Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

The art of conversation is …

Not only to say the right thing in the right place, but, far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

Roxwell: Young MI

Received 3 February 2012

I found this...  [Visitation of Essex 1634 – which provides family trees of important families]  and after Thomas Yonge it says "Buried there 1593, M.I.". I have no clue what that means and Google doesn't seem to help me. Do you know?

Devon

Replied 4 February 2012

Devon

M.I.?  I am not at all sure but wonder whether this is shorthand for Latin.  ‘Mort’ in mortgage is a Latin word meaning lifetime, and my Latin dictionary says that ‘morior’ means die.  It leads me to think, because of the short family tree, of the word intestate or ‘intestatus’ in Latin.  So my wild guess is that your ancestor died without making a will or died without issue – that is surviving children.

Andrew

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS - March 2012

Welcome to this month’s round-up of local history and heritage in and around Blackmore, Essex.

Cardinall’s Musick launch Byrd Tour 2012

William Byrd (see picture), composer and one-time resident of Stondon Massey, is the focus of a nine-month tour by Cardinall’s Musick.  Under the direction of Andrew Carwood the internationally renowned Choir begin their series of concerts at the Wigmore Hall in London on Monday 5 March.  The tour will include two short concerts at St Peter and St Paul Church, Stondon Massey, on Sunday 2 September.  The Financial Times has carried an interesting article giving information on Byrd and heralding the tour: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/73e967be-597c-11e1-abf1-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1nN4pStYi . For the latest tour information go to http://www.cardinallsmusick.com/news/byrd-tour-2012 and specifically follow the link to the William Byrd Festival blog, http://www.williambyrdfestival.blogspot.com/ .

Petre Chapel Refurbishment at Ingatestone

The Petre Chapel in Ingatestone Parish Church, the resting place of John Petre patron to the aforementioned William Byrd, has just been refurbished.  See http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Historic-chapel-time-400-years/story-15214431-detail/story.html

Antique Road Trip


Megarrys Antique Shop on The Green, Blackmore, was featured on the BBC day-time show 'Antique Road Trip' on 21 February.  It was recorded last August.  Since then there has been an influx of visitors to the village.


Dr Livingstone I presume

Ongar United Reformed Church hosted a talk on the explorer and missionary David Livingstone.  Before going to Africa the young man stayed in Ongar for about nine months.  He is famously recalled locally for being lost for words when about to give a sermon one evening at Stanford Rivers Congregational Church.   Ongar URC is one of the oldest non-conformist chapels in the country, having been formed in 1662.  It celebrates its 350^th anniversary in May.

Miscellaneous

Buttsbury churchyard accident: Drivers misjudge sharp bend at Buttsbury Church causing road accident – locals refer the two right-angle turns as ‘dead cyclists’ bend’, warning of extreme care required on this country lane.  http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/smash-danger-road/story-15130659-detail/story.html

Doddinghurst history: http://www.tonicbooks.com/post/2012/02/15/Doddinghurst-History.aspx

Fry family of Blackmore: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=qnco05i3o09jr8lrjaf2mk1jc2&topic=580830.0

Greensted Church theft: http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/Thief-takes-painting-church-service/story-15130653-detail/story.html

Links

For an extensive list of links to other sites go to: http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/externallinks.html  

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

The Lord’s Prayer alone is an evidence of the truth of Christianity, so admirably is that prayer accommodated to all our wants.

Ingatestone: Hasler Family

Received 5 February 2012

Dear Sir,

I am researching the Hasler family.  Thomas Hasler was born in Ingatestone somewhere between 1826 and 1833 according to the 1871 census. However, I can’t find any more information about the family in Ingatestone.  I don’t know if you can help me.

Thank you

Gillian Dunnet

Replied 6 February 2012

Hello Gillian

Two things come to mind.  Firstly, the 1881 census is free on Ancestry, so a good anchor point to establish Hasler households.  Secondly, check for the existence of a baptism of Thomas Hasler in the Ingatestone Parish Registers held at Essex Record Office – I don’t think the recent registers are available on the Essex Ancestors website yet. 

