X347/2

Church Book

1816 - 1852

From: 1816 To: 1852

The first 15 pages of this book were later cut out, and 3 pages inserted in their place. The latter begin" "Whereas this is the third time within a few years that this Religious Society has been threatened with total ruin by the occurrence of internal disorders..." The book gives no details of the dispute, only a statement that on 3 October 1816 the church, under the chairmanship of the senior deacon, Mr. Millard of Bedford, dissolved itself. The re-formed church decided to do without deacons for the time being, and invited Mr. Keely to be minister, but he declined. He and his wife and John Day (of the congregation) were going to America. An order that the church records were to be kept in a chest with 2 locks. 1816 Mr. Cuttriss of Arnsby agreed to come "and take the School and administer ordinances to us" 1820 Mr. Foord wished to join the Methodists 1822 Brother Foord's house being used by Methodists 1824 Thos Francis excluded as he had sent a scurrilous Valentine. "Mr Cuttress and the Church thought he had ought to a went to Mr. Barnwell..." 1826 deferred admission. "The reason we waited so long was for wants of water owing to the Dryness of the season" 1829 death of Mr. Cuttriss 1830 Mr. Robert Edminson came from Canterbury, and he was to have £50 p.a. and the house where he could keep school if he wished. They already had a Sunday School. 1832 Fever and deaths. Beginning of the church library. 250 children in the Sunday School. There were village stations at Eversholt, Husborne Crawley and Steppingley. 81 members 1832-3 disputes with the minister 1833 Mr Edminson and family left. Supplies unsatisfactory 1836 Mr Brooks made pastor, having come in 1835 1835 Members of other denominations may be admitted to the Lord's Table and church meetings, but not to have any voice in the same. 1835 typhus again. Many shorthand notes by Mr. Brooks during his pastorate. 1844 Tea drinking. 140 church members. One man fined for poaching partridges on the Duke of Bedford's estate 1853 resignation of pastor Mr. Brooks. at the end of the volume: list of members 3 Oct 1816, with notes up to 1830 list of members 9 May 1830 with notes up to 1832

item

Millard,
Keely,
Day, John,
Cuttriss,
Foord,
Francis, Thomas,
Barnwell,
Edminson, Robert,
Brooks

Baptist Church, religious societies, deacon, Sunday Schools, HOUSING, Valentines Day, water, DEATH, fever, libraries, pastoral work, CHILDREN, Baptist ministers, tea, partridges, poaching, RIDGMONT, BEDFORD, United States of America, Canterbury, EVERSHOLT, HUSBORNE CRAWLEY, STEPPINGLEY