Extracts from Minute Book (HMFC97)
At a meeting in June 1889 Resolved
1 That Mr Roe & Mr Wooding Hire the Money for Land
2 Ask the quarterly Meeting to build as soon as we see our way clear
October 1889 That G Wooding get Mr Knight to make a plan 30 by 20 feet
Trustees Meeting 4th November 1889 Resolved
1 That we receive Mr S Knight’s estimate.
2 That Bros T Holt and G Wooding act as Clerk of the Works. That is to see that everything is done as per plan (and specification).
3 George Griffin President & G Wooding Secretary.
27th January 1890
Resolved
1 That Mr Tomkins be asked to preach the Opening Sermons on Feb 22 failing him Rev Stephens of Wellingborough be asked.
2 That a Tea Meeting be held in Board Schools.
3 That a Public Meeting be held in New Chapel after Tea and that the Ministers of the Town be asked to take part.
4 That Mr Griffen Preach on first Sunday and that Mr Hall be asked to preach 2nd Sunday.
G Griffen Pres.
G Wooding Sec.
1st July 1890
Resolved That a Tea and Sale of Work be held next Saturday 5 weeks also that the Harvest Festival be held as Per Plan and that the Circuit at large be asked to help.
26th July 1890
1 Mr Holt re-elected treasurer
2 Mr Wooding secretary
3 Mr Wooding Chapel keeper
4 Mr Dickins representative
5 Mr Moon Chapel steward
T Holt Pres.
and G Wooding Sec.
24th September 1890
1 That the Good Templers have the use of the room one night per week for 1 5 per quarter.
21st October 1891
Carried that a stove be purchased for the Chapel size 30x12 diameter.
7th November 1894
That Mr S Knight be asked to prepare a rough outline Sketch for a Chapel Extension.
That the Chapel be extended 40 feet and that there be a Classroom 9 feet in width.
21st November 1894
1 That the Outline plan of Mr S Knight as now submitted be approved.
2 That Mr Knight be requested to take the following Particulars for Plan & Specification.
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a
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The scheme to include Boundary Wall in front with Palisading. |
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b
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Boundary wall at Passage side from end of Classroom to Hedge. |
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c
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Present Lobby to be enlarged. |
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d
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Chapel to be seated. |
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e
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A raised Platform for Singers. |
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f
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A moveable Rostrum. |
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g
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Classroom to be divided into 2 by a Rod & Curtain. |
12th December 1894 - Chairman Rev T Wallis – Resolved
1 That Mr Knight be requested to make the following modification in the Plan of extension.
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a
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Chapel to be only 35 feet in length |
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b
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Schoolroom instead of Classroom to be 20ft. wide. |
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c
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Copper house to adjoin the Schoolroom. |
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d
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2 WCs and Urinal. |
2 That Mr Wallis see Mr Knight and supply him with any information & particulars he may require.
4th March 1896 – Chairman Rev L Stafford
1 That the Chairman & Bros. T Holt, A Moon go to the Northamptonshire Union Bank on Monday March 8th 1896 in connection with money matter connecting with the Extension Fund.
2 That we ask permission of the Quarterly Board for powers to enlarge according to Rule. Plans and Specifications to be present with Estimate form Architect.
3 That Mr Wooding be seen with respect to his name being on the Deed held by N U Bank & if he wishes to retire, we the Trustees give him permission. Mr W Dickens to take his place if found necessary.
4 That Bros J Holt & G Moon see Mr Wooding.
18th November 1896
1 That we accept the offer of Mr T Wilmott senior for the Extension of Price from 1s to 2s.6d. per year for the Privilege of Light on the South Side of Chapel.
2 That we accept Mr T Wilmott junior’s tender for the Extension of the Chapel on the Basis of the Reduction handed into the Trustees Meeting by the Architect [Mr Adnitt].
27th January 1897
Signed Contract – The sum stipulated £462.2.6. - time of completion May 31st 1897.
31st March 1897
1 That the opening of the Chapel be held on Whitsun Tuesday 8th June.
2 That the Ceremony consist of a Sermon, Tea, Public Meeting etc.
28th January 1903
That the Trustees & Chapel Committee be enlarged by representatives from Band of Hope, C E Society, S School, Choir.
17th Aug [*year not given – previous entry 1912 and next entry 1931]Proposed that we let the School Room to Mr Percival for the Labour Exchange room at £1.5.0 when fire and lighting & £1.0.0 when not fire &c
17th May [*no year given]
That Mr Newell write to the Adult School for rent due from Feb 12th to April 30th & rent to 4shillings a time each service.
1931
Rev A W Hall
Treasurer, Chapel Steward & Representative to Quarterly Board A Roberts
Caretaker Mrs Roberts
Organist Mrs Eyre and assistant Master R Roberts
The Minister to take the necessary step for the formation of a new Trust.
That permission be given to the Women’s Own to hold a Social.
11th May 1931
That we receive the notice from Mrs Roberts to terminate her duties of Caretaker on May 23rd.
1932
Secretary J Paragreen
Treasurer, Chapel Steward & Representative to Quarterly Board A Roberts
Caretaker Mr J Webb
Organist Mrs Eyre and assistant Master R Roberts
At the end of the book is one page of notes about the Women’s Own.
Society Meeting held Aug 17th (*year not stated - ?1933) - Rev A W Hall in the chair.
The Women’s Own being without a President and Vice President and with a view to getting a start with the weekly meeting in the near future it was resolved:-
That Mrs Paragreen with Mrs Shipman & Mrs Penn be asked to see Mrs Brough to ask her to be President, failing Mrs Brough, Miss Partridge. It was thought that failing both of these Mrs C W Horrell might be prepared to act or that some suggestion might be forthcoming of which would be helpful. Meeting to commence about this time of the Park Road Women’s Own.
Magazine Agent – Mr T Robinson kindly consented to act as Magazine Agent.
The Decline of the Church
Meeting held June 2nd 1932
It was agreed that the Harvest Festival be held on Sunday Sep 18th instead of Oct 8th as previously arranged and that Miss Green of Northampton be asked as the preacher. Failing Miss Green, Brothers Eyre & Roberts seek a Wesleyan preacher from Raunds.Brother Roberts informed the meeting that he had only 12/- in hand and as there was an outstanding amount to Bro Paragreen £2 or more, some discussion arose as to the future – particularly how the Caretakers money might be forthcoming. As a result Bro Paragreen generously offered to help till the Harvest Festival to loan money to tide us over and also offered to take a book to do some collecting on behalf of our funds. Bros Roberts & Eyre also volunteered their services and a book is to be provided them. This we hope will result in making the H F a bumper success.
Meeting held Aug 10th 1932
It was decided to have a meeting for the nomination of New Trustees on Thursday Aug 25th. Service to be at 7, Trustees & Chapel Committee with Leaders Meeting at 8pm.
Meeting for the Nomination of New Trustees held at 8pm on Thursday August 25th 1932 in the Schoolroom.
The meeting was called by the Superintendent Minister the Rev A W Hall and there was present the following:-
Messrs F Eyre, T Robinson, A Roberts, F Newell, G Wooding, J Paragreen, Mrs Bown and the Rev A W Hall.
Resolutions
1 That the Chairman be Rev A W Hall – Secretary J Paragreen
2 That the name of Thomas Holt be removed from the Trust owing to his residence in Canada for many years which renders him incapable of acting in the Trust. Emigrated 1912 See 1913 Chapel Schedule.
3 That the name of George Alfred Moon be removed from the Trust he having declared his unwillingness to continue and having made this request in writing.
4 That the name of William Dickens be removed from the Trust, he having passed away.
5 That the name of Frederick James Jacob be removed from the Trust he having passed away.
6 That the name of Alfred Hustwaite be removed from the Trust he having passed away April 1st 1929, buried in Wellingboro Cemetery.
7 That the name of William Busby be removed from the Trust he having become a bankrupt.
8 That the name of William Sears be removed from the Trust. He died December 18th 1910. Buried Rushden Cemetery.
9 That George Gibbs be written [to] by the minister enquiring if he wishes to withdraw from the Trust. (There is a query as to whether he may have passed away)
10 Nominations
That the following be nominated as Trustees they having declared their willingness to so act with the Old Continuing Trustee. George Wooding.
| Charles Wm Horrell |
Wellingboro Rd, Rushden |
Shoe Manufacturer |
| Arthur Wm Head |
59 Moor Rd, Rushden |
Shoe Manufacturer |
| Frank Arthur Skeeles |
23 Griffith St, Rushden |
Shoe Manufacturer |
| Herbert Robinson |
38 Lancaster St, Higham Ferrers |
Engineer |
The above names were forwarded through the kind offices of the Rev F G Gray, the Higham Wesleyan Minister.
The following members of our Rushden Church were also nominated and declared their willingness to act
| James Paragreen |
71 Duck St, Rushden |
Coal Merchant |
| Timon Robinson |
Bungalow, Washbrook Rd, Rushden |
Retired |
| Frank Eyre |
141 Glassbrook Rd, Rushden |
Shoe Hand |
| Ida Gill Brown |
53 Duck St, Rushden |
Housewife |
Fred Newell acted as witness to the above four names with the minister.
11 That we send these nominations to the Quarterly Meeting for their sanction and approval.
12 Mr Paragreen feeling his inability to continue Secretary we appoint the Rev A W Hall to act for the time being till a Secretary be appointed.
13 That the letter from Mr E Newell re the use of our Schoolroom as a drying room for a laundry with the ground at the rear of our premises and the washroom be received. We inform him that we are unable to accede to his request as speedily thus – our buildings would become rateable property and there are other objections owing to the damp atmosphere which would be created which would lead to a deterioration of our property.
14 That the letter from Mr W Wood offering to rent the Garden at the rear of Chapel be received. We inform him that we are willing to accede to his request but enquire the purpose for which the plot is to be used. The rent agreed upon is £1.1.0 per annum to be paid half yearly in advance Oct and April and the understanding being that a fence is placed across at the place agreed upon by Mr Wood which will give us a clear way to all parts of the buildings and also that no nuisance is created.
Bro Paragreen reported that repairs to the boiler would need to be undertaken and he had taken steps for it to be overhauled before winter.
Annual Meeting held Thursday Jan 19th 1933
Present A Roberts, J Paragreen, Mrs Brown, C W Horrell, T Robinson. A W Hall Chairman
1 The accounts were received as satisfactory (a balance in hand of 3/7). Insurance and other dues ordered to be paid.
2 The officers were re-elected. Secretary till removal A W Hall, Treasurer A Roberts, Chapel Steward A Roberts, Organist Mr R Roberts in place of Mrs Eyre who has passed away during the year. Assistant Organist Miss K Wesley.
3 That we enquire if the school can see its way to give a donation to the Trust Funds.
4 That we accept the very kind offer of Mr Robinson of Higham to bring the Higham Choir on Feb 9th to give a concert with Mr C W Horrell as chairman. Programmes 6d each 200. Refreshments at moderate charges. We ask Mrs Paragreen to be responsible. Mr Robinson very kindly also promised us to sell 10/- worth of programmes or contribute 10/-. This not paid.
5 That we ask Mrs Newell as Leader of the Women’s Own and the Ladies of the Church if they can organise a Jumble Sale early in the Spring.
6 That we ask the Band using our premises if they will give a concert in March – arrangements to be made later.
7 That the consideration of preacher for the Chapel Anniversary be deferred till after the visit of the Raunds Crusaders.
8 That the matter of the stove pipe be brought up again if smoking still takes place.
Meeting held Aug 17th 1933
Present A Roberts, J Paragreen, Mrs Brown, C W Horrell, T Robinson, Mr Head. A W Hall Chairman.
1 The minutes of the Annual Meeting were read and confirmed
2 For the Harvest Festival it was decided to have a tea on a Saturday as usual at 4pm. Mrs Brown and the ladies of the Church to arrange. Price 8d. Musical services in the afternoon of the Sunday presided over by the preacher for the day Mr T Errington. Mr A Roberts asked to arrange for the Mondays sale, Mr T Robinson to be auctioneer. Bills 12.
3 That Mr F Eyre be asked to act as Secretary till the Yearly meeting.
4 That permission be given for the band to use the schoolroom as in previous winter seasons if they should so desire.
5 That we hastily fall in with the suggestion of Mr C W Horrell that a social hour or something after that character be arranged early in the new Connexional year (Sept or Oct). Mr Horrell promises to confer with the Rev Marshall Johnson on this in the hope that it may be possible to arrange for all three ministers to be present and friends from the Higham Circuit generally.
Annual Meeting held Fri Jan 26th 1934
Present J Paragreen, C W Horrell, T Robinson, Mr Head, F Skeeles, F Eyre, A Roberts, Mrs Brown. Chairman Rev Marshall Johnson.
1 The minutes of previous meeting were read & confirmed.
2 Proposed Mr Paragreen & seconded Mr Robinson that financial statement to be passed as true & correct.
3 Proposed Mr Roberts, seconded Mr Paragreen that Chapel ann…. be in the next Quarters Plan.
Officers Elected. Secretary Mr A Roberts, Proposed Mr F Eyre seconded Mr T Robinson.
Treasurer Mr J Paragreen, Proposed Mr T Robinson, seconded Mr F Eyre. Organist Mr R Roberts re-elected. Assistant organist ----------. Caretaker Mr J Webb.
4 Proposed Mr C W Horrell that Mr Paragreen pay Mr Wilmott the 4/- owing re Right of Lights. Mr Sanders was asked to examine ceiling of Chapel.
5 Proposed Mr Roberts seconded Robinson. Mr Paragreen to send a request to Irchester Ex Primitive Trustees regarding Seats & Pulpit Bible.
6 Proposed Mr Roberts seconded Mr Paragreen that a letter of sympathy be sent Re Mr G Wooding.
7 Proposed Mr Horrell seconded Mr Paragreen that Fitzwilliam St be assessed at £9 per year.
Trustees Meeting held Oct 17th 1934
Present J Paragreen, C W Horrell, A W Head, T Robinson, F Eyre, A E Roberts, Mrs Brown. Rev Allen Chairman
1 Proposed Mr T Robinson, seconded Mr A W Head to decline the offer Miss Pollock of renting the Schoolroom for the purpose of opening a day school. Rev Allen to deal with correspondence.
2 Proposed Mr F Eyre, seconded Mr T Robinson that secretary get an estimate for installing electric light.
3 Proposed Mr J Paragreen that new tap be fitted in Boiler House.
Trustees Meeting held 1st Feb 1935
Present C W Horrell, A W Head, Mrs Brown, J Paragreen & A Roberts. In the chair Rev M Johnson.
1 Discussion on estimates of Electric Lighting decided to defer this Matter to a later date.
2 Decision of Trustees to meet & Inspect the Property with regard to repairs.
3 The following officers be appointed for the present year. Secretary J Paragreen, Treasurer A W Head, Organist Mr Reg Roberts. A Roberts thanked for services rendered who is leaving the Town.
Annual Trustees Meeting held Wednesday January 22nd 1936
Rev H G Reynolds in the Chair. Present Mrs Brown, Rev L M Allen, Messrs C W Horrell, A W Head, J Paragreen, F Eyre, T Robinson & H Robinson.
Chapel Steward Mr T Robinson was thanked and re-appointed.
Organist Mr R Roberts was thanked and re-appointed.
Caretaker Mr J Webb was re-appointed.
It was decided that 24 Hymn Books @ 2/6 each be purchased and a Tune book at 7/6.
Mr T Robinson generously promised £1 towards this expense.
A General Discussion followed on the Work of the Church and Mr Paragreen resigned his offices.
Thereupon followed a discussion on Property repairs & eventually it was decided to ask for estimates for Heating & Repairs.
Treasurer Mr Head resigned, Mr Robinson was appointed pro-tem. A Balance in hand of £2.3.9 on the accounts was reported.
It was decided after considerable discussion to postpone the meeting until estimates of expense were to hand and continue discussion on Wednesday February 19th at 8 o’clock.
The thanks of the Trustees was accorded to Mr Head & Mr Paragreen for their services.
An Application from the Rushden Mission Band was granted for use of the Schoolroom on one evening per week at a charge of 2/6.
A similar application was received verbally from the Mission Boys Brigade & was deferred.
Trustees Meeting adjourned from Jan 22nd held on February 19th 1936.
Present Rev H G Reynolds in the Chair, Rev L M Allen, Mrs Brown, Messrs C W Horrell, A W Head, F Skeeles, J Paragreen, F Eyre, T Robinson & H Robinson.
The Estimates for Repairs to Property & the proposed new Heating Scheme were presented and discussed. It was eventually decided to call a Joint Meeting of Trustees & Leaders of Fitzwilliam St & Park Road Churches to go into the whole question of the Work at Fitzwilliam St. This meeting to be on March 4th at 7.30. In the meantime Mr Sanders to be asked to submit further estimates for the Interior decoration & to confirm that the repairs to the Louvre in the Church were included in his original estimate.
Meeting held March 18th 1936
Rev H G Reynolds in the Chair.
Present Rev L M Allen, Messrs A W Head, T Robinson, Eyre, Paragreen, H Robinson & Mrs Brown.
The Meeting opened with Prayer.
After an address on the general conditions, by Rev Reynolds, in which he pointed out the seriousness of the financial question, the general condition of the Church membership, a general discussion followed. The whole situation was fully dealt with and it was eventually decided, upon the proposition of H Robinson to close the premises at the end of the March quarter. The Sunday School to remain open until after the Sunday School Anniversary.
Trustees Meeting held October 30th 1936.
Rev H G Reynolds in the Chair.
Present Mrs Brown, Rev L M Allen, Messrs C W Horrell, A W Head, F Skeeles, J Paragreen, T Robinson, F Eyre & H Robinson.
Mr Reynolds led in prayer.
A general discussion re disposal of the property followed Rev Reynolds opening remarks. Upon taking a vote, a unanimous decision was come to, to sell the Property. Mr C W Horrell proposing & Mr Head seconding.
