  the 
Ancoats  Congregational  Church.2  To  Liverpool  a  young  man 

1  Vide  vol.  ii.  of  "Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

2  Vide  vol.  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


170  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

named  George  Smith  was  sent  to  labour,  with  the  result  that  here, 
as  at  Manchester,  a  Congregational  Church  grew  up.  "  Mr. 
Pocock,  of  Bristol,"  says  Mr.  Smith's  biographer,  "  saw  in  him  a 
young  lad  of  great  promise ;  his  mental  capacities  were  superior, 
his  ready  lucid  utterance  remarkable,  his  earnest  and  fervent  piety 
of  no  common  type.  He  took,  therefore,  a  special  interest  in 
his  welfare,  and,  after  a  course  of  theological  instruction,  he  was 
sent  out  to  preach  in  the  neighbouring  villages,  in  the  'Tent 
Mission'  which  Mr.  Pocock  had  established."  In  connection 
with  that  mission  Mr.  Smith  came  to  Liverpool  in  1823,  and  soon 
gathered  around  himself  a  congregation,  of  which  he  was  requested 
to  take  the  "  entire  oversight."  A  church  was  formed  of  the 
Congregational  order  in  a  schoolroom  in  Heath  Street,  in  1827, 
an  account  of  which,  together  with  that  of  Air.  Smith's  ordination, 
is  here  given  : — 

On  Friday  evening,  October  27,  1827,  a  Congregational  Church  of  Christ, 
consisting  of  forty-two  members,  was  formed  in  Heath  Street  Chapel,  Toxteth 
Park,  Liverpool,  and  publicly  recognised  by  the  different  Independent 
ministers  of  the  town.  The  Rev.  S.  Saunders  commenced  the  service  by 
reading  suitable  portions  of  Scripture  and  prayer.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Raffles 
preached  on  the  nature  of  a  Christian  Church,  and  gave  to  the  persons  there 
meeting  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  in  the  name  of  the  sister  churches.  The 
Rev.  R.  Maclean  gave  a  suitable  address  to  the  newly-formed  church,  and 
the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper  was  then  celebrated  by  them  and  many 
communicants  from  other  congregations.  Dr.  Raffles  presided  at  the  table, 
and  the  Rev.  J.  Pyer  addressed  the  spectators.  It  was  a  season  of  peculiar 
enjoyment,  and  will  long  be  remembered  with  delight  by  many  who  were 
present.  The  Rev.  George  Smith  (under  whose  ministry  the  congregation 
had  been  recently  collected  in  the  midst  of  a  neglected  population,  who 
previously  attended  no  place  of  worship),  having  received  a  unanimous  call 
from  this  infant  church,  was  ordained  to  the  pastoral  office  on  Friday, 
November  16,  1827,  in  Great  George  Street  Chapel,  which  commodious 
building  was  kindly  lent  for  the  occasion.  The  Rev.  James  Lister  com 
menced  with  reading  and  prayer.  Rev.  R.  Maclean  delivered  the  introduc 
tory  discourse  from  John  xviii.,  36,  and  received  the  confession  of  faith.  The 
Rev.  S.  Saunders  offered  the  ordination  prayer,  and  the  Rev.  T.  Raffles, 
LL.D.,  Mr.  Smith's  late  pastor,  gave  a  most  impressive  charge  from 
2  Timothy  ii.,  15  ;  and  the  Rev.  John  Burnet,  of  Cork,  afterwards  preached 
to  the  people  from  2  Cor.  viii.,  24. 1 

1  "Congregational  Magazine"  for  1828,  p.  390. 


DR.   GEORGE  SMITH.  171 

On  Thursday,  January  7th,  1830,  the  congregation  removed  to 
Hanover  Chapel,  which  was  on  that  day  opened  for  divine 
worship,  when  the  Rev.  John  Ely,  of  Rochdale,  preached  from 
Ps.  Ixiii.,  i,  2,  in  the  morning,  and  in  the  evening  the  Rev.  James 
Griffin,  of  Manchester,  from  Ps.  Ixxxix.,  15.  The  chapel  stood 
in  Mill  Street,  at  the  corner  of  Warwick  Street,  Toxteth  Park, 
was  "51  feet  by  45,"  and  galleried  on  three  sides,  with  two  school 
rooms  underneath.  In  June,  1833,  Mr.  Smith  removed  to 
Plymouth,  and  subsequently  became  Dr.  Smith,  of  Poplar,  London. 
During  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  Dr.  Smith  filled  that 
important  post  with  ever  increasing  signs  of  success,  and  for 
eighteen  years  in  addition  discharged  the  duties  of  Secretary  to 
the  Congregational  Union  of  England  and  Wales.  He  died  quite 
suddenly  on  the  i3th  of  February,  1870,  aged  sixty-six  years. 
Amongst  the  works  which  issued  from  his  pen  are :  u  Lectures  on 
the  Pentateuch,"  "Prayers  for  Domestic  Use,"  "The  Origin  of 
Language,"  and  "The  Spiritual  Life."  After  the  departure  of 
Dr.  Smith  a  succession  of  brief  pastorates  ensued.  The  Rev. 
William  Fletcher  followed  him  almost  immediately.  He  was  a 
native  of  Gloucestershire,  educated  at  Cheshunt  College,  and  first 
exercised  his  ministry  at  Cheltenham,  in  one  of  the  Countess  of 
Huntingdon's  churches.  Subsequently,  as  a  Congregational  minister, 
he  laboured  at  Thornbury  and  Ringwood,  removing  thence  to 
Liverpool.  "Painful  indisposition"  had  frequently  interfered  with 
his  work,  and  it  compelled  him  to  resign  his  charge  of  Hanover 
Chapel  in  the  summer  of  1834.  First  at  Cheltenham,  then  at  Bath, 
he  sought  relief,  and  died  at  the  latter  place  on  Sunday,  May  24th, 
1835,  aged  thirty-six  years.  The  Rev.  H.  C.  O'Donoughue  was 
the  minister  in  1836,  and  to  him  succeeded  the  Rev.  Charles 
Farnsworth  in  1837.  Mr.  Farns worth,  who  was  a  native  of 
Sheffield,  lost  his  sight  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  but  it  is  said 
that  this  "calamity  was  over-ruled  for  his  spiritual  good."  Pre 
vious  to  coming  to  Liverpool  he  was  pastor  for  a  few  years 
of  a  church  at  Sutton,  near  Chester.  He  remained  at  Hanover 
Chapel1  only  about  twelve  months,  and  afterwards  preached 

1  It  is  recorded  that  the  communion  plate  of  Hanover  Chapel  was  pre 
sented  to  Mr.  Farnsworth  on  his  leaving  town,  and  that  it  was  afterwards  sent 
out  to  Madagascar,  the  Queen  of  the  island  being  the  first  to  receive  the 
sacrament  from  it.— ("  Bazaar  Handbook  of  the  Crescent  Road  Congregational 
Church,  Dukinfield.") 


172  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

in  the  "small  meeting  house,  Heath  Street,"  then  in  Pleasant 
Street  Chapel.  Eventually  he  settled  at  Dukinfield,  where  he 
laboured  for  many  years.1  The  Rev.  John  Whittenbury  followed 
in  1838.  He  was  born  at  Manchester,  November  3oth,  1789, 
educated  at  Rotherham  College,  and  laboured  successively  at 
Darlington  andDaventry  previous  to  his  settlement  at  Liverpool. 
It  is  recorded  that  he  was  urged  by  friends  to  come  to  Liverpool 
"  to  attempt  the  raising  of  an  interest  that  had  fallen  into  decay. 
To  this  object  he  diligently  applied  himself,  and  might  have  suc 
ceeded  had  he  met  with  the  support  he  was  led  to  expect.  He 
bore  up  under  many  discouragements,  so  long  as  he  had  the  most 
distant  hope  of  success,  and  when  that  hope  failed  he  honourably 
relinquished  his  post."2  This  was  about  1839.  Mr.  Whittenbury 
died  at  Liverpool  on  January  3rd,  1845.  After  his  retirement 
Hanover  Chapel  was  closed  for  a  few  months.  In  1840,  however, 
a  new  effort  was  made,  and  the  Rev.  George  Pridie,  M.A.,  a 
student  from  Glasgow  University,  became  the  minister  shortly 
after.  His  ordination  took  place  on  Wednesday,  July  29th,  1841, 
when  Dr.  Clunie,  of  Manchester,  took  the  devotional  part  of  the 
service;  the  Rev.  John  Kelly  delivered  the  introductory  discourse; 
the  Rev.  Walter  Scott,  of  Airedale  College,  offered  the  ordination 
prayer ;  the  Rev.  James  Pridie,  of  Halifax,  the  pastor's  father,  gave 
him  the  charge  ;  and  Dr.  Raffles  preached  the  sermon  to  the  people. 
Mr.  Pridie  was  succeeded,  in  1846,  by  the  Rev.  David  Loxton, 
who  had  been  educated  at  Highbury  College,  and  previously  had 
laboured  about  six  years  at  Gainsborough.  In  1850  he  removed  to 
Mount  Zion,  Sheffield,  where  he  ministered  until  his  death  on 
February  zoth,  1876,  aged  fifty-eight  years.  The  Rev.  John 
Dewsnap,  a  student  from  Lancashire  College,  followed  in  1851. 
In  July,  1859,  he  accepted  an  invitation  to  Witham,  where  he 
laboured  until  July  2oth,  1869,  when  he  died  at  the  age  of  forty- 
five  years.  It  was  during  Mr.  Dewsnap's  ministry  that  Hanover 
Chapel  was  destroyed  by  fire,  on  June  ist,  1856.  The  chapel  was 
not  rebuilt ;  and  the  congregation  removed  to  Berkley  Street 
Chapel.  The  foundation  stone  of  this  new  building  was  laid  on  July 


1  Vide  vol.  v.  of  "Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

2  "Evangelical  Magazine,"  for  1845,  341. 


THE  REV.   T.  KEYWORTH.  173 

22nd,  1856,  and  the  opening  services  were  held  on  April  i4th,  1857, 
when  Dr.  Raffles  and  Dr.  Binney  were  the  preachers.  The  accom 
modation  is  for  over  600  persons,  and  the  cost  was  about  ^2,500. 
The  Rev.  J.  G.  Roberts  was  the  next  minister.  He  wa^  educated  at 
Airedale  College,  and  held  pastorates  at  Horncastle  and  Merton 
previous  to  his  removal  to  Liverpool  in  1860.  In  1862  he  left 
Liverpool  for  Howden  in  Yorkshire,  and  subsequently  laboured  for 
several  years  at  Shepherd's  Bush.  He  died  October  i2th,  1882, 
at  the  age  of  fifty-eight  years.  "In  May,  1863,"  saYs  Sir  J.  A. 
Picton,  "the  interest  being  in  a  declining  condition,  the  members 
at  their  own  request  were  absorbed  into  the  Great  George  Street 
Church,  and  the  building  remained  for  four  years  as  a  mission 
chapel  connected  therewith.  In  1867  it  again  became  an  Inde 
pendent  Church."  The  Rev.  R.  Thomas,  M.A.,1  became  the 
minister  in  1865,  and  continued  to  be  such  until  1868,  when  he 
removed  to  Wycliffe  Chapel,  London.  His  successor,  in  1868, 
was  the  Rev.  F.  Smith,  from  Springhead,  Oldham.2  He  resigned 
in  1872,  and  is  now  resident  at  Birkdale  without  charge.  The 
Rev.  Thomas  Keyworth,  a  student  from  Lancashire  College, 
entered  upon  his  duties  as  minister  in  1873.  He  left  in  1886  for 
Harrison  Road  Congregational  Church,  Halifax,  of  which  he  is 
still  the  pastor.  Mr.  Keyworth  is  well  known  as  a  writer  of 
interesting  Temperance  stories.  The  Rev.  C.  Chandler  from 
Walworth,  and  formerly  of  Chorley,3  became  the  minister  in  1887, 
and  in  1891  he  removed  to  Cranbrook  in  Kent,  where  he  still 
labours.  The  Rev.  R.  A.  Mines,  M.A.,  a  student  from  Lancashire 
College,  followed  in  1891,  and  resigned  early  in  1893  to  take  up 
work  in  the  Foreign  Mission  field.  The  pulpit  is  still  vacant. 

1  "  Notes  on  the  Origin  and  History  of  the  Congregational  Churches  in 
Liverpool,"  p.  17.         » 

2  Vide  ante  p.  49  ;  also  vol.  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity. 

3  Vide  vol.  ii.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


i74  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

X.— TOXTETH    PARK    AND    HARTINGTON    ROAD 
CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCHES. 

THE  origin  of  the  Toxteth  Park  Congregational  Church  is  given 
by  Sir  J.  A.  Picton  in  the  following  passage  : — 

After  the  adoption  of  Unitarian  doctrines  by  the  Ancient  Chapel  of 
Toxteth,  the  neighbourhood  remained  many  years  without  a  Congregational 
Church  professing  Evangelical  doctrines.  In  1832  the  chapel  in  South  Hill 
Road  was  erected,  to  a  great  extent  owing  to  the  liberality  of  Mr.  Wm. 
Kaye,  as  a  thank  offering  for  an  escape  from  an  attack  by  highwaymen  on 
the  Aigburth  Road.1 

Sir  J.  A.  Picton  is  slightly  at  fault  in  the  date,  and  it  may  be 
well  to  point  out  that  his  little  pamphlet  on  Liverpool  Congrega 
tionalism,  so  often  mentioned  in  these  pages,  loses  much  of  its 
value  because  of  carelessness  in  the  matter  of  dates.  The 
foundation  stone  of  the  chapel  was  laid  by  Mr.  Thomas  Blackburn 
on  June  i,  1830,  and  the  building  was  opened  for  worship  early  in 
1831,  as  the  following  passage  shows:— 

On  Tuesday,  the  22nd  of  March,  1831,  a  new  Independent  chapel,  called 
Toxteth  Chapel,  was  opened  for  divine  worship  at  Toxteth  Park,  near 
Liverpool,  when  excellent  and  appropriate  sermons  were  preached.  In  the 
morning  by  the  Rev.  T.  Raffles,  LL.D.,  from  Psalm  xliii.,  4:  and  in  the 
evening  by  the  Rev.  John  Thorp,  of  Chester,  from  Psalm  Ixxxvii.,  5.  The 
services  of  the  day  were  exceedingly  interesting  and  well  attended,  and  the 
collections  amounted  to  the  very  liberal  sum  of  ^77  us.  icd.  The  chapel, 
which  is  51  feet  by  39  feet,  and  will  seat  from  400  to  500,  is  most  neatly 
and  elegantly  built.  It  is  sufficiently  high  to  admit  of  galleries  should  they 
be  required,  and  has  two  spacious  schoolrooms  underneath.  It  is  situated  in 
the  midst  of  a  rapidly  increasing  and  hitherto  neglected  population,  to  whom, 
from  the  pleasing  circumstances  which  have  led  to  its  erection,  and  the 
Christian  spirit  in  which  the  whole  has  been  conducted,  there  is  every  reason 
to  hope  it  will  prove  a  great  and  lasting  blessing.2 

The  church  was  formed  about  1833,  and  the  Rev.  J.  J. 
Carruthers,  from  Gosport,  and  formerly  a  "  missionary  to 
the  Crimea,"  became  the  first  pastor.  In  1839  ne  removed  to 

1  "  Notes  on  the  Origin  and  History  of  the  Congregational  Churches  in 
Liverpool,"  p.  18. 

2  "  Evangelical  Magazine,"  for  1831,  p.  259. 


THE  REV.  JAMES  WISH  ART,  M.A.  175 

Canada,  and  was  succeeded  in  August  of  the  following  year  by 
the  Rev.  \V.  P.  Appleford,  a  student  from  Homerton  College.  On 
Thursday,  October  ist,  1840,  Mr.  Appleford  was  ordained  pastor, 
on  which  occasion  Dr.  J.  Pye  Smith,  his  tutor,  delivered  the 
charge  to  the  minister ;  Dr.  Raffles  preached  to  the  people  ;  and  his 
pastor,  the  Rev.  Caleb  Morris,  of  Fetter  Lane,  London,  offered 
the  ordination  prayer.  The  other  ministers  taking  part  were  the 
Revs.  J.  Kelly,  Dr.  Halley,  C.  M.  Birrell,  W.  Bevan,  and  T.  Rogers. 
He  continued  here  until  his  death,  which  was  caused  by  "  a  slight 
burn  in  his  thumb,  which  speedily  took  the  form  of  carbuncular 
erysipelas."1  He  died  on  Friday  evening,  March  3ist,  1854, 
aged  thirty-nine  years.  The  Rev.  William  Harcus,  educated  at 
Cotton  Fnd,  and  previously  minister  at  Loughborough  and 
Doncaster,  settled  at  Toxteth  Park  in  1854.  In  1860  he  resigned, 
and  went  to  South  Australia,  where  he  became  the  minister  of 
Clayton  Chapel,  Kensington.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  A, 
Bourne,  B.A.,  educated  at  New  College,  and  formerly  settled  at 
Lowestoft,  in  Suffolk.  He  began  his  duties  at  Toxteth  Park 
Chapel  in  1860,  and  left  in  1862.  He  is  now  resident  in  London 
without  charge,  having  for  many  years  held  the  post  of  Secretary 
to  the  "  British  and  Foreign  School  Society."  The  Rev.  Andrew 
Brown,  M.A.,  a  student  from  Lancashire  College,  followed  Mr. 
Bourne  in  1862.  He  went  to  Sydney  in  1865,  and  subsequently 
entered  the  Established  Church.  The  Rev.  James  Wishart,  M.A., 
educated  at  St.  Andrews,  and  previously  minister  at  Thurso  and 
then  Swanland,  succeeded  Mr.  Brown  in  1865.  He  remained 
until  1880,  when  he  resigned.  Mr.  Wishart  served  the  new  cause 
at  Prenton,  Birkenhead,  for  a  few  years  after  his  removal  from 
Toxteth  Park.  He  still  lives  at  Prenton,  and  is  without  charge, 
having  retired  from  active  duty.  The  present  minister  is  the 
Rev.  Mark  Simon,  from  \Vollerton,  Salop.  He  succeeded  Mr. 
Wishart  in  1881.  It  was  during  Mi.  Wishart's  ministry  in  1872 
that  the  present  handsome  building  superseded  the  chapel  of  1831. 
It  stands  at  the  corner  of  Aigburth  Road  and  Ullet  Road,  ^imme 
diately  contiguous  to  the  venerable  mother  church  of  the  Puritan 
fathers."  It  has  sitting  accommodation  for  950  persons.  During 

1  "Congregational  Year  Book"  for  1855,  P-  2O3- 


176  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

the  ministry  of  Mr.  Simon  the  old  chapel  in  South  Hill  Road  has 
been  converted  into  an  excellent  suite  of  schoolrooms  (the  architect 
being  the  pastor),  and  the  debt  has  been  removed,  the  sum  of 
,£3,500  being  raised  for  that  purpose,  together  with  the  renovation 
of  the  buildings. 

Hartington  Road  Congregational  Church,  near  Sefton  Park,  is 
the  outcome  of  a  scheme  inaugurated  by  the  Liverpool  Chapel 
Building  Society  for  the  extension  of  Congregationalism.  In  1881 
a  triangular  piece  of  land  in  Hartington  Road  was  bought  for 
^£550,  and  upon  a  portion  of  it  a  School  Chapel  was  eventually 
erected.  The  building  was  opened  for  public  worship  in  February, 
1885,  by  the  Rev.  S.  Pearson,  M.A.,  of  Great  George  Street 
Church.  The  cost  for  land,  boundary  wall,  and  chapel  was  about 
,£4,500,  all  of  which  was  raised  more  than  four  years  ago,  and  the 
sitting  accommodation  is  for  300  persons.  A  committee  appointed 
by  the  Liverpool  Chapel  Building  Society,  with  the  Rev.  S.  J. 
Baker,  B.A.,  as  chairman,  managed  affairs  until  1885,  when  the 
Rev.  W.  L.  Roberts,  from  Seaforth,  became  the  minister.  In 
February  of  the  following  year  a  church  was  formed,  some  fifty 
persons,  principally  from  Great  George  Street  Church,  entering 
into  fellowship.  Mr.  Roberts  is  still  the  minister  here.  The 
membership  of  the  church  is  now  about  100  ;  number  of  Sunday 
Scholars,  200  ;  and  efforts  are  being  made  to  complete  the  purpose 
of  the  Chapel  Building  Society  by  erecting  a  new  church  with 
accommodation  for  700  persons,  to  cost  about  ^4,500.  For  two 
or  three  years  the  church  received  an  annual  grant  from  the  funds 
of  the  County  Union,  but  it  is  now  self-supporting,  and  there  is 
the  prospect  of  a  large  and  vigorous  interest  here  in  the  course  of  a 
few  years. 


XL— WESTMINSTER    ROAD    AND    CHADWICK    MOUNT    CON 
GREGATIONAL    CHURCHES. 

CONGREGATIONALISM  in  the  Kirkdale  district,  which  is  now 
represented  by  the  vigorous  church  in  Westminster  Road,  made  its 
appearance  more  than  sixty  years  ago.  At  that  time  Kirkdale  was 
a  village  some  two  miles  beyond  the  arms  of  the  great  city  which 
have  since  embraced  it,  and  is  described  as  containing  "  an  increas- 


THE  REV.  JOSHUA   TUN  STALL.  177 

ing  population,  already  between  2  and  3,000  souls,"  but  with  no 
place  of  worship.  On  Wednesday,  October  28th,  1829,  however,  "  a 
neat  and  commodious  chapel,  calculated  to  accommodate  from  3  to 
400  persons,  and  capable  of  admitting  a  gallery,"  was  opened  for  Con 
gregational  worship,  the  preachers  on  the  occasion  being  the  Revs. 
John  Kelly  and  Dr.  Raffles.  In  1830  the  congregation  is  given  as 
averaging  from  "  60  to  80  in  the  morning,  and  from  100  to  200  in 
the  evening;"  in  the  Sunday  School  were  upwards  of  "70 
scholars;"  and  the  Rev.  Joshua  Tunstall  was  the  minister. 
Joshua  Tunstall  was  the  son  of  John  Tunstall,  of  Ashton-in- 
Makerfield,  being  one  of  fourteen  children.  He  was  educated  at 
Airedale  College,  and  on  the  completion  of  his  training,  settled  at 
Kirkdale  in  1830.  On  April  25th,  1832,  a  church  was  formed,  con 
sisting  of  eight  persons,1  and  on  the  25th  of  November  following 
Mr.  Tunstall  was  ordained.  The  cause  prospered  so  rapidly  that 
after  some  five  years  of  assistance  from  the  County  Union  Funds, 
Mr.  Tunstall  was  able  to  say  that  his  people  had  "resolved  to  make 
an  effort  to  become  independent."  In  thanking  the  Union  for  the 
help  which  had  been  given,  he  says  that  without  it,  "  it  is  more 
than  probable  there  would  not  have  been  at  this  time  an  interest 
of  the  Independent  denomination  at  Kirkdale."  - 

For  nearly  thirty  years,  Mr.  Tunstall  retained  the  pastorate  of  the 
church,  discharging  also  some  part  of  that  period  the  duties  of 
Chaplain  to  St.  Mary's  Cemetery,  Kirkdale.  In  the  early  part  of  his 
ministry  he  also  preached  regularly  at  Bootle,  in  "a  room  capable  of 
accommodating  30  persons,"  which  was  always  well  filled  ;  and  for 
a  time  at  Bevinglon  Hill,  "in  the  afternoon  of  the  Sabbath  and  on 
Monday  evening."3  Mr.  Tunstall  resigned  in  1858,  and  shortly 

1  The  names  of  the  eight  members  were: — Joshua  Tunstail  (minister),  John 
Bisbrown  Tetherington,  William  Duckworth  (who  built  the  chapel),  James 
Golding,  Elizabeth  Frazier,  Mary  Duckworth,  Mary  Huxley,  and  Catherine 
Pollard.     (Raffles  MSS.) 

2  County  Union  Report,  for  the  year  ending  April,  1835. 

3  County   Union   Report,  for  the  year  ending  April,  1836.     During  the 
thirties  an  effort  was  made  to  establish  a  Congregational  interest  at  Beving- 
ton  Hill.     The  Rev.  Mr.  Layhe  was  minister  for  about  two  years,  and  he 
preached  in   addition  at  Nash  Grove  on  Wednesday  evenings.     In  1835  the 
congregation  of  Bevington  Hill  is  put  down  at  150,  with  180  children  in  the 
school,  and  fifteen  teachers,  who  were   "  indefatigable  in  the  circulation  of 
tracts  upon  the  loan  system." 

6—12 


178  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

afterwards  withdrew  from  the  ministry.  He,  however,  retained 
the  chaplaincy  of  the  Cemetery  until  his  death,  which 
took  place  on  April  26th,  1869.  His  successor  in  the 
pastorate  was  the  Rev.  W.  C.  Preston,  a  student  from  Lanca 
shire  College,  who  began  his  labours  as  such  in  1858.  He 
resigned  in  1862,  and  removed  to  Hope  Chapel,  Wigan.1  He 
is  now  resident  without  charge  at  Chiswick.  The  Rev.  John 
Jones,  from  Holy  well,  followed  Mr.  Preston  in  1862,  and  in  1866 
became  the  minister  of  the  new  chapel  at  Chadwick  Mount, 
Liverpool.  The  Rev.  F.  Wallace  succeeded.  He  was  educated 
at  Bangor,  U.S.A.,  and  had  previously  laboured  in  America  for 
several  years.  In  1872  Mr.  Wallace  and  his  congregation  removed 
to  the  present  handsome  structure  in  Westminster  Road.  The 
opening  services  took  place  on  April  22nd,  1872,  the  preachers 
being  the  Revs.  J.  Baldwin  Brown,  B.A.,  and  Samuel  Pearson, 
M.A.  The  accommodation  provided  is  for  1,000  persons,  and 
the  cost  was  ^£7,000,  towards  which  the  Chapel  Building 
Society  promised  ^1,000.  At  the  time  of  its  erection  the  church 
stood  in  a  field,  not  a  house  being  visible  when  the  founda 
tion  was  laid ;  but  now  there  are  streets  in  every  direction 
and  dense  populations.  Mr.  Wallace  continued  to  hold  the 
pastorate  until  1877,  when  failing  health  compelled  his  resigna 
tion  and  withdrawal  from  active  duty.  He  was  appointed 
Chaplain  to  St.  Mary's  Cemetery  in  succession  to  Mr. 
Tunstall,  a  position  which  he  still  holds.  The  present  minister 
is  the  Rev.  Stanley  Rogers.  He  is  the  son  of  the  Rev.  J.  G. 
Rogers,  B.A.,  of  London,  was  educated  at  Trinity  College, 
Cambridge,  and  settled  in  his  present  charge  in  1877.  Mr. 
Rogers's  deep  interest  in  Foreign  Missions  led  to  his  being  invited 
a  short  time  ago  to  the  responsible  position  of  Home  Secretary  to 
the  London  Missionary  Society,  but  the  claims  of  his  church, 
which  has  grown  considerably  under  his  efficient  ministry,  pre 
vented  his  acceptance  of  the  invitation.  It  will  illustrate  the  rapid 
changes  of  ministry  to  which  our  churches  are  now  subject  when 
it  is  stated  that  though  Mr.  Rogers  has  been  in  Liverpool  only 
sixteen  years,  he  is  by  much  the  senior  Congregational  minister 
in  Liverpool  proper. 

1Vide  vol.  iv.  of  ''Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


REMOVAL  TO  CHAD  WICK  MOUNT.  179 

There  is  attached  to  the  church  one  of  the  most  flourishing 
missions  in  the  city,  which  during  the  ten  years  of  its  erection 
has  accomplished  untold  good. 

To  supply  the  wants  of  a  "  rapidly  increasing  district "  a  new 
chapel  was  erected  at  Chadwick  Mount,  in  Evertoti  Valley,  Kirk- 
dale,  in  1866.  The  following  description  of  the  buildin^  is 


This  building  has  been  designed  with  special  reference  to  the  site  it 
occupies.  The  terrace  serves  as  a  platform  for  the  adjoining  buildings, 
which  are  of  a  classical  character,  and  the  aim  of  the  architect  has  been  to 
produce  a  design  that  will  harmonise  with  them.  The  style  adopted  is  the 
Roman  Ionic  of  the  time  of  Palladio,  freely  treated.  The  church  is 
approached  by  a  bold  flight  of  steps,  and  is  entered  through  a  vestibule  or 
recessed  portico,  which  gives  access  to  an  aisle  at  each  side,  dividing  the 
interior  of  the  building  into  three  parts,  the  main  features  of  the  interior 
being  loftiness  and  good  ventilation,  with  freedom  from  draughts.  The 
dimensions  of  the  church  are  66  feet  long  by  33  wide,  or  an  exact  double 
square.1 

Behind  the  chapel  and  vestries  was  a  large  school  room,  and 
the  cost  of  the  whole  was  ,£1,500.  The  sitting  accommodation 
was  for  about  300  persons,  and  it  is  stated  that  the  chapel  was 
intended  to  be  "  superseded  hereafter  by  a  larger  structure  (the 
site  being  sufficiently  extensive  to  admit  of  both  buildings,  there 
being  no  less  than  2,100  yards  of  land,  which  cost  ^1,000;,  the 
smaller  being  then  appropriated  as  a  lecture  hall  and  class  room."2 
This  building  was  erected  for  the  .Rev.  John  Jones,  of  Claremont 
Grove  Chapel,  Kirkdale,  who  accordingly  became  the  minister 
on  its  opening  in  1866.  He  removed  to  Pentonville  in  April, 
1875.  It  was  during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Jones  in  1870  that 
the  chapel  at  Chadwick  Mount  received  its  present  form.  It  was 
practically  rebuilt,  and  the  sitting  capacity  was  brought  up  to  650, 
whilst  the  accommodation  of  the  school  beneath  was  increased  and 
were  improved.  The  cost  of  the  undertaking  was  about  ^3,ooo.3 
The  Rev.  Joseph  Simpson  succeeded  in  September,  1875.  He  was 
educated  at  Richmond,  and  previous  to  his  settlement  at  Liverpool 

1  "  Congregational  Year  Book,"  for  1866,  p.  317. 

2  Ibid. 

3  In  the  "Congregational  Year   Books"  for  1866  and  1872   the  reader 
will  find  pictures  of  the  old  and  new  chapels  respectively. 


i8o  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

held  Congregational  pastorates  at  Fulbourn  and  Liskeard.  He 
resigned  in  January,  1879,  and  shortly  afterwards  entered  the  Estab 
lished  Church.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  R.  S.  Holmes.  He 
was  educated  at  Cheshunt,  and  had  previously  laboured  at 
Northampton,  then  in  London  for  a  few  years,  becoming  the 
pastor  of  the  Chadwick  Mount  Church  in  September,  1879. 
He  removed  to  Wakefield  in  July,  1890,  where  he  still  labours. 
The  Rev.  Arthur  May,  educated  at  Nottingham  Institute  and 
Rotherham  College,  and  who  settled  at  Heaton  Road,  Newcastle- 
on-Tyne,  in  January,  1883,  removed  thence  to  his  present  charge 
at  Chadwick  Mount  in  November,  1891. 


XII.— CONGREGATIONAL  INTERESTS  AT  RUSSELL  STREET, 
GLOUCESTER  STREET,  BURLINGTON  STREET,  AND 
BROWNLOW  HILL. 

WRITING  about  Salem    Chapel  in  Russell  Street,   in   1854,   Dr. 
Thorn  says  : — 

Situated  two  houses  from  Bronte  Street  (continuation  of  Dansie  Street), 
and  nearly  opposite  to  Warren  Street,  is  one  of  the  neatest  places  of 
worship  in  Liverpool.  To  say  by  what  sect  of  religionists  this  chapel  has 
not  at  some  time  or  other  been  occupied  would  be  somewhat  puzzling,  in 
consequence  of  the  numerous  metamorphoses  which  its  worshippers  have 
undergone.  Unpleasant  disclosures  having  terminated,  in  1808,  in  the 
removal  of  Mr.  John  Ralph1  from  the  pastorship  of  the  Independent  Church 
or  Society,  assembling  in  Bethesda  Chapel,  Hotham  Street  (then  Duncan 
Street  East),  his  friends  and  supporters,  satisfied  of  his  penitence,  and 
considering  him  to  have  been  harshly  treated,  built  and  opened  Salem 
Chapel,  Russell  Street,  the  edifice  in  question.  He  then  took  the  pastoral 
charge,  and  continued  to  officiate  to  his  followers  for  a  brief  period  of 
time.  Circumstances,  to  which  a  particular  reference  is  unnecessary,  led  to  a 
termination  of  his  Liverpool  career.  His  pulpit  talents,  I  have  been 
informed,  were  of  a  superior  order.  His  dispositions,  it  is  said,  were 
amiable  and  his  sentiments  strictly  Calvinistic.8 

After  the  removal  of  Mr.  Ralph  to  Wigan,  about  1812,  Salem 
Chapel  underwent  considerable  alterations,  its  very  name  being 
changed,  being  known  for  several  years  afterwards  as  St.  Clement's 

1  Vide  ante  p.  164. 

z  "  Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels,"  p.  89. 


A  CLERICAL  MOUNTEBANK.  181 

Church,  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Pearson.  Subse 
quently,  the  congregation  was  served  by  preachers  belonging  to 
Lady  Huntingdon's  Connexion,  and  in  1821  the  Rev.  James 
Widdows,  a  Congregationalist,  was  appointed  minister.  Respecting 
him,  Dr.  Thorn  says  : — 

Although  an  Independent  in  his  religious  sentiments,  finding  the  pre 
judices  of  the  congregation,  who  had  for  the  most  part  originally  been 
Churchmen,  in  favour  of  a  liturgy,  he  consented,  for  some  time,  to  read  the 
English  service  in  the  altered  form,  and  with  the  omissions  to  which  his 
flock  had  been  hitherto  accustomed.  This  practice,  however,  on  his  and 
their  formally  joining  the  Independents,  was  abandoned.  Until  about  1829, 
he  continued  to  officiate  in  Russell  Street,  in  a  manner  very  creditable  to 
himself,  and  acceptable  to  his  people.1 

From  Russell  Street,  Mr.  Widdows  removed  to  Gloucester 
Street,  and  with  him  the  Congregationalists  terminated  their  con 
nection  with  Salem  Chapel.  Two  incidents  are  associated  with 
this  building,  which  deserve  mention  because  of  the  salutary 
lessons  they  offer.  Sir  J.  A.  Picton  shall  relate  them  both  : — 

Soon  after  Mr.  Pearson's  retirement,  a  personage  arrived  in  the  town 
described  on  his  visiting  cards  as  the  "Rev.  Thomas  Stretton,  A, M.,'' with 
the  benevolent  intention  of  gratifying  the  church-going  public  with  a 
superior  style  of  sacred  service.  He  entered  into  a  contract  for  the  purchase 
of  St.  Clement's,  and  decorated  it  with  much  elegance,  inserting  a  fine 
painted  window.  He  also  purchased  an  organ,  lined  the  pews  with  cloth, 
and  built  out  new  vestries.  When  all  was  completed,  the  church  was 
re-opened  with  considerable  pomp.  Choral  antiphonal  service  was  performed 
by  choristers  in  full  costume — at  that  time  quite  a  new  thing  in  this  part  of 
the  country — vergers  in  purple  gowns  and  white  wands  ushered  visitors  into 
the  pews.  The  imposing  demeanour  of  the  reverend  gentleman  had  brought 
tradesmen  in  crowds  to  solicit  his  orders  and  patronage,  and  he  distributed 
his  favours  with  an  impartial  hand.  The  church  was  crowded,  and  all  went 
merry  as  a  marriage  bell.  I  am  not  aware  that  any  cloud  of  suspicion  ever 
darkened  the  sunshine  of  the  sphere  in  which  he  moved.  Aladdin's  lamp 
scarcely  procured  for  its  fortunate  possessor  a  more  brilliant  entourage  in  a 
shorter  space  of  time.  But,  alas  !  and  alack  a  day  !  One  fine  morning,  it  was 
found  that  the  "  Rev.  Thomas  Stretton,  A.M.,"  and  his  household,  had— to 
use  an  American  vulgarism — skedaddled.  The  bubble  had  burst,  and 
nothing  was  left  but  a  caput  movtnum  of  debt  and  disgrace.  It  was  rumoured 
that  the  denouement  had  been  hastened  by  an  accidental  rencontre  in  the 
street  with  a  lady  who  knew  the  antecedents  of  the  reverend  gentleman 

1 ''  Liverpool  Churches  and  Chapels,"  p.  92. 


i82  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

However  this  may  have  been,  the  delusion  could  not  have  been  much  longer 
maintained.  When  the  catastrophe  became  known,  dismay  filled  the  hearts 
of  the  too  confiding  victims,  the  tradesmen  who  had  supplied  all  this 
luxury,  and  there  was  a  general  scramble  to  get  back,  vi  et  armis,  such  of 
the  articles  as  were  still  to  be  found.  For  many  years,  St.  Clement's  and 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Stretton  were  a  very  sore  subject  to  joke  upon  in  some  of  the 
victimised  circles.  The  soidisant  person  was  discovered  to  have  been  a  hair 
dresser  or  a  dancing-master— perhaps  both— in  the  Isle  of  Man.  The  man 
must  have  been  possessed  of  considerable  ability  and  tact  to  have  passed 
himself  off  in  his  parasitical  garb  with  such  success. 

So  much  for  the  first  incident,  and  the  second  runs  thus :  — 

In  1831,  he  [the  Rev.  H.  T.  Turnerf  of  All  Saints]  entered  into  a  connec 
tion  with  the  Rev.  George  Montgomery  West,  who  had  for  some  time 
previously  occupied  a  position  of  considerable  notoriety  in  the  public  eye. 
Originally  a  preacher  amongst  the  Wesleyan  Methodists  in  Ireland,  he  had 
attracted  attention  by  his  boldness  and  eloquence;  but,  from  some  cause  of 
difference,  he  had  separated  from  their  communion  and  visited  the  United 
States,  furnished  with  letters  recommendatory  from  Lord  Kenyon,  and 
others.  Here  he  became  acquainted  with  Bishop  Chase,  of  Ohio,  who  con 
ferred  upon  him  priest's  orders,  and  sent  him  to  England  to  obtain  contribu 
tions  towards  the  erection  of  Kenyon  Episcopal  College,  Knox  County, 
State  of  Ohio.  Returning  to  England  on  this  commission,  he  obtained 
admission  to  the  pulpits  of  the  National  Church,  where  he  preached  with 
great  acceptance,  was  recognised  and  encouraged  by  Bishop  Blomfield, 
Bishop  Sumner,  and  other  dignitaries,  and  raised  large  sums  of  money  for 
the  purpose  for  which  he  was  sent  over.  After  a  sojourn  in  England  of 
about  a  year  he  returned  to  America,  with  the  hearty  congratulations  and 
good  wishes  of  a  large  circle  of  admirers.  A  rupture  soon  took  place  between 
the  Bishop  and  his  emissary,  whom  he  did  not  scruple  to  charge  with  a 
breach  of  trust.  Mr.  West  defended  himself  in  a  pamphlet  published  in 
New  York,  and  soon  after  returned  to  England,  on  the  invitation  of  Mr. 
Turner  to  join  him  in  the  co-pastorate  of  All  Saints'  Church.  Here  he 
became  for  a  time  exceedingly  popular  with  all  classes;  but  his  restless, 
ambitious  spirit  could  not  be  satisfied  with  the  ordinary  sphere  of  usefulness 
now  opened  out  to  him.  He  had  returned  to  England  with  higher  aims 
than  those  of  a  mere  incumbent,  or  priest.  He  gave  out  that  whilst  in 
America  he  had  received  episcopal  ordination,  and  it  was  his  mission  to 
establish,  or,  rather,  to  revive,  the  Primitive  Episcopal  Church.  At  a  meet 
ing  held  in  All  Saints'  Church,  on  February  18,  1831,  the  validity  of  Mr, 
West's  orders  was  recognised.  He  was  requested  to  act  in  his  episcopal 
capacity,  and  the  congregation  resolved  that  they  would,  "  to  the  utmost  of 
their  power,  support  the  dignity  of  his  office."  So  matters  remained  for 
another  twelve  months,  down  to  March,  1832.  The  church  was  crowded 
with  attentive  hearers.  The  new  bishop  delivered  lectures  on  behalf  of  the 
Primitive  Episcopal  Church  ;  he  made  alterations  in  the  Book  of  Common 


ANOTHER  CHEAT.  183 

Prayer,  which  he  published  for  the  use  of  his  church ;  he  consecrated  another 
bishop,  the  Rev.  T.  R.  Matthews,  D.D.,  and  conferred  orders  on  several 
priests  and  deacons.  The  chapel  in  Russell  Street,  bearing  so  sinister  a 
reputation  as  St.  Clement's  Church,  was  taken  by  the  body  and  solemnly 
consecrated  by  Bishop  West,  who  was  also  applied  to  to  perform  the  same 
ceremony  for  the  Hebrew  congregation  in  Sir  Thomas's  Buildings.  Thi 
brilliant  but  unsubstantial  career  was  doomed  to  a  collapse  as  sudden  as  its 
inflation.  An  estrangement  had  crept  in  between  the  bishop  and  his  less 
prominent  coadjutor,  Mr.  Turner,  which  soon  led  to  an  open  rupture.  On 
March  27,  1832,  Mr.  Turner,  as  lessee  of  All  Saints,  gave  legal  notice  to  the 
bishop  that  he  would  be  no  longer  permitted  to  occupy  the  pulpit.  On  the 
evening  of  the  next  day,  the  church  being  crowded  to  excess  in  expectation 
of  hearing  a  lecture  from  Mr.  West,  Mr.  Turner  presented  himself  to  conduct 
the  service,  and  prevented  his  late  colleague  from  ascending  the  pulpit  stairs. 
A  scene  of  uproar  then  took  place,  which,  according  to  the  newspapers  of 
the  day,  "baffled  all  description."  The  shouting  and  hooting  of  men,  the 
screaming  of  the  women,  and  the  scramble  to  carry  away  the  books  and 
cushions  from  the  pews,  created  such  a  tumult  that  the  noise  resounded  to  a 
distance  from  the  church,  and  attracted  the  attention  of  passengers  in  the 
neighbouring  streets.  Mr.  West's  friends  at  first  rallied  round  him,  and  got 
up  a  subscription  list  for  the  erection  of  a  cathedral  in  Soho  Street.  At  the 
dinner,  by  which  the  proceedings  [laying  the  foundation  stone]  were  wound 
up,  a  split  in  the  camp  again  took  place.  Some  of  the  bishop's  subordinates 
rebelled  against  his  assumption  of  authority,  and  the  whole  affair  broke  up  in 
disorder.  Mr.  West  soon  after  quitted  the  town  for  Birmingham,  where,  .it 
is  said,  he  met  with  a  gratifying  reception.  In  1834  he  returned  to  the 
United  States,  and  associated  himself  with  the  Presbyterians,  amongst  whom 
he  officiated  as  a  minister  for  some  years.  In  1844  he  returned  again  to 
Liverpool,  and  preached  a  few  Sundays  in  a  room  in  Newington.  From 
Liverpool  he  visited  Bristol,  where,  as  usual,  his  talent  and  eloquence  gained 
him  for  a  time  considerable  popularity.  He  was  next  appointed  the  minister 
of  St.  Paul's  Episcopal  Chapel,  Carruther's  Close,  Edinburgh,  in  which  he 
officiated  for  several  months,  in  spite  of  the  inhibition  of  Bishop  Terrott,  who 
refused  to  confirm  his  appointment.  On  quitting  Edinburgh  he  returned  to 
America,  and  was  not  again  heard  of — at  least  officially — on  this  side  the 
Atlantic.  Mr.  West's  career  presents  a  striking  instance  of  commanding 
talent  and  great  abilities,  utterly  thrown  away  for  want  of  prudence  and  con 
sistency  of  conduct.1 

The  story  of  Gloucester  Street  Chapel  is  soon  told,  and  Sir  J.  A. 
Picton  is  again  the  narrator  : — 

Until  within  the  last  year  or  two  passengers  starting  from  the  Lime  Street 
station  might  have  had  their  attention  arrested  by  a  church  tower  and  spire 

1  "  Memorials  of  Liverpool,"  vol.  ii.  pp.  248-250,  368-371. 


1 84  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

rising  from  the  edge  of  a  sheer  precipice  far  above  their  heads,  like  the  far- 
famed  temple  of  Tivoli  on  the  brink  of  its  roaring  torrent.  This  was  the 
Church  of  St.  Simon,  the  site  of  which  has  a  brief,  but  somewhat  fluctuating 
history.  In  1807  a  community  of  the  Scottish  Presbyterian  body,  called 
the  Burgher  Synod  (subsequently  merged  into  the  United  Secession  Church) 
erected  a  plain  substantial  brick  chapel,  in  the  then  suburban  district  of 
Gloucester  Street,  corner  of  Silver  Street,  under  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev. 
John  Stewart,  D.D.,  a  man  in  his  day  and  generation  highly  respected 
After  remaining  here  about  twenty  years,  in  1827  the  congregation  removed 
to  a  larger  edifice,  which  they  had  erected  in  Mount  Pleasant.  They  were 
succeeded  in  Gloucester  Street  by  the  Independents,  who  maintained 
possession  until  1840,  when  the  premises  were  sold  to  the  Established 
Church,  by  whom  a  new  church  was  built  from  the  designs  of  Messrs.  Hay. 
The  deep  cuttings  of  the  railway  still  continuing  to  extend,  the  church  at 
length  found  itself  standing  on  a  rocky  promontory,  almost  isolated  from  the 
mainland  behind.  The  further  extension  of  the  station  in  1866  necessitated 
the  removal  of  the  church,  which  was  re-constructed  on  the  same  design  at 
the  upper  end  of  Gloucester  Street,  corner  of  St.  Vincent  Street.1 

During  the  occupancy  of  the  building  by  Congregationalists  two 
ministers  successively  held  the  pastorate.  The  Rev.  James  Wid- 
dows,  as  intimated  previously,  left  Russell  Street  Chapel  about 
1829,  and  laboured  at  Gloucester  Street  until  his  removal  to  Rain- 
ford,  in  1838.  As  minister  of  this,  one  of  the  oldest  Congrega 
tional  churches  in  the  county,  which,  during  a  period  of  nearly 
200  years  has  only  had  five  pastors,  he  remained  until  death  took 
him  hence  on  May  ist,  i8y4.2  The  second  minister  of  Gloucester 
Street  Chapel  was  the  Rev.  Percy  Strutt.  He  was  born  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  London,  November  5th,  1813,  educated  at 
Highbury  College,  and  was  ordained  at  Carlisle  in  1836.  He 
removed  thence  to  Liverpool,  where  Mr.,  afterwards  "  Dr.  Raleigh 
was  among  the  young  men  who  gathered  around  his  thoughtful 
ministry."  He  was  here  only  some  two  or  three  years,  removing 
to  Spalding,  in  Lincolnshire,  about  1840.  Subsequently  he  held 
a  brief  pastorate  at  Kilburn,  and  died  quite  recently.  Mr.  Strutt 
was  the  last  Congregational  minister  here,  the  chapel  being  shortly 
after  sold  and  re-opened  in  connection  with  the  Establishment. 

In  1859  the  Crescent  congregation  purchased  Burlington  Street 
Chapel,  which  had  originally  been  used  by  the  Welsh  Calvinistic 

1  "Memorials  of  Liverpool,"  vol.  ii.,  p.  218. 

2  Vide  vol.  iv.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


BROWNLOW  HILL.  185 

Methodists.  Services  where  commenced  in  September  of  that 
year,  and  the  Rev.  James  Mahood,  who  for  many  years  had  been 
labouring  in  the  neighbourhood  as  a  missionary,  was  engaged  to 
supply  the  pulpit,  and  take  the  oversight  of  the  congregation.  In 
December,  1861,  a  church  was  formed,  consisting  of  sixty-one 
members,  many  of  whom  were  the  fruits  of  the  labours  of  Mr. 
Mahood.  The  "  Lancashire  Congregational  Calendar  "  for  1869- 
70  states  that  the  most  "glowing  anticipations  cherished  as  to  this 
interest "  had  been  realised,  that  with  "  a  few  years'  help  "  it  had 
become  strong,  and  that  it  had  ceased  to  be  a  recipient  from  the 
Union  Funds.  For  nearly  thirty  years  Mr.  Mahood  presided  over 
"one  of  the  hardest  places  for  Christian  work  that  can  be  found,'' 
retiring  from  active  service  in  November,  1888.  He  is  now  resi 
dent  without  charge  at  Seacombe.  His  successor  was  the  Rev. 
J.  V.  Morgan.  He  was  educated  at  Brecon,  exercised  a  brief 
ministry  at  Llanwyddyn,  and  held  the  pastorate  of  Burlington 
Street  from  1889  to  1892.  He  removed  to  Pontypridd,  the  charge 
of  which  he  has  recently  resigned.  During  his  ministry  at  Bur 
lington  Street  an  unfortunate  split  took  place,  and  the  seceding 
membersj  who  constituted  the  main  portion  of  the  church, 
started  a  new  effort  in  Albert  Hall,  where  services  are  still 
regularly  maintained.  No  successor  to  Mr.  Morgan  at  Burlington 
Street  has  been  appointed.  For  the  last  five  years  the  church 
has  been  in  receipt  of  generous  assistance  from  the  funds  of  the 
County  Union.  The  sitting  accommodation  is  for  about  500. 
Burlington  Street  Chapel  has  been  formed  into  a  Mission  Hall, 
worked  by  one  of  the  town  missionaries  under  the  supervision  of 
Huyton  Congregational  Church.  This  arrangement  is  only 
temporary  and  experimental. 

In  the  early  part  of  1868  Salem  Chapel,  Brownlow  Hill,  which  had 
formerly  been  used  by  the  Welsh  Congregationalists  under  Dr.  Rees, 
was  purchased,  and  work  was  commenced  by  the  Crescent  Church. 
The  success  which  followed  was  so  marked  that  the  Rev.  Colin 
Brewster,  formerly  a  United  Methodist  Free  Church  minister,  was 
"invited  to  make  trial"  of  the  place  for  a  time,  and  he  began  his 
labours  in  October,  1869.  A  branch  church  was  formed  in  con 
nection  with  Crescent  Church  and  the  County  Union  supported 
the  work  by  a  liberal  grant.  In  June,  1871,  a  separate  church  was 


1 86  LANCASHIRE   NONCONFORMITY. 

formed,  twenty-eight  members  from  the  Crescent  and  four  from 
other  churches  entering  into  fellowship.  The  Rev.  John  Kelly 
presided  on  the  occasion,  and  Mr.  Brewster  was  immediately  called 
to  the  permanent  pastorate.  At  the  time  it  is  recorded  that  a 
debt  of  ^"2,000,  incurred  by  its  purchase,  rested  upon  the  chapel, 
and  that  the  Crescent  Church  had  generously  promised  to  give 
;£i,ooo.  In  1880  Mr.  Brewster  brought  to  a  conclusion  a 
ministry  of  great  usefulness  and  removed  to  Heaton  Moor,  where 
he  laboured  until  his  death,  April  4th,  iSgo.1  The  Rev.  C.  S. 
Toone  held  the  pastorate  from  1881  to  1889.  He  resigned  in 
the  latter  year,  and  is  now  resident  without  charge  at  Carrington, 
near  Nottingham. 

The  following  passage  from  the  "  Lancashire  Congregational 
Calendar"  for  1891  gives  information  as  to  the  subsequent  history 
of  the  church  : — 

The  year  1890  will  be  remembered  here  as  a  period  of  great  difficulty 
and  anxiety  alike  both  to  those  in  and  under  authority.  By  the  advice  of 
the  Executive  of  the  County  Union,  the  management  of  the  church  was 
delegated  to  a  Committee  consisting  of  members  of  the  Liverpool  Ministers 
and  Deacons'  Association  and  members  of  the  church.  The  pulpit  at  this 
time  being  vacant,  the  _Committee  concluded  to  seek  an  Evangelist  to  take 
charge.  This  proved  to  be  a  task  of  much  difficulty,  and  it  was  not  until  the 
month  of  June  that  Mr.  H.  A.  Roberts,  of  Bristol  Institute,  was  appointed. 
At  the  same  time  it  was  determined  to  alter  and  renovate  the  church  and 
change  its  name  at  a  cost  of  about  £200,  the  members  to  raise  .£50,  the  Com 
mittee  ^150.  This  work,  which  should  have  been  done  in  March  or  April, 
was,  through  pecuniary  difficulties,  delayed  until  September,  and  it  was  not 
until  the  end  of  October  that  the  doors  of  the  Congregational  Hall  were 
thrown  open. 

Mr.  Roberts  resigned  in  1892,  and  Brownlow  Hill  Chapel 
was  closed.  The  church,  which,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
years,  has  enjoyed  generous  assistance  from  the  Union,  is  no 
longer  in  existence  as  a  Congregational  Church,  the  members 
having  been  transferred  to  other  churches. 

1  Vide  vol.  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


J.  A.  PICTON  CORRECTED.  187 


XIII.—  NORWOOD   AND    EDGE   HILL   CONGREGATIONAL 
CHURCHES. 

"!N  1862,"  says  Sir  J.  A.  Picton,  "the  question  was  discussed  in 
the  Crescent  Church  whether  modern  Independency  did  not 
isolate  the  congregations  to  an  extent  unknown  in  Apostolic  times, 
and  whether  a  greater  amount  of  union  was  practicable.  Mr. 
Kelly  was  requested  to  state  his  views  on  the  subject,  which  he 
did  in  an  address  on  "  Church  Principles,"  afterwards  printed. 
The  principle  he  laid  down  was  that  in  Apostolical  times  the 
believers  in  each  city  constituted  a  single  church,  and  met  in  one 
body  for  church  purposes,  and  he  urged  that  the  adoption  of  this 
system  would  impart  greater  unity  of  feeling  and  purpose,  and  so 
give  the  Church  augmented  strength  and  efficiency.  To  carry  out 
these  views  the  Crescent  Church  determined  to  erect  a  new 
chapel,  the  members  in  which  should  still  continue  united  with 
the  parent  church  as  one  body.  The  result  was  the  erection  of 
Norwood  Chapel,  West  Derby  Road."1  Mr.  Thomas  White- 
head,  the  able  and  courteous  Secretary  of  the  Norwood  Congrega 
tional  Church,  says  :  — 

Sir  James  A.  Picton  was  quite  in  error  in  stating  Norwood  Chapel  was 
erected  by  the  "Crescent  Church"  to  carry  out  the  views  put  forth  in  Mr. 
Kelly's  paper  on  "  Church  Principles."  Several  prominent  members  of  the 
Crescent  Church  had  formed  themselves  into  a  committee,  and  started  a 
fund  for  the  purchase  of  the  site  and  the  erection  of  the  chapel  to  provide 
accommodation  for  the  rapidly  increasing  population  of  that  part  of  Everton, 
and  in  accordance  with  the  1662  Memorial  movement.  It  was  not  until 
1863,  when  the  chapel  was  built,  that  Mr.  Kelly's  paper  was  written  and  the 
church  discussed  the  advisibility  of  carrying  on  the  two  chapels  on  the  prin 
ciples  of  church  government  it  advocated.  There  was  a  not  unimportant 
minority  opposed  to  it;  but  the  experiment  was  tried.  It  did  not  work 
well,  and  Mr.  Shillito's  resignation  of  the  joint  pastorate  resulted  in  its 
abandonment,  and  the  recognition  of  the  sole  right  of  each  church  to  its 
own  independent  management  and  control. 

The  foundation  stone  was  laid  on  February  i2th,  1862,  by 
the  Rev.  John  Kelly,  minister  of  Crescent  Chapel.  The 

1  "  Notes  on  the  Origin  and  History  of  the  Congregational  Churches  in 
Liverpool,"  p.  17. 


i88  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

opening  service  took  place  on  Thursday,  April  23rd,  1863, 
when  Dr.  Vaughan  was  the  preacher,  Dr.  Raffles,  then  on 
the  brink  of  the  grave,  taking  the  introductory  service.  On 
Sunday,  May  3rd,  Dr.  Raffles  preached  in  continuation  of  the 
opening  services  what  proved  to  be  his  last  sermon.  His 
youngest  son  had  urged  him  not  to  make  the  attempt  as  he 
was  "  more  fit  to  be  in  his  bed  than  to  undertake "  the  service. 
His  biographer  says  : — 

His  last  words,  as  he  concluded  his  last  sermon,  were,  "  Believe  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved."  It  was  a  fitting  close — the 
epitome  of  all  his  preaching  ;  the  great  theme  of  his  ministry  through  life. 
He  frequently  referred  afterwards  to  this  service,  and  expressed  great 
thankfulness  that  he  had  resisted  all  temptations  to  preach  one  of  his  more 
elaborate  sermons,  and  that  he  had  selected  one  which  had  embodied  so 
fully  what  had  been  the  essence  of  his  ministry — Christ  and  His  salvation. 
He  added  that  when  he  preached  he  had  no  presentiment  that  it  would  be 
his  last  sermon.1 

The  cost  of  the  building,  including  vestries  and  lecture  room  and 
land  was  about  ,£7,366,  towards  which  the  Bicentenary  Committee 
made  a  grant  of  ^£1,000,  and  the  sitting  accommodation  is  for 
about  750  persons. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  Shiilito,  educated  at  Lancashire  College,  and 
who  had  previously  laboured  for  nine  years  at  Dewsbury,  entered 
upon  his  duties  as  joint  pastor,  with  the  Rev.  John  Kelly,  of 
Crescent  and  Norwood  Chapels,  in  November,  1864.  After  an 
honourable  ministry  of  six  years  he  removed  to  Lozells  Chapel, 
Birmingham,  and  is  now  pastor  of  Sutton  Coldfield,  near  that 
city.  With  his  removal,  in  1870,  the  Norwood  Church  ceased 
its  connection  with  the  Crescent  Church,  and  became  quite 
independent.'2  The  Rev.  R.  Wardlaw  Thompson  was  the  next 
minister.  He  is  the  grandson  of  the  late  Rev.  Ralph  Wardlaw  D.D., 
was  educated  at  Cheshunt  College,  and  in  1870  removed  to  Liverpool 

l" Memoirs  of  the  Rev.  T.  Raffles,  D.D.,  LL.D.,"  p,  502. 

2  After  several  church  meetings,  at  which  the  question  had  been  anxiously 
discussed  on  February  14,  1870,  the  Church  resolved  to  "  terminate  the  pre 
viously  existing  constitution,  and  to  form  two  distinct  Churches."  A  resolution 
was  also  passed  expressing  "  admiration  of  the  magnanimity  with  which  Mr. 
Kelly  had  served  the  Church  during  the  period  of  ten  years  now  terminated, 
and  its  grateful  appreciation  of  his  invaluable  ministry." 


THE  REV.  E.  R.  BARRETT.  B.A.  189 

from  Glasgow,  where  he  had  laboured  about  five  years.  In  August, 
1880,  Mr.  Thompson  was  invited  to  the  responsible  position  of 
Foreign  Secretary  to  the  London  Missionary  Society.  The  invita 
tion  was  accepted,  and  he  is  there  still  faithfully  serving  the  wider 
interests  of  the  Divine  Kingdom.  The  present  minister  is  the  Rev. 
E.  R.  Barrett,  B.A.  He  is  the  son  of  the  late  Rev.  W.  G.  Barrett; 
brother  of  the  Rev.  G.  S.  Barrett,  B.A.,  of  Norwich  (President 
for  1894  of  the  Congregational  Union  of  England  and  Wales), 
and  of  Professor  \V.  F.  Barrett,  of  Dublin  University ;  and 
was  educated  at  Lancashire  College.  On  the  completion  of 
his  college  course,  in  1873,  Mr.  Barrett  went  as  a  Missionary  to 
Shanghai,  where  he  remained  about  five  years.  On  his  return  to 
England  he  settled  at  Leicester,  in  1879,  whence  he  removed  to 
Liverpool,  in  1882.  Under  his  ministry  the  church  has  grown  in 
numbers  and  usefulness.  A  branch  of  the  P.  S.  A.  movement 
is  amongst  the  forms  of  work  to  which  the  churchhas  given 
itself  with  most  gratifying  success,  its  present  membership 
standing  at  500.  A  recent  tempting  offer  from  the  Anti 
podes  has  been  resisted  by  him  to  the  joy,  not  alone  of  his 
own  church,  but  of  the  Congregationalists  of  Liverpool,  where  his 
presence  is  much  needed.  He  is  the  author  of  "The  Truth  about 
Intoxicating  Drinks,"  a  Prize  Essay.  Connected  with  the  church 
is  an  important  Mission  Station  in  Boaler  Street,  commenced 
during  Mr.  Thompson's  ministry.  The  room  was  erected  in  1880 
at  a  cost,  including  land,  of  ^1,000,  and  was  opened  in  October 
of  that  year.  It  has  accommodation  for  250  persons. 

Edge  Hill  Congregational  Church  originated  in  a  Sunday 
School  about  1857,  conducted  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood  by 
members  of  the  Great  George  Street  Church.  Preaching  services 
were  also  held,  and  a  chapel  in  Chatham  Place,  with  accommoda 
tion  for  about  400  persons,  was  purchased  in  1868.  Concerning 
this  building  Sir  J.  A.  Picton  gives  the  following  information  :— 

The  fine  row  of  houses  called  Chatham  Place  was  built  about  1820.  The 
chapel  immediately  opposite,  with  long  lancet  windows  and  porch,  was  built 
in  1861  by  the  New  Connexion  Methodists.  In  1868  it  was  transferred  to  the 
Independents  or  Congregationalists.1 

1  "  Memorials  of  Liverpool,"  vol.  ii.,  p.  522. 


ipo  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

The  Rev.  J.  Adam  Davies,  educated  at  New  College,  and  who 
had  previously  laboured  at  Brent  (Devon)  and  Kensington,  became 
the  first  minister  of  the  new  cause  at  Edge  Hill  in  1869.  On 
April  1 8th,  1871,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Pearson,  M.A.,  presiding  a 
church  was  formed,  about  forty  members  being  dismissed  from 
Great  George  Street  Church  for  the  purpose.  Considerable  pros 
perity  attended  the  effort,  and  almost  immediately  a  new  chapel 
was  felt  to  be  necessary,  the  old  one  being  private  property  rented 
at  ;£6o  a  year,  the  situation  not  good,  and  the  school  accommo 
dation  inadequate.  Aided  by  the  trustees  of  the  old  Newington 
Chapel,  a  site  was  secured  at  a  cost  of  ;£  1,500,  in  1873.  Mr. 
Davies  did  not,  however,  remain  to  see  the  project  completed,  but 
removed  to  South  Croydon  in  1876,  where  he  still  ministers.  His 
successor  was  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Cottingham,  educated  at  Airedale, 
and  previously  at  Otley.  He  held  the  pastorate  from  1877  to 
1880,  when  he  resigned.  He  is  now  minister  of  the  Tyndale 
Congregational  Church,  Gloucester.  It  was  during  his  pastorate 
that  the  long  projected  new  chapel  in  Marmaduke  Street  was 
erected.  The  cost  of  the  structure,  which  has  accommodation  for 
850  persons,  was  about  ^£7,500,  towards  which  the  Chapel 
Building  Society  promised  ^500.  The  opening  services  took  place 
in  September,  1877.  The  Rev.  S.  J.  Baker,  B.A.,  a  student  from 
Hackney  College,  entered  upon  his  labours  here  in  April,  1881. 
The  "Lancashire  Congregational  Calendar"  for  1884,  states  that 
the  building  held  a  public  meeting  on  January  i5th  of  that  year,  to 
celebrate  the  extinction  of  the  heavy  debt  which  had  been  upon 
the  building  since  its  erection  in  1878.  The  debt  at  the  opening 
services  is  given  at  ^"4,000.  Prompted,  however,  by  the  "generous 
challenge  grants  from  the  [Liverpool]  Centenary  Pounds  of  ^1,000, 
and  since  followed  by  the  further  kindly  aid  of  the  Liverpool 
Chapel  Building  Society,  also  the  Lancashire  and  Cheshire  Building 
Society,  as  also  the  Jubilee  Fund,"  the  church  put  forth  a 
vigorous  effort  to  get  rid  of  its  burden,  with  the  result  previously 
named.  In  the  same  report  the  church  thanks  the  Union  for 
"  constant  and  unabated  generosity  and  kindness,"  and  intimates 
its  intention  to  apply  for  no  further  grant.  In  1890  Mr.  Baker 
resigned  and  went  to  New  Zealand,  where  he  still  labours  as  pastor 
of  Trinity  Congregational  Church,  Christchurch.  The  Rev. 


STEAD  Y  PROGRESS.  191 

E.  G.  King,  educated  at  the  Guinness  Institute,  and  previously 
at  Sunderland,  succeeded  Mr.  Baker  in  1891,  and  is  still  the 
minister.  In  May  of  this  year  (1893)  a  large  new  schoolroom, 
which,  including  the  land,  cost  ^2,000,  was  opened  almost  free  from 
debt,  and  the  work  all  round  makes  steady  progress.  During  the 
last  two  years  the  church  has  received  an  exceptionally  generous 
grant ;  but  "  it  is  expected,"  says  the  last  issue  of  the  "  Calendar," 
that  "  the  years  will  not  be  many  before  it  once  more  attains 
independence." 


CHAPTER  III. 
OUTSIDE     THE     CITY. 

I.— GATEACRE  OLD  CHAPEL. 

GATEACRE,  a  village  a  few  miles  south-east  of  Liverpool,  in  the 
ancient  parish  of  Child  wall  and  townships  of  Much  and  Little 
Woolton,  has  been  the  home  of  Nonconformity  for  about  two 
centuries.  There  is  no  information  either  as  to  the  time  or 
manner  of  its  origin,  but  probably  the  chapel  was  erected  to  save 
the  Nonconformists  of  the  district  the  trouble  of  journeying  all  the 
way  to  Toxteth  Park  and  Liverpool.  The  building  was  licensed 
for  public  worship  in  1700,  and  in  the  certificate  it  is  described  as 
newly  erected.  The  following  is  a  copy  : — 

Lane.  These  are  to  certify  that  at  a  general  quarter  Sessions  of  the 
peace,  held  by  Adjournment  at  Wigan,  the  fourteenth  day  of  October, 
Anno  Domini  1700,  a  certain  building,  newly  erected  in  Much  Woolton  in 
the  aforesaid  County  of  Lancaster,  was  recorded  for  a  meeting  place  for  an 
Assembly  of  Protestants  dissenting  from  the  Church  of  England,  for  the 
Exercise  of  their  religious  worship,  according  to  the  Act  entitled  an  Act  for 
exempting  their  Majesties'  Protestant  subjects  dissenting  from  the  Church 
of  England  from  the  penalties  of  certain  laws,  according  to  the  above  said 
purport  of  the  said  Act.  Given  under  my  hand  the  day  and  month  above 
written. — Thomas  Kenyon,  Clericus  pacis. 

"In  a  trust  deed  of  1795,"  says  Mr.  James  L.  Thornely,  "two 
former  deeds  are  recited,  bearing  date  respectively  the  6th  and  yth 
of  March,  1701  ;  in  one  of  them  it  is  said  'that  upon  the  said 
parcels  of  ground,  or  some  part  thereof,  there  was  erected  and 
built  one  Edifice,  Chapel,  or  Oratory,  at  the  sole  costs  and 
charges  of  the  said  William  Claughton,  John  Gill,  and  several 
other  Protestants  dissenting  from  the  Church  of  England,  that  the 
same  should  be  a  place  for  Religious  worship  as  therein-after 
mentioned,'  and  it  continues  to  say  that  the  Trustees  are  '  never 
theless  upon  Trust  to  convert  the  said  new  erected  edifice,  Chapel, 
or  Oratory,  and  premises,  for  a  Meeting  place  and  assembly  of  a 


LITTLE    LEE    CHAPEL.  193 

particular  Church  or  Congregation  of  Protestants  dissenting  from 
the  Church  of  England,  and  accordingly  to  permit  the  same  to  be 
used  and  employed  for  the  free  exercise  of  their  Divine  worship 
therein,  and  for  such  congregations  enjoying  all  the  ordinances  of 
the  Gospel  in  such  manner,  and  to  and  for  such  other  uses, 
intents,  and  purposes  as  in  the  same  last  mentioned  Indenture, 
are  in  that  behalf  expressed  and  declared.'  The  land  belonging 
to  Gateacre  Chapel  was  originally  in  the  possession,  as  it  would 
seem,  of  a  certain  John  Whitfield,  of  Little  Woolton.  Among 
the  Chapel  papers  there  is  a  deed  dated  December  26,  1682,  in 
which  Henry  \Vhitfield  grants  to  John  Whitfield,  his  son,  in  'con 
sideration  of  the  natural  love  and  affeccon,  which  he  hath  and 
beareth  unto  the  said  John  Whitfield,  his  said  sonne — All  that 
Close,  Closure,  and  Parcell  of  Land  Scituate  in  Little  Woolton 
aforesaid,  commonly  Known  by  the  name  of  Little  Meadow.' 
This  land  was  granted,  as  the  same  document  tells  us,  out  of  some 
which  was  let  to  the  above  mentioned  Henry  Whitfield  by  '  Gilbert 
Ireland  of  Bevvsey  in  ye  County  of  Lancaster,  Esquire,  and 
Margaret  Ireland  his  wife,  the  first  day  of  December,  An.  Dom. 
1658.'  The  chapel  was  formerly  known  as  Gateacre  or  Little  Lee 
Chapel,  but  the  reason  of  the  latter  name  I  have  been  unable  to 
find  out,  unless  it  bears  some  reference  to  the  'Little  Meadow' 
mentioned  above."1  It  would  seem,  then,  that  it  was  in  the 
closing  years  of  the  seventeenth  century,  when  liberty  was  granted 
to  the  Nonconformists  after  a  long  period  of  bitter  persecution,  that 
Gateacre  Chapel  was  built.  The  first  minister  was  probably  a 
Rev.  Mr.  Lythgoe,  who  is  supposed  to  have  officiated  here2  in  1697. 
In  the  minutes  of  a  meeting  of  the  United  Brethren  held  at  Bolton, 
April  1 3th,  1697,  appears  the  following,  which,  I  imagine,  refers 
to  him  : — 

An  account  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Warrington  district  against  Mr. 
Charles  Lithgow,  with  several  papers  thereto  pertaining,  was  read,  and  the 
said  proceedings  were  approved  of  by  this  assembly. 

1  MS.    History    of    Gateacre    Chapel,    by    James    L    Thornely,    Esq., 
of  Liverpool.     To  this  history   I  am  greatly  indebted  for  the  account  here 
given. 

2  Probably  in  a  temporary  meeting  house. 

6-13 


194  LANCASHIRE  NONCONFORMITY. 

It  would  seem  that  these  proceedings  led  to  Mr.  Lythgoe's 
suspension  from  the  office  of  minister  here,  for  at  a  meeting  of 
the  same  body  held  at  Warrington,  August  loth,  of  the  same  year, 
a  petition  was  presented  from  the  vacant  church  : — 

A  petition  from  the  Lee  being  read,  to  procure  them  supplys  from  the 
fund  at  London,  it  was  unanimously  agreed  that,  considering  the  present 
circumstances  of  it,  "  there  can  be  no  encouragem*  given  them  for  such 
supply  at  present."1 

The  Rev.  James  Whittle  appears  to  have  been  the  next  minister. 
He  was  educated  at  the  Rathmell  Academy  by  the  Rev.  Richard 
Frankland,  becoming  a  student  there  March  23rd,  1693,  an^ 
probably  settling  at  Gateacre  on  the  completion  of  his  college  course. 
His  ordination  at  Warrington,  along  with  several  others,  on  June 
1 6th,  1702,  is  noted  by  Matthew  Henry  in  his  diary,  and  he  is 
described  as  "  of  Lee  in  Lancashire."  He  died  shortly  after,  for 
in  the  aisle  of  Gateacre  Chapel  is  a  stone  thus  inscribed : — 

"James  Whittle,  Minister,  1702." 

The  next  known2  minister  was  the  Rev.  Joseph  Lawton.  He 
seems  to  have  belonged  to  the  neighbourhood  of  Oldham,  for  he 
had  an  estate  at  Counthill,  not  far  from  that  town.  In  the  early 
history  of  Greenacres  Chapel,  Oldham,  it  is  said  that  a  Mr.  Lawton 
ministered  there  for  a  short  time  about  1700  and  removed  to 
Liverpool.3  Doubtless  this  was  the  Rev.  James  Lawton  associated 
with  Key  Street  Chapel,4  and  possibly  a  relative  of  the  Rev. 
Joseph  Lawton.  The  latter  is  first  mentioned  as  minister  of 
Gateacre  Chapel  in  a  deed  of  settlement  dated  July  3oth,  1715, 
which  is  thus  epitomised  : — 

Matthias  Garnet,  of  Tarbock,  in  the  county  of  Lancaster,  yeoman ; 
Margaret  Wainwright  of  Edge  Lane,  within  Darby,  in  the  said  county, 
widow,  and  Alice  Lawton,  of  Leverpoole,  in  the  said  county,  widow,5 

1  "Manchester  Classis"  (Chetham  Society  publications,  New  Series,  vol. 
xxiv.),  pp.  358,  359. 

2  The  reader  will  note  a  considerable  gap  between   Mr.  Whittle  and 
Mr.  Lawton,  which  I  regret  I  have  been  unable  to  fill  up. 

3  Vide  vol.  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

4  Vide  ante  p.  119,  note  i. 

5  Probably  the  widow  of  the  Rev.  James  Lawton  (vide  ante  p.  119,  note  i). 


I  HE    CONGREGATION'S   ADDRESS.  195 

grant  money  to  be  "  yearly  converted  and  imployed  to  and  for  the  use  and 
benefit  of  such  minister  and  ministers  of  the  Gospell  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  of  the  Presbiterian  persuasion  as  should  from  time  to  time  officiate 
at  the  Chapell,  Oratory,  or  Meeting  place  in  Gataker,  within  the  parish  of 
Childwall."  Matthias  Garnet  bestowed  £20,  and  the  other  two  ^10  each, 
and  appointed  as  trustees  "John  Percivall,  of  Allerton,  in  the  said  County, 
gentleman  ;  George  Davies,  of  Much  Woolton,  in  the  said  county,  yeoman  ; 
Josiah  Sedden,  of  Wavertree,  in  the  said  county,  yeoman  ;  Samuel  Mercer, 
of  Allerton,  aforesaid,  yeoman  ;  James  Ackers,  of  Whigton,  in  the  said 
county,  yeoman ;  William  Holland,  of  Halewood,  in  the  said  county, 
yeoman ;  John  Bispham,  of  Little  Woolton,  in  the  said  county,  yeoman ; 
William  Claughton,  of  Wavertree,  aforesaid,  Blacksmith ;  and  Thomas 
Burgess,  of  Little  Woolton,  aforesaid,  ffelt  maker."  Among  the  witnesses 
to  this  document  is  the  Rev.  Joseph  Lawton. 

For  more  than  thirty  years  after  this,  Mr.  Lawton  continued  to 
minister  to  a  deeply  attached  congregation.1  An  address  was 
presented  to  him  in  1730,  which  is  interesting  as  showing  the  rela 
tions  between  a  Nonconformist  minister  and  his  congregation  a 
century  and  a  half  ago.  The  following  is  a  copy  : — 

Gateacre,  July,  1730. 

To  the  Rev.  Joseph  Lawton.  These.  We  whose  names  are  subscribed  or 
endors'd,  the  adult  part  of  Christ's  Church,  statedly  meeting  and  now  mett 
in  Gateacre  Chappell,  being  much  concern'd  for  its  lasting  prosperity,  do  in 
behalf  of  our  selves  and  all  we  can  influence,  Resolve  and  Declare  that  none 
of  us  will  without  necessity  pressing  us,  and  plain  to  any,  remove  our 
dwellings  to  such  distance  as  would  suspend  our  present  special  Relation 
to  the  said  Church,  or  render  our  attendance  there  Impracticable.  The 
same  concern  moves  us  ardently  to  desire  you  to  be  and  continue  our  Pastor, 
to  Catechize  and  administer  all  other  ordinances  to  and  amongst  us,  publicly 
and  privately  (according  to  their  Respective  natures),  in  such  mannes  as  you 
shall  judge  agreeable  to  God's  Word,  and  most  conducive  to  our  Soul's 
Good.  Having  hitherto  acquiesc'd  in,  and  approv'd  all  your  past  Administra 
tions,  we  are  the  more  zealous  in  the  above  request,  and  the  more 
cordially  promise  to  obey  you,  and  submit  ourselves  so  long  as  God  Almighty 
shall  permit,  and  incline  you  to  remain  amongst  us. 

We  will  separately  and  Jointly  endeavour  to  have  our  conversation  in  all  things 
becoming  the  Gospel  of  Christ ;  we  will  exhort  and  reprove  one  another  in  a  spirit 
of  meekness  on  all  proper  occasions,  and  take  care  that  Sin  be  not  encouraged 
by  our  neglect  of  these  dutys,  nor  you  or  others  griev'd  or  burthen'd  by  the 
hearing  of  private  crime,  small  or  great,  which  all  or  a  few  of  us  can  be 

1  During  his  ministry  there  were  317  adherents,  fourteen  of  whom  were 
county  voters. 


196  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

Instrumental  to  reform.  As  to  Irregularities,  great  or  small,  otherwise 
circumstanc's  and  cases  wherein  our  private  Labours  don't  succeed,  \ve 
engage  to  accept  and  aid  your  exercise  of  Discipline. 

And  if  any  thus  engag'd,  or  others  of  us  not  so  explicitly  engag'd,  withdraw 
in  resentm*  of  Censure  pass'd  or  design'd  and  expected,  we  will  not  be  so 
injurious  as  to  judge  or  imagine  you  a  disturber  or  diminisher  of  our  society ; 
it  being  obvious  that  only  the  obstinate  person  or  persons  so  withdrawing  are 
guilty.  We  are  most  sincere  and  chearfull  in  all  and  every  of  the  above 
Resolutions,  Declarations,  Promises,  and  Engagemt*- 

In  1746  Mr.  Lawton  presented  to  the  church  "The  Cup  of 
Blessing,"  which  is  thus  described  by  the  Rev.  George  Eyre 
Evans  : — 

One  Cup  5  inches  tall,  two  handles,  silver,  date  1703-4,  fine  specimen  of 
Queen  Anne  plate.  On  shield  in  front  "  The  Cup  of  Blessing,  given  to  the 
Church  at  Gate-acre,  by  Joseph  Lawton,  and  bought  in  part  by  Isabel 
Heys,  her  Legacy  to  him.,  A.D.  1746. 

A  few  months  afterwards  Mr.  Lawton  died,  and  in  the  graveyard 
of  the  chapel  is  a  tombstone  bearing  the  following  inscription  : — 

Here  Lieth  the  Body  of  the  late 

REVEREND    JOSEPH     LAWTON, 

Who  died  the  First  day  of  February,  1747, 

in  the  63rd  year  of  his  age. 

Amongst  the  virtuous  there  is  unity  in  things  necessary. 

Let  there  be  Liberty  in  things  Indifferent, 

and  Charity  in  all  things. 

His  will,  made  the  year  previous  to  his  death,  is  a  deeply 
interesting  document,  and  though  somewhat  lengthy,  is  here 
copied : — 

I,  Joseph  Lawton,  of  Liverpoole,  in  the  County  of  Lancaster,  Clerk,  having 
surrendered  the  Copyhold  part  of  my  estate  in  Little  Woolton,  in  the  said 
County,  and  lifted  a  ffyne  respecting  my  Lands  (Leased  out  for  a  long  term 
of  years),  situate  within  the  Liberty  of  Oldham,  in  the  said  County,  I  give 
and  devise  unto  my  Executors  herein  after  named  all  my  Interest  in  the  said 
Estate  in  Little  Woolton,  and  in  the  said  Lands  within  Oldham,  and  in  my 
personal  Estate,  In  confidence  that  they  will  Distribute  and  apply  the  same 
to  such  persons  and  purposes  as  are  Intended,  or  herein  after  Expressed,, 
having  formerly  charged  the  ffreehold  part  of  my  Estate  in  Little  Woolton 
with  the  perpetual  pension  of  twenty  shillings  yearly;  I  now  further  subject 
the  said  Estate,  including  the  whole,  after  the  decease  of  my  Sister-in-law, 


AN   INTERESTING    WILL.  197 

to  the  perpetual  yearly  sum  or  rent  charge  of  Eleven  pounds,  clear  and 
exempt  from  all  Offices,  Labours,  Lays,  Taxations,  and  payments  whatsoever, 
Imposed  or  to  be  Imposed,  parliamentary  or  otherwise,  payable  as  herein 
after  directed,  and  subject  to  the  powers  herein  after  contained  and  provided 
for  Recovery  thereof.  I  give  and  devise  the  yearly  sum  of  five  pounds,  the 
first  part  of  the  said  Eleven  pounds,  unto  Joseph  Lawton  Syddal,1  son  of 
Joseph  Syddal,  of  Hyde,  in  Cheshire,  and  his  assignes  for  ever,  payable  to 
the  ffather,  Mother,  or  uncle  of  the  said  Joseph  Lawton  Syddal,  for  his  proper 
use  during  his  childhood,  but  payable  to  himself  on  his  order  when  he  is 
Eighteen  years  old,  by  two  Equall  portions,  at  or  upon  every  Eleventh  day 
of  November,  and  every  twenty-fifth  day  of  December. 

Also,  I  give  and  devise  thirty  shillings  to  Grace,  Daughter  of  the  said 
Joseph  Syddal,  which  part  of  the  said  Eleven  pounds  I  order  to  be  paid  to  the 
said  Grace,  During  her  natural  life,  in  such  time  and  manner  as  her  Brother's 
money  is  directed  to  be  paid.  Also,  I  give  and  Devise  thirty  shillings, 
another  part  of  the  said  Eleven  pounds,  to  Alice.  Daughter  of  the  said  Joseph 
Syddal,  payable  during  her  natural  life,  in  the  manner  and  times  aforesaid. 
Also,  I  give  and  devise  to  Samuel  and  Shusannah  Par,  and  the  Survivors  of 
them,  twenty  shillings,  another  part  of  the  said  Eleven  pounds,  payable  to 
them  from  such  of  the  said  days  as  shall  come  next  after  my  decease  ;  and  so  to 
continue  payable  by  two  Equall  portions  yearly  till  they  or  the  Survivors  of 
them  shall  become  chargeable  to  a  town,  or  shall  dye.  Also,  I  give  and 
devise  forty  shillings  to  Ann,  the  present  wife  of  my  Nephew,  John  Syddal, 
and  this  last  portion  of  the  said  Eleven  pounds  I  direct  to  be  paid  by  two 
Equall  portions  on  the  days  above  named  during  her  natural  life  ;  but  the 
first  payment  not  to  be  made  till  the  first  of  the  said  days  which  shall  come 
next  after  her  present  husband's  decease.  And  in  case  the  said  yearly  sums 
or  any  of  them  shall  be  unpaid  by  the  space  of  twenty-one  days  next  after 
the  same  shall  respectively  become  due  then  the  person  or  persons  to  whom 
the  same  shall  remain  so  due  and  owing,  shall  and  may  enter  upon  the  said 
premises  (except  such  as  may  then  be  in  the  possession  of  my  Sister-in-Law) 
and  make  distress  for  the  same,  and  sell  and  dispose  of  such  distress  according 
to  Law,  as  in  case  of  Rent  Service,  for  satisfaction  of  such  Annuity  or 
Annuities  with  the  arrears  and  charges  attending  the  same,  and  before  the 
Annuity  of  Anne  Syddal  may  commence.  And  if  any  of  the  other  Annuities 
for  life  shall  never  become  due  or  take  effect,  and  when  they  shall  by  death 
determine  and  cease — It  is  my  will,  of  all  the  advantages  of  their  not  become- 


1  In  the  Baptismal  Register  of  Gateacre  Chapel  is  the  following: 
"Joseph  Lawton,  Son  of  Joseph  Syddal  [Siddall],  was  Born  at  Hide, 
Cheshire,  3Oth  day  of  November,  1742,  and  was  Baptised  at  Gate  Acre,  3oth 
day  of  January,  1742-3."  This,  I  imagine,  was  the  Rev.  Joseph  Lawton 
Siddall,  who  held  pastorates  at  Chorley  and  Platt,  and  whose  wife  was 
Miss  Bent,  grand-daughter  of  the  Rev.  John  Bent,  of  Chorley  (vide  vols.  ii. 
and  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity  "). 


198  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

ing  due,  and  of  their  falling  in  and  ceasing  to  be  payable  to  the  persons  afore 
named,  shall  accrue  and  belong  to  the  said  Joseph  Lawton  Syddal  till  he,  or 
his  assigns,  at  length  possess  the  whole  rent  charge  of  Eleven  Pounds  as  their 
Inheritance  for  ever. 

And  I  give  unto  my  said  Sister-in-Law  all  the  Apartments,  Stables,  hay 
loft,  part  of  back  kitchen,  with  part  of  the  Garner — the  Garden  and  Croft 
adjoining  to  be  Occupyed  with  the  same  liberty  and  freedom  from  any  charge* 
as  I  used  and  Occupyed  them,  during  her  natural  life. 

I  give  and  devise  to  my  Executors,  their  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever,  the 
remainder  of  my  said  Messuage  and  Tenement  in  Little  Woolton,1  as  also 
after  the  decease  of  my  said  Sister-in-Law,  Alice  Lawton,  the  several  branches 
above  bequeathed  to  her,  they,  or  one  of  them,  therefore  constantly  paying, 
or  causing  to  be  payd,  the  said  Rent  charge  of  eleven  pounds,  the  ffreehold 
copyhold  rents,  with  all  other  burthens,  incumbrances,  or  payments  whatsoever 
as  aforesaid. 

I  give  and  devise  the  Rent  charge  of  that  part  of  my  Lands  within  the 
Liberty  of  Oldham,  situate  on  or  near  Counthill,  to  be  equally  divided 
amongst  my  Nieces,  Sarah,  Ann,  Alice,  and  Catherine,  Daughters  of  my  late 
Brother,  Phineas  Lawton,  during  their  natural  lives.  And  upon  the  death  of 
all,  or  any  one  of  them,  I  give  and  devise  equally  to  and  amongst  the  children 
of  each  parent,  that  fourth  part  of  the  said  rent  which  had  been  their 
respective  Mother's  portion  ;  together  with  the  fourth  part  of  the  Reversion 
for  ever,  and  order  Sarah  the  oldest,  who  lives  at  Bradnip,  near  Leek,  in 
Staffordshire,  to  have  the  Original  Writings  relating  to  the  said  Lands.  And 

1  This  was  the  Nook  Estate.  "  The  parsonage  at  the  Nook,"  says  Mr. 
Thornely,  "  was  inhabited  by  Mr.  Lawton's  successors  and  by  the  subsequent 
ministers  up  to  the  year  1801,  when  the  then  incumbent,  the  Rev.  N.  Jones, 
died,  and  his  family  continued  to  reside  there  until  it  was  pulled  down  in 
1879."  Concerning  this  estate  he  gives  the  following  further  interesting 
information  :  "  Among  the  chapel  papers  there  is  a  curious  deed  of  Nov.  2nd, 
1699,  relating  to  the  Nook,  which  contains  several  provisions,  which,  as 
relating  to  so  small  an  estate,  appear  somewhat  amusing.  John  Atherton, 
of  Atherton,  grants  to  John  Whitfield,  of  Little  Woolton,  the  Nook  Estate; 
the  rent  charge  is  to  be  paid  annually  on  the  feast  days  of  the  Virgin  and  of 
S.  Michael.  The  conditions  imposed  are  as  follows:  That  all  right  of  mining, 
and  digging  for  coal,  &c.,  be  reserved  to  J.  Atherton,  and  right  of  hunting, 
fishing,  and  fowling.  That  a  man  be  supplied  to  J.  Atherton  for  two  days' 
labour  in  harvest  time.  That  he  do  service  in  time  of  war.  That  a  hound 
be  kept  for  the  service  of  J.  Atherton.  That  J.  Whitfield  grind  his  corn  at 
J.  Atherton's  mill  at  Woolton.  That  J.  Whitfield  keep  the  land  in  good 
order,  and  every  year  plant  three  oaks  and  three  ashes."  The  Nook  is  now 
covered  by  the  embankment  of  the  Cheshire  Railway  lines,  some  three 
hundred  yards  to  the  south  of  Gateacre  Station,  the  company  having  also 
acquired  about  six  acres  of  the  Nook  farm  land. 


BEQUESTS    TO    CHAPELS. 


199 


the  other  part  of  my  Lands  within  the  Liberty  of  Oldham,  I  give  the  rent  of, 
equally,  to  my  Nephews,  John,  Phineas  and  Thomas  Syddal,  during  their 
natural  lives.  And  upon  their  or  any  of  their  decease  I  give  and  devise  the 
ffather's  part  to  such  son  in  the  three  families  whose  first  entire  name  is 
Joseph,  together  with  the  reversion,  to  be  equally  divided  amongst  them,  their 
heirs  and  assignes  for  ever,  as  Counthill  Lands  are  meant  to  be  given.  And 
I  order  Joseph,  the  oldest  of  the  three  Tkothers,  to  have  the  Original  Writings 
respecting  the  said  Lands.  I  give  absolutely  to  my  Sister-in-Law  my  little 
all  wrought  Silver  (Excepting  my  spurs,  which  I  give  to  Mr.  John  Smith,  of 
Bradnip,  near  Leek),  and  I  also  give  my  said  Sister  the  use  of  my  household 
goods,  during  her  natural  lite,  at  the  period  whereof,  I  give  and  bequeath  the 
said  goods,  share  and  share  alike  to  John  Syrers,  of  Liverpool,  Joyner  ; 
Samuel  Seddon,  engraver,  and  Catherine,  his  wife ;  John  Bispham,  of 
Toxteth,  and  Hannah,  his  wife;  Sarah  Brownbill,  of  Speak;  Em.  Hill,  of 
Roby,  and  her  sister  Ann  ;  Bertie  Barton,  of  Little  Woolton  ;  Martha  Par, 
of  Speak  ;  and  Matthew  Stephenson,  of  Allerton.  I  give  my  pew  in  Gateacre 
to  my  Successor  there,  and  my  pew  in  Liverpool  to  Sister  Alice  Lawton.  I 
give  all  my  Books  not  disposed  of  before  my  death  to  Mr.  Hardy,  of  Risley, 
Mr.  Mather,  of  Rainford,  and  Mr.  Sandford,  of  Ormskirk,  in  equal  shares. 
I  will  that  my  debts,  funeral  expenses,  and  (if  necessary)  the  probate  of  my 
will  be  first  discharged  out  of  my  remaining  personality,  after  which  I  give  to 
my  Boy  (?) ;  to  my  Sister-in-Law,  Catherine  Lawton,  of 'Alveton,  Staffordshire  ; 
to  Martha  Houghton,  of  Toxteth  Park;  to  George  Houghton,  of  Broad 
Green  ;  to  Joseph  Worral,  of  Little  Woolton;  to  Edward  Harrison,  of  the 
same  ;  to  Sarah  Glover,  of  Liverpool ;  and  Shusannah  Garves,  of  the  same, 
Each  five  pounds.  I  give  to  Sister  Alice  Lawton  for  mourning  ten  pounds  ; 
to  Mr.  James  Percival  for  a  ring  thirty  shillings  ;  I  give  Joseph  Webster  ffifty 
shillings;  I  give  to  Nephew  John  Syddal  five  pounds;  to  his  brother 
Benjamin  ten  pounds  ;  to  his  brother  Thomas  fifteen  pounds ;  to  his  brother 
Phineas  twenty  pounds ;  and  to  his  brother  Joseph  thirty  pounds.  I  give  and 
bequeath  one  hundred  and  twenty  pounds  to  be  divided  equally  and  settled 
upon  Trustees  for  the  better  perpetual  support  of  the  dissenting  ministers  of 
the  Gospel,  officiating,  and  to  officiate  at  Leek,  in  the  co-unty  of  Stafford,  at 
Green  Acres,  and  at  Doblane,  at  Risley,  at  Ormskirk,  and  at  Gee  Cross 
or  Hyde  Chappells.  And  I  order  that  each  of  the  Incumbents  give  my 
Executors  a  receipt  witnessed  by  two  principal  members  of  the  respective 
congregations.  I  also  give  my  Executors  twenty  pounds  apiece  in  full  for 
the  discharge  of  their  office,  and  for  their  dispatch,  order  throughout  the 
Execution,  the  parent  or  uncle's  receipt  for  a  minor  to  be  their  sufficient 
discharge.  And  Lastly,  revoking  all  former  wills  by  me  made,  I  declare  this 
to  be  my  last  will  and  Testament,  and  thereof  do  nominate,  constitute,  and 
appoint  Samuel  Ogden  and  John  Hardman,  of  Liverpoole,  Merchants, 
Executors.  In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal,  this 
twenty-seventh  day  of  December,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  forty  six.  J.  Lawton.  Signed,  sealed,  published,  and  declared 
by  the  within  Testator  as  and  for  his  last  will  and  Testament  (the  words  "  to 


200  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

such  persons  and  purposes,"  "Rents,"  "pounds."  "Benjamin,"  "Dispatch," 
being  first  Interlined)  In  presence  of  us,  who  subscribed  our  names  as  Witnesses 
thereto  in  his  presence,  James  Rogers,  Ann  Haslam,  Elisabeth  McNele. 

The  successor  to  Mr.  Lawton  was  the  Rev.  Richard 
Godwin.  He  was  born  at  Bolton,  December  nth,  1722,  and 
trained  for  the  ministry  at  Dr.  Rotheram's  Academy,  Kendal, 
settling,  on  the  completion  of  his  college  course,  at  Holcombe, 
removing  thence  to  Gateacre,  about  I749-1  His  intimate 
friends  were  the  Revs.  Tatlock  Mather,  of  Rainford  ;  John 
Seddon,  of  Warrington ;  and  Philip  Holland,  of  Bolton ;  and  the 
part  he  took  along  with  two  of  these  in  the  composition 
of  the  Liverpool  Liturgy  has  been  already  pointed  out.  Two  or 
three  sermons  preached  at  ordination  services  were  afterwards 
published  by  Mr.  Godwin,  and  their  sentiments  were  such  as  led  Job 
Orton  to  animadvert  upon  them  unfavourably.  There  can  be  no 
doubt  that  Mr.  Godwin's  theology  did  much  to  prepare  the  way 
for  the  Unitarianism  of  later  days.  In  the  very  year  of  his  death 
a  trust  deed,  dated  February  2oth,  1787,  was  made,  which  defined 
more  clearly  than  the  previous  one  the  type  of  minister  who 
should  officiate  at  the  chapel : 

Whereas  the  said  society  of  protestant  Dissenters  at  Gateacre  aforesaid, 
are  desirous  of  making  some  rules,  orders,  and  regulations  to  be  observed  by 
the  said  Society  in  their  Choice  of  their  Minister  or  Ministers  to  officiate  at 
the  said  Chapel,  and  thereby,  if  possible,  to  prevent  any  improper  use  being 
made  of  the  said  Chapel,  or  the  Office  of  minister  filled  by  any  weak, 
insinuating,  itinerant  Preacher,  not  properly  qualified  for  his  office. 

AND  THEREFORE  it  is  hereby  further  agreed  and  declared  by  and  between 
all  and  every  the  said  parties  hereto,  and  also  by  the  said  Society  at  large, 
attending  to  hear  public  Religious  Service  at  Gateacre  aforesaid,  that  the 
minister  or  ministers  hereafter  to  be  elected  or  chosen  for  the  purpose  of 
statedly  officiating  in  the  said  Chapel,  shall  be  of  the  Presbyterian  denomi 
nation,  as  distinct  from  the  established  Church  of  England,  from  the  people 
called  Quakers,  Anabaptists,  Independents,  Methodists,  and  from  any  other 
religious  sect  whatsoever. 

The  deed  further  shows  that  the  minister  to  be  elected  must  be 
recommended  by  "  three  at  fewest  Presbyterian  ministers  of  such 

1  On  the  authority  of  Dr.  Raffles,  who  says  that  he  "  came  to  Holcombe 
n  1743." 


LIVERPOOL  SOCINIAN  CONTROVERSY.       201 

denomination  as  aforesaid,"  who  would  need  to  testify  to  his 
"  good  moral  conduct  and  character,"  to  his  "  competent  abilities 
for  the  Christian  ministry,"  and  that  he  had  had  "a  regular 
education  for  the  same  at  some  respectable  seminary  of  learning." 
Mr.  Godwin  died  suddenly  of  an  apoplectic  fit  at  the  house  of  his 
friend,  the  Rev.  Philip  Holland,  of  Bolton,  in  August,  1787.  In 
the  graveyard  of  Gateacre  Chapel  is  his  tombstone,  near  that  of 
the  Rev.  Joseph  Lawton,  which  records  his  virtues  thus : — 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  the  Revd.  Richard  Godwin,  who  died  the  i7th 
August,  1787,  in  the  64th  year  of  his  age.  During  the  space  of  40  years  in 
which  he  ministered  to  this  religious  Society  he  was  distinguished  by  an 
uniform  attention  to  the  duties  of  his  office  ;  by  active  exertions  for  the 
relief  and  comfort  of  the  poor  ;  and  by  a  steady  zeal  for  the  cause  of  liberty 
and  religion.  His  congregation,  while  they  sympathise  with  all  their 
neighbours  in  lamenting  his  death,  earnestly  wish  that  they  may  long  retain 
his  instructions  in  their  memories  and  imitate  his  virtues  in  their  lives. 

The  Rev.  John  Edwards  was  the  next  minister.  He  was  the 
son  of  the  Rev.  D.  Edwards,  Congregational  minister  at  Ipswich, 
where  he  was  born  January  ist,  1768.  In  1783  he  entered  the 
Hoxton  Academy  to  be  trained  for  the  ministry,  removing  to 
Daventry  in  1785.  On  the  completion  of  his  college  course  he 
settled  at  Gateacre  in  1787.  The  only  incident  of  note  associated 
with  his  ministry  at  Gateacre  is  the  Liverpool  Socinian  Controversy, 
the  origin  of  which  is  thus  given  by  Mr.  Thornely  : — 

In  the  year  1790  the  Rev.  John  Edwards  and  four  other  ministers  attended 
at  the  opening  of  the  Baptist  Chapel  in  Byrom  St.,  of  which  chapel  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Medley  was  incumbent.  In  his  sermon  the  reverend  gentleman, 
being  aware  of  their  presence,  denounced  in  unmeasured  terms  the  Socinian 
beliefs,  and  referred  personally  to  these  gentlemen  in  bitter  and  virulent 
language. 

Mr,  Edwards  sent  several  letters  to  Mr.  Medley,  which,  meeting 
with  no  reply,  he  afterwards  published.  "  An  answer"  came  almost 
immediately  from  the  press  by  the  Rev.  W.  Hobrow,  minister  of  the 
gospel  in  Edmund  Street,  Liverpool,  and  Mr.  Edwards  issued  his 
"  Vindication"  early  in  1791.  Mr.  Medley  himself  does  not  seem 
to  have  taken  any  part  in  the  controversy  which  his  sermon  had 
excited.  In  some  of  the  pamphlets  Mr.  Edwards  is  described 


202  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

as  a  Dissenting  minister  "  who  occasionally  preaches  at  Ben's 
Garden  and  Key  Street  Chapels,  in  Liverpool,"  from  which  it 
has  been  supposed  that  his  connection  with  Gateacre  was  not  that 
of  a  settled  pastor.  Be  that  as  it  may,  he  laboured  here  until 
1791,  when  he  removed  to  the  Birmingham  New  Meeting, 
to  be  Dr.  Joseph  Priestley's  colleague,  and  subsequently  his 
successor.  Mr.  Edwards  was  drowned  whilst  bathing  at  Ware- 
ham,  on  Sunday,  September  4th,  1808.  In  addition  to  the 
pamphlets  above-named  he  published  two  or  three  sermons. 

The  Rev.  William  (afterwards  Doctor)  Shepherd  succeeded.  "  I 
was  born,"  says  he,  in  an  autobiographical  fragment,  "  I  believe, 
in  Thomas  Street,  Liverpool,  on  the  nth  October,  1768,  as 
appears  by  the  baptismal  registry  of  Benn's  Garden  Chapel,  a 
Dissenting  Meeting  House  of  that  town,  at  which  my  parents  were 
regular  and  zealous  attendants."  His  father  was  "  a  master  shoe 
maker  in  pretty  good  business,"  and  his  mother  the  daughter  of 
the  Rev.  Benjamin  Mather,  "a  dissenting  divine  of  some  note."1 
On  the  death  of  her  father,  -the  Rev.  Benjamin  Mather,  at 
Darwen,  in  1749,  Miss  Mather  went  to  reside  with  her  brother,  the 


1  It  is  recorded  that  Mr.  Mather  was  minister  for  some  time  at  Kirby,  and 
that  he  built  at  his  own  expense  the  chapel  at  Knowsley.  He  was  stationed 
for  several  years  at  Lower  Chapel,  Darwen.  An  account  of  Lower  Chapel 
is  given  in  vol.  II.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity,"  and  of  Knowsley  in 
vol.  iv.,  to  which  may  be  added  some  items  of  information  from  the  Raffles 
MSS.  A  Mr.  Bourne  is  named  as  minister  in  1742,  and  the  Rev.  D.  W. 
Kvans  in  1765.  His  remains  were  laid  in  the  graveyard  of  the  chapel,  and 
upon  his  tombstone  was  placed  the  following  inscription  : — "The  monument 
of  the  Revd-  D.  W.  Evans,  who  departed  this  life,  July  31,  A.D.  1790.  He 
being  dead  yet  speaketh ;  yesterday  for  me,  to-day  for  thee,"  The  Rev. 
Richard  Harrison,  who  removed  from  Tewkesbury  was  minister  about  1772. 
It  appears  that  Knowsley  was  served  about  this  time  by  the  Prescot  minister. 
The  Rev.  Samuel  Park,  of  Prescot,  used  to  preach  at  Knowsley  Chapel  on 
Sunday  mornings.  He  came  into  Lancashire  from  Yorkshire,  and  it  is 
recorded  that  he  used  to  say,  "  If  ever  the  Lord  left  me  to  myself,  it  was 
when  he  suffered  me  to  come  into  Lancashire,  this  dark  County."  The 
Rev.  John  Wilding,  his  successor,  being  of  a  delicate  constitution,  could  not 
endure  the  fatigue  of  going  to  Knowsley,  and  the  place  was  closed  for  many 
years,  £20  of  the  endowment  being  added  to  the  income  of  Prescot.  Sub 
sequently  the  chapel  was  used  by  the  Methodists.  I  have  no  information 
about  Kirby. 


DR.  SHEPHERD.  203 

Rev.  Tatlock  Mather,  at  Rainford,1  until  her  marriage  with  Mr. 
Shepherd.  A  few  years  afterwards  Mr.  Shepherd  was  "found  dead 
in  a  coffee  house,"  and  the  young  widow,  with  William,  her  eldest 
son,  was  persuaded  to  return  to  her  brother,  the  Rev.  Tatlock 
Mather,  at  Rainford.  Mr.  Mather,  who  was  a  bachelor,  adopted 
young  Shepherd  as  his  son,  and  gave  him  instruction  in  elementary 
knowledge.  He  was  then  sent  to  Holden's  School,"  and  subse 
quently  to  a  school  kept  by  the  Rev.  Philip  Holland,  of  Bolton. 
Mr.  Mather's  death  from  low  fever  on  August  23rd,  1785, 
threatened  to  interfere  with  young  Shepherd's  prospects,  but  the 
Rev.  Richard  Godwin,  one  of  Mr.  Mather's  executors,  interested 
himself  in  the  widow  and  her  son.  In  August,  1785,  he  became 
a  student  at  Daventry  Academy,  and  in  September,  I788,3  he 
removed  to  Hackney  New  College.  On  leaving  the  college,  in 
1790,  he  became  tutor  to  the  children  of  the  Rev.  John  Yates, 
with  whom  he  resided  at  Toxteth  Park.  Whilst  here  Dr.  Shep 
herd  took  part  anonymously  in  the  Liverpool  controversy  pre 
viously  mentioned,  publishing  a  little  pamphlet  which  created  quite 
a  stir,  under  the  title  "  Every  Man  his  own  Parson.  A  Dialogue 
between  Timothy  Tightbound,  Aminidab  Prim,  and  Simon 
Search,  occasioned  by  certain  Theological  Publications  in  Liver 
pool."  In  May,  1791,  he  was  invited  to  the  charge  of  the  Gate- 
acre  congregation,  and  was  ordained  pastor  thereof  on  the  4th  of 
August  following.  For  considerably  over  half  a  century  Dr. 
Shepherd  discharged  the  duties  of  minister  in  this  little  retired 
spot.  During  some  part  of  that  time  he  conducted  a  school  at 
the  Nook  for  gentlemen's  sons  ;  and  of  his  pupils  several  rose  to 
prominent  positions  in  society.  Connected  with  this  school  is  a 
touching  incident  which  deserves  recording.  In  1794  the  Rev.  J. 


1  Correct  vol.  iv.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity,"  where  the  Rev. 
Benjamin  Mather  is  called  the  brother  of  the  Rev.  Tatlock  Mather. 

"  Mr.  Mather,  in  a  memorandum  book,  writes  : — "  Billy  Shepherd  was 
entered  at  Mrs.  Holden's  School,  August  28th,  1775." 

3  Mrs.  Shepherd  died  in  September,  1787,  during  her  son's  college 
course.  She  had  lived  for  some  years  with  Mrs.  Hardman,  at  Allerton  Hall, 
where  young  Shepherd  used  to  spend  his  vacations.  Dr.  Shepherd  was 
accustomed  afterwards  to  speak  in  highest  terms  of  this  good  woman's 
generosity. 


204  LANCASHIRE   NONCONFORMITY. 

Joyce,  Dr.  Shepherd's  most  intimate  friend,  was  committed,  along 
with  some  others,  to  the  Tower  of  London,  upon  a  frivolous 
charge  of  high  treason.  In  November  of  that  year  the  accused 
were  set  at  liberty  after  a  seven  months'  imprisonment,  and  shortly 
afterwards  Mr.  Joyce  paid  a  visit  to  his  friend.  "  In  the  following 
May,"  says  Mrs.  Ridyard  in  her  Memoir  of  Dr.  Shepherd,  "  Mr. 
Joyce  came  to  visit  that  dear  friend  who  had  been  so  faithful  to 
him  in  his  hour  of  peril,1  and  for  many  years  afterwards  there 
existed  in  the  schoolroom  at  Gateacre  a  traditionary  account  of 
the  meeting.  The  boys,  most  of  whom  were  the  sons  of  men  of 
Liberal  politics,  were  aware  who  was  the  guest  expected  at  the 
Nook,  and  took  a  lively  interest  in  the  event.  On  the  day  on 
which  he  was  to  arrive  they  saw,  or  fancied  they  saw,  an  unusual 
restlessness  in  the  demeanour  of  Mr.  Shepherd.  They  fixed 
among  themselves  that  one  or  two  should  in  turns  keep  watch  at 
the  extremity  of  their  boundaries  to  give  the  earliest  notice  of  the 
approach  of  a  post  chaise.  Hour  after  hour  passed  on,  for  the 
traveller  was  delayed  much  beyond  the  expected  time.  At  last, 
late  in  the  evening  twilight,  a  vehicle  was  seen  in  the  distance.  The 
excited  sentinels  hurried  back  to  the  house  with  the  welcome  news, 
and  with  a  simultaneous  rush,  master  and  pupils  sped  up  the  little 
lane  leading  to  the  high  road.  The  postillion  was  stopped,  and  the 
awed  and  wondering  boys  looked  on  in  silence  when  they  saw  the 
two  strong  men,  whose  nerves  had  never  quailed  before  oppres 
sion,  grasp  each  other's  hands  and  sob  like  children."  Dr.  Shep 
herd's  literary  tastes  may  be  seen  not  alone  in  the  books  which  he 
gave  to  the  world,  but  in  the  fact  that  his  society  was  sought  by  men 
of  highest  reputation  and  learning.  When  the  assizes  were 
removed  to  Liverpool  Her  Majesty's  judges  were  accustomed  to 
drive  down  to  the  Nook  at  Gateacre  to  enjoy  the  old  minister's 
delightful  company.  He  died  in  1847,  and  upon  his  tombstone 
in  Gateacre  Chapel  yard  is  the  following  beautiful  inscription  : — 


i  Dr.  Shepherd  had  been  accustomed  to  go  to  the  Tower  in  the  hope  of 
seeing  his  friend,  and  when  refused  admission  he  would  stand  for  hours 
upon  the  wharf  in  front  of  the  Tower  that  the  prisoner  might  derive 
comfort  from  the  sight. 


WARM  EULOGIES.  205 

The  Rev.  WILLIAM   SHEPHERD,  LL.D., 
For  56  years  Pastor  to  the  Congregation  assembling  in  this  Chapel. 

Died  2ist  July,  1847.     Aged  78  years. 
Humane  and  generous,  learned,  good,  and  wise, 
Here  midst  his  flock  the  faithtul  Shepherd  lies  ; 
For  fifty  years  and  six  he  show'd  the  way 
Which  leads  from  this  dark  world  to  endless  day. 
For  fifty  years  and  six,  with  voice  and  pen, 
He  labour'd  boldly  for  his  fellow-men  ; 
For  peace  and  freedom  toil'd  with  earnest  zeal, 
And  felt  for  misery  all  that  good  men  feel. 
A  wit,  a  poet,  more,  a  man  lies  here 
Who  in  the  cause  of  truth  \vas  void  of  fear, 
Who,  cast  upon  a  persecuting  age, 
Rebuk'd  oppression  and  the  bigot's  rage. 
O  reader,  stay,  and  bless  the  brave  man's  name, 
Then  to  thy  work  and  emulate  his  fame. 

In  the  year  1851  the  congregation,  assisted  by  friends  and 
admirers,  erected  a  handsome  marble  tablet  to  his  memory,  sur 
mounted  by  a  bust  of  Dr.  Shepherd,  inside  the  chapel.  The 
inscription  upon  this  monument  is  from  the  pen  of  his  friend,  Lord 
Brougham,  and  is  as  follows  : — 

Sacred  to  the  Memory  of 
WILLIAM    SHEPHERD,  LL.D., 
for  fifty-six  years  minister  of  this 
Chapel.     A  man  of  undeviating  in 
tegrity  in  all  the  relations  of  life  ; 
an  accomplished  scholar  and  clas 
sical  writer,  conversant  with 
Ancient  and  modern  languages,  well 
versed  in  the  literature  of  both. 
Eminent  for  his  wit,  which  was 
original  and  racy,  of  remarkable 
sagacity  in  judging  of  men 
and  things.     A  staunch  sup- 
porter  of  constitutional  free 
dom.     The  undaunted  enemy 
of  oppression  and  abuse. 
A  formidable  adversary  when  his 
principles  were  assailed.     A 
warm  and  steadfast  friend  at  all 
times,  towards  deserving  objects 
generous  beyond  his  means. 


206  LANCASHIRE  NONCONFORMITY. 

Devoting  his  life  to 
the  useful  and  honourable  office 
of  teaching,  and  the  sacred 
duties  of  his  pastoral  calling. 

Revered  by  his  flock, 

Beloved  by  his  friends, 

Respected  by  all. 
Born  Oct.  nth,  1768.     Died  July  2ist,  1847. 

In  1845  Dr.  Shepherd's  age  and  infirmities  pointed  to  the  need  of 
assistance,  and  the  Rev.  Lewis  Lewis  became  his  colleague  in 
the  pastorate.  He  was  born  April  ipth,  1792,  educated  first  at 


GATEACRE     OLD     CHAPEL. 


Carmarthen,  then  at  Manchester  New  College,  York.  He  was 
minister  at  Crediton,  1814-16;  Dorchester,  1816-36;  Shepton 
Mallet,  1837-42  ;  Cheltenham,  1842-46;  and  at  Gateacre,  1846-48. 
In  September  of  the  latter  year  he  resigned  and  took  no  other 
settled  charge.  He  died  in  London,  October  i3th,  1870.  The  Rev. 
Noah  Jones  entered  upon  his  labours  as  successor  on  Sunday, 
October  ist,  1848.  He  was  born  at  Etruria,  in  Staffordshire, 


BELL   AND   BELFRY.  207 

January  i3th,  iSoi,1  and  was  the  nephew  of  the  Rev.  Noah  Hill, 
Congregational  minister.  He  was  intended  for  the  Congregational 
ministry,  and  received  his  training  at  Wymondley  College.  Previous 
to  his  settlement  at  Gateacre  he  held  charges,  amongst  other 
places,  at  Walmsley  and  Bolton.  He  continued  his  ministry  at 
Gateacre  until  his  death  on  August  28th,  1861,  and  was  interred  at 
Rivington.  The  Rev.  George  Beaumont,  educated  at  the  Unitarian 
Home  Missionary  College,  Manchester,  and  for  a  few  years  in 
charge  of  the  North  End  Mission,  Liverpool,  entered  upon  his 
duties  as  successor  to  Mr.  Jones  on  Easter  Sunday,  April  5th, 
1863,  and  still  holds  the  pastorate. 

Gateacre  Chapel  is  one  of  the  few  old  Nonconformist  structures 
which  have  not  given  way  to  more  modern  ones.  In  appearance 
it  is  still  very  primitive,  though  some  alterations  have  been  effected 
in  it  during  the  flight  of  the  years.  Whilst  recent  improve 
ments  were  being  made,  which  led  to  the  old  belfry  being  taken 
down,  it  was  noted  that  the  bell,  on  the  upper  part  of  the  interior, 
had  inscribed  upon  it  the  following  : — 

"Come  away,  make  no  delay.     A.  R.  1723." 

Upon  it,  also,  was  a  small  figure  of  a  carved  head  and  a  spray  of 
foliage  resembling  ivy  leaves.  "  On  removing  the  plaster  from 
the  walls,"  says  Mr.  Thornely,  "  the  remains  of  the  timbers  which 
used  to  support  the  roof  were  discovered,  about  3ft.  3in.  below 
the  top  of  the  present  wall,  and  when  a  portion  of  the  ivy  which 
covered  the  west  end  of  the  chapel  was  removed  the  wall  showed 
clearly  the  line  of  the  old  gable,  which  was  very  considerably 
lower  than  at  the  present  time.  The  roof  was  probably  raised  to 
i's  present  height  when  the  gallery  at  the  west  end  was  put  in.  It 
is  not  improbable  that  the  date  1723  upon  the  bell  points  also  to 
the  time  when  this  alteration  took  place."  It  only  remains  to  be 
said  that  the  congregation  is  Unitarian,  and  has  been  so  at  least 
since  the  days  of  the  Rev.  John  Edwards. 

1  Vide  vol.  iii.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity,"  where  correct  January 
3ist,  as  above. 


2o8  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 


II(_WOOLTON     AND     GARSTON     CONGREGATIONAL 
CHURCHES. 

IN  February,  1819,  Corigregationalists  commenced  operations  in 
Woolton,  "a  considerable  village  six  miles  S.E.  of  Liverpool." 
The  County  Union  at  its  meeting  of  the  previous  year  had  granted 
£40  for  the  purpose,  in  the  hope  that  it  would  soon  be  an  im 
portant  centre  in  that  part  of  the  county.  A  schoolroom  capable  of 
seating  about  120  persons  was  opened  by  the  Rev.  Charles  Whit- 
worth,  a  student  from  Idle  Academy,  on  the  first  Sunday  in 
February.  In  the  morning  forty  persons  were  present,  in  the 
afternoon  double  that  number,  and  during  the  month  the  congre 
gation  increased  to  such  an  extent  that  the  room  was  usually  well 
filled  in  the  morning,  and  in  the  evening  more  came  than  could 
obtain  admission.  A  Sunday  School  was  shortly  afterwards 
established,  and  altogether  the  interest  speedily  assumed  a 
promising  aspect.  Mr.  Whit  worth  was  engaged  "  to  make  a  trial 
of  this  station  for  two  years,"  and,  assisted  by  Mr.  Robert 
Brown,  of  Prescot,  he  was  able  to  extend  his  labours  to  that 
place.  It  is  also  recorded  that  in  1820  he  preached  every 
Friday  evening  at  Garston,  "a  village  two  miles  from  Woolton  ;" 
and  in  the  same  year  a  church  was  formed  at  Woolton  con 
sisting  of  seven  persons  besides  the  minister  and  his  wife,  Dr. 
Raffles  and  the  Rev.  P.  S.  Charrier  assisting  in  the  service. 
Mr.  Whitworth  did  not  remain  beyond  the  two  years,  and  the 
County  Union  Report  ending  April,  1822,  states  that  "unpleasant 
circumstances"  had  "caused  the  interest  to  droop  at  Woolton," 
but  that  the  committee  were  "  making  considerable  exertions 
to  promote  its  revival."  Mr.  Whitworth  subsequently  laboured  at 
Shelley,  in  Yorkshire.  The  Rev.  John  Holroyd,  also  a  student 
from  Idle  Academy,  is  said,  in  the  County  Union  Report  ending 
April,  1823,  to  have  laboured  at  Woolton  the  greater  part  of  the 
last  year.  He  laments,  however,  that  whilst  at  Woolton  itself  "in 
general "  he  had  had  as  many  hearers  as  the  small  place  could 
accommodate,  he  had  not  met  with  "much  encouragement  in 
the  surrounding  villages."  Mr.  Holroyd's  stay  was  even  briefer 
than  that  of  his  predecessor.  His  subsequent  pastorates  were  at 


CONGREGATIONALISM  AT  WOOLTON.         209 

Delph  and  Denton.1  Members  from  "different  churches  in 
Liverpool  "  favoured  the  friends  at  Woolton  with  their  "  acceptable 
services,"  and  Knotty  Ash  was  associated  with  it  as  a  preaching 
station  where  "  three  zealous  young  persons  "  conducted  services. 
In  the  Report  ending  April,  1826,  both  stations  are  described  as 
very  encouraging,  but  that  is  the  last  time  they  are  mentioned,  and 
the  effort  to  plant  Congregationalism  here  seems  to  have  been 
abandoned  for  a  time.  To  the  Congregational  Church  at 
Wavertree  belongs  the  honour  of  making  the  second  and  more 
successful  attempt  to  establish  a  Congregational  interest  at 
Woolton.  Under  its  auspices  services  were  conducted  several 
years  in  a  hired  room  previous  to  the  erection  of  the  present 
chapel  in  1865.  The  Rev.  E.  K.  Evans,  from  Ancoats,2  held  the 
pastorate  from  1863  to  1865.  After  leaving  Woolton  Mr.  Evans 
was  pastor  for  some  time  of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Frees, 
Shropshire,  but  latterly  he  devoted  himself  exclusively  to  scholastic 
work  at  Chiswick  where  he  died  June  23rd,  1893,  aged  sixty-two 
years.  On  March  25th,  1864,  R.  Alison,  Esq.,  of  Woolton  Keys, 
who  had  given  the  site,  laid  the  foundation  stone  of  the  present 
chapel,  "  which  forms  a  picturesque  object  in  the  surrounding 
landscape,  its  graceful  outline  and  elegant  tower  and  spire 
being  visible  from  some  distance."  The  cost  of  the  sacred 
edifice  was  about  ,£3,250,  towards  which  the  Bicentenary  Com 
mittee  promised  ^400,  and  the  sitting  accommodation  is  for  450 
persons.  The  opening  services  took  place  on  November  23rd, 
1865,  when  the  Revs.  John  Kelly  and  E.  Mellor,  M.A.,  were  the 
preachers.  On  the  following  Sunday  the  services  were  conducted 
by  the  Revs.  E.  Hassan  and  E.  Giles.  The  church  was  formally 
constituted  on  January  8th,  1867,  the  Rev.  E.  Mellor,  M.A., 
presiding  on  the  occasion,  and  in  the  same  month  the  Rev. 
William  Davies,  B.A.,  a  student  from  Lancashire  College,  who  had 
been  labouring  here  a  few  months,  was  ordained  to  the  pastorate. 
Mr.  Davies  continued  a  useful  ministry  here  until  death  called  him 
away  on  June  2nd,  1893.  The  pulpit  is  now  vacant.  It  deserves 
to  be  recorded  that  this  is  one  of  those  churches  which  has  never 
been  dependent  upon  the  help  of  the  County  Union. 

1  Vide  vol.  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

2  Ibid. 

6 — 14 


2 1  o  LA  A  CASH  IRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

It  has  been  already  noted  that  preaching  services  were  held 
at  Garston  for  a  short  time  eighty  years  ago,  but  the  present 
Congregational  Church  is  barely  twenty  years  old.  The 
"  Lancashire  Congregational  Calendar  "  for  1875-6  says  of 
Garston : — 

In  this  populous  district  a  few  earnest  men  have  hired  a  private  room,  in 
which  a  Sunday  School  has  been  conducted  and  the  Gospel  preached.  A 
grant  at  the  rate  of  ^30  a  year  was  voted  at  the  last  annual  meeting  but 
only  half  the  amount  has  been  applied  for.  A  church  has  not  yet  been  con 
stituted.  There  is  an  average  congregation  of  fifty  persons  on  Sabbath 
evenings,  and  in  the  Sunday  School  there  are  ten  teachers  and  seventy-six 
scholars. 

In  November,  1876,  a  church  was  formed  consisting  of  sixteen 
members  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  H.  E.  Martin,  from 
Golborne,1  and  the  following  year  the  Union  granted  the  sum  of 
j£ioo  towards  the  support  of  the  cause.  Mr.  Martin  resigned  in 
1879,  and  is  now  resident  without  charge  at  Liscard.  In  the 
same  year  the  Rev.  T.  Cole,  a  student  from  Carmarthen  College, 
became  the  minister.  In  1883  the  present  school  chapel,  with 
accommodation  for  300  persons,  was  opened  free  from  debt  The 
cost  was  about  ,£2,370,  including  the  site,  towards  which  the 
Liverpool  Chapel  Building  Society  gave  ^300.  The  "  Calendar," 
which  announces  the  fact,  says  that  the  prospects  of  the  place  are 
"  most  hopeful,"  that  with  "  a  pleasant  and  comely  building,  an 
earnest  and  beloved  minister,  and  a  united  people,  progress  and 
usefulness  are,  by  God's  blessing,  assured."  The  following  year 
(1885)  the  church  intimated  that  henceforth  it  would  be  able  to 
do  without  assistance  from  the  Union  Funds.  Mr.  Cole  is  still  the 
respected  pastor  of  the  church. 

1  Vide  vol.  iv.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


THE  REV.   THOMAS  SLEIGH. 


211 


III.—  WAVERTREE    AND    STANLEY    CONGREGATIONAL 
CHURCHES. 

WAVERTREE  Congregational  Church  originated  with  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Sleigh,  who,  coming  to  reside  in  the  neighbourhood  in 
1836,  opened  his  house  for  religious  worship,  and  afterwards 
obtained  a  large  room  in  the  village.  Mr.  Sleigh  had  been 
educated  for  the  ministry  at  Hoxton  Academy,  and  was  ordained 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Newcastle-under-Lyme, 
Staffordshire,  in  1811.  After  a  "fruitful  and  helpful  ministry," 
extending  over  twenty-seven  years,  he  retired  to  Wavertree, 
and,  as  already  stated,  commenced  religious  services,  out  of  which 
the  present  church  has  grown.  In  December,  1838,  he  laid  the 
foundation  stone  of  Trinity  Chapel,  Hunter  Lane,  which 
was  completed  and  opened  for  worship  on  Tuesday,  October  ist, 
of  the  year  following.  The  preachers  on  the  occasion  were  the 
Revs.  Dr.  Raffles  and  James  Hill  (late  of  Oxford).  "  Deep  im 
pressions  were  produced,"  says  the  Evangelical  Magazine  for 
1839,  "and  the  most  lively  feeling  excited  for  the  future  prosperity 
of  this  newly-formed  interest.  The  congregations  were  large,  and 
the  collections  considerable."1  A  church  was  formed  in  1841,  and 
Mr.  Sleigh  continued  his  useful  labours  until  1848,  when  he 
removed  to  Bulford,  in  Wiltshire.  He  died  at  Birkenhead,  where 
he  had  been  resident  without  charge,  on  March  lyth,  1862, 
aged  eighty-one  years.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  J.  Edwards 
who  held  the  pastorate  fron  1848  to  1851.  The  Rev.  Ninian 
Wight  followed.  He  was  educated  at  Highbury  College,  and 
laboured  for  five  years  at  Blackfriars  Street,  Aberdeen,  whence 
he  removed  to  Wavertree  in  1852.  In  1858  he  removed 
to  Carlisle,  thence  to  Edinburgh,  and  is  now  resident  without 
charge  at  Harrogate.  The  Rev.  W.  C.  Stallybrass,  educated  at 
Glasgow,  and  formerly  minister  at  Douglas,  Isle  of  Man, 
succeeded  Mr.  Wight  in  1858.  He  resigned  in  1861,  and 
subsequently  laboured  at  Peckham.  He  is  now  resident 
without  charge  at  Sandy  Knowe,  Wallasey,  Cheshire.  The 
next  minister  was  the  Rev.  E.  Hassan,  a  student  from  New 
College,  who  assumed  the  pastorate  in  1862.  From  the  "  Church 
Manual"  for  1879  the  following  extract  is  taken  : — 

1  Page   550. 


212  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

Relieved  of  the  responsibility  with  respect  to  Woolton,  the  church  was 
forced  to  consider  the  pressing  need  of  increased  accommodation  for  the 
congregation  at  Trinity  Chapel.  Within  the  last  ten  years  three  successive 
enlargements  of  the  chapel  have  been  effected.  The  first,  erection  of  a  new 
front  to  the  chapel,  increasing  its  length,  and  the  putting  up  of  galleries, 
completed  April,  1868  ;  the  second,  building  of  new  organ  chamber,  new 
class  rooms,  vestry,  &c.,  ready  for  use  in  February,  1873  ;  and  the  last, 
repewing  of  the  entire  area  of  chapel  and  the  raising  of  the  ceiling  about 
five  feet,  finished  September,  1875.  The  total  cost  of  these  alterations  was 
about  ^£4,000. 

In  1887  Mr.  Hassan  removed  to  Salisbury,  where  he  is  still 
labouring;  and  in  March,  1888,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Owen,  from 
Cannon  Street,  Preston,1  became  his  successor.  Mr.  Owen  removed 
to  Swansea  in  1893,  and  the  pulpit  at  Wavertree  is  still  vacant. 
Trinity  Chapel,  "  a  neat  and  beautiful  edifice,  built  of  stone  and 
of  the  Gothic  order,"  as  opened  more  than  fifty  years  ago,  is  a 
much  larger  and  more  imposing  structure  to-day.  The  enlarge 
ments  which  it  has  repeatedly  undergone  have  given  a  sitting 
accommodation  for  750  persons.  Connected  with  the  church  is 
an  important  mission  in  Wellington  Road,  concerning  which  the 
manual  for  1879,  previously  named,  says  : — 

In  the  course  of  the  period  named  [the  last  ten  years]  work  long  carried 
on  in  Wellington  Road  increased  to  such  an  extent  as  to  render  the  erection 
of  suitable  buildings  an  absolute  necessity.  A  definite  proposal  in  this 
direction  was  made  at  the  annual  church  meeting,  January  3ist,  1877,  and 
nearly  ^1,000  promised  at  once  towards  the  undertaking.  The  memorial 
stone  of  the  Sunday  School  and  Mission  Rooms  was  laid  by  Mr.  John  Blyth, 
24th  April,  1878,  and  the  buildings  were  opened  in  the  month  of  October 
following.  The  cost  of  the  buildings  and  furniture  was  ^3,000. 

Stanley  Congregational  Church  arose  out  of  cottage  preaching 
in  1853,  the  preachers  coming  principally  from  Crescent  Church 
and  Great  George  Street  Church,  amongst  whom  may  be  named 
Messrs.  C.  R.  Hall,  R.  Radcliffe,  and  Sir  J.  A.  Picton.  A  school 
chapel  was  erected  in  1855,  and  the  County  Union  Report,  ending 
April  1858,  says  :— 

The  aspect  of  things  here  is  very  cheering ;  both  the  congregation  and  the 
Sabbath  School  are  prosperous.  The  progress  already  made  supplies  a 
ground  for  hope  that  much  success  will  follow  the  prayerful  efforts  which  are 
put  forth  in  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer  at  this  interesting  station. 

1  Vide  vol.  i.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


THE  REV.   GEORGE  LORD.  213 

The  Rev.  C.  Green,  educated  at  New  College,  London,  and 
who  had  previously  laboured  a  few  years  at  the  Barbican,  London, 
became  the  minister  in  1857.  In  the  following  year  a  church  was 
formed,  and  in  1859  Mr.  Green  resigned,  shortly  afterwards  going 
into  the  Established  Church.  In  the  autumn  of  that  year  the 
Rev.  William  Sanders,  a  student  from  Rotherham  College,  accepted 
an  invitation  to  the  pastorate,  and  was  ordained  November  yth, 
1859.  In  1863  Mr.  Sanders  resigned.  He  subsequently  held 
pastorates  at  Knottingley  and  Shepherd's  Bush,  and  is  now  resident 
without  charge  at  Westbourne  Park,  London.  The  Rev.  George 
Lord,  a  student  from  Airedale  College,  was  the  next  minister.  He 
began  his  labours  in  1863,  and  almost  immediately  the  work  of 
erecting  a  new  chapel,  which,  from  the  commencement  of  the 
interest  had  been  felt  necessary,  was  taken  in  hand.  The  building 
was  completed  and  opened  for  public  worship  November  gth,  1865, 
by  Dr.  Joseph  Parker,  of  London.  The  cost  was  about  ,£3,800, 
towards  which  the  Bicentenary  Committee  gave  £700.  The  sitting 
accommodation  is  for  750  persons.  In  possession  of  their  new 
house  pastor  and  people  no  longer  needed  assistance  from  the 
County  Union  Funds,  but  began  to  be  generous  contributors.  Mr. 
Lord  has  remained  with  his  first  charge  until  the  present  day,  dis 
charging  his  duties  with  an  efficiency  which  has  been  rewarded  by 
encouraging  growth  in  his  church.  An  enthusiast  for  church 
extension  he  has  ever  been  found  willing  to  serve  the  Lancashire 
Congregational  Union  in  any  capacity,  and  his  brethren  in  the 
ministry  expressed  their  affection  and  respect  for  him  by  calling  him 
to  the  Chair  of  that  Union  in  1893.  Along  with  the  Rev.  James 
Allatt,  of  Newton-le- Willows,  and  the  Rev.  John  Chater,  of  Southport, 
Mr.  Lord  enjoys  the  position  of  senior  minister  in  the  Liverpool 
District.  On  the  completion  of  his  twenty-first  year's  pastorate  his 
people  commemorated  the  event  by  church  extension  at  Knotty  Ash. 
A  Sunday  School  had  been  taught  here  for  some  time  and  services 
conducted,  first  in  a  cottage,  and  then  in  the  upper  room  of  a 
laundry.  On  November  9th,  1884,  a  substantial  school  chapel,  with 
accommodation  for  about  200  persons,  was  opened.  The  cost, 
including  class-rooms  and  chapel-keeper's  house,  was  about  £2,000, 
and  the  building  was  opened  free  from  debt.  There  is  a  good 
congregation  here,  with  a  vigorous  Sunday  School.  In  1889  the  old 


214  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

school  chapel  erected  in  1855,  was  taken  down,  and  Stanley  New 
Schools  and  Gymnasium  were  erected.  Nine  years  previous  seven 
class  rooms  and  a  large  room  for  infants  had  been  built  at  a  cost  of 
.£1,030;  these  form  part  of  the  new  structure,  which  consists  of 
sixteen  rooms.  The  cost  was  about  ,£2,300,  which  was  met  by 
the  opening  day.  In  1891  mission  work  was  commenced  at  the 
Old  Swan.  Suitable  premises  have  been  secured  capable  of  seat 
ing  about  120  persons.  A  Sunday  School  has  been  gathered,  and 
Sunday  evening  services  are  held  with  satisfactory  results.  Mr. 
Lord  has  had  associated  with  him  in  his  work  since  1887  the  Rev. 
J.  W.  Walker,  B.A.,  formerly  of  Huyton,1  who  devotes  his  labours 
mainly  to  the  cause  at  Knotty  Ash. 


IV.— WALTON,   RICE   LANE,  AND   BOOTLE   CONGREGATIONAL 

CHURCHES. 

IN  our  survey  of  suburban  Nonconformity  we  have  come  to  a 
district  north  of  Liverpool  which  is  deeply  interesting.  The  Con 
gregational  interests  are  only  a  few  years  old,  but  we  are  in  a 
neighbourhood  made  holy  by  the  pious  labours  of  a  number 
of  ejected  ministers,  who  deserve  at  least  a  brief  notice. 
Taking  Calamy  as  our  guide,  it  appears  that  the  Rev.  William 
Aspinwall  was  ejected  from  Maghull  in  1662,  that  he  removed 
to  a  farm  in  Yorkshire  after  his  ejection,  and  afterwards  settled 
with  a  dissenting  congregation  in  Cockermouth.  The  Rev.  John 
Mallinson,  ejected  from  Mailing,  was  born  at  Rastrick,  in  York 
shire,  and  educated  at  Oxford.  He  had  several  children,  and  died 
poor,  in  May,  1685,  aged  seventy-five.  The  Rev.  Nehemiah 
Ambrose,  ejected  from  Kirby,  or  Kirkby,  was  probably  related  to 
the  Rev.  Isaac  Ambrose,  of  Preston.  His  will,  dated  September 
2nd,  1668,  describes  him  as  of  Toxteth  Park ;  mentions  Hannah, 
his  wife ;  Nathaniel,  Judith,  and  Hannah,  his  children ;  and  his 
"  natural  brother  Joshua  Ambrose,"  some  time  vicar  of  Childwall. 
The  Rev.  Joseph  Thompson,  ejected  from  Sefton,  was  born  at 
Wigan  and  educated  at  Oxford.  He  has  already  been  named  as 

1  Vide  vol.  iv.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


HENR  Y  FINCH  AND  ROBERT  EA TON.         2 1 5 

one  of  the  ministers  at  Liverpool  in  the  days  of  the  Common 
wealth.1  Walton-on-the-Hill  provided  two  ejected  ministers,  the 
Rev.  Robert  Eaton,  rector,  and  the  Rev.  Henry  Finch,  vicar. 
Concerning  Mr.  Eaton,  who  was  rector  at  Walton  in  1656,  the 
reader  will  find  full  information  in  the  account  of  Stand  Chapel,2 
where  he  subsequently  laboured  until  his  death  in  1701.  In  the 
Walton  Parish  Registers  is  the  following  notice  of  the  baptism  of 
his  son,  Samuel  Eaton,  who  succeeded  him  in  the  ministry  at 
Stand  Chapel  :— 

Anno  1657. 

Samuel  Eaton,  son  of  Mr-  Robert  Eaton,  Parson  of  Walton.     Born  Jan. 
i6th,  Saturday,  at  night.     Baptized  Jan.  24th,  1657.     Ibid. 

HEN;  FINCH,  Vicr- 

Mr.  Finch,  who  was  born  in  the  parish  of  Standish,  and  "acquired 
a  considerable  exactness  both  in  Latin  and  Greek  "  at  Wigan  and 
Standish  Schools,  became  vicar  of  Walton  in  1654.  The  following 
entries  relating  to  Mr.  Finch,  in  the  Walton  Parish  Registers,  have 
been  kindly  supplied  by  Mr.  F.  Musker,  Parish  Clerk  :— 

Memedu.     That  Hen:  Finch  Borne  in  the  parish  of  Standish  anno:  1633. 
Baptized  7be  8th.     Succeeded  Mr.  Nevill  Kaye  in  the  vicaridge  of  Walton. 
1654,  July  3oth. 

HEN:  FINCHE, 

Will  Rydinge  de  Derby, 

Churchwarden. 

Hen:  Finch  marryed  Mary  Hammond  of  Warrington  Octr-  uth  1659. 
Maria,  fil  Hen:  Finch  nat.  3°  die  July  circa  hor:  8  ante  merid:  Baptiz:  8° 
die  ejus  de  mensis  anno  dmni  1660  and  redit  Regis  Caroli  2di  post  exil   imo 
Regni  i2mo- 

1660. 

Mary  daughter  of  Hen:  Finch  vie.    de  Walton.     Borne   July   3rd  about 
eight  or  nine  of  the  clocke  in  the  morning  1660. 
Baptised  July  the  8th,  1660. 

1662. 

Tabitha  fil:  Hen:  Finch  vie.  de  Walton,  nat.  vicessimo  sexto  die   Marcii 
mitehor  octav  ante  meridie.     Baptizat:  sexto  die  April. 

Anno  Septimo.     Vicariatus  HEN:  FINCH. 

1  Vide  ante  p.  61. 

2  Vide  vol.  iii.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity."     It  should  be  noted  that 
in  previous  volumes  Walton  near  Liverpool  is  confused  with  Walton  near 
Preston.      The     indefinite   statements    of    previous  writers    on    Lancashire 
Nonconformity  was  the  cause  of  this. 


2i6  LANCASHIRE   NONCONFORMITY. 

After  his  ejection  Mr.  Finch  became  the  minister  of  Birch  Chapel, 
Manchester,  and  originated  Nonconformity  in  that  district.  He 
died  in  1704,  aged  seventy-one  years.1  His  son,  the  Rev.  Peter 
Finch,  was  one  of  the  earliest  of  the  Rev.  Richard  Frankland's 
students,  and  was  a  Dissenting  minister  at  Norwich  for  about  sixty 
years.  He  died  in  1754,  aged  ninety-one  years. 

Congregationalism  in  Walton  began  on  July  loth,  1870,  with 
services  conducted  in  the  room  of  an  uninhabited  house  in  Walton 
Park.  A  school  chapel  was  opened  on  April  3oth,  1871.  The 
cost,  including  furnishing,  and  3,000  yards  of  freehold  land,  was 
^1,566  6s.  7d.  Subsequent  enlargements  have  brought  this  amount 
to  ,£2,830  8s.  7|-d.,  towards  which  the  Lancashire  and  Cheshire 
Chapel  Building  Society  has  given  £200,  and  the  Liverpool 
Chapel  Building  Society  ^260.  The  sitting  accommodation, 
when  the  Chapel  was  first  erected,  was  for  200  persons.  In  1871, 
a  church  was  formed  consisting  of  fifteen  members,  and  the  Rev. 
J.  W.  Clark,  from  Ulverston,  accepted  the  pastorate  for  three 
years  in  August,  1872.  The  "Lancashire  Congregational 
Calendar"  for  1875-76,  says: — 

The  chapel  has  been  increased  to  about  double  its  original  size  at  an 
outlay  of  nearly  ^900.  Of  this  amount  one-half  has  been  subscribed  and 
the  other  borrowed. 

At  the  expiration  of  the  three  years,  during  which  Mr.  Clark 
agreed  to  hold  the  pastorate,  the  church  and  congregation  unani 
mously  invited  him  to  continue  his  services.  He  accepted  the 
invitation  and  remained  until  October,  1880,  when  he  removed  to 
Burnley.2  The  Rev.  J.  H.  Ferguson,  M.A.,  a  student  from 
Lancashire  College,  began  his  duties  as  minister  on  February  i3th, 
1 88 1.  The  new  pastorate  was  attended  with  so  much  success  that 
the  following  year  the  church  was  able  to  dispense  with  the 
assistance  from  the  Union  Funds,  which  had  been  generously 
given  to  it  from  the  commencement  of  the  interest.  Mr.  Ferguson 
still  exercises  a  useful  ministry  here. 

1  Vide  vol.  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

2  Vide  vols.  i.  and  ii.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


CONGREGATIONALISM  AT   BOOTLE. 


217 


The  Rev.  L.  Weaver  in  1890,  began  to  conduct  services  in  a 
Mission  Hali,  formerly  a  Police  Station,  in  Rice  Lane,  Walton. 
The  room  has  accommodation  for  200  persons.  The  station  is 
in  charge  of  a  special  committee  of  the  Liverpool  Ministers  and 


EMMANUEL  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH 
BOOTLE 


Deacons'  Association.      A  small  grant  is  made  from  the  County 
Union  Funds,  and   Mr.   Weaver  still   ministers  here. 

In  1871  the  Liverpool  District  meeting  of  the  Lancashire  Con 
gregational  Union  resolved  to  hire  a  room  in  Itootle,  and  to 
commence  divine  service  in  this  populous  suburb  of  Liverpool. 


218  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

Accordingly,  on  the  151)1  of  October,  1871,  the  Assembly  Room 
was  opened  as  a  temporary  place  of  meeting.  On  the  1/j.th 
of  November,  1872,  a  church  was  formed,  twenty  members  from 
various  neighbouring  churches  being  enrolled,  the  Rev.  George 
Lord,  of  Stanley,  presiding.  In  December,  1872,  the  Rev.  G.  P. 
Jarvis,  educated  at  Hackney,  and  who  had  laboured  for  some 
years  in  Limerick,  became  the  pastor  of  the  newly-formed  church, 
but  his  health  failing,  he  resigned  in  June,  1874.  Subsequently 
he  became  the  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Dunmow, 
Essex  ;  his  present  pastorate  being  at  High  Wycom'be,  Bucks.  The 
number  of  church  members  increasing,  it  was  resolved  to  build, 
and  an  excellent  site  for  the  purpose  was  obtained.  In  October, 

1874,  the  foundation  stone  of  Emmanuel  Congregational  Church, 
Bootle,  was  laid  by  the  late  Sir  James  A.  Picton. 

In  1875  tne  Rev.  Thos.  Dunlop,  who  was  educated  in  the 
University  of  Edinburgh  and  who  had  been  for  several  years 
co-pastor  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Peddie,  of  the  United  Presby 
terian  Church  in  Bristo  Street,  Edinburgh,  resigned  his  charge 
there  with  the  intention  of  emigrating  to  the  United  States. 
While  waiting  for  the  sailing  of  the  steamer  in  which  he  had 
engaged  his  passage,  he  was  asked  to  preach  by  the  Bootle 
Congregational  Church,  and  his  services  were  so  much  appreciated 
that  he  was  requested  to  preach  on  the  following  Sunday.  The 
result  was  a  unanimous  call  to  the  pastorate,  and  in  October, 

1875,  Mr.  Dunlop  commenced  his  labours  as  the  second  minister 
of  the  church.     The  handsome  building  in  which  the  church  now 
worships  has  accommodation  for  750  persons,  cost  about  ,£7,500, 
and  was  opened  in  February,   1876,  when  further  assistance  from 
the  funds  of  the  County  Union  was  no  longer  asked. 

Adjoining  the  church  commodious  schools  have  been  erected 
containing  a  fine  hall  for  the  general  school,  about  twenty  class 
rooms,  and  an  infant  schoolroom.  These  were  opened  in 
December,  1878,  the  cost  being  about  £4,500.  The  members 
on  the  Church  roll  on  ist  January,  1893,  were  417,  and  the 
contributions  to  outside  objects  in  1892  exceeded  £500. 

A  substantial  and  beautiful  Mission  Hall  has  been  erected  by 
the  Bootle  congregation  in  Marsh  Street,  Kirkdale,  for  the  benefit 
of  a  populous  district  not  far  from  the  Bootle  church.  This  hall 


CONGREGATIONALISM  AT   WATERLOO.       219 

cost  rather  more  than  ,£1,800,  and  was  opened  in  August,  1886, 
when  a  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  A.  Mearns.  The 
Mission  is  conducted  by  the  Rev.  \V.  Thomas,  and  with  the  large 
Mission  Sunday  School  is  in  a  very  prosperous  condition.  Mr. 
Dunlop  is  still  the  respected  pastor  of  the  church. 


V.— WATERLOO,    SEAFORTH,    AND    CROSBY  CONGREGA 
TIONAL    CHURCHES. 

AT  Waterloo,  a  town  of  recent  date,  situated  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Mersey,  six  miles  from  Liverpool,  Congregational  worship  was 
commenced  in  a  small  hired  chapel  about  1855  by  the  Rev.  T. 
Sleigh,  formerly  of  Wavertree,  and  then  resident  in  the  neighbour 
hood.  He  resigned  his  oversight  of  the  place  in  1857,  and  the 
County  Union  Report,  ending  April,  1860,  gives  the  following, 
its  first  notice  of  the  station  : 

The  building  in  which  the  congregation  at  present  meets  is  held  on  a 
yearly  rent,  and  is  wholly  unequal  to  the  demands  of  this  important  locality. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Walker,  formerly  of  Tideswell,  is  working  with  much  zeal 
and  earnestness,  and  well  deserves  the  support  and  encouragement  which  he 
so  much  needs.  An  effort  is  in  progress  for  the  erection  of  a  new  chapel, 
which  is  indispensable  to  any  reasonable  prospect  of  success.  It  is  high  time 
that  the  reproach  which,  as  a  denomination,  we  have  incurred  here,  as  in 
many  other  watering  places,  for  the  want  of  a  suitable  place  for  public  wor 
ship,  should  as  speedily  as  possible  be  removed. 

The  Rev.  G.  K.  Walker,  mentioned  in  the  preceding  extract, 
was  educated  at  Cotton  End,  and  removed  from  Tideswell,  in 
Derbyshire,  to  Waterloo,  in  1858.  In  1864  he  became  the  pastor 
of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Middlewich,  and  is  now  resident 
without  charge  at  Egremont,  Cheshire.  The  "  Lancashire  Con 
gregational  Calendar"  for  1866-67,  says:— 

None  of  the  grant  voted  last  year  has  been  applied,  and  the  committee  of 
management  believe  that,  with  a  little  extra  effort,  they  shall  be  able  to 
meet  all  claims  without  further  help.  It  is  sincerely  hoped  that,  when  their 
beautiful  new  chapel  is  completed,  they  may  realise  the  success  at  present 
anticipated. 

That  "success  "was  realised,  and  no  further  grant  was  sought 
from  the  Union  Funds.  The  chapel  was  opened  for  worship 


220  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

in  1866.  It  is  Gothic  in  style,  treated  so  as  to  "secure  adaptation 
to  the  purpose  in  view."  It  has  sitting  accommodation  for 
630  persons,  and  cost  with  land,  organ,  interior  fittings,  school 
room,  lecture  hall,  and  classrooms,  about  ^6,500,  towards  which 
the  Bicentenary  Committee  granted  ^500.  After  Mr.  Walker's 
removal  no  minister  was  appointed  until  1868,  when  the  Rev. 
T.  B.  Sainsbury,  B.  A.,  entered  upon  his  labours.  He  was 
educated  at  Highbury  College,  and  had  previously  held  the 
pastorate  of  the  Finchingfield  Congregational  Church,  Essex,  for 
more  than  twenty  years.  Mr.  Sainsbury  resigned  in  1874,  and 
shortly  afterwards  became  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  at 
Duxford,  Cambridgeshire,  a  position  which  he  still  holds.  The 
Rev.  Timothy  Hodgkinson,  a  student  from  Lancashire  College, 
succeeded  in  1874.  A  helpful  ministry  was  terminated  in 
1884,  when  Mr.  Hodgkinson  resigned.  Subsequently  he  went 
to  Canada,  and  he  is  now  pastor  of  a  Congregational  Church  at 
Winnipeg,  Manitoba.  The  Rev.  A.  J.  Bedell,  educated  at  Lanca 
shire  College,  and  formerly  at  Ley  ton,  held  the  pastorate  from  1886 
to  1891.  The  present  minister,  the  Rev.  G.  A.  Brock,  B.A., 
from  South  Norwood,  London,  and  whose  ministerial  training  was 
received  at  Cheshunt  College,  succeeded  Mr.  Bedell  in  1891. 

Seaforth  Congregational  Church  owes  its  origin  to  the  Congre 
gational  Church  at  Waterloo.  The  mission  was  commenced  in 
March,  1878,  and  "very  speedily  it  became  successful,  a  flourish 
ing  Sunday  School  being  quickly  gathered,  and  divine  worship 
being  conducted  twice  on  Sunday  and  once  in  the  week.  The 
ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper  was  early  observed,  and  the  fellow 
ship  grew  with  encouraging  rapidity."1  In  1881  the  Rev.  W.  L. 
Roberts,  a  student  from  Lancashire  College,  became  the  first 
minister,  and  the  following  year  a  school  chapel,  capable  of  accom 
modating  250  persons,  was  erected  upon  "a  freehold  site  in  Elm 
Road,  a  portion  of  the  Gladstone  Estate."2  The  cost  of  the  site 

1  "  Lancashire  Congregational  Calendar"  for  1882. 

2  Not  the  least  amongst  the  honours  which  belong  to  Liverpool  is  the 
fact  that  it  was  long  the  home  of  the  Gladstone  family;   and  here,  in  1808, 
was  born  its  most  eminent  member,  "the  Right  Honourable  William  Ewart 
Gladstone — orator,    poet,    scholar,    statesman — a   man  of   the   most  varied 
capacities,  and  equally  eminent  in  them  all."    (Sir  J.  A.  Picton's  "  Memorials 
of    Liverpool,"   vol.    ii.,    p.    281.)     It  is  said  that  the    site    of  the   Seaforth 
Congregational  Church  is  a  portion  of  the  "grounds   of  the  house   where 
the  present  Prime  Minister's  boyhood  was  spent." 


CONG  RE  GA  TIONAL1SM  AT  CR  OSB  Y.  221 

was  ^"540,  and  of  the  chapel,  exclusive  of  fencing  and  furniture, 
about  ^"1,550,  towards  which  the  Chapel  Building  Society  granted 
^250.  In  1883  the  church  was  formally  constituted.  Mr. 
Roberts  continued  his  useful  labours  here  until  1885,  when  he 
removed  to  the  newly  formed  church  at  Hartington  Road,  Liver 
pool,  of  which  he  is  still  the  pastor.  His  successor  was  the  Rev. 
R.  Ashcroft,  who  had  previously  held  Congregational  pastorates 
at  Adlington,  Bamford,1  and  Rock  Ferry.  Leaving  the  latter  place 
for  the  Christadelphians,  amongst  whom  he  spent  several  years, 
he  rejoined  the  Congregationalists  and  became  pastor  of  the 
church  at  Seaforth  in  1886.  In  1889  Mr.  Ashcroft  resigned  and 
went  to  the  United  States.  The  Rev.  A.  A.  Dauncey,  educated 
at  Lancashire  College,  and  formerly  minister  at  Lower  Darwen, 
held  the  pastorate  from  1890  to  1891.  He  is  now  resident 
without  charge  at  Southport,  and  he  was  succeeded  at  Seaforth 
by  the  present  minister,  the  Rev.  D.  C.  Tincker,  a  student  from 
Nottingham  Institute. 

Crosby  Congregational  Church  had  its  origin  in  the  steady 
movement  of  the  population  from  the  centre  of  Liverpool  to  its 
outskirts.  The  villas  of  Waterloo,  Crosby,  and  Southport 
compete  with  those  of  Sefton  and  Birkenhead  Parks  and  Oxton 
and  Bidston  Hills  on  the  Cheshire  side  of  the  Mersey.  The 
Liverpool  Chapel  Building  Society,  watchful  of  the  ''flowing  tide," 
secured  in  1882  an  admirable  site  at  Crosby  between  the  old 
village  of  Great  Crosby  and  the  newer  and  more  rapidly  developing 
suburban  district  of  Blundellsands.  Here,  in  full  view  of  the 
Crosby  Channel,  a  large  number  of  Liverpool  townsmen  built  for 
themselves,  on  the  sandy  dunes,  comfortable  houses.  Some  of 
those  who  thus  migrated  were  Nonconformists,  and  they  felt  the 
necessity  of  having  a  church  within  walking  distance.  A  few  of 
these  in  1884  decided  to  erect  a  school  chapel,  postponing  the 
erection  of  a  larger  building  till  it  was  found  to  be  necessary.  The 
cost  of  this  structure,  including  that  of  the  site  for  the  larger 
edifice  to  follow,  of  an  organ  afterwards  added,  and  of  committee 
and  class  rooms,  was  ,£4,300.  The  chapel  seats  about  350 
comfortably.  The  flooring  is  solid — wood  blocks  set  on  concrete— 

1  Vide  vols.  ii.  and  iii.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


222  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

and  is  practically  noiseless  ;  the  pews  are  substantial  and  cushioned 
to  match  throughout ;  the  colouring  is  subdued,  and  the  ventilation 
and  acoustics  are  perfect. 

The  memorial  stone  was  laid  by  the  late  Alfred  Barnes,  Esq., 
J.P.,  of  Farnworth,  on  July  9th,  1884,  and  the  opening  services 
took  place  on  December  nth,  in  the  same  year,  being  continued 
until  the  2ist,  when  the  Revs.  Dr.  Fairbairn,  Samuel  Pearson, 
M.A.,  and  T.  Herbert  Darlow,  M.A.,  were  the  preachers. 

Within  two  years  the  total  cost  of  the  buildings,  &c.,  was  paid  off, 
and  the  church  was  set  free  to  proceed  with  other  work.  It  ought 
to  be  stated  that  the  sum  of  ^250  was  contributed  as  a  challenge 
grant  by  the  Liverpool  Chapel  Building  Society,  and  the  same 
Society  also  gave  ^200  towards  the  cost  of  the  site. 

While  the  school  chapel  was  in  course  of  erection  the  committee 
were  fortunate  enough  to  meet  with  the  Rev.  Thomas  Herbert 
Darlow,  M.A.,  a  graduate  of  Clare  College,  Cambridge,  and 
whose  theological  training  was  obtained  at  Lancashire  College. 
Cordially  invited,  he  became  the  first  minister.  Mr.  Darlow 
speedily  proved  himself  a  worker  well  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the 
locality  and  the  newly-formed  congregation,  in  which,  as  time  went 
on,  and  the  members  increased,  were  found  representatives 
of  various  denominations  uniting  in  Christian  fellowship  and 
service.  In  January,  1885,  forty-three  persons  formally  united 
themselves  in  church  fellowship,  amongst  them  being  Messrs. 
Thomas  Raffles  Job,  A.  B.  Paton,  David  Fernie,  Harold 
L.  Bower,  George  Oliver  Jones,  J.  Kenyon  Rogers,  and  James  M. 
Martin.  Mr.  Rogers  was  Treasurer,  and  Mr.  Martin  Secretary 
during  the  first  six  years  of  the  church's  existence. 

Mr.  Darlow  continued  to  be  the  minister  until  1891,  when  he 
responded  to  an  invitation  to  take  charge  of  the  Browning  Hall 
Mission,  \Val worth,  London:  his  present  charge  is  at  Hampstead 
South.  Before  Mr.  Darlow  left  Crosby  he  had  the  unusual  felicity 
of  helping  to  choose  and  settle  his  successor  in  the  pastorate,  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Henry  Martin,  B.A.,  a  student  of  Mansfield  College, 
Oxford,  and  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge.  The  wisdom  of  the 
choice  is  being  confirmed,  the  church  continuing  to  grow  in 
numbers,  the  members  in  the  beginning  of  1893  being  182. 

The  usual  branches  of  church  work  have,  from  the  first,  been 
maintained  with  vigour;  but  one  or  two  special  features  have  been 


MJSSION    WORK.  223 

developed  by  local  circumstances  which  merit  mention.  Shortly 
after  the  erection  of  the  chapel  the  whole  of  the  available  sittings 
were  allotted,  and  while  new  comers  could  not  get  a  sitting  there 
were  many  empty  pews.  Under  pressure  of  Mr.  Darlow's  influence 
seat-letting  was  abandoned,  the  free  and  open  system  was  adopted, 
and  reliance  for  finance  was  placed  entirely  on  quarterly  sub 
scriptions,  and  weekly  free-will  offerings.  The  result  was 
immediately  proved  to  be  satisfactory.  Full  congregations  and 
an  elastic  revenue  justified  the  experiment,  which  is  still  found  to 
work  well. 

The  principal  work  taken  in  hand  by  the  church  is  Home 
Mission  work  in  Liverpoool,  first  in  Slade  Street  in  connection 
with  Waterloo  Congregational  Church,  and  afterwards  in  premises 
at  Sandhills,  specially  erected  by  the  Crosby  Church  in  1888,  at  a 
cost  of  .,£1,750.  The  Crosby  Mission  House  at  Sandhills, 
includes  a  hall,  club  rooms,  class  rooms,  and  Missionary  house. 
A  Christian  Guild  has  been  formed,  of  which  the  minister  at 
Crosby  is  the  warden,  and  the  resident  Missionary  is  the  sub- 
warden  ;  and  upwards  of  fifty  of  the  congregation  at  Crosby  are 
actively  engaged  in  the  various  departments  of  work  of  which 
the  Mission  House  is  a  centre. 

The  cause  of  Foreign  Missions  also  holds  a  large  place  in  the 
thought  and  work  of  the  church.  The  scholars  of  the  Sunday 
School  support  a  native  Catechist  at  Kadiri,  in  South  India,  whose 
communications  with  the  replies  of  the  children  thereto,  do  much 
towards  quickening  and  keeping  alive  the  Missionary  spirit.  Mr. 
Martin,  in  addition  to  maintaining  the  good  work  begun  by  Mr. 
Darlow,  has  established  a  successful  Men's  Guild  at  Crosby,  for 
the  discussion  of  moral  and  social  questions,  and  under  his  inspiring 
ministry  the  church  continues  to  grow  in  usefulness  and  power. 
It  owns  a  valuable  library  for  the  use  of  its  ministers.  Except  during 
the  first  year,  it  has  required  no  assistance  from  the  County  Union 
Funds,  whilst  for  all  purposes  it  has  raised  during  the  eight  years  of 
its  existence  the  handsome  sum  of  ^12,683  153.  yd.,  including  the 
cost  of  the  chapel  site,  paid  for  in  I882.1 

1  This  account  of  Crosby  Church    is  copied  mainly  from  a   manuscript 
kindly  sent  me  by  a  friend  connected  with  the  church. 


CHAPTER     IV. 
THE     STORY     ENDED. 

I.— WELSH    CONGREGATIONALISM    IN    LIVERPOOL.1 

THE  TABERNACLE. — To  trace  the  beginnings  of  Welsh  Con 
gregationalism  in  Liverpool  it  is  necessary  to  go  back  to  the 
year  1800,  when  a  number  of  Welshmen,  from  Llanbrynmair  and 
other  parts  of  the  Principality,  came  to  Liverpool  with  the 
intention  of  emigrating  to  America.  After  being  out  at  sea, 
however,  for  many  days,  they  were  compelled  to  return  to  port,  as 
the  vessel  proved  to  be  unseaworthy.  Many  of  them  resumed 
their  voyage  in  another  ship,  but  others  remained  and  settled 
down  at  Liverpool.  Accustomed  as  they  had  been  to  worship  in 
the  old  Cymraeg,  and  unable  to  converse  or  use  the  English 
language  to  any  purpose,  they  began  to  meet  for  divine  service  at 
the  house  of  one  of  their  number,  Thomas  Rees  by  name  ;  and 
by  degrees  their  fellow-countrymen  scattered  through  the  town 
came  to  hear  of  the  warm  and  "  hwyliog  "  meetings  they  enjoyed, 
and  were  thus  attracted  to  them,  partly,  no  doubt,  from  mere 
curiosity  and  national  sentiment,  but  many  of  them  because  they 
had  learnt  that  the  Lord  was  with  them.  After  holding  their 
services  in  this  way  from  house  to  house  for  some  time,  they 
rented  a  large  room  in  a  warehouse  in  Beckwith  Street,  off  Park 
Lane.  Here  they  formed  themselves  into  an  Independent 
Church,  and  for  the  first  time  partook  of  the  Sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  Supper.  They  did  not,  however,  remain  in  this  place  long, 
for  their  number  was  being  added  to  day  by  day,  and  larger 
premises  became  a  necessity.  They  therefore  took,  at  an  annual 

1  This  account  of  Welsh  Congregationalism  in  Liverpool  has  been  written 
for  this  work  by  the  Rev.  D.  M.  Jenkins,  the  able  and  respected  minister  of 
Park  Road  Church.  I  am  deeply  obliged  to  Mr.  Jenkins  not  only  for  such 
generous  help,  but  for  the  promptness  with  which  it  was  rendered  when 
solicited.  The  account  has  been  altered  only  in  a  few  particulars. 


THE  REV.    WILLIAM  WILLIAMS.  225 

rent  of  ^30,  an  old  chapel,  which  belonged  to  the  English 
Wesleyans,  situated  in  Edmund  Street.  In  1803  they  gave  a  call 
to  the  Rev  John  Jones,  Ceirchiog,  Anglesea,  who  ministered  to 
them  faithfully  until  he  removed  to  Talgarth,  in  1814.  At  the  time 
of  his  removal  the  number  of  communicants  amounted  to  sixty-five. 
For  the  following  three  years  the  church  was  without  a  settled 
pastor,  but  it  was  frequently  visited  by  Dr.  George  Lewis  and  the 
students  under  his  care  at  Wrexham  College — now  situate  at 
Brecon.  At  the  beginning  of  1815  the  church  began  to  seek  out 
a  plot  of  ground  whereon  to  build  a  more  commodious  edifice. 
They  decided  upon  a  piece  of  waste  land  at  the  corner  of  Great 
Crosshall  Street ;  and,  after  all  the  necessary  preparations  had 
been  made,  in  April,  1817,  the  foundation  stone  was  laid  by  Dr. 
Raffles,  Welsh  addresses  being  delivered  on  the  occasion  by  the 
two  eminent  divines  Williams  of  Wern  and  John  Elias.  "  The 
Tabernacle,"  as  the  new  chapel  was  called,  cost  ,£2,700,  and  it 
was,  at  the  time  of  its  erection,  the  largest  edifice  the  Welsh 
Independents  possessed.  The  opening  services  were  held  in 
September,  1817,  and  the  preachers  on  the  occasion  were  the 
Revs.  Dr.  Raffles,  Dr.  Stewart,  and  Peter  S.  ('harrier,  all  of  whom 
preached  in  English.  In  June  of  the  same  year  a  call  had  been 
given  to  the  Rev.  John  Breese,  a  student  at  Llanfyllin,  whose 
ministry  was  begun  at  Edmund  Street,  and  who  laboured,  in 
season  and  out  of  season,  with  them  for  more  than  seventeen 
years.  After  being  for  a  year  and  a  half  without  a  pastor,  a  call 
was  given  to  the  saintly  William  Williams,  of  Wern,  who  com 
menced  his  ministry  in  their  midst  in  October,  1836.  The  number 
of  church  members  at  his  coming  was  256,  but  it  rose  rapidly,  and 
the  three  years  he  remained  with  them  were  the  most  prosperous 
in  the  history  of  the  church;  and  when,  in  October,  1839,  he  was 
compelled,  owing  to  ill  health,  to  resign  his  charge  and  return  to 
Wales,  the  number  on  the  church  roll  exceeded  400.  About  this 
time  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  extend  the  sphere  of  Independency 
by  erecting  another  chapel,  and  in  1841  Salem  Chapel  was  com 
pleted,  and  over  150  members  of  the  Tabernacle  went  to  assist  the 
new  cause.  The  loss  of  so  many  members  was  a  great  trial  to  the 
Tabernacle,  but  there  still  remained  a  strong  church  ;  and  in  the 
beginning  of  1843  they  invited  the  Rev.  William  Rees,  Denbigh, 
6—5 


226  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

to  be  their  pastor,  and  he  commenced  his  ministry  the  first  Sunday 

in  May  of  that  year.     The  church  numbered  300  at  his  coming, 

but  it  increased  so  rapidly  that  the  place  left  vacant  by  the   150 

who  had  gone  over  to  Salem  was  soon  filled  up.     The   years 

1847-48  were  years  of  great  commercial  distress,  and  hundreds  of 

Welsh  inhabitants  were  compelled  to  leave  the  town,  a  fact  which 

necessarily  affected  the  congregations  to  a  large  extent.     After  ten 

years  successful  ministry  at  the  Tabernacle,   Mr.  Rees  received  a 

call  to  the  pastorate  of  Salem  Church,  and  began  his  duties  there 

the  first  Sunday  in  May,  1855.     Before  the  close  of  the  same  year 

the  church  had  given  a  call  to  the  Rev.  John  Thomas,  of  Glynnedd, 

Glamorganshire.     The  call  was  accepted,  and  Mr.  Thomas  entered 

upon  his  ministry  in  Liverpool  on  the  first  Sunday  in  March,  1854. 

Dr.  Thomas,  for  such  he  became  subsequently,   remained  here 

until  his  death  on  July  i4th,  1892,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years. 

The  church  numbered  227  when  he  came,  but  before  the  close 

of  1860  the  membership  had  increased  to  more  than  400.   1 1  was  felt 

that  there  was  great  need  for  the  commencement  of  another  cause 

at  the  North  End  of  the  town,  and  in  1858  a  room  was  taken  by  a 

number  of  friends,  where  a  Sunday  School  was  established  and 

occasional  preaching  services  were  held.     This  was  the  nucleus  of 

the  now  flourishing  church  at  Great  Mersey  Street,  and  at  the  end 

of  two  years  about  sixty  members  left  the  Tabernacle  to  form  a 

church  there.     The  departure  of  so  many  left  a  great  void  in  the 

mother   church,    and  after  much   consultation — especially  seeing 

that  three  out  of  every  four  of  the  church  members  came  from  the 

upper  parts  of  the  town — they  decided  to  leave  the  old  chapel  and 

build  another  in  a  more  central  position.     A  plot  of  land  was 

purchased  in  Netherfield  Road  South,  and  here  a   commodious 

and  beautiful  edifice  to  hold  800  persons  was  erected  at  a  cost 

of  ^6,500.    It  was  opened  in  January,  1868.    The  old  Tabernacle 

was  sold  for^2,ooo,  and  by  hearty  co-operation  the  entire  debt 

was  removed  by  the  commencement  of  1879.     In  1885  the  church 

again  incurred  a  debt  of  over  ,£3,000,  by  the  erection  of  a  branch 

schoolroom  at  An  field,  and  by  painting  and  beautifying  the  chapel 

and  the  purchase  of  an  organ  which  cost  .£750.     This  debt  has 

also  been  well-nigh  cleared  off.     Last  year  a  dark  cloud  burst  over 

the  church,  when  death  removed  the  pastor  who  had  served  them 


DR.    JOHN    THOMAS.  227 

so  faithfully  and  so  long.  Dr.  John  Thomas  was  no  ordinary  man, 
as  is  testified  by  his  being  elected  Chairman  of  the  Congregational 
Union  of  England  and  Wales  in  place  of  Dr.  Thomas  Rees,  whom 
death  had  unexpectedly  removed  on  the  eve  of  the  annual 
meetings  ;  and  to  lose  one  who  had  been  pastor  of  the  church  for 
the  lengthy  period  of  thirty-eight  years  was  a  great  trial.  The 
friends,  however,  were  neither  discouraged  nor  dismayed,  and  a 
year  was  not  allowed  to  elapse  before  a  call  was  given  to  the 
Rev.  R.  Thomas,  who  had  ministered  with  gratifying  success  for 
many  years  at  Landore,  Glamorganshire.  Mr.  Thomas  accepted 
the  call,  and  in  April  of  this  year  entered  upon  his  ministry  at  the 
Tabernacle,  with  every  token  of  encouragement. 

PARK  ROAD  CHURCH. — About  the  year  1827  several  members 
of  the  Tabernacle  decided  to  start  another  Welsh  cause  in  a  more 
southerly  direction  of  the  city,  as  many  Welshmen  had  settled 
there.  For  this  purpose  they  took  a  room  above  a  stable  in 
Watkinson  Street,  where  a  Sunday  School  was  commenced  and 
prayer  meetings  were  held  every  Lord's  Day.  Mr.  Breese  preached 
once  a  week  for  them,  on  Tuesday  evening.  Success  crowned  the 
efforts  of  the  seventeen  faithful  ones  who  formed  the  nucleus  of 
the  new  church,  and  the  room  very  soon  became  too  small  for 
their  increasing  numbers.  They  then  sought  out  a  more  con 
venient  place,  and  this  was  found  in  a  yard  in  Greenland  Street, 
which  they  roofed  over ;  and  after  all  the  necessary  internal  altera 
tions  were  made,  the  place  was  opened  for  divine  service  on 
Christmas  Day,  1828,  when  the  preachers  were  the  Revs.  John 
Breese  and  —  Evans,  Bagillt.  The  church  was  then  regularly  con- 
stituted,  and  two  deacons  were  chosen,  viz.,  George  Owen  and 
Robert  Jones.  The  following  summer,  relying  on  the  promise  of 
assistance  from  the  mother  church,  a  call  was  given  to  the  Rev. 
John  Jones,  a  student  of  Hackney  College,  London,  who  was 
ordained  pastor  October  2oth,  1829.  He  remained  with  them  for 
the  short  space  of  one  year  only,  when  he  removed  to  Preshenlle, 
near  Oswestry  ;  but  the  church  had  by  this  time  increased  from 
seventeen  to  thirty-two  in  number.  A  year  elapsed  before  they 
gave  a  call  to  the  Rev.  Thomas  Pierce,  a  respected  member  and 
a  preacher  of  reputation  from  the  Church  at  Denbigh.  He  was 
ordained  at  the  Tabernacle  December  24th,  1832.  Five  years 


228  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

passed,  and  the  church  had  now  increased  its  membership 
to  ninety-four.  It  was  felt,  therefore,  that  another  move  was 
necessary  ;  consequently,  in  August,  1837,  the  foundation  stone  of 
a  new  chapel  in  Bedford  Street  (now  Beaufort  Street)  was  laid  by 
the  Rev.  D.  Morgan,  then  of  Manchester  and  subsequently  of 
Llanfyllin,  and  on  May  6th  of  the  following  year  the  chapel  was 
opened,  when  the  preachers  were  the  Revs.  Thomas  Pierce  and 
—  Pugh,  M  ostyn.  "  Bethel,"  as  the  new  place  of  worship  was  called, 
cost  in  all  ^£2,200,  but  before  many  years  had  passed  every  penny 
of  this  debt  was  removed,  and  this,  too,  in  a  time  of  great  com 
mercial  failure  and  distress.  The  health  of  the  faithful  pastor  was 
during  these  years  being  gradually  undermined,  and  on  the  3oth  of 
May,  1857,  he  passed  away  from  his  work  to  his  reward,  aged 
fifty-five  years.  For  two  years  the  church  was  without  a  settled 
ministry,  but  early  in  1859,  after  careful  consideration,  they  gave  a 
call  to  the  Rev.  Noah  Stephens,  then  of  Sirhowy,  Monmouthshire, 
which  was  accepted,  and  Mr.  Stephens  entered  upon  his  new  sphere 
in  June  of  that  year.  At  his  recognition  services  the  following 
ministers  took  part  :  the  Revs.  J.  Stephens,  Brychgoed  (brother  of 
the  pastor),  R,  Thomas  (Ap  Vychan),  W.  Rees  (Hiraethog),  J. 
Thomas,  H.  Griffiths  (Bowdon),  and  H.  E.  Thomas  (Birkenhead, 
afterwards  of  Pittsburgh,  America).  Mr.  Stephens  laboured  con 
sistently  for  many  years  with  much  acceptance,  but  both  he  and 
the  church  felt  that  the  situation  of  the  chapel  was  most  unfavour 
able  for  obtaining  a  large  and  permanent  congregation,  and  after 
prayerful  deliberation  it  was  decided  to  move  to  a  more  central 
locality.  A  piece  of  land  was  secured  in  Park  Road,  on  the 
corner  of  Northumberland  Street,  upon  which  a  fine  chapel,  in 
the  Gothic  style  of  architecture,  was  built.  Its  sitting  accom 
modation  is  for  600  persons.  The  entire  cost  of  the  chapel, 
including  the  land,  was  .£5,957,  but  by  persistent  effort  about 
£3,000  of  this  large  debt  was  removed  during  the  pastorate 
of  Mr.  Stephens.  Towards  the  close  of  1873  ms  health  gave  way, 
and  after  several  months  of  patient  suffering  he  died,  April  9th, 
1874.  For  more  than  two  years  the  church  was  without  a  pastor, 
but  in  1876  a  call  was  sent  to  the  Rev.  D.  M.  Jenkins,  then 
minister  of  the  English  Church  at  Morriston,  Swansea,  and  he 
commenced  his  labours  in  Liverpool  on  the  second  Sunday  in 


DR.     THOMAS    REES.  229 

October,  1876.  His  recognition  services  were  held  on  the  i 7th  of 
the  same  month,  when  the  Rev.  J.  Thomas,  D.D.,  presided, 
addresses  being  delivered  by  the  Revs.  T.  Da  vies,  Morris  ton  ;  J. 
Davies,  Taihirion ;  W.  P.  Lockhart,  W.  Roberts,  Samuel  Pearson, 
M.A. ;  J.  H.  Evans,  Wesleyan ;  H.  Jones,  Birkenhead ;  John 
Griffiths  (Gohebydd),  brother  to  Mrs.  Jenkins  ;  Dr.  Owen  Thomas, 
and  others.  The  health  of  Mr.  Jenkins  was  at  the  time  very 
precarious,  bat  he  speedily  recovered,  and  entered  upon  his  new 
sphere  of  activity  with  zeal.  The  debt,  which  at  his  coming 
amounted  to  about  ,£3,000,  was  speedily  added  to  by  the  purchase 
of  an  organ  and  by  renovating  the  church  and  school-rooms. 
Early  in  1885,  by  which  time  the  whole  of  the  debt  had  been 
extinguished,  the  Jubilee  services  were  held,  when  Dr.  Thomas 
Rees,  of  Swansea,  then  Chairman  elect  of  the  Congregational  Union 
of  England  and  Wales,  and  the  Rev.  E.  Stephen,  Tanymarian, 
preached  to  large  congregations.  Before  the  year  closed  both  of 
these  ministers,  who  had  taken  part  in  the  meetings,  were  sum 
moned  hence  to  meet  their  Saviour  on  high.  Mr.  Jenkins  is  still 
the  pastor  of  the  church,  and  during  the  seventeen  years  he  has 
been  at  Park  Road  considerable  success  has  attended  his  labours, 
and  to-day  the  church  roll  contains  the  names  of  over  400 
members. 

