Rushden Research Group: congregational 1894

Congregational Church

Extracted from an Album of Northamptonshire Congregational Churches. Published by NPP Co 1894

Although Rushden is a growing town of 10,000 inhabitants, the Congregational Church is but of recent growth, only dating back as far as 1888. For some years there had been a steady influx of Congregationalists to the town, but they had to join other churches, and it was thought that in a town like Rushden there was ample room for a church of our order. Accordingly, in 1887, the Rev. M. E. Parkin invited some friends from Rushden to meet Dr. Paton from Nottingham College, at his house at Yelvertoft, with the result that Dr. Paton secured a large room and the Rev. A. C. Smith, then a student, was sent to commence the work. A considerable sum of money was spent in repairing the room, putting in new floors, &c., and the first service was commenced in May, 1888.

Mr. Smith did good pioneer work, and although for a time the attendance was small, it gradually increased to a fair congregation. On Jan. 9, 1889, a church was formed, consisting of nine members. A Sunday School was also commenced and was fairly successful. In the beginning of 1891, Mr. Smith felt the time had come for some one else to take up and continue the work which he had so nobly commenced. Before resigning he wrote to Mr. Parkin, and also to Dr. Paton and Mr. Stephens, and before leaving Rushden he had the pleasure of knowing that the Rev. M. E. Parkin had received a call and was to succeed him. Mr. Smith leaving for Welford in February, 1891, Mr. Parkin settled here immediately.

The first business was the erection of a building more in harmony with the requirements of a large and growing town. The old room was small and inconvenient, and the friends felt that a new church was an absolute necessity, if Congregationalists were to do their fair share of work in the town. Mr. E. Sharman, of Wellingborough, prepared plans which were ultimately accepted, and the contract let to Messrs. E. Brown and Son, Wellingborough. The total liability is £1830. This new building will accommodate 450, and by means of folding doors the old schoolroom may be used in connection with the chapel should it be required.

In the front there is a handsome porch, with a tinted three-light window over. The seats are all of pitch-pine, with an elevated choir platform and a gallery over the entrance to the chapel.

Memorial stones were laid on Monday, Nov. 8th, by Miss M. Sharman, of Wellingborough; Miss Tailby, of Rushden; Miss E. Colson (for Sunday School), Rushden; Mr. F. A. Channing, M. P.; Mr. Joseph Jeffrey, Northampton; and Mr. F. G. Adnitt, Northampton. At the public tea 400 sat down. In the evening a great meeting was held in the Public Hall, J. Rennie Wilkinson, Esq., in the chair. The meeting was addressed by Revs. W. J. Woods, B.A., T. Gasquoine, B.A., T. Stephens, B.A., and others. Total proceeds, £135. Opening services in June, 1894.

Present number of communicants	50	Sunday evening attendance in Hall	350
Sunday School children	130	Choir	25
Christian Endeavour	40	Mutual Improvement Class	24
Band of Hope	60	Pleasant Sunday Afternoon — from 500 to 700
Young Men's Society	30

OFFICERS.

1880 and 1890 — Messrs. Stephen Hig'gins and George Parker.
1891 and 1892 — Messrs. Stephen Hig'gins, George Parker, and George Hall, secretary.
1893 — Messrs, Stephen Higgins, George Parker, Georpe Hall, Thomas Willmott, Tom Swindall, Frederick Parker, Thomas Spavins. Secretary, Mr. George Hall; Treasurer, Mr. George Parker.
1894 — Messrs. Stephen Higgins, George Parker, T. Wilmott, T. Swindall, Frederick Parker, Thomas Hockney, Alfred E. Rodhouse, Frederick Hockiiey. Treasurer, G. Parker. Secretary, Thomas Hockney.

Choir-master, Mr. T. C. Clarke. Organist, Mr. Walter Sargent.
Superintendents of School, Mr. George Hall and Mr. G. Parker.
Secretaries of Building Fund, Messrs. Samuel Powell and Frederick Hockney.

Northampton Mercury, 8^th June 1894

New Congregational Church at Rushden.

The opening of the new Congregational Church at Rushden on Thursday marks the completion of one more step forward by Nonconformity, in its energetic efforts to provide adequately for the religious wants of this rapidly and ever growing place. Less than ten years has seen the establishment in the town of three new branches of Nonconformist work—the Wesleyans, the Primitive Methodists, and the Congregationalists; but beside these the Independent Wesleyans and the Baptists have long had a footing there, and despite the introduction of new churches they have gone on flourishing. The Independent Wesleyans have had to enlarge their accommodation, and could do with still more room; one of the Baptist chapels been enlarged, and the other is in prospect of enlargement and renovation; the Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists each have established themselves with commodious buildings; and now it is the Congregational body that has secured for itself the advantage of suitable and adequate accommodation. The last-named accomplishment is especially worthy of note, seeing that up to the year 1888 the Congregationalists had no footing at all in Rushden. In that year, however, representations were made to Dr. Paton, of Nottingham College, through whose efforts the building in Church-street, formerly occupied by the Union Church, but which had been closed for some time, was secured, and a Church was started upon Congregational lines. The first pastor was the late Rev. A. Smith, who came fresh from college, and threw himself so energetically into the work, that when he left in 1891 to assume the pastorate at Welford, where his lamentable death occurred took place last year, there was a strong and healthy cause existing. The Rev. M. E. Parkin, from Yelvertoft, was a most fitting successor to Mr. Smith, for like him he is full of energy, and he quickly made himself and the church so popular that it became necessary to think of providing further and more suitable accommodation. The old building was not at all well adapted for the double purpose of school and chapel, and it was eventually decided to build a new place upon the plot of ground, leaving the old structure for school purposes alone. Plans were prepared by Mr. Edward Sharman, of Wellingborough, were chosen, and the contract of Brown and Sons, also of Wellingborough, being accepted, a start was made with the work in September of last year, and a month or so later the memorial stone-laying took place. The new chapel now opened is a really pretty and commodious structure, forming a valuable addition to the buildings of the town, as much as it provides adequately for the present wants of the Church. It is of Gothic design, built of red bricks, with white stone dressings, and is approached by a porch opening direct from the street, and over this porch is a handsome three-light window, which, like the other windows in the building, is filled with cathedral glass.......

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