Andrew

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Memory

Memory would indeed be a sorrow of unmitigated pain, if it only reflected on the dark shades, and not the sunny spots of life.

Roxwell: Youngs Newl'd

Received 2 February 2012

Hello Andrew,

I stumbled onto your Blackmore blog when I started searching for anything I could find about Roxwell in the 1400's & 1500's. I was wondering if maybe you could help me out a little. See, I live on the other side of the pond in New York and I'm very interested in my genealogy.

So far, I've been able to trace my surname lineage back to a Thomas Young who was born in Youngs Newl'd, Roxwell, Essex, in 1532. I think his father's name is Thomas Yonge, but I'm not quite sure. So I'm quite interested in the place & period, even if I can't trace the Young name further back.

I can find Roxwell on maps from the 1500's at www.essex.ac.uk/history/esah/essexplacenames/simpleSearch.asp ...but I can't find this Youngs Newl'd spot. Makes me wonder what it means, and I can't even remember now where I found that bit of information originally.

Also, do you know if there's any place online with documents or information about land ownership or church records of births and baptisms for Roxwell? I'm afraid I'd have to actually travel to Roxwell and attempt to track down actual paper documents. That wouldn't be so bad, but I probably wouldn't have the money for that trip until years from now.

I can actually trace his wife's lineage back into the 1400's. Her maiden name was Catherine Wiseman, and she was born in 1536 in Great Canfield, Dunmow. Since her father was named Sir John Wiseman, I'm assuming they were somewhat well off. That leads me to assume he wouldn't let his daughter marry nobody's, which leads me to assume my Young tree had some land ownership in Essex.

I've been stuck on this for about 2 years. Anything you might know, or anything you could point me to, would be helpful. I don't expect you to go track down any paper documents for me.

By the way, I love your blog. History has always fascinated me.

Devon

Replied 3 February 2012

Thanks for your e mail.  You have chosen a good website to search for the location: ‘The Essex Place-Names Project, supported by the Essex Society for Archaeology and History.  I wonder if you have considered the location to be Newland Hall, Boyton Cross, Roxwell?  The earliest year for any church registration records is 1538.  Roxwell records begin in 1559.  For more information, go to the ‘Essex Ancestors’ website, run by the Essex Record Office. 

Wiseman is a name which crops up time and again in Essex.  Clearly your Sir John was a man of some importance.

Regards

Andrew

Received 3 February 2012

Oh thank you! I hadn't consider that "Newl'd" might be short for Newland. I Googled for anything about it, and came across an online copy of an old book of the history of Essex

http://books.google.com/books?id=SgQVAAAAQAAJ&lpg=PA182&ots=pMRLb2bubL&dq=Youngs%20Newland%2C%20Boyton%20Cross%2C%20Roxwell&pg=PA182#v=onepage&q=Youngs%20Newland,%20Boyton%20Cross,%20Roxwell&f=false

I've got some reading to do. You're awesome!

Devon

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Half of the mischief that occurs in families is occasioned by the undue interference of strangers by the idle habit prevailing in the world of commenting on the business of others, of which we know nothing, and of which did we know anything, delicacy should interdict the discussion.

Ingatestone: Canon Hudson

‘Edward Freeman Hudson. 1906-1989’ is the simple title of a limited-edition book written by the late Kenneth Langford in 1995.  I discovered a copy of it while browsing in a secondhand bookshop in Colchester recently.  Canon Hudson, as he was known by all parishioners, was the Rector of Ingatestone and Curate of Buttsbury from 1952 (sixty years ago) to 1988.  His epitaph in St Mary’s Church, Buttsbury, describes him accurately as “A loving Priest and true friend to all”.  I remember him well, as would all who lived in Ingatestone during those years.  The book is an interesting and insightful read.

Canon Hudson loved Ingatestone and its people.  He was involved in many aspects of village life: taking assemblies at least three days a week at the (CofE aided) Junior School; as Chairman of Governors of all three schools; a regular visitor to Brownies and other local organisations; taking a full and active role as parish priest and taking an interest in wider diocese activity.  He was a highly educated man who enjoyed reading, and drew on his extensive knowledge to illustrate his sermons.  The parish magazine, ‘The Tower’, had a significant contribution by him, giving news of local events and personal reflections.  I remember someone calling it the “I magazine”, but given a chance to read it today the monthly editions would say much about a mid-twentieth century village.  It demonstrates a priest in touch with his parishioners, and must have provided Mr Langford with plenty of source material to create the biography.  Canon Hudson’s ministry was at a time of an enormous growth in the local population as Ingatestone developed into a small dormitory town.  Ingatestone was one of the first villages on the ‘great Essex road’ to be bypassed.  Until then the Rectory overlooked open fields. 

But he was very much of his time.  He did not like calling people by their Christian names – and it is unimaginable that he would have been called Canon Edward.  He regarded himself as an ‘English Catholic’, having a closer working relationship with the Catholic Church than “dissenters” – with whom he had “many friends and no enemies”.   He was against the ordination of women priests, writing that he hoped that the motion would be “crushingly rejected”.  Mr Langford wonders what he would have made of the decision to accept women priests, just four years after his death.  The only woman who attended his committal service was his widow.  Without doubt he was a highly respected community leader and, says the author, easily capable of becoming a Bishop.  Despite offers he would not leave Ingatestone.

It seems also he had a part in saving St Mary’s Church, Buttsbury, from demolition in the 1950s.  The old village had ceased to be a civil parish in the 1930s, being amalgamated into Stock and Billericay, and the old church in the country had been war-damaged requiring extensive repairs.  He wrote in ‘The Tower’, “people come to Buttsbury for peace and rest, and find it. … The present popularity of Buttsbury with its stark unadorned beauty and penetrating peace is not surprising”. 

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Longfellow beautifully says that “Sunday is the golden clasp, that binds together the volume of the week”.

A Day Out In ... Colchester

A series of Colchester postcards: to inspire a visit to the historic town in Essex.

St Botolphs Priory

Albert Cottage, Mountnessing, Brentwood, Essex.

Aug 19 07

Thanks very much for the letter received by this evening’s post.  I shall write tomorrow if I do not get time this evening so you may expect a letter Wednesday morning.

Love & c

W

Colchester Abbey Gateway

Mountnessing, Essex.

Aug 21 07

Will you thank Susy very much for postcard received this morning from Swansea. I am very sorry that the Bangor Ladies’ Choir did not win and am sure that their performance was nothing to be ashamed of.

Before the Dissolution of the Monastries, Colchester Abbey was one of the most important in the Kingdom with a mitred abbot at its head who sat in the House of Lords the same as the Bishops.  Don’t you think that the gateway of the Abbey is grand.  My last card showed the ruins of S. Botolphs Priory which was a distinct foundation from the abbey over a mile away.

Love best wishes. W

Colchester R Colne

Mountnessing, Essex

Aug 22 07

The collapse of the Promenade at the rear of the Eisteddfed Pavilion was a nasty accident.

I am glad to see from this morning’s paper that none from Bangor or any that I know were hurt. Was Susy anywhere near at the time?  I was rather apprehensive when I saw stop-press notice of the accident in yesterday evening’s paper.

Love & cc

W

Colchester Lexden Church

Mountnessing, Brentwood, Essex

Aug 23 07

Letter received by this evening’s post.

House is full of children & an uproarious children’s party is in progress.

Humour – good.

Will send a letter tomorrow morning.

Weather is cloudy.

Love & best wishes. W.

Colchester, Stockwell Street

Mountnessing, Brentwood

Aug 26 07

Many thanks for N.W. Chronicle which I received by his morning’s post. I was pleased to see that North Wales was well represented in the literary successes at the National Eisteddfod and among them I noticed the name of the Bishop’s Chaplain (Rev W Williams).  No one would think from a casual acquaintance that he had so  much in him.

Would you like a day in London in a few days before coming here?  I believe I can arrange it if you like.  Let me know as early as you can so that I can make arrangements.  Love & C. W.

