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Northampton Mercury Saturday January 4th 1890, transcribed by Susan Manton
Congregational Church—A bazaar and sale of work consisting of useful and fancy articles was held in the School room of the Congregational Church on Boxing Day, the object being to raise funds towards the extinction of the chapel debt. The proceedings were opened by the Pastor (Rev. A. C. Smith) in a short and practical speech, and business was at once commenced. The following ladies presided at the various stalls:- Mesdames Higgins, Smith, Corbett and Parker and the Misses Wing. A good number visited the bazaar during the afternoon and evening, extra attractions being provided, including a limelight exhibition, by Mr. Powell and a menagerie with animals from all parts of the country. A programme of vocal and instrumental music was performed at intervals during the day. The proceeds amounted to about £22.
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Wellingborough News, 29th August 1890, transcribed by Kay Collins
Choir Outing—On Thursday the choir and teachers connected with the Congregational Church journeyed to Castle Ashby for a day’s outing. The party, numbering 36, arrived at Castle Ashby about midday, and spent a very pleasant holiday in inspecting the grounds, and were also shown round the house. Tea was partaken of on the lawn at the Falcon Inn, and the friends, who were accompanied by the Rev. A. C. and Mrs. Smith, reached Rushden soon after nine, having enjoyed a pleasant outing.
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The Argus, 1st April 1898, transcribed by Kay Collins
Sale of Work at Rushden
A very successful sale of work was held at the Congregational Schoolroom, Rushden, on Monday, in aid of the building fund. A large quantity of fancy articles had been made by the ladies of the congregation. These were effectually arranged on stalls and were of such a high quality as to find ready purchasers. The stallholders were: Fancy stalls, Miss E. Colson (secretary), Mrs. Baird, Mrs. Hall, Mrs. King, Mrs. Gilbert; refreshments, Mrs. Nevell, Mrs. F. Darlow, Miss Bedford, Mrs. Blackwell, Mrs. Allen; toys, Miss G. Parkin; bran tub, Master R. Parkin.—There was a good attendance at the opening ceremony, among those present being: The Rev. M. E. Parkin (pastor), the Rev. J. Scarborough, the Rev. A. L. Billingham, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery Clarke (Market Harborough). After the usual devotional exercises, the Rev. M. E. Parkin said that it was seven years since he settled in Rushden and, as most of them would remember, they worshipped in that room which was not quite so comfortable as it was that afternoon. They had worked together during those years and the outcome had been the erection of the much larger place of worship. He was sorry to say that there was a considerable debt still to discharge. That chapel had met a large need in that growing town and they had endeavoured in many ways so to preach and work as to gather in a large number who otherwise did not attend any places of worship. The fact that every Sunday afternoon they gathered 500 people together to listen to the gospel at once proved that the work had not been in vain. When they thought of the large increase in the Sunday school and the increase in the Sunday services they felt that they took a step in the right direction when they enlarged their borders and built the beautiful church in front of those schools. Of course, it was a large undertaking, but they had proceeded from, time to time and had made the burden as easy as they possibly could. He bore cheerful testimony to the help and sympathy of their friends, and said that they had had no friends equal to those who had come from Market Harborough. He mentioned such names as Messrs. Morris, Edie, Symington, and Goddard, saying that he was sure they felt they had done good service. The speaker bore special testimony to the practical sympathy of the family of Mr. Clarke in the work of that church and in Congregationalism, generally. He concluded by announcing that Mrs. Clarke (senior) had written expressing regret that she was unable to be present and enclosing a cheque for £20. (Loud applause) Mrs. Jeffery Clarke then declared the sale open. The Rev. M. E. Parkin proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs. Clarke, which was carried by acclamation. Mr. Clarke responded on behalf of his wife and the sale then proceeded. During the evening a musical programme was carried out.
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The Rushden Echo, 24th June 1898, transcribed by Kay Collins
THE ANNIVERSARY of the Rushden Congregational Sunday school has passed off most successfully. The special preacher on Sunday was the Rev. D. Stevens, of Hinckley, who delivered appropriate and interesting discourses morning and evening. There were large congregations. In the afternoon a children's service was conducted by the Rev. A. L. Fillingham. At each service special hymns were sung by the scholars, who had been carefully trained for the occasion, and who entered into the musical portions of the service with considerable heartiness and ability. The annual treat of the children took place on Monday, when the youngsters were favoured with beautiful weather. Tea was served in the school-room, over 200 scholars being in attendance, Mrs. Nevill, Mrs. King, Mrs. Gilbert, Miss Colson, Miss Nash, Miss Strachan and Mr. Mitchell attending assiduously to the juvenile guests. Miss Nash and Miss Strachan were the joint secretaries.
After the children had been regaled, a public tea was held, attended by about 90 friends of the cause. Meanwhile the children had made an adjournment to the Rectory field, kindly lent by Mr. G. H. Skinner, where amusements including cricket, racing, and other out-door sports and pastimes were entered into with great zest. Under the conductorship of Mr. W. A. Brown, the Town String Band played an interesting programme of music.
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Rushden Echo, Friday October 7, 1898 transcribed Sue Manton
The P.S.A. was well attended on Sunday when the Rev. M. E. Parkin gave an interesting address on “Hero worship”. The band played “The War March of the Priests.” Miss G. Hinde sang two solos and Miss Hinde gave a violin solo.