Mr Horrell proposed & Mr T Robinson seconded that Mr A Sanders be asked to value the property. It was agreed that Mr Paragreen should have clock in the Church, this having been presented originally by Mrs Paragreen.
A discussion followed, re disposal of the Organ, Piano & Crockery, but no decision was arrived at so it was decided to hold a further meeting and reopen the question of disposal of the Property after Mr Sanders had valued the Building & Land. The various offers received were laid on the Table.
Trustees Meeting held November 20th 1936
Rev H G Reynolds in the Chair. Present Mrs Brown, Rev L Marsden Allen, Messrs C W Horrell, A W Head, T Robinson, J Paragreen, F Eyre & H Robinson. Mr A Sanders reported upon his valuation that present day cost would be about £1300 but that its worth today is in the region of £600.
Rev H G Reynolds gave a reume of the conditions under which Trustees have power to sell the premises. The following offers for the Premises were received.
| Full Gospel |
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£650.0.0 |
| British Legion Rushden Branch |
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£600.0.0 |
| Temperance Band, Rushden |
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£300.0.0 |
After Discussion arising out of the negotiations with the Full Gospel representative, that he had been asked to make a full & final offer it was proposed by H Robinson & Seconded by Mr C W Horrell that the British Legion be given the same opportunity.
It was decided to hold a further meeting Monday November 23rd 1936 at 7.30.
Trustees Meeting held November 23rd 1936.
Rev H G Reynolds in the Chair. Present Rev L M Allen, Mrs Brown, Messrs C W Horrell, A W Head, F Skeeles, T Robinson, J Paragreen, F Eyre & H Robinson.
A further letter was received from the Full Gospel, it was proposed by Mr C W Horrell & 2nd by A W Head that it should not be opened, and this was carried with one dissentient.
It was proposed by Mr C W Horrell & 2nd by Mr T Robinson that the premises be sold to the Rushden Branch of the British Legion for the sum of £660. this being their “last & final offer”. This motion was carried with one dissentient.
After discussion, it was proposed by Mr C W Horrell & 2nd by Mr T Robinson, that the proposal of Rev H G Reynolds with regards to the disposal of the sum secured for the Property be recommended, viz. sum towards each of the following objects.
1 The proposed Sunday School at Irthlingborough.
2 Swineshead Alterations.
3 Extension of Manse at Higham Ferrers by the addition of a room.
The Secretary was instructed to return the Full Gospel letter to Pastor J Whitehouse, unopened.
It was decided that the following be appointed to act with regard to the holding & disposal of the money. Rev H G Reynolds, Messrs C W Horrell, T Patenall & H Robinson.
It was agreed that a sum of £1 be given to Mr T Robinson for services rendered in clearing up the Rubbish and things generally to be removed from the Property.
The Secretary was asked to approach the Secretary of the British Legion, re legal representative, and if Mr J C J Simpson should be their legal man, to ask him to act for the Trustees.
Any deposit to conclude the provisional arrangements for Sale to be accepted subject to the final contract of the Higher Authorities being obtained.
Minutes of Trustees Meeting held on April 2nd 1937 at Park Road Methodist Church at 8 o’clock.
Rev H G Reynolds presided, present Messrs C W Horrell, T Robinson, F Eyre, A W Head & H Robinson.
Rev H G Reynolds reported that he had received the President’s permission to sell the Church and the deeds had been handed to Messrs Simpson & Mason Solicitors for their attention.
The Conveyance was presented and was signed, sealed and delivered by the Trustees present.
Letters were read from Rev J Daggett and conversation between Rev H G Reynolds & some officials of the West St Methodist Church, Wellingborough was reported, re distribution of the proceeds of the Sale of the Church.
Rev Jacob Walton also wrote in support. A letter was written, copy appended herewith: The committee to dispose of the proceeds of Sale was increased by the following. T Robinson, A W Head, F Eyre & F Skeeles upon the proposal of C W Horrell & 2nd H Robinson.
It was decided that an account be opened in the names of C W Horrell & H Robinson at the Midland Bank, £500 to be deposited, the balance being used towards the Renovations at the Higham Ferrers Manse.
After considerable discussion it was suggested that the Fund (£500) be allocated as & when it should be necessary, to Riseley, Irthlingborough & Swineshead, with preference to Swineshead.
Primitive Methodist Church – Fitzwilliam Street – Miscellaneous papers (HFMC 98)
Three letters from the British Legion – first offer to buy the property for £400.
Note that the sale was finalised at £660 to the British Legion.
West Street, Wellingborough – the mother church of the circuit – applied for some of the proceeds of this sale – but the Trustees had already made their choices for distributing the money.