Colchester, North Hill

Albert Cottage, Mountnessing, Brentwood

Aug 27 07

This view shows the road leading down to the R Colne & the railway Stn. You will be able to realise from it that the hill on which Colchester is built is very steep, hence its strength as a military centre from former times. The church, to whose tower the Clock is attached, is S. Peter’s Church, which is the reputed oldest church in the town.  In the time of the Roman occupation Colchester was one their most important cities, more important in some respects than London. The city was the see of the ancient British Church & its bishop attended the Council of Arles (AD 395 I believe).

Received letter this evening.  Am disappointed.  Shall write to-night or tomorrow morning.

Love & c. W

Colchester, High Street & Town Hall

Aug 29^th 1907

The weather has been splendid since Monday and the sun has been hot. I think it is showing what it can do so as to be sure of giving you fine weather when you come.  I hope that will be very soon now.  I expect it is hot in the workroom today if you are having similar weather to what we are.

I was wondering this morning if you were up betimes & attended the Prayer time before going to work.  If you had done so I hope you won’t feel too good for the rest of the day. I wonder if Mr Griffiths is the better for the situation. I shall expect to hear when I see you that never before were the sermons so good & consequently that the hearers were never in a more Christian mood.

That is the measure of a good sermon, isn’t it?

Love & best wishes.  W.

BLACKMORE HISTORY NEWS - February 2012

An interesting month on TV and radio:
'Great Expectations' filmed on Essex marshes
'Any Questions' on Radio 4 from the Ingatestone Anglo European School
'Songs of Praise' broadcast from Colchester
'Great British Railway Journeys: Series 3', Programmes 3 and 4: Michael Portillo visited Essex beginning at Layer Marney Tower, Maldon; Chelmsford - with a visit to Marriages flour mill; Blake Hall Station - on the former Central Line between Ongar and Epping; Little Tawney Hall - to discuss migration of farmers at the end of the nineteenth century; Southend Pier.
and a programme on Dr David Livingstone, without mention of Ongar where he trained to be a missionary, but of his exploration through Africa.

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Good and wholesome advice

Never interfere in subjects you do not sufficiently comprehend: Law, Physic and Divinity.

If Law is requisite, endeavour to consult some Practitioner of integrity and character.

If you are ill, consult some Physician rather than quack yourself.

And in Religion, adhere strictly to what you have been brought up to, without looking either to your right hand, or to the left, and without entering into the labyrinth of inquiry, upon what you will never comprehend.

Not Blackmore

Blackmore End

Received 3 January 2012

Hi Andrew,

I stumbled upon your blog about Blackmore Area Local History this evening and I am wondering if you might possibly have information on a family that I know to have lived in the area in the 1800's.

I ask because I am researching my family history and as I understand from my research, one set of my 2nd great grandparents lived their whole lives in Blackmore End.

The main family I am looking at is

Sarah Webb (1832-??) and her husband John Crisp (1831-??) who had 9 children Eliza (b1852), Thomas (b1856), Martha (b1858), George (b1862), Albert (b1864), Elizabeth (b1867), Sarah (b1870), Walter (b1872) & Herbert (b1875)

I am also interested in the parents and siblings of this couple.

Sarah's parents as I understand it were Thomas Webb (1805-1840) and Mary (surname unknown)(1808-??)

John's parents were John Crisp (1797-??) and Elizabeth (surname unknown)(1807-??)

I am primarily writing to you to ask if you might be able to help with filling in a few of these names and date blanks.

I would also be very interested to know any other information you might be able to provide me with such as if any of these people are recorded in the local history at all.

Many thanks for any assistance you might be able to give me.

Thank you also for your blog, while it hasn't helped so far in my family history specifically, it has been an interesting read.

Kind regards,

Kathy

Replied 7 January 2012

Dear Kathy

Blackmore and Blackmore End are two different places in Essex.  Blackmore End is part of Wethersfield near Braintree.  My tip would be to check the Baptism Register for Wethersfield parish via Essex Ancestors / Essex Record Office.

I will post the entry on the blog to see whether anyone can help.

Regards

Andrew

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Mrs. D. of Dedham frequently called the Duchess requested she might be permitted to sit in the Vestry, the morning she was at Church, after her confinement, and which permission gave rise to the following impromptu:

“The Vicar of Dedham,

The Ladies to please,

Has converted the Vestry,

Into a Chapel of Ease.”

