Rushden Echo, Friday, September 6, 1901, transcribed by Greville Watson

A committee has been appointed to secure a successor to the Rev.C.F.Groom, who completes his three years’ ministry at the Park-road Wesleyan Church next August.

Rushden Echo, Friday, October 11, 1901, transcribed by Greville Watson

The Rev.C.F.Groom, pastor of the Park-road Wesleyan Church, will, owing to exceptional circumstances conclude his ministry in Rushden on Nov. 3rd, and will be succeeded by the Rev.T.Edwards Thompson, of Newcastle-on-Tyne (Dilston-road).  Mrs.Thompson, who is the sister of Mrs.Button, of Park-road, Rushden, was visiting the town recently and was taken ill, and, under medical advice, is not allowed to return to Newcastle for the winter.  Mr.Thompson has been invited to Queen’s-road Circuit, Northampton, next September, and Mr.Groom has kindly offered to take Mr.Thompson’s place at Newcastle.  Mr.Thompson will, therefore, undertake the pastorate of the Rushden Church from Nov. 10th.  The officials at Newcastle have thanked Mr.Groom for his thoughtfulness, and, further, have invited him to continue in the circuit as pastor of Wesley Hall.  At a meeting of the financial Committee of the Higham Ferrers circuit last night a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr.Groom, and reference was made to the excellent work he had done.

Rushden Echo, Friday, November 8, 1901, transcribed by Greville Watson

On Sunday evening the Rev.C.F.Groom, who is leaving Rushden for Newcastle-on-Tyne, preached his farewell sermon in the Park-road Wesleyan Church.  Before the sermon, he briefly referred to his departure and said that it was very easy to say good-bye in a few words, but very difficult to say it in many words.  He would feel the deepest gratitude to God if he felt that he was leaving the circuit without a single enemy.  Such, he hoped, was the case.  He had been with them now two years and two months and they all knew the reason of his sudden removal.  It was needful for private reasons that Mr.Thompson of Newcastle-on-Tyne should come to Rushden, and when Mr.Thompson asked him to exchange places, he felt that it was his duty to do so.  In conclusion, he hoped that during his successor’s ministry the church would prosper and the debt on it be speedily wiped off.

Local Appointments

The first draft of the appointments of Wesleyan Methodist ministers for the year beginning Sept.1st has been issued this week. The appointments are subject to further revision.

In the Higham Ferrers circuit the Rev.J.W.Eacott remains as superintendent and the Rev.D.Pughe continues at Irthlingborough. The Rev.R.B.Woodward removes from Rushden to Woodville and Swadlincote circuit, and he is succeeded at Rushden by the Rev.Robert H.A.Morton, from Brynmawr, South Wales.

Former Rushden ministers are appointed as follows:- the Rev.W.Newby remains at Birmingham (Smethwick), the Rev.T.Edwards Thompson continues at the Devonshire Park Mission at Buxton, the Rev.A.L.Fillingham, B.Litt., stays a fifth year at the Newcastle-on-Tyne Mission, and the Rev.C.F.Groom remains at Wesley Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne.