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

Ministerial Changes

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.

Rushden Echo, Friday, November 15, 1901, transcribed by Greville Watson

The anniversary of the Park-road Wesleyan Church was celebrated on Sunday and Monday last, the services also taking the form of a recognition of the Rev.T.Edwards Thompson, from Newcastle-on-Tyne, as pastor of the church.  The Rev.G.H.Hayes preached on Sunday morning and the Rev.T.E.Thompson in the evening, there being large congregations.  Tea was provided in the schoolroom on Monday, Mrs.I.Cunnington, Mrs.Horrell, Miss Cunnington, and Miss Scott presiding at the trays.  There was a good company.  Addresses were given by Messrs. Nattrass, Gadsby, Capon, and Short, expressing a hearty welcome to Mr.Thompson as the successor to the Rev.C.F.Groom.  In the evening a meeting was held in the chapel, the Rev.G.H.Hayes presiding over a large congregation.  The Chairman cordially welcomed Mr.Thompson as one of the ministers of the circuit – Mr.Cross as representing the church and congregation, having briefly welcomed Mr.Thompson, a thoughtful address was given by the Rev.R.Shorten (Independent Wesleyan) who spoke on the distinctive marks constituting a house of God.  He said that no Bishop ever consecrated who Jacob called a “house of God.”  As a matter of fact, a Bishop could consecrate nothing; he might declare it consecrated, but then anybody could do that; and it was God alone Who could consecrate a building.  There were many people who would challenge the description of a Wesleyan chapel as the house of God, but if anyone should say that the chapel was not the house of God, he would call such a statement a blasphemous lie.  (Hear, hear).  Wherever a poor wounded soul sought divine surgery for its wounds and divine forgiveness for its sins, there was a house of God.  The Chairman read a letter of regret from the Rev.M.E.Parkin, who was unable to attend through indisposition.  The Rev.T.E.Thompson said that that was scarcely a reception meeting in the ordinary sense of the term.  That night they were making history, as there was not another case on record of two ministers exchanging circuits as he and Mr.Groom had done.  He wished to express his deep gratitude to the various friends who had come to his help under trying circumstances.  He expected to be with them for only ten months, when he was removing to Northampton.  He was no stranger in Rushden.  He had known the town for years, and had seen its rapid growth.  Incidentally he mentioned that he should like to see that congregation build a church which would seat 1,000 people.  (Hear, hear).  The financial proceeds of the two days amounted to about £23, for the trust funds.

Rushden Echo, Friday, November 22, 1901, transcribed by Greville Watson

As the Rev.T.Edwards Thompson, who succeeds the Rev.C.F.Groom as pastor of the Park-road Wesleyan Church will be removing to Northampton (Queen’s-road) next September, the circuit committee met on Saturday to invite a successor.  It was decided unanimously and heartily to invite the Rev.R.B.Woodward, of Hednesford, in the Cannock circuit.  Mr.Woodward is an able preacher and a vigilant pastor, and, if he accepts the invitation, he will be a distinct gain to the Free Church life of Rushden and district.

was duly observed at most of the Free Churches of Rushden on Sunday. The Rev.T.Edwards Thompson preached two sermons of remarkable power in the Park-road Wesleyan chapel, and he addressed the scholars in the afternoon.

The Rushden Wesleyans, in common with other Wesleyan churches throughout the country, had special collections on Sunday in aid of the Twentieth Century Fund. The Rev.T.Edwards Thompson preached, and special hymns were sung.

Rushden Argus, Friday, January 24, 1902, transcribed by Greville Watson

Ministerial Change

We understand that the Rev.T.Edwards Thompson will not take up his ministry at Northampton after leaving Rushden.  The rev. gentleman has received a pressing invitation to go to Leicester.