GROVE  STREET. — The  gradual  but  continuous  success  which 
attended  the  labours  of  Mr.  Williams,  of  Wern,  at  the  Tabernacle, 
together  with  the  great  revival  which  broke  out  immediately  after 
his  removal,  seemed  to  indicate  clearly  that  the  time  had  arrived 
for  the  church  to  enlarge  its  sphere  of  work.  This  step  had  been 
thought  about  for  some  years,  but  it  had  now  become  absolutely 
necessary  to  adopt  it,  inasmuch  as  the  old  Tabernacle  was  crowded 
out,  whilst  a  large  Welsh  population  had  sprung  up  in  those  parts 
of  the  town  which  are  on  the  upper  side  of  Lime  Street.  Land  was 
first  purchased  for  the  building  of  a  chapel  in  Bittern  Street,  but  it 
was  afterwards  considered  to  be  in  too  secluded  a  place,  and  for  this 
reason  was  sold.  A  plot  was  subsequently  obtained  on  Brownlow 
Hill,  in  a  convenient  and  prominent  position  at  the  corner  of 
Elizabeth  Street,  and  the  foundation  stone  of  "  Salem  "  Chapel  was 
laid  by  Dr.  Raffles,  September  ist,  1840.  The  preachers  on  the 
occasion  were  the  Revs.  T.  Pierce,  J.  Roberts,  Llanbrynmair ;  W. 


2 30  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

Williams,  Carnarvon,  and  D.  Griffith,  Castellnedd.  The  entire  cost 
of  the  chapel  was  ,£2,468,  and  it  was  opened  the  first  week  in 
September,  1841.  Services  were  held  on  Thursday,  Friday,  and 
Sunday,  and  on  the  following  Monday  the  church  was  formed, 
consisting  of  168  members,  coming  from  the  Tabernacle  and  from 
Bethel — by  far  the  greater  part  from  the  Tabernacle.  In  February 
of  the  following  year  it  was  unanimously  decided  to  invite  the 
Rev.  R.  Thomas,  of  Dinas  Mawddwy,  to  undertake  the  pastorate 
of  the  church.  Mr.  Thomas  accepted  the  invitation,  and  com 
menced  his  ministry  in  October  of  the  same  year.  For  more  than 
six  years  he  laboured  successfully,  during  which  time  the  congre 
gation  was  large  and  united,  until  in  1848  he  accepted  a  call 
from  the  church  at  Rhosllanerchrugog.  During  the  following  two 
years  the  church  met  with  several  reverses,  being  deprived  of  some 
of  its  more  prominent  members.  Under  these  circumstances  a 
pressing  invitation  was  sent  to  Mr.  David  Davies,  a  respected  deacon 
of  Bethel  Church,  to  come  to  their  aid.  The  invitation  was 
accepted,  and  Mr.  Davies  served  the  church  for  many  years, 
holding  the  trusted  position  of  treasurer  until  his  death.  His 
coming  into  their  midst  restored  confidence  and  hope  to  many 
who  had  become  faint  hearted,  and  by  the  beginning  of  1853 
the  church  was  again  in  a  flourishing  condition,  when  the  Rev. 
W.  Rees  (subsequently  Dr.  Rees),  of  the  Tabernacle,  received  a 
call  from  the  people,  which  he  accepted.  In  the  year  1865  it  was 
decided  that  it  would  be  greatly  to  the  advantage  of  the  cause  if 
the  chapel  were  removed  to  a  more  convenient  place,  and  conse 
quently  a  plot  of  land  was  secured  in  Grove  Street,  near  the 
junction  of  that  street  with  Crown  Street.  Here  a  beautiful  and 
capacious  edifice,  with  accommodation  for  800  persons  was 
erected,  the  cost  being  ,£6,300.  It  was  opened  for  worship 
on  Thursday,  February  yth,  1867,  and  the  services  were  con 
tinued  until  the  following  Monday  night.  Towards  the  close  of 
1874  Dr.  William  Rees  resolved  upon  resigning  the  pastorate 
which  he  had  so  worthily  held  for  nearly  twenty-two  years. 
In  1876  a  call  from  the  church  was  received  and  accepted  by 
the  Rev.  W.  Nicholson,  of  Groeswen,  and  he  commenced  his 
ministry  on  Christmas  Sunday,  1876.  On  Tuesday,  January  2nd, 
1877,  a  meeting  to  welcome  Mr.  Nicholson  to  Liverpool  was  held, 


DISAGREEMENT   AND    SECESSION.          231 

in  which  the  following  ministers  took  part :  the  Revs.  O.  Jones,  B.A.; 
John  Evans  (Eglwysbach);  W.  Roberts;  O.  Thomas,  D.D.  ;  J. 
Thomas,  D.D. ;  D.  M.  Jenkins,  and  H.  Jones,  Birkenhead.  His 
ministry  at  the  outset  was  full  of  promise,  and  although  a  number 
of  the  members  left  owing  to  a  disagreement,  and  Mr. 
Nicholson's  health  gave  way,  yet  the  church  kept  its  ground  and 
did  good  work.  On  the  2pth  of  July,  1885,  Mr.  Nicholson  passed 
to  his  rest,  at  the  early  age  of  forty  years.  Nearly  three  years 
elapsed  before  a  successor  was  appointed  ;  but  early  in  1889  the 
Rev.  H.  M.  Hughes,  of  Holyhead,  received  a  unanimous  invitation, 
which  he  accepted,  the  meeting  of  welcome  taking  place  on 
May  ayth,  when  the  Revs.  H.  Rees,  R.  Rowlands,  W.  J.  Morris, 
O.  Thomas,  D.D.,  W.  Roberts,  D.  M.  Jenkins,  and  H.  Jones 
took  part,  while  Dr.  J.  Thomas  presided.  Connected  with  this 
church  is  a  large  and  commodious  schoolroom,  situate  in  Earle 
Road,  where  a  Sunday  School  is  regularly  held  and  occasional 
sermons  are  also  preached.  It  was  opened  in  1887,  when  Dr. 
John  Thomas  conducted  the  services,  its  cost  being  about  ,£1,000. 
Mr.  Hughes  continues  to  labour  in  this  church  with  much 
acceptance. 

GREAT  MERSEY  STREET. — For  some  years  prior  to  the  com 
mencement  of  this  cause  several  of  the  members  of  the  Tabernacle 
had  perceived  its  necessity,  but  had  been  unable  to  move  in  the 
matter.  In  1856,  however,  when  the  debt  on  the  old  Tabernacle 
had  been  paid,  the  minister  and  several  of  the  leading  members 
decided  to  commence  a  cause  in  the  North  End  of  the  city.  In 
1858  a  large  room  was  taken  in  Boundary  Street,  and  on  April  nth 
opening  services  were  held,  when  the  Rev.  J.  Thomas,  D.D.,  was 
the  preacher.  For  two  years  occasional  sermons  were  preached 
there,  while  the  room  was  chiefly  used  as  a  Sunday  School.  In 
1860,  however,  it  was  resolved  that  a  church  be  formed,  and  on 
May  1 3th  services  were  held  for  that  purpose,  when  the  Rev.  W. 
Rees  preached,  the  Revs.  H.  E.  Thomas  and  N.  Stephens  also  taking 
part.  Considerable  success  attended  the  efforts  of  the  friends  here, 
and  in  about  a  year  they  gave  a  call  to  the  Rev.  W.  Roberts,  of 
Pentre  Voelas,  who  commenced  his  ministry  the  last  Sunday  in 
September,  1861,  his  recognition  services  being  held  early  in 
October,  at  which  the  Revs.  W.  Morris,  Bryngwran ;  W.  Morgan, 


232  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

Carmarthen ;  and  W.  Griffith,  Holyhead,  preached.  Mr.  Roberts 
at  once  set  to  work  in  earnest.  A  plot  of  land  was  secured  in 
Great  Mersey  Street,  and  by  March,  1863,  a  beautiful  and  very 
convenient  chapel  was  ready  for  opening.  The  entire  cost  was 
^2,350.  Services  were  held,  in  which  the  Revs.  W.  Roberts, 
Penyhontfawr ;  R.  Thomas,  Bangor ;  Dr.  Mellor,  and  the  Welsh 
ministers  resident  in  the  town  took  part ;  and  at  the  conclusion 
of  these  services  ^900  had  been  secured  towards  the  debt.  The 
church,  which  at  the  time  of  its  formation  numbered  sixty 
members,  gradually  increased,  and  soon  had  in  fellowship  more 
than  two  hundred.  It  had,  however,  to  undergo  many  reverses, 
owing  to  removals,  deaths,  and  other  causes.  In  the  meantime 
Mr.  Roberts  continued  to  labour  with  great  wisdom  and  faithful 
ness,  but  in  1888  felt  compelled,  owing  to  the  infirmities  of  age, 
to  resign  his  charge,  continuing  to  preach  one  Sunday  in  every 
month  for  some  time  afterwards.  On  April  iyth,  1890,  the  faithful 
servant  was  called  to  his  rest.  The  church  has  not  yet  secured  a 
successor. 

KENSINGTON  CHAPEL. — In  the  summer  of  1878  a  number  of 
people  left  Grove  Street  Chapel  on  account  of  some '  misunder 
standing  between  them  and  their  pastor,  the  Rev.  VV.  Nicholson, 
and  started  a  Welsh  cause  in  Kensington.  At  first  they  held  their 
services  in  a  room  somewhat  far  removed  from  the  town.  Ere 
long,  however,  they  removed  to  more  convenient  premises  nearer 
the  town,  and  in  1881  the  chapel  wherein  they  now  worship  was 
built,  being  opened  for  divine  service  in  January  of  the  following 
year.  At  the  expiration  of  two  years  the  church  invited  the  Rev. 
J.  O.  Williams  (Pedrogwyson)  to  the  pastorate,  and  in  May,  1884, 
his  recognition  services  took  place,  when  the  Revs.  J.  R.  Roberts 
(Conway),  and  H.  Ellis  (Llangvvm),  officiated.  The  church  has 
prospered  during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Williams,  and  in  1889  it 
benefited  largely  by  the  will  of  Mr.  John  Hughes,  one  of  its 
founders,  who  left  £700  towards  paying  the  chapel  debt. 

TRINITY  ROAD,  BOOTLE. — This  cause  was  started  by  a  number 
of  members  belonging  to  Great  Mersey  Street  Church,  who  began 
to  assemble  in  a  room  in  Balliol  Road,  September,  1878.  At  first 
the  intention  was  to  hold  a  Sunday  School  and  an  occasional 
preaching  service  only,  but  it  was  subsequently  thought  advisable 


WELSH  CONGREGATIONALISM  AT  BOOTLE.   233 

to  form  themselves  into  an  Independent  Church,  and  this  was 
done  in  November,  1879,  when  the  Revs.  J.  Thomas,  D.D.,  and 
W.  Roberts  took  part.  The  members  of  the  church  continued  to 
worship  in  Balliol  Road  until  February,  1882,  when  they  removed 
to  the  Assembly  Rooms,  for  which  they  paid  a  large  rent.  They 
succeeded  at  last  in  obtaining  a  plot  of  land  in  Trinity  Road, 
whereon  they  erected  a  school-chapel,  which  cost  ,£500.  The 
opening  services  were  held  in  July,  1883,  and  in  the  following  year 
a  call  was  given  to  the  Rev.  William  Thomas,  a  student  of  Bala 
College,  who  served  them  faithfully  until  1890,  when  he  accepted 
an  invitation  to  be  assistant  pastor  to  the  Rev.  T.  Dunlop,  of 
Emmanuel  Church,  Bootle.  Last  year  (1892)  the  church  gave  a 
call  to  the  Rev.  Deiniol  Jones,  of  Pentraeth,  Anglesey,  who  in  the 
spring  of  the  present  year  (1893)  settled  in  their  midst,  and  is 
labouring  faithfully  in  his  Master's  service. 

MARSH  LANE,  BOOTLE. — This  Welsh  cause  was  started  by  a 
number  of  friends  belonging  to  the  church  at  Trinity  Road  owing 
to  some  internal  disagreement.  In  October,  1884,  a  Bible  class 
was  first  held  in  the  house  of  Mrs.  Williams,  3,  Wordsworth  Street, 
and  here  it  was  decided  to  begin  a  Sunday  School  for  the  neigh 
bourhood.  A  room  over  a  shop  in  75,  Marsh  Lane,  was  rented 
for  the  purpose,  and  Mr.  Edward  Roberts  was  elected  superinten 
dent,  who  from  that  time  to  the  present  has  been  the  strongest 
pillar  of  the  church.  In  April,  1885,  an  Independent  Church 
was  formed  and  the  Lord's  Supper  was  first  administered  by 
the  Rev.  D.  M.  Jenkins.  They  had  by  this  time  left  Marsh 
Lane,  for  an  upper  room  in  Peel  Road.  The  cause  was  already 
in  such  a  flourishing  condition  that  they  felt  competent  to 
take  the  important  step  of  securing  a  piece  of  land  in  Spencer 
Street,  where  a  school-chapel  was  erected,  at  a  cost  of  ^45°-  The 
opening  services  were  held  in  July,  1885,  when  the  following 
ministers  took  part  :  the  Revs.  W.  Thomas,  Bootle  ;  Hugh  Jones, 
Birkenhead  ;  H.  Ivor  Jones,  Portmadoc  ;  M.  O.  Evans,  Wrexham  ; 
D.  M.  Jenkins,  J.  O.  Williams,  Griffith  Ellis,  M.A.,  and  Isaiah 
Jones.  Eor  several  years  no  minister  was  appointed,  but  last  year 
(1892)  a  unanimous  call  was  given  to  the  Rev.  Thomas  D.  Jones, 
a  student  of  Bala-Bangor  College.  The  invitation  was  accepted, 
and  since  the  commencement  of  his  ministry  Mr.  Jones  has  worked 


234  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

earnestly,  and  success  is  following  his  efforts.  The  church  numbers 
100  members,  and  is  entirely  free  from  debt ;  and  before  long  they 
will  be  compelled  to  erect  a  larger  and  more  commodious  building, 
a  fund  for  which  purpose  has  already  been  started. 


II.— A  FRAGMENT  OF  CHESHIRE  CONGREGATIONALISM. 

JUST  across  the  river,  lying  between  the  Dee  and  the  Mersey,  is 
a  piece  of  land  which  has  been  called  one  of  the  "  horns "  of 
Cheshire,  whose  little  group  of  churches  has  been  so  closely  asso 
ciated  with  the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union  as  to  justify  a 
few  notes  concerning  them.  They  are  notes  only,  and  not  com 
plete  sketches,  inserted  with  a  view  of  illustrating  the  generosity 
and  unselfishness  of  the  Congregationalism  of  the  sister  county. 

Formerly  the  district  was  quite  rural,  and  sparsely  populated. 
As  late  as  181  r  Dr.  Raffles  says  that  when  he  crossed  the  Mersey 
from  the  Cheshire  side  in  an  open  boat,  "  the  great  and  rapidly 
increasing  town  opposite  to  us,  destined  ere  long  to  have  its 
representative  in  the  Imperial  Parliament,  did  not  then  exist.  It 
was  a  perfect  solitude — a  park  filled  with  splendid  oaks,  once 
appertaining  to  the  ancient  Abbey  of  Birkenhead."1  Its  gradual 
disparking  and  peopling  by  Liverpool  merchants  made  necessary 
the  planting  of  Congregational  churches. 

First  in  point  of  time  comes  Hamilton  Square  Congregational 
Church,  Birkenhead.  This  building  was  opened  for  worship  on 
October  i6th,  1838,  the  services  being  conducted  by  the  Revs. 
Dr.  Raffles,  J.  J.  Carruthers,  and  S.  Luke,  of  Chester.  On  the 
26th  of  February  in  the  following  year  the  church  was  formed, 
when  twenty  two  persons  entered  into  fellowship,  the  Revs.  J. 
Tunstall,  S.  Luke,  J.  Kelly,  and  Dr.  Raffles  conducting  the  service. 
The  first  minister  was  the  Rev.  R.  Cope,  a  student  from  Airedale 
College,  who  entered  upon  his  duties  as  such  in  June,  1839,  and 
was  ordained  on  the  i3th  of  November  following.  He  resigned 
in  1841,  and  entered  the  Established  Church.  His  successor  was 
the  Rev.  W.  M.  O'Hanlon,  from  Chorley.  He  held  the  pastorate 
from  1842  to  1845,  when  he  returned  to  his  old  charge  at  Chorley.2 

1  Vide  ante  p.  158. 

2  Vide  vol.  ii.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


CONGREGA  TIONALISM  A  T  BIRKENHEAD.     235 

The  Rev.  H.  I).  Knowles,  B.A.,  a  student  from  Cheshunt  College, 
followed,  and  was  ordained  July  roth,  1846.  He  resigned  about 
the  middle  of  1849,  and  the  church  was  dissolved.  The  Rev. 
James  Mann,  who  had  received  his  ministerial  training  at  Glasgow, 
and  had  previously  laboured  for  a  short  time  successively  at  Alexan 
dria,  Falkirk,  Musselburgh,  and  Dumfries,  was  invited  by  the 
trustees  to  take  the  superintendence  of  the  congregation.  The 
invitation  was  accepted,  and  he  entered  upon  his  labours  on  the  first 
Sunday  in  December,  185 1.  The  church  was  re-formed  on  February 
9th  following.  For  twenty  years  Mr.  Mann  faithfully  served  the 
church,  when  failing  health  obliged  him  to  resign  in  June,  1872. 
He  died  on  the  9th  of  August  following,  at  the  age  of  sixty  years. 
His  successor  was  the  Rev.  F.  Pringle,  educated  at  Rotherham, 
and  for  a  few  years  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Sutton- 
in-Ashfield,  Notts.  He  entered  upon  his  charge  at  Birkenhead  in 
1873,  and  remained  until  1884,  when  he  removed  to  Keighley,  in 
Yorkshire,  where  he  still  labours.  The  Rev.  R.  H.  Sewell,  B.A.,  a 
student  from  Cheshunt  College,  followed  in  1884.  He  removed 
to  Reading,  in  Berkshire,  in  1888,  and  is  still  labouring  there. 
The  present  minister  is  the  Rev.  Henry  Gardner,  educated  at 
New  College,  and  who  for  a  short  time  had  laboured  at  Broseley, 
Shropshire.  He  removed  to  his  present  charge  in  January,  1889, 
being  ordained  the  following  April.  The  chapel  has  sitting 
accommodation  for  about  500  persons  ;  and  after  a  long  associa 
tion  with  the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union,  Hamilton  Square 
Church  was  transferred  to  the  Cheshire  Union  in  1882. 

"Until  within  the  last  seven  years,"  writes  the  Rev.  Charles 
Goward  about  1864,  "  there  was  but  one  Congregational  church 
in  Birkenhead,  situated  so  far  from  Oxton  and  Claughton  as  to  be 
of  little  service  to  the  Nonconformists  living  in  these  neighbour 
hoods.  Many  professing  Congregational  principles  were  therefore 
constrained  to  connect  themselves  with  those  holding  views  on 
church  polity  different  from  their  own ;  and  a  few  gentlemen 
determined  to  do  their  utmost  to  remedy  the  defect,  by  forming 
another  Independent  cause."1  Accordingly,  a  small  chapel  in 
Grange  Lane,  which  had  been  vacated  by  the  Association  Metho- 

1   Urwick's  "  Nonconformity  in  Cheshire,"  p.  91. 


236  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

dists,  was  taken  without  delay,  the  originators  of  the  movement 
guaranteeing  to  defray  all  expenses  for  the  first  year.  The  Rev. 
J.  R.  Thomson,  M.A.,  a  student  from  New  College,  London,  con 
ducted  the  services  for  a  few  months  in  1855,  being  followed  for  a 
short  time  by  the  Rev.  D.  VV.  Simon,  M.A.  (now  Dr.  Simon).  On 
the  ist  of  January,  1856,  the  Rev.  F.  S.  Williams,  a  New  College 
student,  began  his  labours  as  the  first  pastor.  The  church  was 
formed  the  following  February,  and  in  May  of  the  same  year  Mr. 
Williams  was  ordained.  Shortly  afterwards  the  project  of  erecting 
a  new  place  of  worship  was  adopted,  and  on  June  22nd,  1858,  the 
present  handsome  building  was  opened,  sermons  being  preached 
by  Dr.  Raffles  in  the  morning  and  the  Rev.  John  Stoughton  in  the 
evening.  The  cost,  together  with  the  site  and  school-house, 
amounted  to  ,£5,475,  and  the  sitting  accommodation  is  for  500 
persons.  Mr.  Williams  resigned  in  July,  1861,  and  for  some  time 
remained  without  charge.  Upon  the  establishment  of  the  Not 
tingham  Congregational  Institute  he  was  invited  to  be  English 
Tutor,  in  which  capacity  he  served  the  churches  until  his  death, 
October  26th,  1886,  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years.  He  was  the 
son  of  the  Rev.  Charles  Williams,  "best  known  as  a  valued  and 
voluminous  writer  of  popular  books  upon  history,  science,  and 
religion ; "  and  was  connected,  on  the  mother's  side,  with  the 
Smeeton  family,  :'  a  name  long  and  honourably  known  among 
Leicestershire  and  Northamptonshire  Nonconformists."  He  was  a 
very  considerable  writer;  his  work,  uOur  Iron  Roads,"  and  one 
upon  the  "  Midland  Railway,"  obtaining  a  large  circulation.  The 
Rev.  Charles  Goward,  a  student  from  Airedale  College,  was  appointed 
successor  to  Mr.  Williams,  entering  upon  his  duties  as  such  on  the 
first  Sunday  in  May,  1862.  He  resigned  in  1865,  and  his  present 
charge  is  at  Middleton-by-Youlgreave,  in  Derbyshire.  The  Rev.  F. 
Barnes,  B.A.,  educated  at  Spring  Hill  College,  and  for  a  few  years 
at  Morley,  became  the  minister  in  1865.  After  fourteen  years  of 
faithful  service  he  removed  to  Chester,  where  he  still  labours.  His 
successor  was  the  Rev.  S.  Hester,  from  Banbury,  whose  ministerial 
training  was  obtained  at  Cheshunt  College.  He  began  his  duties 
at  Birkenhead  in  1880,  and  concluded  them  in  1883.  The  Rev. 
J.  G.  Deaville,  from  Bury,1  held  the  pastorate  from  1884  to  1890, 

1  Vide  vol.  iii.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


CONGREGATIONALISM  AT  LISCARD.         237 

when  he  resigned,  being  now  resident  without  charge  at  Southport. 
The  present  pastor  is  the  Rev.  Matthew  Stanley,  from  Bradford. 
He  received  his  ministerial  training  at  Airedale  College,  and  suc 
ceeded  Mr.  Deaville  in  1892.  The  church  appears  to  have  been  in 
association  with  the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union  during  the 
pastorate  of  the  Rev.  F.  S.  Williams,  after  which  it  was  joined  to 
the  Cheshire  Union. 

Liscard,  "  formerly  an  uninteresting  and  thinly  peopled  township 
in  the  parish  of  Wallasey,  now  includes  the  populous  watering 
places  of  Egremont  and  New  Brighton."1  The  Congregational 
Church  here  originated  with  John  Astley  Marsden,  Esq.,  of  Liscard 
Castle,  and  in  what  way  is  stated  in  the  following  passage  : — 

Mr.  Marsden,  a  staunch  Dissenter,  and  a  great  admirer  of  the  older 
English  divines,  was  one  day  passing  along  some  back  street  in  London 
when  his  attention  was  attracted  to  a  marble  tablet  lying  in  a  builder's  yard, 
the  inscription  upon  which  was  "  To  the  memory  of  Dr.  Watts."  Upon  enquiry 
Mr.  Marsden  ascertained  that  it  had  been  set  up  in  Dr.  Watts's  chapel,  S. 
Mary  Axe,  and  had  been  purchased  by  the  builder  together  with  the  original 
pulpit,  the  pews,  &c.,  a  few  months  before  when  the  chapel  was  pulled  down. 
Mr.  Marsden  at  once  became  the  purchaser,  and  with  great  triumph  brought 
home  the  relics  of  a  man  for  whom  he  had  the  deepest  reverence.  He  im 
mediately  set  to  work,  built  a  church  upon  his  own  land  to  put  them  in  at  a 
cost  of  about  ;£i,2OO,  and  handed  it  over  when  finished  to  trustees  for  the 
use  of  the  Congregational  body.  It  was  opened  on  the  ist  of  September, 
1842.  It  is  a  neat  building,  Anglo-Gothic,  with  lancet  windows  and  a 
tower.  The  next  year  some  extensive  alterations  were  made  in  the  building, 
which  cost  £Soo.*2 

The  opening  services  of  the  altered  and  enlarged  structure,  took 
place  on  July  igth,  1843,  when  the  preachers  were  the  Rev.  S.  Luke, 
of  Chester,  in  the  morning,  and  Dr.  Vaughan,  of  Lancashire 
College,  in  the  evening.3  On  the  same  day  the  church  was  formed 

1  "Nonconformity  in  Cheshire,"  p.  93. 

2  Ibid. 

3  Rev.  J.  H.  Gwyther,  B.  A.,  the  present  Minister,  in  a  recent  letter  says  :— 
"The  actual  opening   of    Liscard    Chapel  took  place  in  July,    1843,  when 
sermons  were  preached  by  Mr.   Luke,  of  Chester,  and  by  Dr.  Raffles  [Dr. 
Vaughan,  says  the  Evangelical  Magazine}.     You  will  see  therefore  that  this 
is  our  fiftieth  year,  and  I  have  just  received  a  note  from  the  daughter  of 
Mr.  Marsden,  the  pious  founder,  in  which  she  corrects  the  popular  tradition 
about    the    Watts'    relics,   by    the    statement   that   her  father  was  already 
engaged  in  building  a  chapel  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  neighbourhood, 
when  he  saw  the  advertisement  of  their  sale,  and  thought  that  he  would  like 
to  secure  them  for  his  new  chapel,  and  so  bought  them." 


238  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

consisting  of  eleven  members,  and  on  the  ist  of  August  following 
the  Rev.  W.  L.  Brown,  M.A.,  late  of  Lerwick,  was  recognised  as 
the  first  pastor.  He  resigned  December  i6th,  1844,  and  removed 
to  Bolton,  having  accepted  an  invitation  to  Mawdsley  Street  Con 
gregational  Church.1  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  James  Lecouteur. 
He  was  born  in  the  island  of  Jersey,  September  8th,  1814,  and 
received  his  early  education  at  Elizabeth  College,  Guernsey,  and 
St.  Malo,  France.  He  was  designed  by  his  friends  for  the  medical 
profession,  but  his  desire  was  for  ministerial  service,  and  eventually 
he  was  placed  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  C.  Dewhirst,  of  Bury  St. 
Edmunds,  to  be  trained  for  that  purpose.  His  first  settlement  was 
at  Upwey,  in  Dorset,  whence,  after  labouring  some  seven  or  eight 
years,  he  removed  to  Liscard.  He  began  his  labours  here  May  ist, 
1846,  and  concluded  them  November  2yth,  1849,  shortly  after 
becoming  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Wellington,  in 
Somerset.  At  this  place  death  terminated  his  ministry  suddenly  on 
December  28th,  1869.  The  Rev.  James  Cranbrook,  educated  at 
Highbury,  and  formerly  of  Stratford-on-Avon,  succeeded  to  the 
pastorate  in  April,  1851.  In  1864  he  removed  to  Edinburgh, 
being  succeeded  at  Liscard,  in  1867,  by  the  Rev.  Leigh  Mann, 
who  had  been  educated  at  Cheshunt  College,  and  for  a  few  years 
minister  at  Melksham,  in  Wiltshire.  He  resigned  in  1868,  and 
was  followed  in  1869  by  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Gwyther,  B.A.,  from 
Stalybridge.  Mr.  Gwyther,  who  is  the  son  of  the  Rev.  James 
Gwyther,  so  long  an  honoured  Congregational  minister,  and 
one  of  the  General  Secretaries  of  the  Lancashire  Congregational 
Union,2  after  a  lapse  of  more  than  twenty  years  still  ministers  to  an 
affectionate  and  appreciative  people  at  Liscard.  About  twelve 
months  ago  the  Rev.  E.  E.  Wilkins,  from  the  Free  Church 
College,  Edinburgh,  was  appointed  his  assistant.  The  church  was 
altered  and  enlarged  in  1888,  bringing  its  sitting  accommodation 
up  to  about  700  persons;  and  on  its  south  wall  is  Dr.  Watts's 
interesting  tablet,  which  contains  the  following  inscription  : — 

1  Vide  vol.  iii.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

2  Vide  vol.  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


A  RELIC  FROM  BUNHILL  FIELDS.  239 


(PROV.  x.  7.) 

The  following  humble  inscription  was  composed  by  Dr.  Watts  a  short 

time  before  his  death  and,  according  to  his  Desire,  is  written  upon 

this  Tombstone  at  Bunhill  Fields  : 

ISAAC    WATTS,     D.D., 
Pastor  of  a   Church  in  Bury  Street,  London,   successor  of  the 

Rev.  Joseph  Caryl. 

Dr.  John  Owen,  Mr.  Clarkson,  and  Dr.  Isaac  Charneley,  after  fifty  years 

of  feeble  labours  in  the  Gospel,  interrupted  by  four  years  of  painful 

sickness,  was  at  last  dismissed  to  rest  Nov.  25,  A.D.,  1748. 

Mt?5. 

2.  Cor.,  v.  5.  —  "Absent  from  the  body,  present  with  the  Lord." 
Col.  iii.,  4.  —  "When  Christ,  who  is  our  life,  shall  appear,  I  shall  also 
appear  with  him  in  glory." 

In  uno  Jesus  omnia. 

In  1890  the  church,  which  had  been  in  association  with  the 
Lancashire  Congregational  Union  from  its  commencement,  was 
transferred  to  the  Cheshire  Union. 

In  addition  to  these  two  Congregational  churches  in  the  town 
of  Birkenhead,  there  is  a  third  one  in  Prenton  Road  West  which 
was  formed  in  1888,  of  which  the  Rev.  James  Wishart,  M.A., 
formerly  of  Toxteth  Park,  Liverpool,  was  pastor  a  short  time.  The 
present  minister,  the  Rev.  W.  Stanley  Lamb,  a  student  from 
Cheshunt  College,  began  his  labours  as  such  in  1892.  There  is  also 
the  Zion  Welsh  Congregational  Church,  which  has  been  in  existence 
nearly  fifty  years,  of  which  the  Rev.  H.  E.  Thomas  was  long  the 
pastor,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Hugh  Jones.  The  pulpit 
is  at  present  vacant. 

Rock  Ferry  Congregational  Church,  an  elegant  Gothic  structure, 
with  a  stately  tower  and  spire,  having  sitting  accommodation  for 
800  hearers,  was  opened  for  public  worship  on  November  i5th, 
1871.  Its  cost  was  about  ,£7,000,  towards  which  the  Chapel 
Building  Society  gave  ^"1,000.  A  schoolroom,  providing  space 
for  500  scholars,  was  erected  later  at  a  cost  of  about  ^2,200, 
towards  which  the  Chapel  Building  Society  again  gave  help  to  the 
extent  of  ^"250.  The  first  minister  was  the  Rev.  R.  Ashcroft, 
who  removed  from  Bamford  in  1871,  to  take  charge  of  the  church. 


24o  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

He  resigned  in  1876,  and  joined  the  Christadelphians,  sub 
sequently  returning  to  Congregationalism,  and  settling  as  minister 
at  Seaforth.1  He  was  followed  in  1878  hy  the  Rev.  C.  A.  Mines, 
B.A.  Mr.  Mines,  who  is  still  the  respected  pastor  of  the  church, 
was  educated  for  the  ministry  at  Spring  Hill  College,  and,  previous 
to  his  settlement  at  Rock  Ferry,  had  held  successful  pastorates  at 
Albion  Chapel,  Nottingham,  and  the  Upper  Chapel,  Heckmond- 
wike.  A  mission  at  Tranmere  has  developed  into  an  important 
interest  in  connection  with  Rock  Ferry  Church,  and  Mr.  Mines 
has  had  the  assistance  of  the  Rev.  Joshua  Pedlar  in  his  work  since 
1884. 

On  the  Dee  side  of  this  "  horn  "  of  Cheshire  land  with  which  we 
are  dealing  is  Hoylake,  of  which  we  have  the  following  interesting 
account  as  it  appeared  nearly  a  century  ago : — 

Between  one  and  two  miles  from  Wallisea,  a  very  noble  hotel  was  erected, 
about  ten  years  ago,  by  Sir  John  Thomas  Stanley,  Bart.,  of  Alderley,  for 
the  accommodation  of  persons  visiting  the  sea  side.  This  is  much  frequented 
in  the  summer  season  by  the  resident  families  of  Cheshire  and  its  neighbour 
hood,  who  visit  this  spot  for  the  purpose  of  bathing  in  Hyle  Lake,  which  is 
bounded  by  the  projecting  land  of  the  Wirral  peninsula,  and  the  coast  of 
the  small  Isle  of  Hilbrie,  or  Hille  byri.  The  Isle  is  about  one  mile  in 
circuit ;  and  though  the  soil  is  scarcely  anything  but  sand,  had  formerly  a 
cell  of  Benedictine  Monks,  belonging  to  the  Abbey  at  Chester.  "  At  Hyle 
Lake"  says  Mr.  Gough,  "  Duke  Schomberg  encamped  when  he  was  to  reduce 
Ireland  after  the  Revolution,  and  here  his  forces  embarked.  The  place  was 
called  Wallase  Lizer,  a  large  fine  spot,  where  races  were  run  for  many  years  ; 
but  those  races  are  now  run  at  Newmarket,  though  still  called  the  Wallisea 
Stakes."2 

In  the  summer  of  1870  Congregationalists  had  their  attention 
directed  towards  this  interesting  place,  preaching  services  were 
commenced,  and  the  Executive  Committee  made  a  generous 
grant  from  the  funds  of  the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union,  in 
aid  of  the  work.  After  a  short  time,  the  Rev.  George  Manning, 
from  Parkhead,  Cumberland,  was  appointed  Evangelist,  the 
engagement  being  from  year  to  year.  The  "  Lancashire  Congreg 
ational  Calendar"  for  1874-75,  says  that  the  "small  and  uncom- 

1  Vide  ante  p.  221. 

2  Britton's  "  Beauties  of  England  and  Wales,"  vol.  ii.,  p.  305. 


A    HOLIDAY  RESORT.  241 

fortahle  hired  room  in  which  worship  had  hitherto  been  held, 
had  been  exchanged  for  other  premises,  which  had  been  purchased, 
considerably  enlarged,  and  fitted  up,  so  as  to  make  a  comfortable 
house  of  prayer";  that  the  entire  outlay  had  been  about  ^750. 
the  sum  of  ^650  remaining  to  be  paid,1  to  reduce  which  liability, 
a  vigorous  effort  was  about  to  be  made  ;  and  that  the  Rev.  R. 
G.  Soper,  B.A.,  had  accepted  "an  invitation,  unanimously  given," 
in  January,  1874,  to  be  the  pastor  of  the  church,  which  was 
formally  constituted  in  that  year.  Mr.  Soper,  who  still  continues 
his  useful  labours  here,  was  educated  at  Lancashire  College,  and 
previous  to  his  settlement  at  Hoylake,  had  held  pastorates  at 
Clevedon,  in  Somersetshire,  and  Ludlow,  in  Shropshire.  In  1884, 
the  church  which  had  yearly  received  a  grant  from  the  funds  of 
the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union,  became  associated  with  the 
Cheshire  Union.  In  the  same  year  a  new  school  chapel  was 
erected  in  another  part  of  the  village  Its  cost  was  ;£"  1,700,  which 
was  paid  off  within  two  years  of  the  opening.  The  sitting  accom 
modation  is  for  350  people.  The  old  chapel  was  bought  by  the 
Wesleyans. 

The  latest  addition  to  the  Congregational  interests  on  the 
Cheshire  side  of  the  Mersey  is  the  promising  little  church  at 
Seacombe,  of  which  the  Rev.  W.  E.  Thomas,  of  Aberdare, 
became  pastor  in  1892. 


III.— CONGREGATIONALISM    IN    THE    ISLE    OF    MAN. 

SOME  sixty  or  seventy  miles  of  broad  sea  lie  between  the  Isle  of 
Man  and  the  Lancashire  coast,  yet  its  name  has  become  a  house 
hold  word  in  this  county.  Thousands  of  busy  Lancashire 
toilers,  set  free  for  a  brief  season  from  the  mill,  the  office,  and  the 
exchange,  find  their  way  each  year  to  its  quiet  glens,  climb 
its  mountains,  make  merry  upon  its  charming  bays,  and  come  back 
to  life's  duties  charged  with  new  supplies  of  vigour  and  healthful- 
ness,  which  a  visit  to  the  Isle  of  Man  always  ensures.  That  fact 
alone  makes  the  insertion  of  the  story  of  Manx  Congregationalism 
in  the  "  History  of  Lancashire  Nonconformity "  not  altogether 

1  This  debt  was  soon  afterwards  extinguished. 
6—16 


242 


LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 


inappropriate.  The  truth,  however,  is  that  the  Congregational 
churches  of  the  Island  are,  and  have  been  almost  from  the 
beginning  of  their  existence,  a  part  of  the  Lancashire  Congre 
gational  Union.  Before  proceeding,  however,  to  give  their  story, 
the  reader  will  probably  welcome  a  brief  account  of  the  general 
ecclesiastical  history  of  the  Island. 

Manx  early  history,  like  that  of  other  countries,  is  shrouded  in 
legend  and  myth.  Hence,  Mannanan-Beg-Mac-y-Leirr,  the  first 
ruler  in  Man,  and  to  whom  it  is  indebted  for  its  name,  accord 
ing  to  the  records  of  the  Island,  reigned  many  years,  and  was  a 
"paynim,"  who  "kept  the  land  under  mist  by  his  necromancy. 


THE    DRUIDICAL    CIRCLE    AT    GLEN    DARRAGH. 


If  he  dreaded  an  enemy,  he  would  cause  one  man   to  seem  a 
hundred,  and  that  by  art  magic." 

Druidism  is  the  first  form  of  religious  life  in  the  Island  with 
which  we  are  acquainted,  but  precisely  how  and  when  it  was 
introduced  is  not  clear.  According  to  some  a  descendant  of  the 
famous  Mannanan  first  established  the  Druids  here,  considerably 
before  the  Christian  Era ;  others,  however,  say  that  the  Isle  of 
Man  was  the  final  retreat  of  the  Druids,  "  after  the  cruel  massacre  of 
their  brethren  in  the  Isle  of  Anglesey  by  the  ambitious  Romans  "  in 
the  first  century.  tCertain  it  is  that,  however  introduced,  and  cruel 
as  many  of  its  practices  were,  Druidism  exercised  a  very  wide  and 


ST.    MAUGHOLD'S    WELL.  243 

beneficent  influence  upon  the  people.1  "The  Druids,"  writes  one, 
"  greatly  ameliorated  the  condition  of  the  people  by  introducing 
among  them  the  advantage  of  government  and  consequent  social 
order.  For  many  of  those  simple  and  admirable  principles  of 
equity  which  form  the  basis  of  the  common  law,  the  Manx  as  well 
as  the  English,  are  indebted  to  the  venerable  prophets  of  the 
mistletoe."2 

In  the  fifth  century  Christianity  was  introduced  into  the  Island 
by  St.  Patrick,  who  "found  the  people,  at  least  the  Rulers,  given  to 
Magick  •  but  being  overcome  or  convinced  by  his  preaching  and 

1  Druidical  remains  are  not  uncommon  in  the  Island,  and  not  less  con 
clusive  of  the  widespread  influence  of    Druidism   are   some   quite  modern 
observances.    The  following  respecting  St.  Maughold's  Well,  written  in  1848, 
is  interesting,  and  bears  upon  the  point  :  — 

"  Beneath  the  rocks  which  form  the  bold  promontory  of  Maughold  is  the 
celebrated  spring  called  St.  Maughold's  Well,  the  water  of  which  is 
remarkably  clear  and  refrigerant.  The  custom,  not  yet  obsolete,  of  resorting 
to  this  well  on  the  first  Sunday  in  August  is  most  probably  of  Druidical 
origin.  The  spot  is  precisely  such  as  would  have  been  selected  by  those 
hoary  prophets  for  an  annual  assembly,  when,  probably,  oracles  would  be 
delivered  to  the  superstitious  enquirers.  It  was  the  practice  of  the  emissaries 
of  the  Church  of  Rome,  when  carrying  their  religion  to  a  new  region,  not  to 
abolish  heathen  observances,  but  merely  to  substitute  a  new  pretext,  having 
some  reference  to  the  new  religion.  Thus,  in  Ireland,  they  did  not  abrogate 
the  custom  of  burning  fires  in  honour  of  the  Sun  at  the  beginning  and  end 
of  harvest,  but  instructed  the  benighted  heathens  to  dedicate  their  fires  to 
John  the  Baptist,  which  the  peasantry  continue  to  do  to  this  day.  So  with 
regard  to  Maughold's  Well.  That  captain  of  Irish  Rapparees  having 
selected  this  spot  as  his  favourite  abode,  and  having  afterwards  been  canonized 
in  honour  of  his  self-imposed  penances,  the  people  were  instructed  to  repair 
to  his  well  at  a  particular  season,  as  they  had  formerly  done  to  receive  the 
oracular  responses  of  the  Druids.  But  as  it  was  necessary  to  substitute  a  new 
pretext,  the  well  was  forthwith  invested  with  the  properties  of  preventing 
and  curing  barrenness,  to  which  priestly  juggle  the  chalybeate  quality  of 
the  spring  gave  some  colouring,  at  least  in  those  days  of  medical  ignorance. 
The  fructifying  virtues,  it  is  needless  to  say,  have  disappeared  with  the 
priests  who  administered  the  draught,  but  the  people  still  observe  the  custom 
of  resorting  to  the  spot  once  a  year,  though  it  may  be  safely  affirmed,  that 
the  major  part  of  them  know  not  wherefore  they  are  come  together."--"  Isle 
of  Man  Guide,"  by  J.  B.  Laughton,  B.A.,  p.  150. 

2  "  Isle  of  Man  Guide,"  by  J.  B.  Laughton,  B.A.,  p.  8.      In  vol.  iii.,  of 
"  Lancashire   Nonconformity  "    the    rep  ~~^    find    an    engraving   of   the 
"  Cutting  of  the  Mistletoe." 


244  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

miracles,  they  were  converted  or  else  expelled  the  Island."  After 
about  three  years'  labours,  he  went  to  Ireland,  leaving  St.  Germain, 
"a  holy  and  prudent  man,"  to  complete  the  work  which  he  had 
begun  ;  and  he  "  so  absolutely  settled  the  business  of  religion  that 
the  Island  never  afterwards  relapsed."  Equally  prominent  amongst 
the  early  traditions  of  the  Island  is  the  name  of  St.  Maughold,  who 
had  been  the  captain  of  a  band  of  Irish  robbers,  but  was  subse 
quently  converted  to  Christianity,  and  who  was  driven  ashore  in  a 
leathern  boat  near  the  bold  promontory  on  the  east  coast  which 
bears  his  name.  His  high  reputation  and  superior  piety  led 
to  his  being  called  unanimously  to  the  Episcopal  chair,  and 
tradition  says  that  St.  Bridget,  a  celebrated  Irish  nun,  visited  these 
shores  for  the  purpose  of  ta.king  the  veil  from  his  hands.  It  is 
impossible  to  unravel  the  tangled  mass  of  fact  and  fiction  which 
belongs  to  this  period ;  consequently,  the  three  popular  saints 
shall  be  left  undisturbed  in  the  glories  which  the  centuries  have 
thrown  around  them. 

"  The  Reformation,"  says  Bishop  Wilson,  "  was  began  something 
later  here  than  in  England,  but  so  happily  carried  on  that  there  has 
not  for  many  years  been  one  Papist,  a  native,  in  the  Island  ;  nor, 
indeed,  are  there  Dissenters  of  any  denomination,  except  a  family 
or  two  of  Quakers,  unhappily  perverted  during  the  late  Civil  Wars; 
and  even  some  of  these  have  of  late  been  baptiz'd  into  the  Church."1 

The  Bishop  of  the  Island  about  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War 
was  Dr.  Parr,  a  Lancashire  man,  who  had  previously  been  rector 
of  Eccleston,  near  Ormskirk.  A  high  character  is  given  to  him, 
and  it  is  said  that  during  his  residence  many  oppressive  ordinances 

1  The  passage  above  cited  is  from  an  account  of  the  Isle  of  Man  written 
by  Bishop  Wilson  for  "Camden's  Britannia"  (vol.  ii.,  p.  1450)  Second  Edition, 
published  in  1722.  The  account  contains  some  very  curious  information 
about  the  physical  features  of  the  Island.  "There  are  several  noxious 
animals,"  says  he,  "such  as  Badgers,  Foxes,  Otters,  Filmerts,  Moles,  Hedge 
hogs,  Snakes,  Toads,  &c.,  which  the  inhabitants  know  no  more  of  than  their 
names,  as  also  several  Birds,  such  as  the  Woodpecker,  the  Jay,  the  Maup,  &c. 
And  it  is  not  long  since  a  person  more  fanciful,  than  prudent  or  kind  to  his 
country,  brought  in  a  breed  of  Magpies,  which  have  increas'd  incredibly, 
so  as  to  become  a  nuisance.  And  it  is  not  two  years  since  somebody  brought 
in  Frogs,  which  they  say  increase  very  fast."  The  tradition  is  that  St. 
Patrick  banished  all  sorts  of  vermin  from  both  the  Isle  of  Man  and  Ireland. 


THE    COUNTESS    OF  DERBY. 


245 


were  repealed,  and  "  many  shameful  practices  of  the  clergy  were 
reformed,  in  consequence  of  the  determined  opposition  of  the 
people."1  For  some  seventeen  years  after  his  death  the  see  was 
vacant.  This  was  the  period  of  the  Civil  War  in  England,  in  which 
the  Derby  family,  to  whom  the  Island  then  belonged,  played  so 
prominent  a  part.  Its  story  does  not  come  within  the  scope  of 
this  work ;  suffice  it  to  say  that  it  was  from  the  Isle  of  Man  that 
the  Earl  of  Derby  went  to  join  Charles  at  the  battle  of  Worcester, 
which  resulted  so  disastrously  for  the  Royal  cause,  and  ended  in 
himself  being  taken  prisoner  and  executed  at  Bolton  on  October 
rSth,  1651.  His  brave  Countess,  whom  he  had  left  behind  on  the 
Island,  and  who  had  so  brilliantly  defended  Lathom  House  in 
1644  against  the  Parliamentarian  forces,  hearing  of  the  preparations 
of  her  enemies  to  deprive  her  of  this  final  retreat,  retired  to  Castle 
Rushen,  Castletown,  meaning  to  hold  it  to  the  last  extremity. 
Colonels  Dukinfield  and  Birch,  members  of  old  Puritan  families  in 
Lancashire,  sailed  against  the  Island  with  a  large  force ;  and 
Captain  Christian,  in  whom  the  Countess  principally  confided, 
seeing  the  uselessness  of  resistance,  it  is  said,  without  her  know 
ledge,  surrendered  the  whole  Island.  Until  the  Restoration  the 
Countess  was  kept  a  prisoner. 

Shortly  after  the  Restoration  Dr.  Isaac  Barrow7  was  appointed 
Bishop,  whose  services  to  the  cause  of  religion  were  very  con 
siderable  ;  but  the  most  eminent  of  all  those  who  occupied  the 
Episcopal  chair  was  Dr.  Thomas  Wilson,  a  Cheshire  man,  born  in 
the  little  village  of  Burton,  and  for  some  time  curate  of  Newchurch, 
near  Winwick,  in  Lancashire.  "  When  he  arrived  in  the  Isle  of 
Man,"  says  the  Rev.  Samuel  Haining,  "the  prospect  was  truly 
appalling  :  the  house  at  Bishop's  Court,  which  was  to  be  his 
residence,  was  lying  in  ruins ;  the  churches  were  in  a  state  of 
dilapidation  ;  the  revenues  had  not  been  regularly  collected  ;  the 
clergy  were  ignorant ;  and  the  people,  engaged  in  smuggling,  were 
immoral."2  During  the  fifty-eight  years  of  his  Episcopate,  he 
'•never  omitted  the  active  duties  of  the  sanctuary,  and  regularly 
visited  the  parishes  and  churches  on  Sundays  without  giving  them 


1  "Isle  of  Man  Guide,"  by  the  Rev.  Samuel  Haining,  p.  49. 

2  Ibid. 


BISHOP    WILSON.  247 

any  intimation,  that  he  might  ascertain  how  the  worship  of  God 
was  attended  and  the  manner  in  which  the  duties  of  religion  were 
performed."1 

Writing  in  1848,  Mr.  Laughton  says  : — 

With  the  name  of  Wilson  the  pen  fondly  lingers.  It  is  a  name 
dear  to  the  very  stones  of  the  Island.  Not  only  on  these  lonely  and 
storm-beaten  coasts  is  the  name  and  memory  of  that  just  man  blessed, 
"his  praise  is  in  all  the  churches"  wherever  the  doctrine  and  discipline 
of  the  primitive  church  are  revered,2  where  the  character  of  Bishop 
Wilson  is  held  in  remembrance.  It  is  impossible  to  convey  an  adequate  idea 
of  the  rapturous  enthusiasm  which  attaches  to  his  memory  in  the  Island. 
A  stranger  must  see  the  sparkling  eye  and  animated  countenance,  and  hear 
the  subdued  and  trembling  accents  of  the  natives,  when  speaking  of  their 
ancient  father,  to  enable  him  to  understand  the  faint  eulogy  with  which  an 
Englishman  seeks  to  record  his  distant  participation  in  those  exalted  feelings. 
A  simple  unostentatious  stone  covers  the  ashes  of  the  great  and  good  ;  and 
if,  among  the  thousands  who  yearly  arrive  on  these  shores,  there  be  one 
whose  heart  is  susceptible  of  that  holy  emotion,  which  the  contemplation  of 
departed  excellence  is  calculated  to  inspire  ;  if  there  be  one  who  loves  to 
shed  a  tributary  tear  on  the  grave  of  the  righteous  man,  who  "  perisheth  and 
no  man  layeth  it  to  his  heart,"  let  him  wend  his  lonely  way  to  the  old  church 
yard  of  Kirk  Michael,  where  he  will  experience  a  crowd  of  sensations,  such 
as  he  could  never  receive  from  the  field  of  "  glorious  victory,"  though  a 
nation  of  his  enemies  were  sepulchred  beneath  it.3 

The  inscription  upon  his  tombstone  reads  thus  :  — 

Sleeping  in  Jesus, 

here  lieth  the  body  of 

THOMAS     WILSON,     D.D., 

Lord  Bishop  of  this  Isle. 
Who  died  March  the  yth,   1756, 

Aged  93. 

Arid  in  the  fifty-eighth  year  of  his  consecration. 
This  monument  was  erected  by  his  own  son  THOMAS  WILSON,  D.D., 

a  native   of   this  parish, 

who,  in  obedience  to  the  express  command  of  his  father,  declines 

giving  him  the  character  he  so  justly  deserved. 

Let  this  Island  speak  the  rest. 

1  "Isle  of  Man  Guide,"  by  the  Rev.  S.  Haining,  p.  52. 

2  And  where  they  are  not;   i.e.,  even   a  Nonconformist  can  revere  and 
respect  the  memory  of  so   good  a  man  as  Bishop  Wilson   however  much 
opposed  to  his  doctrines. 

3  "  Isle  of  Man  Guide,"  pp.  41,  42. 


248  LANCASHIRE  NONCONFORMITY. 

Men  of  varying  degrees  of  excellence  have  succeeded  to  the 
Episcopate,  hut  as  this  account  is  only  meant  to  give  a  general 
idea  of  the  ecclesiastical  history  of  the  Island,  "  with  the  name  of 
Wilson"  my  "pen"  must  pause,  so  far  as  the  Episcopal  Church  is 
concerned.  I  shall  only  add  an  interesting  passage  from  the  Rev. 
S.  Haining's  pen.  After  pointing  out  that  the  established  religion 
of  the  Island  is  the  Episcopal  Church  of  England,  writing  in  1835, 
he  says  : — 

Liberty  of  conscience  is  enjoyed  by  the  inhabitants,  and  the  Statute 
Book  of  this  Island  is  net  disgraced  by  any  penal  laws  to  restrict  our  freedom 
in  the  worship  of  God.  The  noble  struggles  of  our  ancestors  to  maintain  their 
religious  freedom  have  secured  to  us  the  blessings  of  civil  liberty ;  even 
Hume,  the  Tory  historian,  with  all  his  inveterate  prejudices  against 
Christianity,  has  candidly  acknowledged  that  we  are  indebted  to  the  exertions 
of  the  Puritans  for  all  the  civil  liberty  which  we  enjoy.  These  venerable 
men,  however,  did  not  regain  all  that  had  been  wrested  from  them,  and 
England,  with  all  her  boasted  religious  liberty,  is  surpassed  by  the  Isle  of 
Man.  Here  no  preacher  of  any  denomination  is  required  to  obtain  a  license 
for  himself,  or  the  place  in  which  he  worships  ;  and  a  man's  being  a  Dissenter 
is  no  disqualification  for  any  civil  employment.1 

Wesleyanism  was  the  first  form  of  Free  Church  life  to  appear 
on  the  Island.  In  1781  it  was  visited  by  John  Wesley,  and,  as  his 
account  of  the  Island  is  full  of  interesting  points,  it  is  given 
here  in  full : — 

Wed.  [May]  30. — I  embarked  on  board  the  packet-boat  [from  Whitehaven] 
for  the  Isle  of  Man.  We  had  a  dead  calm  for  many  hours  ;  however,  we 
landed  at  Douglas  on  Friday  morning.  Both  the  preachers  met  us  here, 
[Wesleyanism  had  been  introduced  some  six  years  before]  and  gave  me  a 
comfortable  account  of  the  still  increasing  work  of  God. 

Before  dinner,  we  took  a  walk  in  a  garden  near  the  town,  wherein  any  of  the 
inhabitants  of  it  may  walk.  It  is  wonderfully  pleasant,  yet  not  so  pleasant  as 
the  gardens  of  the  Nunnery  (so  it  is  still  called),  which  are  not  far  from  it. 
These  are  delightfully  laid  out,  and  yield  to  few  places  of  the  size  in  England- 
At  six  I  preached  in  the  Market-place,  to  a  large  congregation,  all  of  whom 
except  a  few  children,  and  two  or  three  giddy  young  women,  were  seriously 
attentive. 

Sat.  June  2. — I  rode  to  Castleton,  through  a  pleasant  and  (now)  well- 
cultivated  country.  At  six  I  preached  in  the  Market-place,  to  most  of  the 

1  "  Isle  of   Man  Guide,"  p.  55. 


250  LANCASHIRE   NONCONFORMITY. 

inhabitants  of  the  tov/n,  on  "  One  thing  is  needful."  I  believe  the  word 
carried  conviction  into  the  hearts  of  nearly  all  that  heard  it.  Afterwards.  I 
walked  to  the  house  of  one  of  our  English  friends,  about  two  miles  from  the 
town.  All  the  day  I  observed,  wherever  I  was,  one  circumstance  that  surprised 
me;  In  England  we  generally  hear  the  birds  singing,  morning  and  evening; 
but  here  thrushes,  and  various  other  kinds  of  birds,  were  singing  all  day 
long.  They  did  not  intermit,  even  during  the  noon-day  heat,  where  they 
had  a  few  trees  to  shade  them. 

June  3. — (Being  Whit-Sunday.']  I  preached  in  the  Market-place  again  about 
nine,  to  a  still  larger  congregation  than  before,  on,  "  I  am  not  ashamed  of 
the  Gospel  of  Christ."  How  few  of  the  genteel  hearers  could  say  so  ! 
About  four  in  the  afternoon,  I  preached  at  Barewle,  on  the  mountains,  to  a 
larger  congregation  than  that  in  the  morning.  The  rain  began  soon  after  I 
began  preaching,  but  ceased  in  a  few  minutes.  I  preached  on?  *'  They  were 
all  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,"  and  showed  in  what  sense  this  belongs  to  us 
and  to  our  children.  Between  six  and  seven  I  preached  on  the  sea-shore  at 
Peel,  to  the  largest  congregation  I  have  seen  in  the  Island ;  even  the  society 
mostly  filled  the  house.  I  soon  found  what  spirit  they  were  of.  Hardly  in 
England  (unless,  perhaps,  at  Bolton)  have  I  found  so  plain,  so  earnest,  and 
so  simple  a  people. 

Mon.  4. — We  had  such  a  congregation  at  five  as  might  have  been 
expected  on  a  Sunday  evening.  We  then  rode  through  and  over  the 
mountains  to  Beergarrovv  where  I  enforced  on  an  artless  loving  congregation, 
"  If  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come  unto  me  and  drink."  A  few  miles  from 
thence  we  came  to  Bishop's  Court,  where  good  Bishop  Wilson  resided  near 
three  score  years.  There  is  something  venerable,  though  not  magnificent,  in 
the  ancient  palace  ;  and  it  is  undoubtedly  situated  in  one  of  the  pleasantest 
spots  of  the  whole  Island.  At  six  in  the  evening  I  preached  at  Balleugh,  but 
the  preaching-house  would  not  contain  one  half  of  the  congregation,  of  which 
the  vicar,  Mr.  Gilling,  with  his  wife,  sister,  and  daughter,  were  a  part.  He 
invited  me  to  take  a  breakfast  with  him  in  the  morning,  Tuesday  5,  which  I 
willingly  did.  We  read  family  prayers  before  breakfast,  in  a  very  serious 
manner.  After  spending  a  little  time  very  agreeably,  I  went  on  to  Kirk- 
Andrews  [Andreas].  Here,  also,  I  was  obliged  to  preach  in  the  open  air  ;  the 
rain  being  suspended  till  I  had  done.  In  the  afternoon  we  rode  through  a 
pleasant  and  fruitful  country  to  Ramsay,  about  as  large  as  Peel,  and  more 
regularly  built.  The  rain  was  again  suspended  while  I  preached  to  well 
nigh  all  the  town  ;  but  I  saw  no  inattentive  hearers. 

Wed.  6. — We  had  many  of  them  again  at  five,  and  they  were  all  attentive. 
This  was  the  place  where  the  preachers  had  little  hope  of  doing  good.  I  trust 
they  will  be  happily  disappointed. 

This  morning  we  rode  through  the  most  woody,  and  far  the  pleasantest 
part  of  the  Island  ;  a  range  of  fruitful  land  lying  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains, 
from  Ramsay,  through  Sulby,  to  Kirkmichael.  There  we  stopped  to  look  at 
the  plain  tombstones  of  those  two  good  men,  Bishop  Wilson  and  Bishop 
Hildesley,  whose  remains  are  deposited  side  by  side  at  the  east  end  of  the 


WESLEY'S   PREACHERS.  251 

church.  We  had  scarce  reached  Peel  before  the  rain  increased,  but  here  the 
preaching  house  contained  all  that  could  come.  Afterwards  Mr.  Crook 
desired  me  to  meet  the  singers.  I  was  agreeably  surprised.  I  have  not  heard 
better  singing  either  at  Bristol  or  London.  Many,  both  men  and  women, 
have  admirable  voices;  and  they  sing  with  good  judgment.  Who  would 
have  expected  this  in  the  Isle  of  Man? 

Thur.  7. — I  met  our  little  body  of  Preachers.  They  were  two-and-twenty 
in  all.  I  never  saw  in  England  so  many  stout,  well-looking  Preachers 
together.  If  their  spirit  be  answerable  to  their  look,  I  know  not  what  can 
stand  before  them.  In  the  afternoon  I  rode  over  to  Dawby,  and  preached  to 
a  very  large  and  very  serious  congregation. 

Fri.  8. — Having  now  visited  the  Island  round,  east,  south,  north,  and  west, 
I  was  thoroughly  convinced  that  we  have  no  such  circuit  as  this,  either  in 
England,  Scotland,  or  Ireland.  It  is  shut  up  from  the  world  ;  and,  having 
little  trade,  is  visited  by  scarce  any  strangers.  There  are  no  Papists,  no 
Dissenters  of  any  kind,  no  Calvinists,  no  disputers.  There  is  no  opposition, 
either  from  the  governor  (a  mild,  humane  man),  from  the  Bishop  (a  good 
man),  or  from  the  bulk  of  the  clergy.  One  or  two  of  them  did  oppose  for  a 
time,  but  they  seem  now  to  understand  better  ;  so  that  we  have  now  rather 
too  little  than  too  much  reproach ;  the  scandal  of  the  cross  being,  for  the 
present  ceased.  The  natives  are  a  plain,  artless,  simple  people;  unpolished, 
that  is  unpolluted ;  few  of  them  are  rich  or  genteel ;  and  the  far  greater  part, 
moderately  poor,  and  most  of  the  strangers  that  settle  among  them  are  men 
that  have  seen  affliction.  The  Local  Preachers  are  men  of  faith  and  love,  knit 
together  in  one  mind  and  one  judgment.  They  speak  either  Manx  or 
English,  and  follow  a  regular  plan,  which  the  assistant  gives  them  monthly. 
The  Isle  is  supposed  to  have  thirty  thousand  inhabitants.  Allowing  half  of 
them  to  be  adults,  and  our  societies  to  contain  one  or  two-and-twenty  hundred 
members,  what  a  fair  proportion  is  this  !  What  has  been  seen  like  this  in 
any  part  either  of  Great  Britain  or  Ireland  ? 

Sat.  9.— We  would  willingly  have  set  sail  but  the  strong  north-east  wind 
prevented  us. 

Monday,  n. — It  being  moderate,  we  put  to  sea;  but  it  soon  died  away 
with  a  calm.1 

Wesleyan  Methodism,  which  thus  early  won  such  remarkable 
success  amongst  the  Manx  people,  has  retained  its  foremost 
position  amongst  the  religious  forces  of  the  Island.  The  Primitive 
Methodists,  Piesbyterians,  Congregationalists,  Baptists,  and  even 

1  "Wesley's  Journal,"  vol.  iv.,  pp.  195-197.  Mr.  Wesley  records  in  his 
Journal  that  the  calm  continuing  through  Tuesday,  it  was  Wednesday 
morning  before  the  vessel  reached  Whitehaven.  How  different  to  day  when 
Liverpool,  about  twice  the  distance  to  Whitehaven,  may  be  reached  from 
Douglas  in  less  than  four  hours,  and  in  nearly  all  sorts  of  weather. 


252  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

"Papists,"  with  other  small  sects,  have  followed,  and  are  repre 
sented  by  interests  more  or  less  strong  ;  but  the  Wesleyan  Metho 
dists  are  considerably  the  strongest  Nonconformist  denomination 
in  the  Isle  of  Man, 

Manx  Congregationalism  is  nearly  a  century  old,  and  it  owes  its 
origin  to  the  Rev.  Samuel  Haining.  From  a  document  in  the 
possession  of  the  present  minister  of  the  Finch  Hill  Congregational 
Church,  Douglas,  the  Rev.  David  Inglis,  B.A.,  whose  wife  is  the 
grand-daughter  of  Mr.  Haining,  the  following,  from  Mr.  Haining's 
pen,  relating  to  the  "  commencement  of  the  cause "  and  the 
"various  discouragements"  which  had  to  be  faced,  is  copied  : — 

In  the  year  1804,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Haining,  then  a  student  at  Edinburgh, 
visited  the  Island  to  ascertain  the  state  of  religion,  and  to  try  what  could  be 
done  to  establish  a  Christian  society  regulated  by  New  Testament  principles. 
He  preached  throughout  the  Island  for  a  few  weeks,  and  then  returned  to 
finish  his  studies.  Application  was  made  to  him  by  some  who  had  heard 
him  preach  to  come  amongst  them,  and,  being  advised  by  Christian  friends 
to  do  so,  he  complied,  and  laboured  in  the  different  parts  of  the  Island.  A 
church  was  formed  in  Douglas  on  Congregational  principles,  consisting  of 
eight  members,  and  he  was  ordained  to  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church  on 
the  i5th  August,  1808,  by  Rev.  Mr.  White,  Chester,  Rev.  Job  Wilson,  North- 
wich,  Rev.  Jenkin  Lewis,  Wrexham,  and  Rev.  ^Charles]  Ely,  Bury.  Four 
places  of  worship  were  occupied  before  a  chapel  was  built,  which  was  begun 
in  iSu,  and  opened  for  worship  in  the  month  of  January,  1813.  Many  diffi 
culties  had  to  be  surmounted  from  the  ignorance  of  the  people  and  their 
opposition  to  the  doctrines  of  grace,  from  the  attachment  to  the  Church 
Establishment,  and  from  the  prevailing  influence  of  Methodism  in  the  Island, 
from  the  insufficiency  of  means  of  support,  and  the  want  of  active  pious 
persons  to  co-operate  in  the  spheres  of  usefulness  formed,  from  the  removals, 
by  death,  of  many  attached  friends,  and  from  many  members  and  hearers  of 
the  word  being  obliged  to  go  to  other  places  to  reside ;  but  owing  to  the 
kind  Providence  of  God  we  continue  a  people  still. 

Mr.  Haining  was  accustomed  to  write  in  the  Church  Book  the 
nationality  of  each  person  admitted,  and  it  is  interesting  to  note  that 
those  in  fellowship  during  1808,  t lie  year  of  the  church's  forma 
tion,  represented  four  kingdoms.  The  following  is  the  list :  — 

ANTHONY  FITZCHARLES,  Deacon. 
HUGH  DOUGLAS,  Scotch. 
Mrs.  DOUGLAS,  Scotch. 
ANN  KELLY. 


ATHOL    STREET   CHAPEL.  253 

SUSANNAH  BLUER. 
JANE  HAINING. 
JOHN  ALEXANDER,  Manx. 
GEORGE  REDFERNE.  Manx. 
MARY  FITZCHARLES,  Manx. 
LADY  MACARTNEY,  Irish. 
ELIZA  MACARTNEY,  IRISH. 
GRACE  HANNAY,  Scotch. 
WILLIAM  HANNAY,  Scotch. 
Miss  KERSHAW,  English. 
Miss  EARNSBY,  English. 

Athol  Street  Chapel,  which  was  about  two  years  in  building, 
was  opened  January  24th,  1813,  and  its  cost  was  as  follows : — 


£     s. 

d. 

Purchase  of  the  Ground 

...    189     o 

o 

Building  the  Walls  on 

...   162     o 

o 

Clearing  the  Ground  and  Digging  the  Foundation 

...     40     o 

0 

Timber 

...  331  17 

S 

Workmanship 

...   116     9 

3 

Slates  

...     65     7 

8 

Slating             

...     18     o 

o 

Windows,  Lead,  and  laying  it  on    ... 

...     47  19 

0 

Plastering 

84      0 

o 

Ironmonger's  Bill 

...     34     o 

o 

Lamps... 

28     o 

o 

Painting  Windows  and  Doors 

...        10      0 

0 

Stone  Cutter's  Bill    

...     32    o 

o 

Samuel   Hill,  for  Superintending  Putting  on  the 

Roof, 

and  Sundries 

...     65  14 

I* 

Extras  not  included  in  any  of  the  above  ... 

...     40  1  6 

6 

£1,265     4 

2i 

Gallery. 

£     s. 

d. 

Timber  from  Mr.  Quayle,  Liverpool 

...      15     4 

4 

Do.     from  Robert  Corlette 

16     o 

o 

Workmanship  for  the  Shell  of  the  Gallery 

...     24     o 

o 

Timber  from  R.  Corlette  for  the  Seats     

...     68  13 

"3 

Do.     from  E.  Forbes  for  do. 

...      15     o 

0 

Workmanship  for  Seats  and  Stairs 

...     36     o 

0 

Ironmonger's  Bill      .  . 

...      14     o 

0 

Plasterers'  Bill            

6   10 

0 

Extras  not  included  above   ... 

JO       O 

0 

3     3:] 


254  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

Shortly  after  the  chapel  was  opened,  a  Sunday  School  was 
commenced,  probably  owing  to  the  starting  of  a  Methodist  School 
in  the  town.1  The  following  relates  to  the  event : — 

A  Methodist  Sunday  School  for  the  religious  education  of  children  of 
both  sexes  and  of  all  denominations,  will  be  opened  in  this  town  on  Sunday 
next  [May  2,  1813].  We  understand  that  a  Sunday  School  will  also  be 
opened  at  the  Independent  Chapel,  Athol  Street,  on  Sunday  next,  under  the 
direction  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Haining.2 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  the  information  respecting  Mr. 
Haining,  the  apostle  of  Manx  Congregationalism,  is  not  more  full. 
A  native  of  Kirkcudbright,  and,  as  previously  stated,  educated  at 
Edinburgh,  it  would  be  interesting  to  know  what  led  him  to  turn 
his  attention  in  the  direction  of  this  Island.  Settled,  however, 
here,3  like  most  of  the  Congregational  ministers  of  that  day,  being 
filled  with  the  Missionary  spirit,  he  made  his  church  at  Douglas  the 
centre  of  manifold  labours.  In  1815  pecuniary  assistance  was 
sought  from  the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union,  and  in  the 
Report,  ending  April,  1816,  appears  the  following  interesting 
paragraph  : — 

The  attention  of  your  committee  has  been  directed  also  towards  the  Isle 
of  Man,  from  which  place  they  received  a  strong  appeal  to  their  feelings  on 
behalf  of  the  cause  at  Douglas,  where  our  faithful  brother  Mr.  HAINING  has 
laboured  for  eleven  years  with  considerable  success,  amidst  great  opposition. 
Driven  by  persecution  from  one  building  to  another,  his  congregation  were 
at  last  compelled  to  build  for  themselves.  This  has,  however,  occasioned  a 
debt  which  presses  so  heavy  upon  them,  that  their  minister  has  been  obliged 
to  keep  a  school  for  his  support,  and  has  thus  been  prevented  from  itinerating, 
the  necessity  of  which  is  felt  by  all  there.  To  assist  him  in  doing  so,  your 
committee  have,  agreeable  to  a  resolution  of  the  last  half-yearly  meeting, 
taken  the  case  into  their  serious  consideration,  and  appointed  a  sub  committee 
with  discretionary  power  to  arrange  this  business. 

1  Happily   the   spirit    of    unfriendliness,    which,    in    the   early   days   of 
Methodism  existed  between  it  and  other  Nonconformist  denominations,  has 
ong  ago  passed  away. 

2  Manx  Advertiser  for  May  I,  1813. 

3  The  following  extract  from  the  Manx  Advertiser  for  July  I3th,   1811, 
is  interesting  as  determining  the  place  of  Mr.  Haining's  residence  during  his 
first  years  upon  the  Island  : — 

"  Doctor  Bible  has  taken  a  lease  of  and  removed  to  the  house  lately 
occupied  by  the  Rev.  S.  Haining  in  Muckles  Gate,  next  door  to  Mr.  Clegg's." 


ITINERATING.  255 

The  appeal  was  successful,  the  sum  of  ^25  was  granted,  and 
as  the  result,  we  get  the  following  report  in  April,  1818  :— 

At  the  last  annual  meeting  Mr.  HAINING  was  taken  under  the  wing  of  the 
Union,  as  an  itinerant  in  this  long  neglected  Island ;  and  he  has  laboured 
abundantly,  in  not  less  than  twelve  different  towns  and  villages ;  some  of 
them  distant  ten,  fifteen,  or  even  twenty  miles  from  his  residence.  There 
are  only  two  places  in  the  Island  in  which  he  has  not  yet  been  able  to  preach, 
and  he  hopes  shortly  to  visit  them.  He  is  in  the  habit  of  preaching  five 
times  in  the  week,  besides  the  labours  of  the  Sabbath.  In  his  own  congre 
gation  at  Douglas,  he  has  been  more  successful  than  in  any  former  year, 
having  been  enabled  to  give  himself  wholly  to  the  ministry.  Among  the 
places  visited  by  Mr.  HAINING  he  particularises  the  following  :  Union  Mills, 
Kirk  Onihan  [Onchan  ?]  Ramsey,  Ballaugh,  and  Castletown  (the  capital  of  the 
Island),  in  each  of  which,  many  who  were  living  without  God  in  the  world, 
have  attended  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel,  and  have  manifested  a  great 
desire  to  have  it  continued.  Thus  has  the  sum  of  £25  enabled  a  faithful 
minister  to  carry  the  glad  tidings  of  great  joy  to  hundreds  who  were  perishing 
for  lack  of  knowledge  ;  and,  with  the  continued  assistance  of  the  Union,  he 
will  not  fail  to  preach  among  them  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 

Mention  is  made  in  the  foregoing  extract  of  Ramsey  and  Castle- 
town,  where  Mr.  Haining  frequently  preached.  Congregational 
churches  existed  here  for  a  short  time,  and  at  this  point  it  will  be 
convenient  to  give  the  few  items  of  information  about  them  which 
I  have  been  able  to  obtain.  As  early  as  1810,  a  church  had  been 
established  at  Ramsey,  and  the  following  is  an  account  of  the 
ordination  of  a  minister  to  the  pastorate  on  September  23rd  of  that 
year : — 

Rev.  Js.  Taylor  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Independent  Church,  Isle  of 
Man.  Mr.  D.  Lewis,  Llanbrynmair,  introduced  the  service.  Mr.  Haining,  of 
Douglas,  described  the  nature  of  a  Gospel  Church  from  Acts  ix.  31;  Mr. 
D.  Jones,  of  Holywell,  asked  the  questions  and  prayed  the  ordination  prayer; 
Mr.  Haining  delivered  the  charge  from  i  Tim.,  iv.,  16  ;  Mr.  Jones  preached  to 
the  people  from  Phil,  i.,  27.  first  clause;  Mr.  Haining  concluded  by  prayer. 
The  congregation  was  large,  remarkably  attentive,  and  apparently  much 
affected.  For  five  years  Mr.  Haining  occasionally  preached  in  Ramsey. 
Mr.  Taylor  has  laboured  there  for  more  than  a  year,  with  considerable  accep 
tance  ;  a  church  is  formed,  and  the  prospect  is  encouraging.  This  is  the 
second  Independent  Church  lately  planted  in  the  Isle  of  Man.1 

1  "Evangelical  Magazine"  for  1811,  p.  116. 


256  LANCASHIRE   NONCONFORMITY. 

The  County  Union  Report,  ending  April,  1820,  states 
that  whilst  there  had  been  "several  additions  to  the  church  at 
Ramsey,"  it  had  to  "deplore  the  loss  of  its  principal  friend."  In 
1821  the  Home  Missionary  Society  sent  the  Rev.  Mr.  Baker  to 
take  charge  of  the  church,  who  is  said  to  have  laboured  with 
"great  promise  of  success."  In  1829  "Vacant  from  Removal" 
is  written  against  the  church,  and  shortly  afterwards,  it  appears  to 
have  died  out.  Possibly  consequent  upon  this,  at  any  rate,  about 
that  time  a  Congregational  church  was  established  at  Castletown. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Morss  was  minister  in  1833,  DUt  ne  was  "not  yet 
ordained." 

The  County  Union  Report  for  the  year  ending  April,  1837,  has 
the  following  respecting  Castletown  :— 

The  Rev.  Mr.  BERRY  states,  that  during  the  past  year  the  interest  at  this 
place  has  proved  a  source  of  "animation,  depression,  and  perplexity."  Full 
one  third  of  the  original  congregation,  including  several  of  their  most  active 
and  valuable  coadjutors,  have  been  removed  to  England.  In  the  midst  of 
these  discouragements,  however,  he  considers  that  the  cause  has  substantially 
advanced  in  public  estimation,  and  the  people  seem  to  be  united,  and  deeply 
concerned  for  the  welfare  of  the  place.  Mr.  BERRY  has  preached  at  Port 
Lethary,  Balla  Beg,  Balla  Salla,a.nd  the  Strand,  where  the  congregations  have 
been  good,  though  the  severity  of  the  weather  and  sickness  have  prevented 
his  visiting  them  with  the  regularity  he  desired.  The  congregation  at 
Ciistleto-wn  has  varied  from  thirty  to  sixty.  There  are  at  present  seventeen 
members  in  the  Church  ;  there  are  forty  children  in  the  Sunday  School.  Mr. 
BERRY  considers  the  village  congregations  as  very  encouraging ;  usually  they 
are  about  forty.  At  the  Strand  in  particular,  the  place  is  always  full,  and 
the  congregation  remarkably  serious  and  devout. 

In  the  autumn  of  1837,  Mr.  Berry  resigned,  and  retired  from 
the  Island,  and  during  the  winter  the  place  of  worship  was  closed  ; 
but  it  was  re-opened  in  the  following  spring  "under  very 
encouraging  circumstances,"  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Saxton,  formerly  a 
student  of  RotherhDin  College,  became  the  minister.  The  church 
remained  in  existence  only  a  few  years  longer. 

Returning  to  Mr.  Raining,  the  County  Union  Report,  ending 
May,  1821,  states  that  the  Home  Missionary  Society  had  "kindly 
expressed  their  intention  to  supply  the  Island  with  the  means  of 
itinerant  preaching "  ;  but  their  efforts  were  to  be  "  considered 
auxiliary"  to  those  of  the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union.  As 


A  G  GRESSIVE  CONG  RE  GA  TIONAL2SM.         2  5  7 

the  result  of  this,  Mr.  Baker,  as  we  have  seen,  was  sent  to  Ramsey, 
with  whom  Mr.  Haining  "zealously"  co-operated.  From  the 
Evangelical  Magazine  for  1822,  the  following  is  taken,  which 
illustrates  how  anxious  the  little  band  of  Congregationalists  in 
Athol  Street  were  to  spread  their  principles  in  the  Island  :— 

At  a  meeting  of  the  friends  of  religion  in  Athol  Street  Chapel,  Douglas, 
Isle  of  Man,  May  2yth,  1822,  was  formed  "The  Isle  of  Man  Congregational 
Itinerant  Society,"  designed  to  spread  the  gospel  throughout  that  Island  by 
means  of  preaching  and  of  schools.  Mr.  W.  Kelly  was  appointed  President, 
and  the  Rev.  T.  F.  Winslow,1  Secretary.  The  gospel  is  now  preached  in 
several  parts  of  the  Island.  The  communication  from  Liverpool  or  Greenock 
being  greatly  facilitated  by  means  of  steam  boats,  they  hope  to  receive  visits 
from  their  Christian  friends  thereabouts.  The  climate  is  healthy,  the  living 
cheap,  and  the  sea-bathing,  they  say,  excellent.  It  is  proposed,  as  soon  as 
possible  to  procure  ministers  to  preach  to  the  inhabitants  in  Manks,  their 
native  language.2 

Following  this  Mr.  Haining  was  able  to  report  to  the  Lanca 
shire  Congregational  Union,  in  1823  : — 

There  are  now,  at  least,  four  preachers  in  constant  motion  throughout  the 
Island.  And  there  are  encouraging  accounts  of  the  places  in  which  the 
word  of  God  is  preached  under  the  patronage  of  this  Society. 

Mr.  Haining  continued  to  receive  help  from  the  Union  Funds 
for  some  years  after  this,  but  no  further  information  about  his 
work  appears  in  the  Reports.  In  1829  the  following  information 
respecting  the  ecclesiastical  condition  of  the  Island  is  given  :— 

Population,  50,000.  Diocese,  Sodorand  Mann.  The  existing  churches  will 
not  afford  room  for  more  than  9,000.  In  Douglas,  7,000  inhabitants,  and  the 
Episcopal  churches  cannot  accommodate  1,400  hearers.  Wesleyan  Methodists) 
3  circuits,  5  preachers.  CONTRIBUTIONS — Bible  Society,  ,£86  35.  Wesleyan 
Methodists,  ^140  143.  7d.  C/iurch  ditto,  ^25. 
SUNDAY  SCHOOLS,  65.  Scholars,  3,602. 

Place.  Pastor.  Remarks. 

Douglas    Rev.    S.    Haining       ...     Erected  1813. 

Kirkmichael,  Peel...         -  Dalrymple. 

Ramsey Vacant  from  Removal.3 

1  Probably  this  was  Mr.  Thomas  Winslow,  who  was  recommended  by  the 
church  at  Islington,  London,  to  the  Glasgow  Theological  Academy,  where 
he  was  entered  as  a  student  in  1819. 

2  Page  363. 

a  "Congregational  Magazine"  for  1829,  p.  735. 
6-17 


258  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

The  Rev.  A.  Jack,  Congregational  minister  of  Whitehaven,  paid 
a  visit  to  the  Island  in  1833,  in  connection  with  the  London 
Missionary  Society,  and  in  a  letter  to  the  Home  Secretary,  says  : — 

I  was  much  gratified  with  the  kind  reception  which  Mr.  Rodgerson  and 
myself  met  with  in  the  Island,  and  the  disposition  shown  to  help  the  great 
cause  of  missions.  The  brethren  in  Douglas  and  in  Castletown  showed 
themselves  quite  alive  in  the  work  and  only  complained  that  they  had 
so  long  been  left  out  of  the  churches  to  which  appeals  had  been  made  for 
support.  There  are  only  two  Congregational  Churches  in  the  Island,  one  in 
Douglas,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Mr.  Haining,  and  the  other  at  Castle- 
town,  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Morss,  who  is  not  yet  ordained.  There's  a 
Scotch  church  in  Douglas,  but  in  a  very  feeble  state.  I  formed  An  Auxiliary 
Society  for  the  Island  at  Douglas,  which  I  hope  will  succeed.  It  is 
placed  in  the  hands  of  some  active  young  ladies,  who,  I  have  no  doubt, 
will  work  well.  I  formed  also  an  Association  at  Castletown  which  promises  well. 
They  will  both,  however,  be  only  miniatures,  for  there  is  not  a  Manchester  in 
the  Island.  Will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  send  to  me,  by  the  first  monthly  parcel, 
some  missionary  papers  adapted  for  circulation  at  Douglas  and  at  Castletown, 
that  the  ladies  may  proceed  vigorously  in  their  work.  I  am  happy  that  I  had  an 
opportunity  of  making  known  the  society  and  its  claims  to  many  who  seemed 
to  have  no  idea  that  any  other  Missionary  Society  existed  beside  the 
Wesleyan.  I  promised  that  if  it  were  in  my  power  I  would  revisit  the 
Island  next  year,  and  keep  alive  the  impression  made  in  favour  of  the 
Society.  The  Primitive  Methodists  showed  us  much  kindness  in  granting 
the  use  of  their  chapels.  The  collections  amounted  to  £26  55.  yd.1 

Mr.  Haining  continued  his  useful  labours  at  Douglas  until  they 
were  interrupted  by  death  in  1846.  His  tombstone  in  the  grave 
yard  of  St.  George's  Church,  Douglas,  contains  the  following 

inscription  : — 

In  Memory  of 

JANE. 
Wife  of  The  Rev.  Samuel  Haining, 

of  this  town, 
She  departed  this  life  on  the  i6th  of  January,  1843, 

Aged  60  Years. 

Also  of  the  Rev.  SAMUEL  HAINING, 
A    native   of    Kirkcudbrightshire,    Scotland, 

who  came  to  this  Island  in  1804,  as  a  Minister  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ, 
and  was  Pastor  of  the  Church  and  Congregation  which  met 

in  the  Independent  Chapel, 
Atholl  Street,  in  this  town  from  its  erection  in  1813 

till  his  death  on  the 
22nd  of  August,    1846,   in  the  68th  Year  of    his  Age  ; 

1   ''Evangelical  Magazine"  for  1833,  p.  421. 


THE  CHAPEL  AT  FALCON  CLIFF.  259 

Also, 

JAMES     HAINING, 

Eldest  Son  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Haining, 

Died  25th  February,  1876, 

Aged  67  Years. 

Mr.  Haining  was  one  of  the  originators  of  the  Lancasterian 
School,  now  St.  George's  Church  Day  and  Sunday  School,  of  which 
the  Rev.  D.  Inglis,  B.A.,  as  his  representative,  is  a  trustee ;  also  of 
the  Isle  of  Man  Auxiliary  of  the  Bible  Society,  going  up  to  London 
to  obtain  the  needful  information.  He  was  the  author  of  a  capital 
Isle  of  Man  Guide,  which  passed  through  two  or  three  editions ; 
and  he  published,  "Mormonism  Weighed  in  the  Balances  of 
the  Sanctuary  and  Found  Wanting;"  "Strictures  on  the  Charge 
of  the  Bishop  of  Sodor  and  Mann,  Delivered  to  his  clergy  at 
Bishop's  Court,  July  loth,  1844;"  and  a  sermon  on  "  Regeneration." 
He  was  an  excellent  Hebrew  scholar,  and  during  the  forty  years  of 
his  residence  upon  the  Island  laboured  with  a  fidelity  which  has 
caused  his  name  to  be  still  a  tender  memory  to  some  of  the  older 
people.  His  daughter,  Miss  Haining,  still  survives. 