Blackmore: Joseph Polley RAF

Received 19 December 2011

I was looking on your website = people who served in World War 2. 

I noticed you had a man named John James Polley, R.A.F.

I’m afraid that John was wrong: should have been Joseph James Polley R.A.F.

I thought the website would like to know this.

His son, Colin P Polley = one of four sons

Replied 7 January 2012

Thank you, Colin, for contacting me.  This has now been amended.

Andrew

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Upon the birth of a son and heir to Sir Cordle Firebrass at Melford Hall in Suffolk, the whole neighbourhood went in troops to offer personally their congratulations, and were very desirous of being introduced to the little stranger, so much so, the medical attendant, and the Nurse declared the life of the child was in danger, having no rest, or sleep.  The monkey was therefore properly dressed, and put into the Cradle in the Drawing Room with the shutters half closed, an old lady exclaimed “Sweet dear little fellow what a love the very image of his Papa”.

Blackmore: Smyth Hall

Received 7 December 2011

Andrew-

I hope all is well with you.  I have another question regarding the Smyths of Blakemore and Smyth Hall.  Is there any idea as to the location of the house?  I have seen some pictures in the past of a foundation and some rubble, but I cannot remember that source.  Again at some point I hope to travel there to visit the area.  Thanks as always for your information.

Scott Smith

Replied 24 December 2011

Hello Scott

Nice to hear from you.

Smyths Hall was located to the south of the old village and church just off of what is now called Wenlocks Lane.  It was shown on the Chapman and Andre map of 1777.  If you have an Ordnance Survey map, its approximate site is TQ598007. For more information go to the Unlocking Essex website: http://unlockingessex.essexcc.gov.uk/uep/custom_pages/monument_detail.asp?content_page_id=89&monument_id=1032504&content_parents=48

Regards

Andrew 

Ongar: An extract from the Commonplace Book of Edward Reeve c1860

Miss Loydd of Hintlesham Hall was devoted to gardening, she visited her neighbour frequently the Rector of Raydon [Suffolk], and one morning after her visit to his charming garden, sent her head gardener with a weed, begging his acceptance of it, as she believed not one was to be found in his garden.

Ingatestone: Independent Chapel Celebrates 200 Years

Ingatestone United Reformed Church celebrates its bi-centenary in 2012 with special services and events.  A history of the work and witness of the church in the local community is reaching its final stages of preparation.  Published below is a transcript of the church’s magazine published on the occasion of the 150^th anniversary.

MONTHLY MESSENGER

OF THE INGATESTONE AND MOUNTNESSING CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES

Minister: REV. R. M. ALDERTON, The Manse, Ingatestone. Tele: 613

INGATESTONE

Secretary: Mr. L. Whiting, “Lynden”, Pine Drive, Ingatestone

Treasurer: Mr. L. Martin, 31, Ridgeway, Ingatestone.  Tele: 2557

MOUNTNESSING

Superintendent: Mr. R. Kirkby

Secretary: Mr. C. R. Reynolds

JULY, 1962

150th ANNIVERSARY NUMBER

1812 - 1962

“Other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours” (John 4.38)

The following notes and extracts are taken from the Church Records and. Minute Books:

“Ingatestone Meeting House was built for the use of Orthodox Congregational Dissenters in 1812 and opened for the public worship of the true God, October 15th, 1812.”

Through the efforts of students from Hackney College, meetings had previously been held for a number of years in Ingatestone in various houses, and. in 1803 an appeal was made to the Essex Congregational Union for financial help “towards the support of constant preaching at Ingatestone.”

The new building was registered as “a place of Religious Worship by an Assembly of Protestants” by the Bishop of London.