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Rushden Echo, 6th July 1900, transcribed by Kay Collins
Picnic—The members of the Christian Endeavour Society connected with the Congregational Church had an enjoyable picnic at Stanwick Park on Monday, by permission of Mrs Browning. Some of the party were conveyed in a brake, while others cycled. Unfortunately rain in the evening necessitated a somewhat early closure. The arrangements for the luncheon and tea were made by Mrs Neville, Mrs Darlow, and Mrs Sargent.
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The Rushden Echo, 7th December 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rushden’s Memorial of the War
An important Suggestion by Mr F Knight, J.P. at the Congregational Church
In similarity to a scheme which successfully carried through last year, the Rushden Congregationalists yesterday opened a two days’ sale of work in their schoolroom, the purpose of the effort being to raise funds towards the liquidation of a loan and to meet current expenses.
The schoolroom was attractively arranged to represent an “Old English village”, the decorative scheme having been carried out under the able superintendence of the minister of the church, the Rev. E F Walker. The stalls, which were prettily arranged, were replete with articles well calculated to tempt the money from the pockets of the visitors. The various efforts were supervised as follow: 6½d. stall, Mrs Mead, Mrs Freeman, Misses D and G Mead; miscellaneous stall, Mrs West and Miss West; general stall, Mrs Webster and Mrs King; young ladies’ fancy work, Mrs W L Sargent, Mrs J Webster, Miss King and Miss V Copson; Sewing Meeting stall, Mesdames Darlow, Allen and Cox; refreshments, Mesdames Turner, Neville, Payne, Brooks, Whitworth and Elliott; boots, Rev. E F Walker and Mr W L Sargent; potatoes, Mr G Lord; bran tub, Miss Ruby West and Miss Dorothy Allen; “Feed the Kaiser”, Mr W Holley; bagatelle, Master Kenneth Turner; picture guessing, Mr L V Elliott.
The opening ceremony took place at 3p.m., under the presidency of the Rev. E F Walker, supported by Councillor F Knight, J.P., Rev. C J Keeler, and Mr W L Sargent (secretary of the church).
The Rev. E F Walker, after pointing out the object of the effort, congratulated all those who had contributed towards its success by giving their labour and time. They welcomed Mr Knight as a gentleman who had a long-standing interest in that church. (Applause)
Mr Knight, who was enthusiastically received, prefaced the formal opening ceremony by making some suggestions in regard to the erection in the town of a permanent memorial to those who have fallen or taken part in the war. He trusted that his suggestion would cause the matter to be talked about and to be taken up. He complimented the Church upon its brave effort to shale off its financial difficulties, and said that he would like to emphasise that such work in connection with a place of worship was, at the present time, by no means inappropriate. When the boys come back after the war, greater facilities for recreation and amusement would have to be provided, and now was the time to prepare. Those at home must “keep the home fires burning” and, as social reformers, must do their utmost to make things better for the boys when they come back. He had no doubt that in Rushden there would be some monument or memorial for the men who had taken part in, or fallen in the war. He would like something to be done in Rushden on the lines of the Y.M.C.A. idea, something that would be beneficial and endurable for the young men who returned. (Applause) He believed that a large amount of money could be raised for that purpose, and that everyone would give in money and in service. A large building would be necessary, but even if much money were needed, it would be gladly given, he was sure, to support so fitting a commemoration of the efforts of those they would see again, and of those who had fallen. (Applause) Mr Knight then declared the sale open.
The Rev. C J Keeler expressed admiration for the work of the Rev. E F Walker and his helpers. The Congregational idea of church government, he said, was his ideal, as he believed it was nearest to New testament teaching. He cordially endorsed all the good wishes that had been made for the Congregationalists’ efforts on Thursday and Saturday. Referring to the proposed memorial institution, he professed himself as delighted to hear such a recommendation from so prominent a townsman as Mr Knight. The Bishop of Peterborough held a similar view, i.e., that in every town and village in the country there should be a “public house” in the truest sense. If a town like Rushden adopted such a scheme it would surely spread. Out in France men flocked to the Y.M.C.A. huts and loved to be there. If such a thing was possible abroad it was possible at home. (Applause) If somebody only led the way he was sure a great success would arise out of the idea, and the churches must band together to help. (Applause)
On the initiation of Mr W L Sargent, seconded by Mrs Webster, hearty thanks were accorded Mr Knight.
During the afternoon good business was done at the various stalls, and the competitions were well patronised.
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Rushden Echo, 18th July 1924, transcribed by Kay Collins
A Garden Fete was held at “Rosemount,” Irchester-road, on Saturday last, in connection with the Rushden Congregational Church, in aid of the “Forward Movement.” The grounds had been kindly lent by Mr Jos. Knight, and the tennis and croquet lawns were also at the visitors’ disposal. The company were very interested in the display of flowers in the greenhouses and the openair beds. Tea was provided, and in the evening the Rushden Student’s Orchestra, arranged by Mr John Wood, played for dancing. Mr Knight, for his kindness, was heartily thanks on the proposition of the Rev. A A Stevens. A vote of thanks was also passed to the band. |
Rushden Echo, 3rd July 1925, transcribed by Kay Collins
Organised by the lady members of the Congregational Church, a garden party was held on Saturday in the grounds of “Rose Mount,” kindly lent by Mr Joseph Knight. Tea was served to the company on the lawn, and games of tennis and croquet were played. Another attraction was offered in Mr W Ginns’s games of “Bubbles.” An entertainment by Mrs Lamb’s concert party from Higham Ferrers was much appreciated.
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