Article No.30

Wymington (HF before 1851)

Wymington is a parish and small village in Bedfordshire, on the borders of Northamptonshire, 13 miles from Bedford, five from Wellingborough, three from Higham Ferrers, and one-and-a-half from Rushden. Population: 1801, 226; 1831, 257; 1841, 261; 1861, 319; 1881, 488; 1901, 509.

There was a very small Society here in the early years of the last century, Wymington being mentioned as one of the preaching places in the Wellingborough plan of 1814. It was first in the Higham Ferrers Book in 1828. In the plan of 1832 it had two Sunday preaching services at two and six o'clock. In that of 1850 it had the same Sunday appointments and an occasional weeknight preaching service on Thursday.

I am indebted to Mr. Thomas Dickerson (aged 59.) and Mr. Ekin Desborough (born March 13th, 1831) and Mrs. Desborough for information relating to the old Methodists and the cause at Wymington. Prayer meetings were held at different cottages; the first preaching place appears to have been at Thomas Raines's cottage, now occupied by Mrs. Hill. The meetings on Sunday were at 8a.m. and 5p.m. for prayers at various cottages and preaching at two and six o'clock, and there were weeknight prayer meetings. The names of old members still remembered are Thomas and Nanny Raines, Thomas Desborough, Joseph Dickerson, Benjamin and Mary Houghton, William and Martha Mackness, William (?) Fillingham, and White.

Occasionally some of the people would go to the Sunday morning preaching at Mr. Dearlove's, Higham Park. In those days, said Mr. and Mrs. Desborough, Chapel people would go to church and Church people to chapel when there was no service at their own place.

The Schedule of Chapels, etc., dated 1851 states that preaching was first held in a private house in 1826. There was accommodation for 53 persons. The congregation attending afternoon and evening on March 30th was 30 and 78 respectively. It is stated that this place was discontinued since March 31st, 1851, and is now occupied by other parties. It was not in the circuit in 1885, when the division took place.

There is a small Independent Wesleyan Chapel, opened in November, 1870. Until then the Society worshipped at Mr. Raines's cottage. There were over 20 members when they went into their new chapel. Old Mr. Raines lived to see the chapel opened. In the disruption occasioned by the revolt of Griffith, Dunn, and Everett the cause at Wymington, as well as at Rushden, came to an end, both disappearing as contributaries to the Quarter Board in April, 1851.

In a Schedule of Chapels dated 1851, compiled from census returns, the chapel is described as a "hired chapel"; the free sittings were 60 and other sittings 46. The general congregation attending March 30th 1851 was: morning 50, afternoon 40, evening 40. The attendance of Sunday scholars was 72 morning, and the same number in the afternoon. The date when erected or first occupied for worship is stated as 1834.

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At a Local Preachers' Meeting at Raunds, April 7th, 1851, present Wardley, Dawson, and others. Also Rev. Dr. Andrews, Chairman of the Bedford and Northampton District.

It being stated to the meeting that Mr. Raines of Wymington, in whose House our Services have been held, had admitted parties who are separated from us to preach there after having been distinctly warned that our Services could not be continued if such should be the case—Resolved that Wymington be dropped from the Plan.