“A Church of Christ of the Independent Order was formed at Ingatestone on the 12th December, 1813 by the Rev. Thomas Thomas of Chelmsford denominated, the Independent Church of Stock and Ingatestone, both places being supplied by one Minister and the Church made up of members from both congregations.” (It would seem that services were held at both places.) The original members were twelve in number. “Benjamin Hayter, from Hackney Academy, was publicly ordained to the pastoral office in Ingatestone Meeting House, on May 5th, 1814. He had. been regularly supplying them from October 3rd, 1813 and had received a unanimous call to be their pastor on 1st April, 1814. The Rev. Benjamin Hayter was pastor of the joint Stock and. Ingatestone Church until the end of 1830. Then he intimated his intention of “leaving the Stock charge and of confining his ministerial labours to Ingatestone, for the following reasons; First, the pastor’s bad state of bodily health; Secondly, the congregation at Stock having become more numerous and respectable, it was thought they were able to keep a minister among themselves.” Mr. Hayter continued as pastor at Ingatestone until 1846 and then, “after a pastorate of 32 years and 5 months, it was found very painful to part.” But it seems that he still lived on here and carried out some pastoral duties, including a number of baptisms. In the last of these entries, dated June .13th, 1850, he signs himself “Benjamin Hayter, late dissenting minister of the Congregational Order, Ingatestone. But now a useless one through palsy. He died in 1856. He had married one of the twelve original members of the Church, Mrs. Jane Stevens; she died in 1833. Memorial plaques to the Rev. and Mrs. Hayter are in the Church.

In 1830, after the separation from Stock, there were sixteen members at Ingatestone. Things were not always easy for the Church and. it is noted “there are some trials to the few who are left.”

The 1812 Meeting House soon proved to be too small, and it was enlarged in 1816.

Between 1822 and. 1825 four burials are stated to have taken place “in the Meeting.” From 1816 onwards, the burials are “in the Meeting Yard.”

In 1840, “a now Independent Chapel was erected in the town of Ingatestone in the parish of Fryerning...near the site of the old Meeting, on ground given by the Venerable Benjamin Hogg, and, is a very neat, substantial Gothic structure.” (This is the existing Church building.) “The cost of the building, fencing, etc., (exclusive of the materials of the old chapel) is about £600.” At the opening on Thursday, October 22nd, 1840, “two excellent and appropriate discourses were delivered” and seven other ministers took part in the services. (A poster, announcing the opening, is still preserved.)

The next Minute Books which are still available begin in 1871. The Membership is reported as 75 at the end of 1870, 123 children on the Sunday School books and 16 teachers,

Many of the Minutes are concerned with routine affairs, but a few are particularly worth mentioning.

“Minute 170. December, 1873. Non-attendance of members. The members of the Church who generally attend its meetings, and on whom devolves the responsibility of transacting its business, much deplore the fewness of number at the week-day services and the little interest shown in the management of the affairs of the Church by a large majority of those whose names are on the Roll, and after making every allowance for those unavoidably prevented from attending, there yet remains many who, with but a little self denial’ (‘little’ has been crossed out afterwards) “might at least occasionally, if not constantly, attend the Church and Prayer Meetings and thus gladden the heart of our Pastor and. materially strengthen the hands of the Church, but who are seldom or never seen on these occasions.”

In 1876, a piece of land on the West side of the Chapel was purchased from Mr. Edgar Disney, J.P., on which to build the (existing) Schoolroom. The Memorial Stone was laid on September 27th, by Mr. F. Wells of Chelmsford. At the same time the Church was re-decorated and. made “more comfortable.” The new Schoolroom was opened and the renovated Church re-opened about April, 1877. £250 was collected, or promised, that day. -

There were 69 on the Membership Roll at the end of 1877.

1878. “a report was in circulation which was likely to bring scandal upon the Church of one of its members (No. 47) specially concerned; resolved that the Pastor and Mr. Deacon “be required to see the said member and expostulate in the spirit of the words of the Apostle Paul - Gal 6. 1.

November, 1879. “The Organ. Letter from Mr. Isaac Rist, of Brentwood.”. . . . “I shall have much pleasure in giving to the Congregational Church at Ingatestone, the organ as it now lays on my premises if it is considered suitable.” This “generous offer” was accepted and. the organ was installed (probably in the Gallery, although this is not mentioned in the Minutes). At the opening of the Organ, after a service and. tea “about 80 friends being present,” the Rev. A. Kluhl of Billericay gave an address on Hebrew music.