The  vacant  pastorate  was  filled  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Harrison,  who 
had  been  educated   at  Rotherham   College.       Trouble  arising,  he 
resigned  after  two  or   three  years,  and  the  chapel   was  closed  for 
several    months.     It  was   about   this  time  that  the    Rev.    W.   C. 
Stallybrass  came  to   be  tutor    to    the  family  of  Mr.  Jackson,  of 
Falcon  Cliff.     Mr.  Jackson  had  ceased  to  attend  Athol  Street,  and 
with  him  came  into  existence  Cliff  Chapel,  of  which  Mr.  Stallybrass 
was  minister  for  a  short  time.     In  1850,  however,  the  Athol  Street 
friends  invited  him  to  the  pastorate  of  the  church  there.    The  invi 
tation  was  accepted,  and    Mr.  Stallybrass    began   his    labours  on 
July  25th  of  that  year.   At  Cliff  Chapel,  the  Rev.  Robert  Chamberlain 
became  his  successor.     He    was   educated  at  Hoxton  Academy, 
had    held  pastorates  at  South  Shields,    Petworth,    and    Swanage, 
previous    to    his    removal    to    the    Isle    of   Man,   in    1852.       He 
remained  some  two  years,  when  he  became  pastor  of  the  Congre 
gational    Church,  at  Oakham,  where  he  died  December  3oth,  1855, 
aged  fifty-eight  years,  having  been  minister  only  a  few  days.    Shortly 
after  Mr.  Chamberlain's  removal  the  church  at  Falcon  Cliff  ceased 
to  exist ;  the  chapel  has  since  been  "  transformed  into  an  entrance 


26o  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

to  Falcon  Cliff  Hotel  grounds."  Immediately  on  the  settlement  of 
Mr.  S  tally  brass  at  Athol  Street,  the  church  was  re-formed,  and 
after  a  successful  pastorate  of  eight  years  he  removed  to  Wavertree, 
Liverpool.1 

His  successor  was  the  Rev.  John  Chater,  a  student  from  Ches- 
hunt  College,  who  had  charge  of  the  church  from  February  2oth, 
1859,  to  May,  1863,  when  he  removed  to  West  End,  Southport, 
where  he  is  still  the  respected  minister.  His  successor  was  the 
Rev.  Anthony  Thompson,  B.A.  Born  at  Alnwick,  in  1835,  and, 
educated  at  Spring  Hill  College,  he  settled  at  Douglas,  in  1863, 
on  the  completion  of  his  college  career.  A  promising  ministry  was 
cut  short  by  his  death,  April  5th,  1866.  On  November  23rd, 
1866,  Wm.  Dairy mple,  Esq.,  laid  the  foundation  stone  of  the 
present  Finch  Hill  Congregational  Church,  and  on  the  same  day 
the  Rev.  John  Williamson,  M.A.,  a  student  from  Lancashire 
College,  was  recognised  as  pastor.  The  following  ministers,  most 
of  whom  had  taken  part  in  the  stone  laying  ceremony,  assisted  in 
this  second  service  :  Revs.  J.  Legge,  M.A.,  J.  Fettes,  A.  Murdock, 
J.  A.  Macfadyen,  M.A.,  Professor  Scott,  LL.B.,  and  Professor 
Newth.  The  building  was  opened  for  public  worship  in  1868.  It 
is  a  neat  and  commodious  edifice,  and,  standing  well  on  the  hill,  is  a 
conspicuous  object  in  the  town.  The  accommodation  provided  is 
for  600  persons,  and  the  total  cost,  including  land  and  school,  was 
about  ^"5,000.  Within  the  last  three  years  several  very  hand 
some  windows  have  been  inserted  in  the  church  by  the  Dairy  mple, 
Maitland,  and  Haining  families,  in  memory  of  worthy  members 
who  have  gone  over  to  the  majority.  The  old  chapel  in  Athol 
Street,  which  had  done  good  service  for  more  than  half  a  century, 
was  sold  and  transformed  into  shops,  the  upper  part  now 
serving  the  useful  purpose  of  a  Free  Library.  On  September  3oth, 
1878,  Mr.  Williamson  closed  a  successful  pastorate,  and  removed 
to  Newland  Chapel,  Lincoln.  His  present  sphere  of  labour  is  at 
Cardiff.  On  the  23rd  of  February,  1879,  the  Rev.  David  Inglis, 
B.A.,  from  Werneth,  Oldham,2  began  his  ministry  as  Mr. 
Williamson's  successor,  and  still  continues  here.  With  the  exception 
of  Mr.  Haining's,  his  pastorate  is,  therefore,  by  several  years,  the 

1  Vide  ante  p.  211. 

2  Vide  vol.  v.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


THE  REV.  JAMES  DALRYMPLE.  26 1 

longest  which  the  church  has  enjoyed,  and  it  has  been  not  the  least 
successful.  During  that  period  a  debt  of  .£1,400  has  been  removed 
and  class  rooms  have  been  erected  at  a  cost  of  about  £250' 
About  seven  years  ago  the  church  was  beautified,  at  an  expense  of 
^t4o,  and  the  membership  which  stood  at  about  eighty-three  at  the 
commencement  of  the  present  pastorate,  is  now  130.  Recently  the 
church  has  suffered  heavy  losses  in  the  removal  by  death  of  at 
least  two  of  its  most  prominent  members— Mr.  William  Dalrymple, 
son  of  the  Rev.  James  Dalrymple,  of  whom  more  presently,  fell 
asleep  on  May  i8th,  1890,  after  filling  many  useful  positions 
in  the  public  life  of  the  Island,  and  serving  the  church  in  the 
capacity  of  deacon  for  forty  years.  Mr.  Thomas  Cubbon,  his 
brother-in-law,  a  "  good  and  faithful  servant,"  both  in  the  church 


^m^wz^^^s&v-*- 

ATHOL    STREET    INDEPENDENT    CHAPEL    AS    IT    APPEARED    FIFTY    YEARS    AGO. 

and  out,  died  May  gth,  1893,  aged  sixty  years,  leaving  a  vacancy 
which  many  years  will  not  succeed  in  filling,  and  a  blessed  memory 
which  time  will  not  efface. 

Reference  has  just  been  made  to  the  Rev.  James  Dalrymple, 
who  was  educated  at  Edinburgh.  His  career  was  a  somewhat 
chequered  one;  but,  according  to  the  passage  previously  cited 
from  the  Congregational Magazine,  he  was  "pastor"  of  Kirk  Michael 
in  1829.  Probably  all  that  is  meant  is  that  Mr.  Dalrymple,  who 
was  a  schoolmaster  there  at  the  time,  conducted  religious  worship 
as  he  had  opportunity,  for  there  is  no  evidence  that  a  Congre 
gational  Church  ever  existed  at  Kirk  Michael.  It  was,  however,  at 
Union  Mills  that  he  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  preaching, 
in  a  very  humble  meeting  house,  the  Gospel  he  so  dearly  loved. 


262  LANCASHIRE    NONCONFORMITY. 

Some  humorous  stories  are  related  concerning  him,  one  of  which 
is  to  the  following  effect  :  On  one  occasion,  whilst  conducting  the 
service,  the  lighted  candles  caught  the  loose  folds  of  his  gown 
which  he  sometimes  wore,  and  Mr.  Dalrymple  simply  remarked 
that  for  once  he  was  "a  burning  and  a  shining  light."  After  his 
death,  which  took  place  in  December,  1861,  the  present  little  chapel, 
with  sitting  accommodation  for  150  persons,  was  erected  by  public 
subscription,  in  memory  of  his  long  and  faithful  labours.  The 
foundation  stone  was  laid  June  25th,  1862,  and  the  building  was 
opened  for  worship  in  the  following  year.  Services  were  continued 
until  1873,  when,  "owing  to  the  difficulty  of  finding  suitable  pulpit 
supply,"  the  place  was  closed.  In  September,  1890,  the  Finch 
Hill  Church  took  steps  for  its  reopening.  The  Rev.  F.  R.  Roberts, 
M.A.,  late  of  East  Boldon,  and  formerly  a  student  of  Lancashire 
College,  took  charge  of  the  place.  After  some  twelve  months  he 
left,  and  was  followed  from  September,  1891,  to  May,  1892,  by 
the  Rev.  \V.  C.  Lee,  late  of  St.  Annes-on-the-Sea.1  No  successor 
has  yet  been  appointed.  The  members  are  in  fellowship  with 
Finch  Hill  Church  ;  and  the  County  Union,  since  its  reopening, 
has  annually  granted  ^25  in  support  of  the  work. 

Until  a  few  years  ago  there  existed  a  second  Congregational 
Church  in  Douglas  of  some  importance,  a  brief  account  of  which 
will  conclude  the  history  of  Congregationalism  in  the  Isle  of  Man. 
Respecting  its  origin  a  recent  writer  says  : — 

About  fifteen  years  [should  be  about  thirty]  ago,  the  Finch  Hill  Congre 
gational  Church  sought  to  extend  its  usefulness  into  the  neglected  parts  of 
Douglas,  and  for  this  laudable  end  engaged  Mr.  Smith  as  an  evangelist, 
who,  for  a  long  time,  laboured  in  visiting  from  house  to  house,  cottage  prayer 
meetings  and  in  the  open  air,  especially  on  the  Market-place,  until  at  last  he 
drew  around  him  a  number  of  attached  supporters.  After  a  while  mission 
rooms  were  engaged ;  the  Temperance  Hall  (since  pulled  down)  and  St. 
George's  Hall,  Athol  Street,  and  the  evangelist,  possessing  a  large  amount  of 
the  genius  of  the  revivalist,  gathered  together  large  meetings.  Mr.  Smith 
becoming  exceedingly  popular,  was  persuaded  by  his  numerous  followers  to 
enter  upon  a  more  ambitious  project  and  a  wider  field  of  usefulness  than 
small  mission  rooms  afforded.  Eventually  a  plot  of  ground  was  fixed  upon 
in  Circular  Road,  near  Buck's  Road,  and  the  erection  of  a  large  chapel  was 
commenced.2 

1  Vide  vol.  i.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 

2  Broadbent's  "  Guide  to  the  Isle  of  Man,"  p.  190. 


THE  HEROISM  OF  CONGREGATIONALISM.     263 

The  chapel,  according  to  an  inscription  upon  its  front,  was  erected 
in  1866,  and  has  sitting  accommodation  for  about  600  persons. 
For  several  years,  large  congregations  were  gathered  by  Mr. 
Smith's  ministry;  but  in  1872  he  resigned,  being  followed  in 
the  same  year  by  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Hyatt,  who  had  been  trained 
for  the  Wesleyan  ministry.  He  removed  to  Upper  Mill,  in  York 
shire,  in  1874.  His  successor  was  the  .Rev.  J.  S.  Kent,  who  held 
the  pastorate  from  1877  to  I^79,  removing  in  the  latter  year  to 
Little  Lever,  near  Bolton.1  The  Rev.  T.  R.  Quayle  became  the 
minister  in  1880.  He  remained  about  three  years,  and  no  successor 
was  appointed.  The  building  was  eventually  sold  to  the 
Unitarians  by  whom  it  is  now  used.  During  several  years  previous 
to  its  dissolution  the  church  received  considerable  help  from  the 
Union  Funds;  and  it  may  be  added  that  for  some  time  there  was  a 
preaching  station  at  Laxey  connected  with  it  having  sitting  accom 
modation  for  about  100  persons. 

Such  is  the  story  of  Manx  Congregationalism.  In  some 
aspects  doubtless  it  is  discouraging,  but  in  others  not;  in  some 
senses  it  may  be  a  record  of  comparative  failure,  but  much  more 
of  persistent  and  courageous  effort  on  the  part  of  men  who  had  the 
strongest  faith  in  their  principles.  And  if  it  has  not  succeeded 
in  multiplying  its  interests  as  largely  as  some  other  denominations, 
Congregationalism  is  well  and  respectably  represented  by  the 
Finch  Hill  Church,  which  for  more  than  eighty  years  has  borne 
honourable  testimony  to  the  truths  of  the  Divine  kingdom. 

1  Vide  vol.  iii.  of  "  Lancashire  Nonconformity." 


NOTES. 


PAGE  27.— In  the  Raffles  MSS.  is  the  following  respecting  East  Bank  Street  Chapel  :— 

"  This  Chapel  is  a  neat  building  of  brick,  from  a  plan  by  Mr.  Haigh,  of  Liverpool.  It  is 
16  yards  by  14  outside,  the  walls  2  bricks  thick.  It  is  in  situated  in  a  lane  called  East  Bank 
Lane.  The  land  was  bought  of  Peter  \'!\  Hesketh,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Lords  of  the  Manor,  and 
is  copyhold,  renewable  for  ever  on  a  fine  of  ^5  for  every  life,  three  lives  being  put  in  at  the 
purchase.  The  whole  quantity  of  land  enclosed  within  the  walls  is  40  yards  !.y  30.  The  first 
stone  was  laid  in  July,  1823,  and  the  Chapel  was  opened  December  isth  in  the  same  year,  by 
Rev.  Alexander  Steill  and  Dr.  Raffles." 

PAGE  46. — The  Rev.  Edwin  Robinson  after  leaving  Ramsbottom  went  to  Manchester, 
and  had  no  regular  pastorate  afterwards  ;  but  his  name  appears  in  connection  with  the 
"Tabernacle"  there  in  City  Road  in  1851  as  the  preacher.  (Vide  vol.  v.,  of  "Lancashire 
Nonconformity.") 

PAGE  68.— The  Rev.  W.  Berridge,  Vicar  of  St.  Mary's  Church,  Lowton,  sends  an 
interesting  notice  of  Mr.  James  Eckersley,  who  lived  the  greater  part  of  his  long  life  in  Mather 
Lane,  near  the  house  where  Richard  Mather  was  born.  Though  not  a  Congregationalist,  he 
was  a  good  Nonconformist,  being  a  local  preacher  for  many  years  amongst  the  Independent 
Methodists.  He  was  born  March  9th,  1804,  and  when  old  enough  began  work  as  a  silk  weaver, 
which  was  a  very  common  trade  in  those  days.  Subsequently  he  took  to  fanning,  and 
followed  that  occupation  for  nearly  sixty  years.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  became  a  local 
preacher,  and  as  such  frequently  visited  Bolton,  St.  Helens,  Wigan,  Leigh,  and  many  other 
places.  After  a  long  life  of  quiet,  useful  service,  Mr.  Eckersley  died  March  3rd,  1892,  and  was 
interred  at  St.  Mary's  Church  on  the  following  Monday,  Mr.  Berridge  performing  the 
funeral  ceremony.  A  short  service  in  the  Independent  Methodist  Chapel,  conducted  by  the 
Revs.  John  Adamson  and  W.  Graham,  had  preceded.  Mr.  Berridge,  who  had  interested 
himself  much  in  Mr.  Eckersley,  with  a  catholicity  of  spirit  not  too  common,  referred  in 
generous  and  appropriate  terms  to  his  death  on  the  following  Sunday  morning,  "  Born," 
said  he,  "within  a  few  yards  of  the  suot  on  which  this  church  now  stands,  his  body  thus  rests 
near  the  place  of  its  birth,  but  his  soul  by  common  consent  has  found  a  place  amomgst  the 
Saints  on  high.  As  long  as  his  strength  permitted,  he  led  an  active  life  in  his  great  Master's 
service,  and  was  untiring  in  his  efforts  for  the  spiritual  good  of  his  fellow  men.  In  the  great 
and  final  reckoning  many  will  rise  up  and  thank  him  for  the  faithful  witness  he  bore.  Though 
not  of  our  communion,  he  was  most  tolerant  to  all  who  differed  from  him,  and  I  consider  it  no 
light  privilege  to  have  known  such  a  man  as  he." 

PAGE  76. — The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  certificate  of  the  register  of  Peter  Gaskill's 
house,  known  as  "Red  House,"  at  Burton  Wood  : — 

"  21  Die.,  July  1690.  These  are  to  certify  whom  it  may  concerne  that  the  house  of  Peter 
Gaskill  of  Burton  Wood  in  this  County  now  certifyed  to  this  court  for  a  meeting 
place  for  a  congregacon  of  Protestants  dissenting  from  the  Church  of  England  for 
the  exercise  of  their  religious  worshipp  in  it  (pursuant  to  a  late  Act  of  Parlia  mt 
in  that  case  made  and  p'vided)  recorded  att  this  p'sent  Qr  Sessions. 
Given  nnd'r  my  hand  in  open  court  of  Cjr  Sessions  att  Ormes  Kirke  the  day  and 
year  above  written.  ROGER  KKNYON  Clerk  of  the  Peace  there." 


266  NOTES. 

PAGE  92. — In  the  aisle  of  the  old  Chapel  at  St.  Helens  immediately  in  front  of  the  pulpit 
was  a  brassplate  thus  inscribed  :— 

Here  lyeth  the  body 
of  the  Revd.  Joseph 
Gellibrand  who  offici 
ated  at  this  place  near 
30  years,  and  departed 
this  life  the  i8th  of 
June  1740,  aged  63. 

PAGE  93.— This  work  was  nearly  all  in  type  when  four  volumes  of  the  late  Dr.  Raffles's 
MSS.  came  into  my  hands.  They  have  been  given  to  the  Lancashire  Independent  College 
by  his  executors,  an  institution  in  which  he  always  took  the  deepest  interest,  and  Mr. 
Goodyear,  Librarian,  has  kindly  placed  them  at  my  disposal.  In  the  Preface  I  have 
expressed  my  regret  that  the  opportunity  of  consulting  them  earlier  was  not  mine,  but  I 
have  made  good  use  of  them  in  these  notes,  and  occasionally  I  have  broken  into  the 
narrative  that  the  reader  may  have  the  advantage  of  Dr.  Raffles's  careful  researches.  It 
is  well  known  that  Dr.  Hailey  had  access  to  these  MSS.  in  preparing  his  "  Lancashire 
Puritanism  and  Nonconformity,"  a  work  of  deep  interest  and  value  ;  but  the  character  of 
these  MSS.  convinces  me  that  if  Dr.  Raffles  had  carried  out  the  thought  which  was  once 
in  his  mind  and  had  written  the  history  of  Lancashire  Nonconformity,  it  would  have  been 
along  the  lines  of  the  present  work  rather  than  those  of  Dr.  Halley's. 

PAGE  93. — Respecting  the  Rev.  William  Harding    Dr.  Raffles  says  : — 

"  He  had  no  education  for  the  ministry,  but  held  a  farm  and  preached  at  Partington  in 
Cheshire.  Mr.  Jonathan  Mercer,  of  Alierton,  being  a  cheesefactor,  met  him  in  his  journies 
of  business,  and  it  was  chiefly  through  his  introduction  and  influence  that  he  came  to  the 
Park.  .  .  He  was  stern  and  morose  in  his  disposition,  there  was  little  in  him  to  attach  the 
young  to  his  person  or  his  ministry,  the  consequence  was  that  the  congregation  declined  under 
him.  .  .  He  was  by  no  means  happy  in  his  family,  although  for  live  or  six  years  previous 
to  his  death  he  gave  up  his  farm  and  resided  with  one  of  his  daughters  who  married  an 
American  Captain,  and  lived  in  Upper  Frederick  Street,  Liverpool.  During  the  above 
mentioned  period,  he  was  laid  aside  from  preaching  by  the  infirmities  of  age.  He  was  in  the 
habit  of  preaching  a  sermon  on  the  5th  of  November,  but  he  kept  no  other  day ;  for  on 
a  certain  occasion  when  Christmas  Day  happened  to  fall  on  a  Sunday,  he  apologised  to  some 
of  his  people  for  not  preaching  on  an  appropriate  subject,  saying,  that  he  had  no  sermon  by 
him  of  that  nature,  and  he  had  not  time  to  make  one.  He  was  very  fond  of  flowers  and  paid 
great  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  them,  but  whether  he  was  a  scientific  Botanist  or  not,  I 
cannot  tell.  He  had,  however,  a  very  fine  garden." 

PAGE  95.— The  incendiaries  were  supposed  to  be  Roman  Catholics.  The  Chapel  was 
rebuilt  in  1774,  and  its  cost  was  ,£217.  us.  8d.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  humble 
petition  of  the  congregation  of  Protestant  Dissenters  in  Toxteth  Park,  Liverpool  :— 

"Whereas  the  Dissenting  Chapel  in  Toxteth  Park,  was  in  a  very  ruinous  condition, 
insomuch  that  it  was  dangerous  to  celebrate  worship  therein,  and  it  was  thought  necessary  to 
rebuild  the  roof,  with  the  greater  part  of  the  walls  ;  and  whereas  the  expense  amounts  to 
about  two  hundred  pounds,  which  the  Society  of  itself  is  not  able  to  defray,  We  the  under 
mentioned  do,  in  the  name  of  the  Congregation,  hereby  implore  the  assistance  of  our 
Brethren  and  fellow  Christians. 

WILLIAM  HARDING 

JOHN  RIGBY 
March  i4th,  1775.  JNO.  MERGER 

WM.  LASSELL 

DAN.  MATHER 

JOHN  HAUGHTON. 

We  the  undersigned,  being  Protestant  Dissenting  Ministers  in  and  about  Liverpool,  do 
recommend  the  case  of  the  People  of  Toxteth  Park  Chapel  to  the  attention  of  charitable  and 
well  disposed  Christians. 

RICHARD  HARRISON 

ROBT.   LEWIN 

PHILIP  TAYLOR 

RICHARD  GODWIN 

H.  KIRK  PATRICK 

N.  Cr.AyTON." 


NOTES.  267 

PAGE  143.— A  century  ago  London  was  to  the  churches  in  the  Provinces  what  Manchester 
is  to-day  to  all  the  churches  outside  itself  in  the  county.  It  was  the  place  to  which  all 
religious  beggars  went.  In  the  Spring  of  1789,  the  Rev.  James  Kenworthy,  of  Warrington,  was 
in  London  seeking  help  on  behalf  of  his  newly  erected  place  of  worship  ;  and  he  sent  to  Mr. 
Jonathan  Mercer  a  humorous  letter  respecting  the  matter,  of  which  the  following  is  an 
extract : — 

"  You  have  heard  it  is  very  probable,  that  I  have  made  some  little  progress  in  my  present 
most  disagreeable  business,  but  it  is  very  slow.  Have  gone  from  place  to  place  a  whole 
afternoon  for  one  single  half  guinea.  Some  have  been  unjust  enough  to  tell  me  that  I 
neglect  my  people  at  home  to  come  begging  to  London,  others  stand  to  guard  their  doors 
against  me  as  if  I  was  about  to  rifle  them.  It  is  a  work  to  me,  sir,  insupportable.  A  day  or 
two  after  I  began  I  met  with  such  unkind  treatment  that  I  was  about  to  return  home  which 
I  certainly  should  have  done  but  for  an  individual  or  two,  who  seemed  to  be  inclined  to  give 
me  some  assistance.  It  is  only  a  sense  of  circumstances,  etc.,  which  enables  me  to  proceed  : 
but  how  I  shall  succeed  in  the  end  time,  as  in  other  things,  can  only  determine.  It  was 
with  great  difficulty  I  procured  the  sanction  of  the  Board,  and  which  sorry  to  tell  you,  after  I 
have  gotten  it,  is  little  more  than  a  GREAT  NOTHING.  My  time  seems  to  be  one  of  the  worst. 
Beggars  almost  swarm,  but  one,  in  particular,  seems  to  be  a  great  injury  to  me,  a  country 
man  of  mine  well  known  among  serious  people  who  was  at  work  before  I  could  get  the 
Board's  sanction.  Board  ministers  seem  indisposed  to  letting  me  into  their  pulpits,  but  have 
neither  time  nor  room  to  enlarge." 

PAGE  152. — "The  statement  in  the  'Congregational  Year  Book '  respecting  the  Rev. 
G.  Cowie,"  says  the  Rev.  J.  Barton  Bell,  "is  not  quite  accurate.  Mr.  Cowie  was  deposed 
by  the  Anti-Burgher  Synod  in  April,  1800.  The  majority  of  his  congregation  adhering 
to  him  formed  themselves  into  an  Independent  Church,  of  which  he  continued  pastor  until 
his  death  in  1806.  Aberfeldy,  Aberdeen,  Wick,  Thurso,  Perth,  &c.,  are  older  churches  than 
Huntly." 

PAGE  165. — -The  Raffles  MSS.  throw  considerable  light  upon  the  origin  and  early  history 
of  the  High  Street  Church,  Lancaster,  where  the  Rev.  P.  S.  Charrier  ministered  previous  to 
his  removal  to  Liverpool.  Some  of  the  information  was  supplied  to  Dr.  Raffles  by  Mr. 
Charrier  himself.  The  following  is  extracted  from  them  : — 

"The  present  church  originated  in  a  few  families  having  preaching  in  a  room  fitted  up 
for  the  purpose  in  Leonard  Gate.  Their  first  supplies  were  itinerant  preachers,  sent  out  by 
Mr.  Jngham,  of  Yorkshire.  After  they  had  worshipped  in  this  room  for  some  time  they 
removed  to  a  small  old  Presbyterian  meeting  house  in  Moor  Lane,  and  called  Henry  Hunt 
to  be  their  minister.  He  came  from  Dublin  in  1769,  and  continued  with  them  until  the 
building  o_f  the  new  place  in  High  Street,  which  took  place  in  1772,  but  some  difference 
between  him  and  the  people  caused  his  removal,  so  that  he  never  preached  in  the  new  chapel. 
In  the  space  between  Mr.  Hunt  and  Mr.  Burder  they  were  supplied  by  various  ministers 
amongst  whom  were  Cornelius  Winter  and  Captain  Scott.  It  appears  that  that  the  former 
remained  about  a  year  in  Lancaster.  The  new  chapel  was  opened  by  the  Rev.  John  Edsvards, 
of  Leeds,  and  Rev.  Titus  Knight,  of  Halifax  (P.S.C.)" 

Respecting  Mr.  Hunt  we  have  this  further  information  from  the  "Memoirs  of  his 
Own  Life."  copied  from  the  above  named  MSS.  : — 

"  At  Liverpool  [where  he  landed  Aug.  27,  1766]  I  was  introduced  as  a  preacher  to  both 
Baptists  and  Methodists.  In  the  meantime  the  friends  at  Liverpool  being  fully  satisfied 

offu 

would  scarcely  burn  ;  but  as  the  hearers  increased,  and  were  disposed  to  settle,  the  friends 
took  a  warehouse  which  had  formerly  been  an  Arian  meeting  house,  and  fitted  it  up  for  our 
accommodation.  Here  I  formed  a  Gospel  church,  and  many  persons  exhibited  pleasing  anil 
convincing  proofs  that  the  word  of  life  was  not  dispensed  [at  Horwich]  in  vain.  Mr.  Redman 
[Redmayne]  who  afterwards  proved  a  useful  minister  near  Wigan,  received  the  grace  of  (jod  in 
truth  ;  and  several  young  men  were  sent  to  academies  in  Yorkshire.  As  we  had  several  persons 
of  respectability  in  our  little  connexion,  the  old  meeting  house  after  some  time  was  considered 
too  mean,  and  I  was  despatched  to  London  to  solicit  contributions  towards  the  erection  ot  a 
superior  edifice.  In  this  mission  I  succeeded,  and  a  new  house  of  prayer  was  built  ;  but, 
contrary  to  expectations,  appearances,  and  promises,  I  was  not  permitted  to  enter  it.  ^v Y,el 
the  rich  men  got  the  place  completely  into  their  own  hands  I  was  given  to  understand  that 
my  sei  vices  would  be  dispensed  with,  and  the  Rev.  George  Burder  was  nominal 


lessor. 

Mr.  Hunt  susequently  laboured  at  Delph,  Ellesmere,  Stourbridge,  and  London,  dying  at 
the  latter  place,  June  26,  1815,  aged  ninety  years. 


268  NOTES. 

PAGE  184. — Some  additional  information  respecting  the  old  Nonconformist  foundation  at 
Rainford  is  supplied  by  the  Raffles  MSS.,  from  which  the  following  is  taken  : — 

"  When  ejected  from  the  old  [Episcopal]  Chapel,  they  fitted  up  a  barn,  which,  being  duly 
registered,  they  called  Mr.  Tetlaw  to  be  their  minister.  He  preached  in  the  barn  until  1706, 
when  they  erected  the  present  chapel,  which  was  put  in  trust  for  'a  congregation  of  Protestant 
Dissenters,"  and  the  minister  to  be  orthodox  and  sound  in  the  faith  of  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Such  a  minister  was  Mr.  Tetlaw.  He  continued  there  near  43  years,  till  his  death,  in  1745. 
Mr.  Tetlaw  was  a  man  of  excellent  learning.  He  had  a  very  good  library,  which  he  left  in 
presents  to  his  congregation,  having  written  the  name  of  the  person  for  whom  it  was 
designed  in  every  book  before  his  death.  They  were  very  judiciously  distributed,  according 
to  the  character  and  circumstances  of  each  individual." 

Concerning  the  Rev.  John  Toothill,  another  of  the  Rainford  ministers,  Dr.  Raffles  gives 
the  following  particulars,  obtained  from  his  widow  after  his  death  : — 

"John  Toothill  was  born  at  Wilsden,  near  Keighley,  West  Riding  of  Yorkshire,  on 
April  25th,  1760,  in  the  same  house  in  which  Jonathan  Toothill,  of  Hopton,  first  saw  the 
light.  He  was  sent  for  his  education  to  the  town's  school,  to  the  teacher  of  which  he  was 
related  by  marriage,  the  wife  of  the  schoolmaster  being  his  aunt.  At  the  expiration  of  his 
school  days  he  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm.  When  about  17  years  of  age  he  lost  his 
mother  by  death.  He  was  then  the  eldest  child  in  the  family.  His  mother  had  already 
begun  to  entertain  hopes  concerning  him  which  she  frequently  expressed  to  her  husband. 
His  conversion  to  God  seems  to  have  taken  place  under  a  sermon  lie  heard  in  a  farmhouse 
from  the  text  'Except  ye  repent  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish.'  The  preacher  was  the  Rev. 
John  [Joseph]  Cockin,  then  of  Kipping.  Shortly  after  that  he  joined  Mr.  Cockin's  church,  and 
thence  went  to  the  academy  at  Heckmondwike.  where  he  continued  until  the  death  of  the 
tutor,  Mr.  Scott.  The  academy  was  then  removed  to  Northowram,  and  placed  under  the 


AUTOGRAPH  OF  THE  REV.  REXALD  TETLAW. 


presidency  of  the  Rev.  S.  Walker.  Whilst  a  student,  Mr  Toothill  accepted  an  invitation  from 
the  church  at  Booth,  but  did  not  enter  upon  his  pastoral  labours  until  after  the  expiration  of 
his  academical  course.  At  his  ordination,  Mr.  Cockin,  his  pastor,  preached  to  the  people. 
He  remained  at  Booth  two  years.  The  circumstances  which  led  to  his  settlement  at  Rain- 
ford,  were  as  follows  : — The  Rev.  Isaac  Sharp,  of  St.  Helens,  when  on  a  visit  to  his  relatives 
who  lived  in  the  vicinity  of  Booth,  requested  Mr.  Toothill  to  supply  his  pulpit  at  St.  Helens 
during  his  absence.  Whilst  Mr.  Sharp  was  in  Yorkshire  Mrs.  Harris,  Mrs.  Sharp's  grand 
mother,  died,  and  on  Mr.  Toothill  devolved  the  duty  of  conducting  the  funeral  service.  Mr. 
Mather,  the  minister  of  Rainford  Chapel,  and  some  of  his  hearers  were  present  on  the 
occasion.  On  Mr.  Mather's  death  his  people  were  divided,  many  of  them  declaring  them 
selves  to  be  of  Arian  sentiments.  The  Evangelical  party  sought  from  Mr.  Sharp  information 
concerning  the  young  man  who  had  interred  Mrs.  Harris's  remains.  They  then  wrote  to 
him  inviting  him  to  supply  for  them  for  a  Sabbath.  He  preached  at  Rainford  at  least  two 
Sabbaths,  which  resulted  in  his  being  invited  to  become  the  pastor  there.  On  receiving  the 
call  Air.  Toothill  laid  it  before  his  brethren,  on  the  occasion  of  a  public  lecture  at  Halifax, 
and  sought  their  advice.  They  were  unanimously  in  favour  of  his  accepting  it  on  the  ground 
that  Booth  would  continue  to  enjoy  the  Gospel,  and  Rainford  might  be  rescued  from  the  hands 
of  the  Arians.  Jonathan  Toothill,  of  Hopton,  then  came  to  Rainford,  to  see  the  place.  With 
the  concurrence  of  his  brethren,  Mr.  Toothill  accepted  the  invitation  in  the  month  of  August, 
1786,  having  preached  his  first  sermon  there  in  the  month  of  May  previous,  where  he  continued 
faithfully  to  labour  for  more  than  fifty  years,  winning  and  retaining  the  esteem  of  all  who 
knew  him.  In  consequence  of  the  failure  of  hi'.',  eyesight  rendering  him  unable  to  read,  he 
was  prevailed  upon  by  his  relatives  to  resign  his  charge.  From  this  time,  for  about  two  years, 
he  continued  to  attend  the  chapel  as  a  hearer,  preaching  occasionally  when  his  successor  was 
called  from  home.  On  the  Sabbath  previous  to  his  death,  he  had  been  present  three  times, 
when  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  Hoole  [of  Blackburn],  preached.  Returning  home  in  the  evening 
he  said,  "I  have  been  drinking  it  in  to-day."  The  following  evening,  Monday,  he  went 


NOTES.  269 


out  after  supper  for  a  short  walk  in  the  garden,  whilst  there  he  fell,  was  seen  by  some  men  in 
the  la:ie,  and  by  them  brought  into  the  house.  When  placed  in  his  usual  old  arm-chair  he 
looked  up  at  his  wife,  and  said,  "Jerusalem,  my  happy  home  !  "  They  were  the  last  words 
he  was  heard  distinctly  to  utter.  He  died  about  two  o'clock  the  following  morning,  on  the 
23rd  of  July,  1839,  aged  79  years." 


Dr.  Raffles,  in  another  note,  enters  more  fully  into  the  circumstances  of  Mr.  Toothill's 
call  to  Rainford,  and  the  condition  of  the  church  at  the  time  :  — 

"At  the  time  of  Mr.  Mather's  death  there  was  a  strong  party  of  Unitarian  sentiments  in 
the  congregation,  and  they  resolved,  ifpossible,  to  have  aministeroftheirviews.  They,  however, 
were  by  no  means  the  majority,  but  the  rest,  who  were  for  an  orthodox  minister,  were  unhappily 
divided  as  to  the  person  they  would  like.  The  other  party  taking  advantage  of  this  circumstance 
proposed  that  there  should  be  a  meeting,  when  each  should  propose  the  individual  they 
desired,  and  he  who  had  most  votes  should  be  the  pastor.  The  Unitarian  party  were  agreed 
in  their  man,  and  thus  they  would  doubtless  have  carried  their  point.  Mr.  Sharp,  of  St. 
Helens,  hearing  of  this,  immediately  went  over  to  Hainford,  and  apprised  the  friends  of 
Kvangelical  principles  of  the  snare  into  which  they  were  about  to  fall,  and  advised  them  at 
the  proposed  meeting,  first  to  put  the  question  as  to  wliat  sentiments  they  would  prefer  in 
their  future  minister.  This  was  accordingly  done,  and  the  friends  of  the  truth  prevailed  by  a 
large  majority.  [Here  follows  the  story,  given  above,  about  Mr.  Toothill  and  the  funeral 
service,  at  which  Mr.  Mather  and  some  of  his  people  were  present.]  On  their  return  home 
from  the  funeral  service  Mr.  Mather  observed  that  '  the  young  man  spoke  very  well  at 
the  grave.'  These  gentlemen,  who  were  of  the  Unitarian  party,  remembered  this,  and  when 
they  found  themselves  outwitted  and  out-voted  by  the  friends  of  the  Gospel,  they  directly 
said  that  if  they  could  get  the  young  man  who  spoke  over  Mr.  Harrison's  L  Harris]  grave 
they  would  be  satisfied,  and  cordially  unite  with  them.  Mr.  Toothill  was  accordingly  written 
to,  and  though  he  was  then  settled  with  a  church,  yet  the  invitation  was  so  urgent,  and  the 
circumstances  of  the  case  were  so  peculiar,  that  ht  felt  it  his  duty  to  accept  the  call,  and 
become  their  pastor.  Thus  the  Gospel  has  been  preserved  in  that  place  to  this  day." 


INDEX. 


Abram,  Robert,  45. 

Adams,  John,  265. 

Adamson,  John,  265. 

Ainsdale  Congregationalism,  45,  48, 

49- 

Aikin,  Dr.,  138. 
Alexander,   John,    14,   note   i  ;    16, 

note  2  ;    166. 
Alexander,  William,  19,  and  note  2 ; 

20,  21,  25. 
Alexander,    W.    Lindsay,    D.D., 

LL.D.,  153,  154. 
Alison,  R.,  209. 
Allatt,  James,  37,  213. 
Ambrose,  Isaac,  214. 
Ambrose,  Joshua,  214. 
Ambrose,  Nehemiah,  214. 
Anderson,  Hugh,  97,  99,  103,  104, 

124,  139,  141,  142. 
Angier,  John,  90. 
Angier,  John,  98. 
Angier,  Samuel,  of  Liverpool,  89, 

90,  91,    in. 

Angier,  Samuel,  M.D.,  91,  120. 
Angier,  Samuel,  of  Dukinfield,  90. 
Angier,  William,  91. 
Appleford,  W.  P.,  175. 
Armstrong,  R.  A.,  B.A.,  127,  128, 

note  i. 

Ashall,  Mr.,  5,  26. 
Ashcroft,  R.,  221,  239. 
Aspinwall,  Edward,  67,  68. 
Aspinwall,  Peter,  68,  note  2. 
Aspinwall,  William,  68,  note  2;  214. 

Baines's  "History  of  Lancashire," 

2,  note  i  ;   52.  53. 
Baker,  Mr.,  256,  257. 


Baker,  Benjamin,  153. 

Baker,  S.  J.,  B.A.,  176,  190. 

Baldwin,  Thomas,  89. 

Ball  Henry,  44. 

Banister,  Robert,  164. 

Barnes,  Alfred,  J.P.,  222. 

Barnes,  F.,  B.A.,  236. 

Barrett,  E.  R.,  B.A.,  189. 

Barrett,  G.  S.,  B.A.,  189. 

Barrett,  John,  46,  and  note  2. 

Barrett,  W.  F.,  189. 

Barrett,  W.  G.,  189. 

Barrow,  Dr.  Isaac,  245. 

Bassnett,  C.,  101,  112,  and  note  3; 

118-122. 

Beard,  Charles,  B.A.,  118. 
Beaumont,  George,  207. 
Bedell,  A.  J.,  220. 
Bell,  J.  Barton,  267. 
Belsharn,  Thomas,  115. 
Bent,  John,  197,  note. 
Bentley,  Thomas,  134-137. 
Berridge,  William,  265. 
Berry,  Mr.,  256. 
Berry,  C.  A.,  40. 
Bevan,  William,  155,  175. 
Bevington  Hill,  Congregationalism 

at,  177,  note  3. 
Binney,  Dr.  Thomas,  173. 
Birch,  Colonel,  63,   245. 
Birkenhead,  Congregationalism  in, 

234-237,  239- 
Birrell,  C.  M.,  175. 
Blackburn,  Mr.,  144. 
Blackburn,  Thomas,  174. 
Blackie,  John,  168. 
Blackie,  J.  M.,  B.A.,  LL.B.,  168. 
Blake,  W.  A.,  39. 


272 


INDEX. 


Eland's  "  Annals  of  Southport,"  4, 

5,  8.  25,  27,  note  3. 
Blomfield,  Bishop,  182. 
Blundell-Weld,  Mr.,  48. 
Boden,  James,  10. 
Bolton,  Thomas,  126. 
Boothroyd,  Benjamin,  34,  note  i. 
Boothroyd,Dr.Benjamin,34,note  i. 
Boothroyd,   Samuel,  J.P.,   34,   and 

note  i  ;   39,  48. 
Bootle  Congregational  Church,  217- 

219. 

Boult,  Mr.,  98. 
Bourne,  Mr.,  202,  note. 
Bourne,  A.,  B  A.,  175. 
Bower,  Harold  L.,  222. 
Boyse,  Mr.,  112. 
Brabrook,  Samuel,  139. 
Bradbury,  Mr.,  141. 
Bradley,  S.,  13. 
Bramall,  J.,  20. 
Breese,  John,  225,  227. 
Brekell,  John,  121-124,  130. 
Bretherton,  Preaching  at  9,  15. 
Brettargh,  William,  67,  note  4. 
Brettargh,  Mrs.,  67  and  note  4. 
Brewster,  Colin,  185,  186. 
Bridget,  St.,  244. 
Briscoe.  Michael,    63,  64,  83,   and 

note  3  ;   no,  note  2. 
Britten's  "Beauties of  England  and 

Wales,"  52,  58,  240. 
Brock,  G.  A.,  B.A.,  220. 
Brown,  Andrew,  M.A.,  175. 
Brown,  J.  Baldwin,  B.A.,  162,  178. 
Brown,  Robert,  208. 
Brown,  W.  L.,  M.A.,  238. 
Bruce,  David,  100,  note  i;  141,  142, 

143,  147,  148,  164. 
Bruce,  John,  148. 
Bruce,  Dr.  Kobert,  40. 
Bruce,  Samuel,  148. 
Burder,  George,  267. 
Burgess,  James,  145-147. 
Burnet,  John,  170, 


Burton  Wood,  Nonconformity  at, 

265. 

Bunhill  Fields,  79. 
Byrom,  Edward,  90. 

Calamy's  "Nonconformist's  Memo 
rial,"  61,  65,  and  notes  2,  4; 
87,  and  notes  i,  2  ;  214. 

Carruthers,  J.  J.,  174,  234. 

Castletown,  Congregationalism  at 
(Isle  of  Man),  256. 

Chamberlain,  Robert,  259. 

Chandler,  C,  173. 

Channing,  Dr.,  117. 

Channing,  W.  H.,  117,  127. 

Charneley,  Dr.  Isaac,  239. 

Charrier,  P.  S.,  18,  152,  159,  164, 
165,  166,  208,  225,  267. 

Chase,  Bishop,  182. 

Chater,  John,  27,  29,  31,  35,  37,  42, 
48,  49,  213,  260. 

Cheney,  John,  120,  and  note  i. 

Cheshire  Congregationalism,  a  frag 
ment  of,  234-241. 

Churchtown,  Erection  of  Chapel,  14; 
Formation  of  Church,  15  ;  New 
Chapel,  19,  20. 

Clark,  J.  W.,  216. 

Clarke,  Archdeacon,  29. 

Clarkson,  Mr.,  239. 

Claughton,  William,  192. 

Clayton,    Dr.   Nicholas,    115,    133, 
136,  137,  !38,  266. 

Clunie,  Dr.,  172. 

Cockin,  Joseph,  100,  144,  150,  268. 

Cole,  T.,  210. 

Colleges  and  Academies  :  Airedale, 
32,  39,  48,  49,  166,  169,  172, 
173,  !77,  J90,  213,  234.  236, 
237  ;  Bala,  233  ;  Bala-Bangor, 
233  ;  Bangor,  U.S.A.,  178  ;  Bel 
fast,  104,  117;  Blackburn,  154, 
161;  Brecon,  185,  225  ;  Bristol, 
21,  186;  Cambridge,  222,  (St. 
John's  College)  222,  (Trinity 


INDEX. 


273 


College)  87,  178  ;  Carmarthen, 
206,210;  Cavendish,  32;  Ches- 
hunt,  35,  i Co,  171,  188,  220, 
235,236,238,239,260;  Cotton 
End,  175,  219;  Coward,  155; 
Daventry,  98,  1 13,  203;  Dublin, 
112;  Edinburgh,  252,  (Free 
Church  College)  238,  (Hal- 
dane's  Institution)  10,  (Theo 
logical  Hall)  49,  (University) 
89,  154,  218;  Exeter,  124) 
Glasgow,  105,  211,  235,  257, 
note  i;  (University)  113,  115, 
172;  Hackney,  190,  Hackney 
(Socinian),  203,  218,  227  ; 
Heckmondwike,  100,  143  ; 
Highbury,  155,  172,  184,  211, 
220,  238;  Homerton,  99,  148, 
J56,  175  ;  Hoxton,  14$,  152, 
201,  211,  259;  Idle,  208  ;  Jen 
nings',  114,  137;  Kendal,  200; 
Lancashire,  40,  173,  175,  178, 
188,  189,  209,  216,  220,  221, 
222,  241,  260,  262;  Llanfyllin, 
225 ;  Manchester  Home  Mis 
sionary,  207 ;  (York)  105, 
116,  126,  206;  New  College, 
(London)  105,  106,  118  ;  Mans 
field,  222  ;  Natland,  89,  90 ; 
New  College,  37,  168,  175,  211, 

213,  235,    236 ;     Northampton 
(Dr.    Doddridge's),    101,     137; 
Nottingham,  180,  221 ;   Oxford, 

214,  (Brasenose)   70;    Owens, 
39;  Rathmell,  118,  119,  note  i; 
194,     216;      Richmond,      179; 
Rotherham,    10,    31,   172,    180, 
213,     235,256,     259;      Spring 
Hill,    37,  236,    240,    260  ;    St. 
Andrew's,     175;      Warrington, 
115,     124,    125,     130     (Dr.    C. 
Owen's),    92  ;     Western,    20  ; 
Whitehaven,    112;    Wrexham, 
225;   Wymondley,  207. 

Collins,  Thomas,  in. 
6— 18 


Collyer,  Dr.,  156,  158. 
"Congregational  Year   Book,"   12, 

J5,  175,  179,  267. 
Constantine,  Robert,  119,  note  i. 
Cope,  R.,  234. 
Cottingham,  J.  C.,  190,  267. 
Cotton,  Dr.  John,  76,  108,  note. 
Cotton,  William,  84,  89. 
Cowie,  G.,  152,  267. 
Cranbrook,  James,  238. 
Crompton,  Thomas,  M.A.,  81,  83, 

and  note  3  ;   89,  no,  ncte  i  ; 

in. 

Cromwell,  Oliver,  10,  79,  <j6. 
Crook,  Mr.,  251. 
Crookall,  L.,  49,  note  i. 
Crosby    Congregational    Church, 

221-223. 
Cubbon,  Thomas,  261. 

Dale,  R.  W.,  M.A.,  39. 

Dallison,  William,  154. 

Dalrymple,  James,  257,  261,  262. 

Dalrymple,  William,  260,  261. 

Dalton,  William,  M.A.,  154. 

Darlow,  T.  Herbert,  M.A.,  222,  223. 

Darnton,  P.,  37. 

Darracott.  Mr.,  98. 

Dauncey,  A.  A.,  221. 

Davies,  Mr.,  164. 

Davies,  David,  230. 

Davies,  J.,  229. 

Davies,  J.  Adam,  190. 

Davies,  J.  Oginore,  168,  169. 

Davies,  R.  M.,  161,  162,  note  i. 

Davies,  T.,  229. 

Davies,  William,  B.A.,  209. 

Davis,  V.  D.,  B.A.,  106,  108  :  his 
"Account  of  the  Ancient  Chapel 
of  Toxteth  Park,"  67,  70,  95? 
and  note  i  ;  104,  105. 

Dawes,  W.  R.,  20. 

Deaville,  J.  G.,  236,  237. 

Defoe's  Tour,  2. 

Dewhirst,  C.,  238. 


274 


INDEX. 


Dewhurst,  Mr.,  98. 
Dewsnap,  John,  172. 
Dingle,  The,  73,  74,  81,   125. 
Dixon,  Dr.,  112. 
Dixon,  William,  48. 
Dobson,  Matthew,  133,  note  i. 
Doddridge,  Dr.,  101,  137. 
Douglas,    Isle    of    Man,    Congre 
gational  Church,  252-263. 
Down  Holland,  Preaching  at,  45. 
Drummersdale  Chapel,  50. 
Dukinfield  Register,  91. 
Dunlop,  Thomas,  218,  219,  233. 
Dyson,  W.  H.,  39,  48. 

Eaton,  Robert,  215. 

Eaton,  Samuel,  120,  215. 

Eckersley,  James,  265. 

Edwards,  D.,  201. 

Edwards,  J.,  2ii. 

Edwards,  John,  201,  207. 

Elias,  John,  225. 

Ellis,  Griffith,  M.A.,  233. 

Ellis,  H.,  232. 

Ellison,  David,  61. 

Elstub,  W.,  49. 

Ely,  Charles,  252. 

Ely,  John,  166,  171. 

Enfield,  Dr.  William,  104.  113,  123. 

Evans,  Mr.,  227. 

Evans,  D.  W.,  202,  note  I. 

Evans,  E.  K.,  209. 

Evans,  George  Eyre,  in,  115.  196. 

Evans,  J.  H.,  229. 

Evans,  John,  231. 

Evans,  M.  O.,  233. 

Evans,  William,  150. 

Fairbairn,  Dr.,  222. 
Farnsworth,  Charles,  171. 
Fenner,  John  Ludd,  98. 
Ferguson,  J.  H.,  M.A.,  216. 
Fern,  Robert,  87. 
Fernie,  David,  222. 
Fettes,  J.,  260. 


Finch,  Henry,  215,  216, 

Finch,  Peter,  216. 

Finney,  Joseph,  132-134. 

Firth,  S.,  21. 

Fisher,  Dr.,  99. 

Fisher,  Mr.,  152. 

Fletcher,  Mr.,  93. 

Fletcher,  Dr.  Joseph,  150,  151,  160, 

167. 

Fletcher,  Lawrence,  in. 
Fletcher,  William,  171. 
Fogg,  John,  61-65. 
Formby,  as  described  by  Defoe,  2  ; 

Congregational  Church,  45,49. 
Fownes,  Mr.,  115. 
France,  S.  H.,  48. 
Frankland,  Richard,  89,  90,91,  112, 

118,  119,  194,  216. 

Gardner,  Mr.,  93. 

Gardner,  Henry,  235. 

Garston    Congregational    Church, 

2O8,  2IO. 

Gaskell,  Mr.,  145. 

Gaskill,  Peter,  265. 

Gastrell,  Bishop,  65,  91. 

Gateacre  Old  Chapel,  192-207. 

Geldart,  E.  M.,  M.A.,  127. 

Germain,  St.,  244. 

Gibbons,  Mr.,  13. 

Giles,  E.,  209. 

Giles,  Henry,  105. 

Gilfillan,  George,  168. 

Gill,  John,  192. 

Gillibrand,  Mr.,  92. 

Gillibrand  (or  Gellibrand),  Joseph, 

92,  266. 

Gilling;  Mr.,  250. 
Gladstone,  W.  E.,  220,  note  2. 
Glendal,  Mr.,  65. 
Godwin,    Richard,  104,  131,   133. 

2OO,  2OI,  266. 

Goodyear,  Mr.,  266. 
Gordon,  Alexander,  M.A.,  127. 
Goward,  Charles,  236. 
Graham,  William,  265. 


INDEX. 


275 


Greatbatch,  George :  Conversion, 
10;  Work  and  its  Hindrances, 
13,  17;  Ordination  at  Orrell, 
iS;  at  Southport,  18-29,  45- 

Green,  C.,  213. 

Green,  S.,  134. 

Griffin,  James,  171. 

Griffith,  D.,  230. 

Griffith,  W.,  232. 

Griffiths,  Henry,  F.G.S.,  155,  228. 

Griffiths,  John,  229. 

Grimshaw,  James,  144,  145,  and 
note  i. 

Grundy,  John,  114,  115,  note  3;  125. 

Gwyther,  James,  238. 

Gwyther,  J.  H.,  B.A.,  237,  note  3  ; 
238. 

Hackett,  William,  21. 

Hacking,  William,  10,  16,  note  2. 

Hadfield,  George,  M.P.,  31,  161, 
note  2. 

Haigh,  Bartin,  25,  265. 

Haining,  James,  259. 

Haining,  Samuel,  245,  248,  252-259. 

Hall,  Mr.,  25. 

Hall,  C.  R.,  212. 

Halley,  Dr.,  21,  160,  162,  175;  his 
"  Lancashire  Puritanism  and 
Nonconformity,"  8,  67,  76,  94, 
97,  no,  119,  139,  162,  266. 

Halsall,  John,  50. 

Hamer,  Thomas,  155,  note  i. 

Hamilton,  Dr.,  R.  W.,  166. 

Harcus,  William,  175. 

Harding,  William,  92-96,  102,  266. 

Hardy,  John,  122. 

Harris,  Abraham,  115. 

Harris,  Dr.,  160. 

Harris,  George,  115,  125. 

Harrison,  Mr.  (Huyton),  70. 

Harrison,  Mr.  (Douglas),  259. 

Harrison,  Ralph,  115. 

Harrison,  Richard,  202,  note  i ;  266j 

Harwood,  James,  B.A.,  105. 


Hassan,  E.,  209,  211. 

Hawks,  Mr.,  137. 

Henderson,  Dr.  John,  113. 

Henry,  Matthew,  119,  note  i;    120, 

note  i. 

Hesketh,  Peter,  265. 
Hesketh,  Robert,  27,  note  i. 
Hester,  S.,  236. 
Heywood,  Elie/.er,  90. 
Hey  wood,  James,  136. 
Heywood,  Nathaniel,  8,  90. 
Heywood,  Oliver,  8,  84,  89,  90,  in. 
Hickman,  Mr.,  89. 
Hildesley,  Bishop,  250. 
Hill,  James,  211. 
Hill,  Noah,  207. 
Hincks,  John,  116,  117. 
Hincks,  Dr.  Thomas  Dix,  116. 
Hincks,  William,  116,  117. 
Hinds,  George,  39. 
Hinmers,  William,  34,  35. 
Hobrow,  W.,  201. 
Hodgkinson,  Timothy,  48,  220. 
Holgate,  John,  18. 
Holland,  Philip,  131,  133,  200,  201, 

203. 

Holmes,  R.  S.,  180. 
Holroyd,  John,  208. 
Holt,  Richard,  in,  112. 
Honeywood,  William,  9,  16,  note  2. 
Hoole,  Mr.,  268. 
Hordle,  William,  150. 
Horrockes,  John,  108. 
Horrockes,  William,  will  of,  108. 
Horrox,  Mr.,  98. 
Horrox,  Alexander,  108. 
Horrox,  Jeremiah,  106. 
Hort,  William,  116. 
Houghton.  John,  125. 
Houghton,  Pendlebury,  125. 
Howse,  Edward  Samuel,  B.A.,  118. 
Hcylake.  described  a  century  ago, 

240  ;   Congregational  Church, 

240,  241. 
Hoyle,  Giles,  19,  and  note  i. 


276 


INDEX. 


Hudson,  Mr.,  100. 
Huggins,  Mr.,  81. 
Hughes,  H.  M.,  231 
Hughes,  John,  232. 
Humberstone,  W.  J.,  49. 
Hunt,  Henry,  267. 
Hunter,  Rowland,  125. 
Huntingdon,  Lady,  181. 
Hyatt,  James,  B.D.,  58-61 
Hyatt,  W.  H.,  263. 

Ingham,  B.,  267. 

Inglis,  David,  B.A.,  252,  259,  260. 

Ireland,  Sir  Gilbert,  67. 

Ireland,  Gilbert,  193. 

Irenseus,  123. 

Irlam,  Mr.,  93. 

Isle  of  Man,  Congregationalism  in, 

241-263. 
"  Itinerant  Society,"  The,  9,  14. 

Jack,  A.,  258. 

Jacks,  Lawrence,  P.,  M.A.,  118. 

Jackson,  Mr.,  259. 

Jarvis,  G.  P.,  218. 

Jay,  William,  156. 

Jeffreys,  Judge,  74. 

Jenkins,   D.   M.,  224,  note  I  ;  228, 

231,  233- 

Jennings,  Dr.,  114,  137. 
Job,  Thomas  Raffles,  222. 
Johnstone,  Mr.,  164. 
Jones,  D.,  255. 
Jones,  Deiniol,  233. 
Jones,  George  Oliver,  222. 
Jones  Hugh,  229,  231,  233,  239. 
Jones,  H.  Ivor,  233. 
Jones,  Isaiah,  233. 
Jones,  John,  178,  179. 
Jones,  John,  225. 
Jones,  John,  227. 

Jones,  Noah,  198,  note  i;  206-207. 
Jones,  O.,  B.A.,  231. 
Jones,  Robert,  227. 
Jones,  Thomas  D.,  233. 


Jowett,  William,  21. 
Joyce,  J  ,  204. 

Kaye,  Nevill,  215. 

Kaye,  William,  174. 

Kello,  Mr.,  99. 

Kelly,  John,  31,  35,  160,  166,  168, 

172,   175,   177,   186,    187,   1 88, 

note  2  ;  209,  234. 
Kelly,  W,  257- 
Kennedy,  Thomas,  M.A.,  165. 
Kennion,  John,  91,  92,  112. 
Kent,  J.  S.,  263. 

Kenworthy,  James,  144-147.  267. 
Kenyon,  Lord,  182. 
Kenyon,  Thomas,  192. 
Key  worth,  Thomas,  173. 
King,  E.  G.,  191. 
Kirby  Chapel,  202,  note  i. 
Kirby  Itinerancy,  46,  48. 
Kirby,  Joshua,  89. 
Kirkpatrick,  Dr.,  158. 
Kirkpatrick,  Hezekiah,i33, 136-138. 
Knight,  Titus,  267. 
Knotty  Ash,  Congregationalism  at, 

213,  214. 

Knowles,  H.  D.,  B.A.,  235. 
Knowsley  Chapel,  202,  note  i. 

Lamb,  W.  Stanley,  239. 

"Lancashire  Congregational  Calen 
dar,"  185,  186,  190,  191,  210, 
216,  219. 

Lancashire  Congregational  Union, 
14,  15,  17,  26,  27,  45,  161,  177, 
note  3;  208,212,213,217,219, 
235,  240,  241,  254,  256,  257. 

Lancaster  Congregationalism,  267. 

Lassell,  W.,  95,  99,  266. 

Laud,  Archbishop,  74. 

Laughton,  J.  B.,  B.A.,  243,  247. 

Lawton,  James,  119,  note  i;  194, 
note  5. 

Lawton,  Joseph,  119,  note  i;  194, 
and  note  2;  195;  will  of,  196; 
200. 


INDEX. 


277 


Layhe,  Mr.,  177,  note  3. 

Lecouteur,  James,  238. 

Lee,  James,  M.A.,  20,  21. 

Lee,  W.  C.,  262. 

Legge,  J.,  M.A.,  260. 

Leland,  52. 

Lewin,  Robert,  113,   114,  137,  note 

i ;  138,  266. 
Lewis,  D,(  255. 
Lewis,  Dr.  George,  225. 
Lewis,  Jenkin,  252. 
Lewis,  Lewis,  206. 
Liscard   Congregational    Church, 

237- 

Lister,  James,  152,  158,  170. 

Little  Lee  Chapel,  193,  194. 

Liturgy  Controversy,  128-139. 

Liverpool :  Siege  of,  53  ;  Old  Hall, 
58,  note  3  ;  Benn's  Garden 
Chapel,  113;  Berkley  Street, 
169-172;  Bethesda,  164-167; 
Brownlow  Hill,  185,  186;  Bur 
lington  Street,  184;  Castle  Hey 
Chapel,  in,  119,  note  i;  Chad- 
wick  Mount,  178,179;  Crescent, 
164,  167,  184  ;  Edge  Hill,  189, 
190;  Gloucester  Street,  183; 
Great  George  Street,  150,  152, 
156,  164,  note  i  ;  Hanover 
Chapel,  171,  172  ;  Hartmgton 
Road,  176;  Hope  Street,  118- 
128;  Key  Street  Chapel,  103, 
118,  119,  124;  Newington,  139- 
156,  164,  note  i  ;  Norwood, 
187;  Octagon  Chapel,  128-139; 
Paradise  Street,  124, 126;  Ren- 
shaw  Street,  110-118;  Salem 
Chapel,  180,  181  ;  St.  Nicholas 
Chapel,  58,  67  ;  Toxteth  Park 
Old  Chapel,  66-no,  266; 
Toxteth  Park  Congregational 
Church,  174-176;  Westminster 
Road,  176-178. 

Lockhart,  W.  P.,  229. 

Lord,  George,  37,  213,  218. 


Loxton,  David,  172. 
Lucas,  J.  E.,  B.A..  37. 
Luke,  S.,  234,  237,  and  note  3. 
Lythgoe,  Charles,  193,  194. 

Macfadyen,  Dr.,  48,  260. 
Maclean,  Robert,  153,  170. 
Macpherson,  James,  164. 
Madge,  Thomas,  126. 
Mahood,  James,  185. 
Malhnson,  John,  214. 
Mann,  James,  235. 
Mann,  Leigh,  238. 
Manning,  George,  240. 
Manx    Early    History,   241  ;    Intro 
duction    of   Christianity,    243; 

Druidical  Remains,  243,  note  i  ; 

Origin    of    Congregationalism, 

252. 

Manx  Advertiser,  254,  notes  2,  3. 
Marsden,  J.  A.,  237. 
Martin,  H.  E.,  210. 
Martin,  James  M  ,  222. 
Martin,  Samuel,  35. 
Martin,  Thomas  Henry,  222. 
Martineau,  Harriet,  126. 
Martineau,  Dr.  James,  126. 
Mather,  Benjamin,  202,  and  note  i ; 

203,  note  i. 

Mather,  Dr.  Cotton,  80. 
Mather,  Eleazar,  80. 
Mather,  Increase,  80. 
Mather,  Nathaniel,  79. 
Mather,    Richard,   68-76,   1 08,    141, 

265. 

Mather,  Samuel,  76. 
Mather,  Tatlock,  200.  203,  and  notes 

2,  3  ;   268,  269. 
Matthews,  T.  R,  183. 
Maughold,  St.,  243,  note  i  ;   244. 
May,  Arthur,  180. 
Me  All,  Dr.,  20,  167. 
McCormack,  J.  A.,  21. 
McEwen,  J.  W.,  M.A.,  49. 
McQuhae,  James,  96,  99,  103. 


INDEX. 


Mearns,  A.,  219. 
Medley,  Samuel,  158,  201. 
Mellor,    Dr.  Enoch,   35,    162,    163, 

209. 
Mercer,  Jonathan,  97-103,  139,  141- 

144,  266,  267. 

Mercer,  Jonathan,  101,  122. 
Mercer,  Joseph,  95,  101,  140. 
Mercer,  Richard,  in. 
Mercer,  Robert,  102. 
Mercer,  Samuel,  97,  100-103. 
Methodists    and    other    Free 

Churches,  13. 
Millson,  J.  E.,  21,  31. 
Mines,  C.  A.,  B.A.,  240. 
Mines,  R.  A.,  M.A.,  173. 
Moore,  Colonel,  M.P.,  53,  56. 
Morgan,  D.,  228. 
Morgan,  J.  V.,  185. 
Morgan,  W.,  231. 
Morris,  Caleb,  175. 
Morris,  W.  J.,  231. 
Morss,  Mr.,  256,  258. 
Morton,  Bishop,  71. 
Moss,  C.  F.,  37. 
Murdock,  A.,  260. 
Musker,  F.,  215. 

Neile.  Archbishop,  71. 

Nevatt,  W.  G.,  20. 

Newburgh,  Preaching  at,  9,  TO,  15. 

Newcome,  Henry,  M.A.,  60. 

Newth,  Professor,  260. 

Nicholson,  W.,  230-232. 

Nisbett,  Mr.,  98. 

Nook  Estate,  193,  198,  and  note  i. 

North    Meols   in    last   century,   i ; 

Early  Ecclesiastical  History,  8 ; 

Congregational  Workers,  9,  13, 

14,  22. 
"  Northowram  Register,"  87,  note  2; 

89,  112,  119,  note  i. 
Nuttall,  J.  K.,  163. 

Odgers,  J.  E,,  M.A.,  105,  118. 


O'Donoughue,  H.  C.,  171. 

O'Hanlon,  W.  M.,  234. 

Ormskirk,  Nonconformity  at,  8,  9, 

15. 

Orrell,  Ordination  at,  18. 
Orton,  Job,  130,  200. 
Owen,  Dr.  Charles,  93,  113,  note  2; 

120,  note  i. 
Owen,  George,  227. 
Owen,  John,  113,  note  2. 
Owen,  Dr.  John,  239. 
Owen,  Samuel,  212. 

"  Palatine  Note  Book,"  The,  no. 

Palmer,  John,  117. 

Park,  Samuel,  202,  note  i. 

Park,  William,  32. 

Parker,  Dr.  Joseph,  40,  213. 

Parkes,  W'illiam,  156,  and  note  2. 

Parkin,  Mr.,  14. 

Parr,  Mr.,  91. 

Parr,  Dr.,  244. 

Parsons,  E.,  165. 

Parsons,  James,  31,  160. 

Paton,  A.  B.,  222. 

Patrick,  St.,  243. 

Pearson,  Samuel,  M.A.,48,  163, 176, 
178,  190,  222,  229. 

Pearson,  Thomas,  181. 

Peck,  the  Antiquarian,  2. 

Peddie,  Dr.,  218. 

Pedlar,  Joshua,  240. 

Perry,  Charles  John,  B.A.,  127. 

Philip,  Robert,  152,  153. 

Picton,  Sir  J.  A.,  212  ;  his  "  Memo- 
rials  of  Liverpool,"  66,  73, 
126,  181-184,  J89,  220,  note  2; 
"  Municipal  Archives,"  58,  60, 
61,  in  ;  "Notes  of  the  Origin 
and  History  of  the  Congrega 
tional  Churches  in  Liverpool," 
67,  71,  73,  83,  and  note  3,  95, 
151,  163,  173,  174,  187. 

Pierce,  Thomas,  227-229. 

Plumbe,  W.,  137. 


INDEX. 


279 


Pocock,  Mr.,  169;  170. 

Poole,  David,  in. 

Port,  Robert,  Si. 

Porteus,  Bishop,  138. 

Porter,  John,  104. 

Preston,  W.  C.,  178. 

Pridie,  George,  M.A ,  172. 

Pridie,  James,  172. 

Priestley,  Mr.,  98. 

Priestley,  Dr.  Joseph,  135,  202. 

Priestley,  Thomas,  98,  100, 141, 142. 

Prime,  Edward,  87. 

Pringle,  E.,  235. 

Pugh,  Mr.,  228. 

Pulsford,  Dr,  William,  162. 

Pyer,  J.,  169,  170. 

Quayle,  T.  R.,  263. 

Radcliffe,  R.,  212. 

Raffles,  Dr.  Thomas,  18,  20,  92,  93, 
94,  95, 100,  note  i  ;  120,  note  2  ; 
149-152,  154,  156-162,  and  note 
i ;  165,  note  I  ;  166,  167,  168, 
170,  172,  173,  174,  175,  177, 
188,  200,  note  i ;  208,  211,  225, 
229,  234,  236,  237,  note  3. 

Raffles's  "Life  of  Spencer,"  149-151. 

Raffles's  MS.  Collection,  93,  100, 
note  i  ;  120,  note  2;  143,  162, 
177,  note  i ;  200,  note  I  ;  202, 
note  i  ;  265,  266,  267,  268,  269. 

Raffles,  Thomas  Stamford,  B.A. : 
<(  Memoirs  of  Rev.  T.  Raffles, 
D.D.,  LL.D.,"  159,  161,  188. 

Raffles,  William,  156. 

Rainford,  Congregationalism  at, 
268. 

Raleigh,  Dr.  Alexander,  184. 

Ralph,  John,  14.  164,  165,  180. 

Ramsey,  (Isle  of  Man),  Congre 
gational  Church,  255,  256,  257. 

Rathbone,  William,  117. 

Ready,  Martin,  156. 

Redmayne,  L.,  267. 

Rees,  H.,  231. 


Rees,  Thomas,  224. 

Rees,  Dr.  Thomas,  185,  227,  229. 

Rees,  William,  228. 

Rees,  Dr.  William,  225,   226,  230, 

231. 

Reynolds,  John,  152. 
Rice  Lane  Mission,  217. 
Richardson,  Christopher,  M.A.,  83, 

89,  no,  in. 

Richardson,  Christopher,  jun.,  89. 
Riddette,  J.  H.,  169. 
Ridyard,  Mrs.,  204. 
Rigby,  Mr.,  64. 
Rimmer,  Councillor,  48. 
Risley,  Mr.,  93. 
Robberds,  John,  B.A..  105. 
Robberds,  J.  G.,  125. 
Roberts,  Edward,  233. 
Roberts,  F.  R.,  M.A.,  262. 
Roberts,  H.  A.,  186. 
Roberts,  J.,  229. 
Roberts,  J,  G.,  173. 
Roberts,  W.,  229,  231,  232,  233. 
Roberts,  W.  L.,  48,  176,  220,  221. 
Robinson,  Edwin,  45,  46,  265. 
Roby's  "  Phantom  Voice,"  2. 
Roby,  William,  10,  17,  18,  150,  151, 

153,  164,  165. 
Rock  Ferry  Congregational  Church, 

239. 

Rodgerson,  Mr.,  258. 
Rogers,  J.  G.,  B.A.,  35,  37,  42,  178. 
Rogers,  J.  Kenyon,  222. 
Rogers,  Stanley,  178. 
Rogers,  T.,  175. 
Rotheram,  Dr.,  200. 
Rowlands,  R.,  231. 
Rupert,  Prince,  53,  56. 
Russell,  Dr.,  168. 
Russell,  F.  A.,  169. 

Sainsbury,  T.  B.,  B.A.,  220. 
Salt,  William,  20,  and  note  i. 
Sanders,  William,  213. 
Saunders,  S.,  170. 


280 


INDEX. 


Saxton,  Mr.,  256. 

Scarisbrick,  Preaching  at,   15,   19, 

50. 

Scarisbrick,  Charles,  50. 
Scott,  Adam,  32. 
Scott,  Captain,  267. 
Scott,  James,  100,  and  note  i ;  I4O} 

141,  268. 

Scott,  Professor,  260. 
Scott,  Walter,  172. 
Seacombe  Congregational  Church, 

241. 
Seacombe's     "  Memoirs    of     the 

House  of  Stanley,"  53. 
Seaforth    Congregational   Church, 

220,  221. 
Seddon,  John,  102,  note  i ;   131-136, 

200. 

Senier,  Timothy,  165. 
Sephton,  Richard,  50. 
Sewell,  R.  H.,  B.A.,  235. 
Sharp,  Isaac,  22,  164,  268. 
Shepherd,  Dr.  William,  202-205. 
Shillito,  Joseph,  iSS. 
Siddall,   Joseph   Lawton,    197,  and 

note  i. 

Sidebottom,  James,  35. 
Simon,  Dr.  D.  W.,  236. 
Simon,  Mark,  175. 
Simpson,  Joseph,  179. 
Slate,  Richard,  21,  156;  his  "His 
tory  of  the  Lancashire  Congre 
gational  Union,"  9,   12,  13. 
Sleigh,  Thomas,  211,  219. 
Smalley,  Mr.,  97,  98. 
Smith,  Mr.,  262. 
Smith,  F.,  49,  173. 
Smith,  Dr.  George,  170,  171. 
Smith,  G.  Compton,  M.A.,  51. 
Smith,  Dr.  J.  Pye,  148,  156,  175. 
Smith,  Joseph,  115. 
Smith,  Matthew,  90. 
Smith,  Thomas,  26. 
Socinian    Controversies,    115,   125, 
201. 


Soper,  R.  G.,  B.A.,  241. 

Southport :  A  Century  Ago,  i  ;  in 
1829,  2  ;  Origin  of  Name,  4-5 ; 
"Duke's  Folly,"  4,  26;  Rise 
of  Congregationalism,  9,  15, 
1 8,  26;  Birkdale,  37-39; 
Boundary  Street  (Mission), 
42  ;  Chapel  Street,  25-32 ; 
East  Bank  Street,  27,  265  ; 
"Hall's  Chapel,"  25,  and  note 
2  ;  Hawkshead  Street,  40 ; 
"Little  London,"  22;  Port 
land  Street,  39-40  ;  "  Taber 
nacle,"  29  ;  West  End,  34-37. 

"  Southport  Guardian,",  26,  31. 

Spear,  Robert,  26. 

Spence,  Dr  ,  155. 

Spence,  Robert,  M.A.,  155,  and 
note  i. 

Spencer,  Thomas,  148-150, 156,  159. 

Stalker,  A.  M.,  31. 

Stallybrass,   W.   C.,  21 1,  259,  260. 

Stanley  Congregational  Church, 
212-214. 

Stanley,  Matthew,  237. 

Stanynough,  Peter,  63,  64,  83. 

Starkie,  Elizabeth,  9. 

Starkie,  James,  8. 

Steill,  Alexander,  18,  265. 

Stephen,  E.,  229. 
.Stephens,  J.,  228. 

Stephens,  Noah,  228,  231. 

Stewart,  Dr.  John,  152,  158,  184, 
225. 

Stoughton,  Dr.  John,  236. 

Stretton,  Thomas,  A.M.,  181,  182. 

Strutt,  Percy,  184. 

Summer,  Bishop,  182. 

Sutton,  William,  4-5,  and  note  3  ; 
26. 

Sweeting,  T.  E.,  21. 

Taylor,  Henry,  67,  in,  123. 
Taylor,  James,  255. 
Taylor,  Dr.  John,  123,  130. 


INDEX. 


281 


Taylor,  Philip,  123,  124,  and  note 

2  ;  126,  266. 

"  Tent  Methodists,"  The,  169. 
Terrott,  Bishop,  183. 
Tetlaw,  Renald,  268. 
Thom,  John,  104. 

Thorn,  John  Hamilton,  104, 117,118. 
Thorn's,  Dr.,  "  Liverpool  Churches 

and   Chapels,"  124,    125,  128, 

134,  138,   153,   154,    164,   165, 

180,  181. 

Thomas,  H.  E.,  228,  231,  239. 
Thomas,  J.,  228. 
Thomas,   Dr.  John,   226,   227,   229, 

23i>233. 

Thomas,  Dr.  Owen,  229,  231. 
Thomas,  R.,  M.A.,  173. 
Thomas,  R.,  227. 
Thomas,  R.  230. 
Thomas,  R.  (Ap  Vychan),  228. 
Thomas,  R.  (Bangor),  232. 
Thomas,  William,  219,  233. 
Thomas,  W.  E.,  241. 
Thompson,  Anthony,  B.A.,  260. 
Thompson,  John,  44. 
Thompson,  Joseph,  61,  63,  214. 
Thompson,  Josiah,  129,  note  2. 
Thompson,  Ralph  Wardlaw,   188, 

189. 

Thomson,  Alexander,  153. 
Thomson,  Dr.,  Alexander,  40. 
Thomson,  J.  R.,  M.A.,  236. 
Thomson,  Patrick,  M.A.,  153. 
Thornely,  James,  L.,  192,  193,  note 

i  ;  198,  note  i  ;  201,  207. 
Thorp,  John,  174. 
Tincker,  D.  C.,  221. 
Toone,  C.  S.,  186. 
Toothill,  John,  18,  20,  268,  269. 
Toothill,  Jonathan,  268. 
Towgood,  Micaiah,  124. 
Tunstall,  John,  177. 
Tunstall,  Joshua,  177,  234. 
Turner,  H.  T,  182,  183. 


United   Brethren,  Minutes  of,  91, 

in,  193- 
Upton,  Charles  Barnes,  B.A.,B.Sc., 

105. 
Urvvick's   "  Nonconformity    in 

Cheshire,"  235,  237. 

Valentine,  Mr.,  98. 
Vaughan,  Dr.  Robert,  161,188,237, 
and  note  3. 

Waddington's   "Congregational 
History,"  102,  note  i. 

Wakefield,  Gilbert,  B.A.,  113. 

Walker,  Edwin,  32. 

Walker,  George,  138. 

Walker,  G.  K.,  219. 

Walker,  J.  W.,  B.A.,  214. 

Walker,  S.,  268. 

Wallace,  F.,  178. 

Walton-on-the-Hill  :  Early  Non 
conformity,  52.  58,  62,  64, 
66,  214,  215,  and  note  3;  Con 
gregational  Church,  216. 

Ward,  Mr.,  64,  8 1. 

Ward,  Abraham,  21. 

Wardlaw,  Dr.  Ralph,  188. 

Warrington   Congregationalism, 

I43-I47- 

Waterhouse,  Mr.,  93. 
W'aterloo  Congregational  Church, 

219-220. 

Watts,  Dr.  Isaac,  Tablet  of,  239. 
Wavertree  Congregational  Church, 

2II-2I2. 

Way  man,  James,  156. 

Weaver,  L.,  217. 

Wedgwood,  Josiah,  134. 

Welch,  A.  S.,  40,  51,  and  note  i. 

Welch,  Henry,  61. 

Weld,  Isaac,  124,  note  2. 

Welsh  Congregationalism  in  Liver- 

pool,  224-234. 
Wesley's  Description  of  the  Isle  o 

Man  last  Century,  248-251. 


282 


INDEX. 


West,  G.  M.,  182,  183. 
White,  Mr.  (Chester),  252. 
White,  Mr.  (Derby \  137. 
Whitehead,  Thomas,  187. 
Whittenbury,  John,  172. 
Whittle,  James,  194. 
Whittle's  "Marina,"  2,  5. 
Whiteside,  Charles,  96,  105. 
Whitfield,  Henry,  193. 
Whitfield,  John,  193. 
Whitworth,  Charles,  208. 
Wicksteed,  Charles,  B.A.,  105,  127. 
Widdows,  James,  18,  181,  184. 
Wight,  Ninian,  211. 
Wilding,    John,    102,  note  I  ;   202, 

note  i. 

Wilkins,  E.  E.,  238. 
Wilkins,  J.  T.,  42,  44. 
Williams,  Charles,  236. 
Williams,  E.  J.,  40. 
Williams,  F.  S.,  236,  237. 
Williams,  J.  O.,  232. 


Williams,  William,  230. 
Williams,  William,  of  Wern,  225, 

229. 

Williamson,  John,  M.A.,  25o. 
Wilson,  Job,  252. 
Wilson,  Bishop  Thomas,  244,  245, 

247,  248,  250. 
Wilson's  "  History    of   Dissenting 

Churches,"  80. 

Winder,  Dr.  Henry,  112,  113,  119. 
Winslow,  T.  F.,  257,  and  note  i. 
Winter,  Cornelius,  267. 
Wishart,  James,  M.A.,  175,  239. 
Woodhouse,  J.  T.,  32,  37. 
Woods,  W.  J.,  B.A.,  48. 
Woolton  Congregational  Church, 

208. 
Wyke,  W.,  134. 


Yates,  John,  73, 104,  124-126,  203. 
Yates,  Richard  Vaughan,  105, 125. 


LANCASHIRE  NONCONFORMITY 


BY  THE  REV.  B.  NIGHTINGALE. 


VOL.  I. — Containing  an  account  of  the  Congregational  and  Old  Presby 
terian  (now  Unitarian)  Churches  in  Preston,  North  Lancashire,  and 
Westmorland,  with  twenty-eight  Illustrations.  Price  6s.,  post  free. 

VOL.  II. — Dealing  with  the  Churches  of  Blackburn,  Darwen,  and  North 
East  Lancashire,  with  thirty-two  Illustrations.  Price  6s.,  post  free. 

VOL.  III.— The  Churches  of  Bolton,  Bury,  Rochdale,  &c.,  with  thirty, 
two  illustrations.  Price  6s.,  post  free. 

VOL.  IV.— The  Churches  of  Wigan,  Warrington,  St.  Helens,  Ormskirk, 
&C.,  with  twenty-five  illustrations.  Price  6s.,  post  free. 

The  Large  Paper  Edition  (two  volumes  in  one),  with  additional  Illustra 
tions,  253.  Subscribers  for  the  Complete  Work,  in  Six  Volumes  (ordinary- 
edition),  305. ;  Postage  extra. 


To  be  had  from  the  Author,  14,  Fishergate  Hill,  Preston. 


VOLS.  I  and  II.— OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS,  &c. 

"  Two  remarkable  volumes,  which  must  have  cost  the  author  immense  labour.  No  one  can 
read  them  without  eagerly  looking  forward  to  the  appearing  of  the  remaining  four.  ' — Leeds 
Mercury. 

"  Both  volumes  are  well  illustrated,  and  Mr.  Nightingale  has  done  his  work  very  well." — 
Literary  World. 

"  The  work  throughout  is  a  fine  specimen  of  letterpress  ;  and  the  publisher,  as  well  as  the 
author,  is  to  be  congratulated  upon  the  excellency  of  the  work." — -Darwen  News. 

"  Reflects  the  greatest  credit  on  his  industry  and  capacity  for  intelligent  grouping  of 
interesting  facts." — Preston  Guardian. 

"  A  new  historical  work  of  great  value.  .  .  Mr.  Nightingale's  books  are  the  result  of 
long  continued  and  diligent  personal  investigation.'' — Blackburn  Times. 

"The  volumes  cannot  fail  to  be  of  use  to  many  besides  those  who  pride  themselves  upon 
being  Nonconformists."  -  Liverpool  Mercury. 

"  His  books  ought  to  be  in  every  Congregational  library  in  Lancashire,  and  on  the  shelves 
of  every  Nonconformist  in  the  county  who  can  afford  to  buy  them."—  The  Independent. 

"  Mr.  Nightingale  has  done  his  work  well,  and  thereby  has  rendered  good  service  to  the 
cause  he  has  so  much  at  hem.  .  .  This  work  will  prove  to  be  interesting  to  all  real  lovers 
of  Nonconformity."—  Christian  World. 

"  Mr.  Nightingale  has  given  us  a  work  of  great  interest  and  of  solid  value  from  a  historical 
point  of  view,  and  it  will  l>e  a  misfortune  if  he  should  be  unable  to  carry  it  to  completion."— 
MancJicstcr  Guardian. 

"  Conscientious  care  marks  every  chapter  ;  we  might  even  say  every  sentence  ;  and  it  is  no 
exaggeration  to  affirm  that  a  more  reliable  compendium  of  information  on  Lancashire 
Nonconformity,  as  represented  by  the  Congregational  and  old  Presbyterian  Churches,  does 
not  exist." — The  Congregational  J\fonthly. 

"The  volumes  are  well  illustrated  and  exceedingly  interesting  from  beginning  to  end." — 
The  Yorkshire  County  Magazine. 

''  Mr.  Nightingale's  industry  and  careful  research  are  manifest  on  every  page.  The  book 
deserves  and  will  have  a  place  amongst  those  historical  memorials  of  Congregationalism  which 
have  a  permanent  value." — Rev.  Caleb  Scott,  B.A.,  LL.B.,  D.D.,  Principal  of  the 
Lancashire  College. 

"  I  consider  your  work  admirable  and  valuable.  I  most  sincerely  hope  you  will  be  able  to 
complete  it." — Rev.  Thomas  Green,  Jlf.A.,  Ashton-under-Lyne. 

"  It  will  be  a  pity  and  a  shame  if  so  much  labour  shall  come  to  nought." — Rev.  John  Yonge, 

Warrington,  Secretary  to  the  Liverpool  District  of  the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union. 

"  I  think  the  careful  research  and  wide  inquiry,  along  with  impartial  fidelity  of  statement, 

displayed  in  your  work  worthy  of  all  commendation." — Rev.  Alex.  Thomson,  M.A.,  D.D.t 

Manchester. 

"  Mr.  Nightingale  has  laid  the  churches  of  the  county  under  lasting  obligations.  I  heartily 
commend  his  work,  and  hope  it  may  be  widely  circulated." — Rev.  R.  J\I.  Davies,  Oldham, 
Secretary  to  the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union. 

"  The  two  volumes  that  are  already  to  hand  have  been  issued  in  a  very  satisfactory  form  ; 
they  are  brimful  of  information,  and  while  they  cannot  fail  to  be  instructive  to  Noncon 
formists  generally,  to  Congregationalists  in  particular  they  ought  to  be  replete  with  interest." — 
Rev.  T.  Willis,  Manchester,  Secretary  to  the  Lancashire  Congregational  Union. 

"  I  very  heartily  congratulate  you  on  the  high  degree  of  accuracy  you  have  been  able  to 
maintain,  which  gives  an  especial  value  to  your  volumes." — Rev.  Samuel  Neivth,  M.A., 
D.D.,  Acton. 

''These  volumes  are  deserving  of  a  wide  circulation.  They  are  illustrated  by  many 
engravings,  are  very  readable,  full  and  yet  concise,  and  cannot  fail  to  be  interesting  and 
instructive." — Rev.  A.  Foster,  M.A.  Secretary  to  the  Blackburn  District. 


VOLS.  HI.  and  IV.— OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS. 

"The  careful  reader  will  pass  through  the  pages  of  these  two  volumes  with  increasing 
amazement  at  the  mass  of  information,  often  out  of  the  way,  but  always  interesting  and 
and  useful,  which  Mr.  Nightingale's  patient  plodding  research  has  succeeding  in  bringing 
to  light." — Leeds  Mercury. 

"  He  is  elaborate  and  painstaking  to  a  degree,  and  has  evidently  spared  no  effort  to  secure 
both  accuracy  and  completeness,  while  at  the  same  time  there  is  enough  of  the  incidental  and 
the  picturesque  to  relieve  the  narrative." — Manchester  Guardian. 

"Ably  written,  profusely  illustrated,  excellently  printed,  and  carefully  indexed,  it  must 
take  rank  among  Lancashire  standard  works  of  reference.  It  is  no  exaggeration  to  say 
that  the  researches  necessary  for  the  production  of  these  four  volumes  have  involved  greater 
labour  than  any  previous  work  dealing  with  Lancashire  Nonconformity." — Bury  Tunes. 

"  Such  records  as  these  are  invaluable  from  an  historical  point  of  view,  and  ought  to  be  on 
the  bookshelves  not  only  of  prosperous  Dissenters,  but  of  all  Lancashire  men  interested  in  the 
traditions  of  their  country,  and  of  ecclesiastical  writers  generally,  who  will  find  the  author 
liberal  in  his  views  as  well  as  accurate  in  his  facts." — The  Independent  and  Nonconformist. 

"An  enormous  amount  of  minute  and  patient  investigation  must  have  been  expended  in 
the  preparation  of  these  complete  and  interesting  details  of  Lancashire  dissenting  history." — 
The  Ckristan  World. 

"  Mr.  Nightingale  has  here  furnished  proof  that  he  possesses  the  qualifications  indispensable 
to  the  trustworthy  historian — the  faculty  for  research  and  patient  investigation,  extending  to  the 
minutest  details,  and  an  almost  infinite  capacity  for  taking  pains.  .  .  .  The  workmanship  of 
these  two  volumes  is  thoroughly  good  throughout.  .  .  .  It  is,  of  course,  as  books  of  reference 
that  Mr.  Nightingale's  volumes  are  and  will  be  permanently  valuable,  and  as  such  they 
ought  to  find  a  place  in  the  library  of  every  man  who  has  an  interest  in  Lancashire  Noncon 
formity.  But  any  one  who  will  apply  himself  to  the  task  of  reading  the  volumes  through, 
chapter  by  chapter,  will  have  his  reward.  He  will  have  as  many  hearty  laughs  as  he  would 
have  over  the  perusal  of  any  modern  novel." — Literary  IVorld. 

"Mr.  Nightingale's  work  will  provide  real  interest  and  pleasure  for  the  reader  on  account 
of  the  eminently  readable  information  it  imparts  ;  while  as  a  series  of  handy,  and  yet 
thoroughly  reliable,  volumes  on  the  history  of  Lancashire  Congregationalism  it  is  worthy  to 
have  a  permanent  place  in  religious  literature." — The  Bolton  Journal. 

"The  volumes  are  exceedingly  handsome.      The    wcrk   throughout   is  a   fine   specimen  of 
letterpress,  and  both  author  and  publisher  are  to  be  congratulated  upon  their  excellency.  '- 
The  Leigh  Chronicle. 

"In  many  a  chapter  he  supplies  some  of  the  truest  romance  of  history — none  the  less 
appetising  to  noble  minds  because  it  is  religious  and  Christian.  In  every  page  we  find  the 
same  laborious  and  unflagging  patience  in  searching  for,  testing,  and  restating  details.  This 
is  one  of  the  features  of  these  volumes,  which  will  induce  historians  in  future  days  to  refer  to 
and  quote  them  with  confidence." — The  Congregational  Monthly. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  OLD  INDEPENDENT  CHAPEL, 

TOCKHOLES,    NEAR   BLACKBURN. 
BY  THE  REV.  B.  NIGHTINGALE. 


A  few  copies  yet  remain  unsold.   To  be  had  from  the  Author,  post  free,  33. 


PRESS  AND  OTHER  OPINIONS. 

"The   book,  of  230  pages,   indicates    both    great    ability    and   painstaking   research."— 
Nonconformist  and  Independent. 

"  This  important  and  suggestive  history  has  been  compiled  with  extreme  care,  and  the  story 
is  told  in  choicest  English.'1 — OldJiani  Chronicle. 

"  The  volume  teems  with  all  sorts  of  valuable  and  interesting  information,  put  in  a  most 
entertaining  and  eloquent  form." — Batley  Ncivs. 

"  An  excellent  example  of  what  might  be  done  for  many  of  the  old  Nonconformist  meeting 
houses  and  chapels  throughout  the  North  of  England." — Rev.  F.  J.  Falding,  M.A.,  D.D. 

"The  book  is  well  written  every  way,  and  does  you  credit." — Rev.  A. 'Thomson,  M,  A,) 
D.D.,  Manchester. 

"  It  contains  a  mass  of  most  valuable  genealogical  information."  —Dr.  Howard  (Harleian 
Society). 

"I  read  your  book   last  night  at  a  sitting  with   the  greatest  pleasure."— -fftt'.  /.   A. 
Macfadyen,  M.A.,  D.D. 

"  I  am  thankful  that  you  have  undertaken  this  work,  and  completed  it  so  satisfactorily." — 
Rev.  S.  Pearson,  AI.A.,  l\Ianchester.