The Rushden Echo and Argus, 25th September 1959, transcribed by Jim Hollis
Sunday school dreams come true
A similar ceremony which took place 75 years ago was remembered on Saturday, when Mrs. C. Flood, one of Park Road Baptist Church’s oldest members, laid a foundation stone on behalf of senior church members.
Mrs. Flood, who is 82, has been a member of the church since she was a child, a chorister, and connected with most of the church organisations at one time or another.
“I remember when the assembly room stones were laid,” she said. “Even then we talked about the new Sunday Schools to be built and we are very proud to see the walls rising up today.”
Mr. George E. Bayes, the church secretary who introduced the people laying stones, spoke of the history of the church. He said: “Today we see the realisation of hopes and dreams which have their origin so many years ago when the land was purchased. Two world wars and the needs of the new estates have diverted our efforts, but now the dream has been realised.” Mr. Bayes said that two-thirds of the capital sum required had been raised in six years since the church passed a resolution re-opening the new building fund.
 |
|
While the Rev Vivian C Evans (left) holds the microphone, and Mr John Bayes (right) lines up the cement, Mr Charles Ginns lays the first brick of the new Baptist Sunday schools
|
The first stone was laid by the chairman of Rushden Urban Council. He was introduced by Mr. Bayes, who said: “In sixty years since the urban district was created many Baptist Church members have given distinguished service, and it is fitting that in this important year, one of our members is the town’s first citizen.”
Mr. Ginns said that he had been a member of the Park Road Church all his life, and that one of his earliest recollections was being taken to Sunday School on his father’s cycle.
“All members of the Town Council are interested in the spiritual welfare of the young people of the town,” he said.
Another visitor at the ceremony was Mr. E. R. Staniford, the president of the Northamptonshire Baptist Association.
A Tribute
“Of 75 churches in the association, only four, including Rushden, have more than 300 members, and most are small village causes,” he said.
“I would like to pay tribute to the way in which this church has served the association in the past years.
Other bricks were laid by Mr. George S. Green, chairman of the Rushden and District Sunday School Union. Mr. J. C. D. Tingle, Sunday School secretary, and Miss A. Totterdale, a young church member.
When laying his brick, Mr. Tingle pledged that the teachers and officers of the Sunday School would “make the utmost use of the buildings to help the children.”
Twins Nigel and John Bayes read out the list of the contents of two jars which were buried in the foundations of the new building.
Amongst the contents were a coronation coin set; a selection of stamps from 1935 onwards; a copy of the building fund appeal brochure; a role of choristers and their individual length of service; names of present officers and teachers of the Sunday School; a centenary (1910) Sunday School medallion; a 1959/60 Boys’ Brigade membership card; a 1959 anniversary Sunday School hymn sheet; a souvenir programme of the stone laying ceremony; a Rushden Baptist Church history called “These Years Have Told” by G. E. Bayes; copies of the Rushden Baptist, Rushden Echo and Argus, Baptist Tunes, Church Weekly News and one pair of modern children’s shoes.
Stones were also laid by 73 Sunday School pupils. A collection (including the money brought by the children in private collecting boxes) taken that afternoon raised £346.
|