Rushden Argus, Friday, April 4, 1902, transcribed by Greville Watson

On Wednesday afternoon an affecting ceremony took place at the Park-road Wesleyan Church in connection with the funeral of Mrs. Thompson, the wife of the Rev.T.E.Thompson, pastor of the church.  The deceased lady was the youngest daughter of the late Mr.John Porter, of Lower Dean, Bedfordshire, and had only been married some eighteen months.  During the greater part of the time, however, she had been in ill-health, her husband exchanging to Rushden a few months ago from Newcastle-on-Tyne in the hope that the change would be of benefit to her.  The hope proved futile, however, and she passed away on Friday last, from consumption.  Much sympathy is felt for the rev. gentleman in his sad bereavement.  The funeral service at the chapel on Wednesday was conducted by the Rev.G.H.Hayes, superintendent minister, the Rev.A.Brookes (Irthlingborough) reading the lessons.  The mourners included the Rev.T.E.Thompson and Mrs.Porter (mother); Mr.Porter (brother); and Mrs.Dickerson (sister); Mr.and Mrs.Joseph Button (sister and brother-in-law), Mrs.Stringer (nurse), and Mrs.Porter (sister-in-law).  The officers of the church present included Mr.C.Smith, Mr.C.Cross, Mr.Watson, Mr.C.Horrell, Mr.Nattrass, Mr.I.Cunnington, Mr.T.Cunnington, Mr.A.Gadsby, Mr.Wooding, and Mr.Mitchell, whilst a large number of friends and sympathisers also attended, the bearers also including the deceased lady’s class leader from Dean.  At the conjclusion of the service the cortege proceeded to the cemetery, where the committal portion of the service was read by the Rev.G.H.Hayes.  the coffin was of polished oak moulded plinth witih solid brass fittings, and bore the inscription: “Florence Thompson, died March 28th, 1902, aged 31 years.”  The collection of beautiful wreaths bore the following inscriptions: “From Albert and Ada”; “With deepest sympathy from Mr.and Mrs.T.Cunnington”; “With sincere sympathy from Mr.and Mrs.Watson, Mr.and Mrs.C.Smith”; “Deep sympathy from dear friends (Newcastle-on-Tyne)”; two wreaths; “From her husband, mother, and sisters”; “With Miss Todd’s sincere sympathy”; “With sincere sympathy from Mrs.Stringer”; “With love andj sympathy from Ennie Baird”’ “In loving memory from Sister Edith, Manchester Wesleyan Mission”; “From the young friends at Dean”; “With loving sympathy from Mr., Mrs., and the Misses Kindred, Newcastle-on-Tyne.”  The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr.Harry Knight.

Rushden Argus, Friday, April 4, 1902, transcribed by Greville Watson

The pulpit at the Park-road Wesleyan Church was on Sunday draped in black, relieved with white, in memory of the late Mrs.Thompson.  The Rev.A.Brookes preached in the morning, and the Rev.T.E.Thompson in the evening, large congregations being present on each occasion.

Rushden Argus, Friday, June 6, 1902, transcribed by Greville Watson

Visiting Gibraltar

On Wednesday morning the Rev.T.Edwards Thompson, of the Park-road Wesleyan Church, left Rushden, en route for Gibraltar.  Mr.Thompson was accompanied by Mr.Watson, of the Gas Works, and their stay in the Mediterranean is expected to extend over three weeks.

Rushden Argus, Friday, July 4, 1902, transcribed by Greville Watson

At the end of last week the Rev.T.Edwards Thompson, who for the past few weeks has been taking rest at Gibraltar, returned to England.  The rev. gentleman has this week received a hearty welcome on his return to Rushden, and it is cordially hoped that he may realise permanent benefit from the trip.

Rushden Argus, Friday, September 5, 1902, transcribed by Greville Watson

There was a crowded congregation at the Park-road Wesleyan Church on Sunday night to listen to the closing services of the Rev.T.Edwards Thompson’s ministry.  During his stay in Rushden Mr.Thompson, by his unhesitating outspokenness and earnestness of spirit, has always had large congregations, including very many who are not members of other churches, but who were attracted by his fearlessness of speech and his scathing denunciations of the jingo spirit which recently has been so rampant.  Mr.Thompson is a good platform speaker, and has taken part in the Free Church Council campaign against the education proposals of the Government.  Much progress in the life of the church has recently been made.  Mr.Thompson has shown himself to be an active organiser, for the whole of the debt upon the church buildings has been cleared off, and a large scheme for a new church at the corner of Griffith-street successfully floated.  At the recent Methodist Conference there were a large number of applications for his services, and it was at the request of the president of the conference (who is chairman of the district to which Mr.Thompson is going) that he decided to accept the Wakefield appointment.  Mr.Thompson has proved himself to be a friend indeed to many of the inhabitants, and by his removal the Christian and Progressive movements will sustain a serious loss.

The Rev.T.Edwards Thompson, formerly pastor of the Park-road, Wesleyan Church, Rushden, has decided to leave the Buxton (Devonshire Park) Wesleyan Mission after the next Conference in August, 1905.  Mr.Thompson will then take up the important charge of the Belgrave Hall Wesleyan Mission, Leicester.  The Mission Church at Belgrave seats 1,200 people, and there is a membership of 289, with 100 others on trial.  There are over 1,000 scholars on the Sunday school books, and the organisations connected with the Mission include, in addition to the usual Guilds, Band of Hope, &c., a cricket club, cycling club, ambulance department, sick and dividend club, young men’s institute, &c.  Mr.Thompson looks like having big scope for his energies and abilities.  During the time Mr.Thompson has superintended the work at Buxton he has proved himself a splendid organiser and a hard worker and has been well helped by Mrs.Thompson, who has been almost as busily engaged in the work as her husband.