August 1881 “New Inkstand. The Chairman reported that a new inkstand had been secured for the use of the Church and the Societies connected therewith, through the kindness of Miss Greedy and. other members of the Mutual Improvement Society.

1881 October 11th. “OPENING OF NEW MISSION ROOM AT MOUNTNESSING”  There was a sermon in the afternoon by Rev. Postans of Baddow Road, tea and a Public Meeting, presided over by F. Wells, Esq., with addresses by several minister and other friends. The total cost, including furniture, fencing, etc., was about £245, of which £215 had already been collected. The ground was given by Mr. J. Stacey Reeve, of Chelmsford. “An afternoon school has been opened in the new Mission Room on October 22nd. There are six teachers and about 50 children.

1882. “The Service of Song, entitled ‘Jessica’s First Prayer’ was given in the (Ingatestone) Chapel on Thursday, February 16th. The proceeds amounted to £2.

1882 October. “Resolved that an Auxiliary to the London Missionary Society be organised and that Miss Hemsley be appointed Secretary.” (There had been annual contributions for the L.M.S. and missionary sermons for many years previously.)

1883 August. “A. Ragged School opened in a room at the back of the White Hart Inn on Sunday afternoons 3-4 p.m. About 18 names of poor, neglected children had been entered.

S. S. Anniversary. July 1893; the flowers sent in by the children and. other friends were forwarded f or distribution to Bryant & May’s match girls.

1895 April. Time of commencement of morning service to be 10.45 instead of 11.

1895 July. Miss L Nash became organist, succeeding Miss Houchin.

1897 June 15th. Stone laying of the new Manse by Mr. F. A. Wells. Mrs Bowen of Chapel House, Ingatestone, had given £500 towards it and 15 guineas were placed on the stone -as further donations to the building fund. The Recognition service of the new minister, Rev. A. A. Savage was held at the same time. Mr. Savage had already been at the Church since the beginning of the year and during that time the membership had increased from 49 to 68.

1899 October. A two-day bazaar for the Building Fund was held and £45 was cleared.

1902 August. The Rev. W. Whittley, who bad. become Minister in October 1901, died after several months’ illness. (The present pulpit is in his memory)

1903 October. “Resolved to apply for transfer from the Brentwood District to the Chelmsford. District of the Essex Congregational Union.

1904 February. Annual Meeting. “The pastor made several useful remarks to the meeting.

1904 New Organ purchased for £170 and. the Church renovated. At the re-opening service in October, it was reported that all the money required had already been received., including £110 from Mr. Carnegie.

1906 Ingatestone Bible Reading branch reported to have 146 members.

1906 December. A lecturer on “Mexico” “during two hours sustained the attention of the assembly.”

1907 A new harmonium purchased for Mountnessing.

1910 May. 98th Anniversary. “Two good. and useful sermons were preached by Rev. Alun Roberts of Bocking, but owing to the fever scare there were very few visitors present.”

1910 September. Ordination of new Minister, Rev. L.C. Sellars. “Mr. Stacey Reeve said he remembered 64 years before, sitting in a corner of the Church. Then they used to stand for prayer and sit to sing.”

1910 October 13th. Sudden death of Mr. T. Nash who had. been a deacon for 33 years. An individual cup Go service was given in Mr. Nash’s memory.

1911 August. The students who supplied the pulpit during the pastor’s holiday included. Mr. H. Stock, of Hackney College.

1912 February. Estimate for providing a bath in Manse and. decorating the bathroom, £12. 2. 0, accepted.

1912 June. Church Centenary celebrations. Rev. Silvester Horns M.P. was the preacher at the evening service. “The aisles were packed, every inch of seating accommodation was employed and the doors of the vestries were left open that visitors inside might hear.” In preparation for the centenary the Church and. Schoolroom had been re-decorated inside and out and the manse painted on the outside.

1913 February. “Need of abbreviation of the Church notices; after much discussion the matter dropped.

1912 August. “It was proposed and seconded that something be done to make the blowing of the organ an easier task.

1915 March. Schoolroom to be a canteen for the soldiers stationed locally.

1918 May “Serious condition of the Sunday School; scarcely any scholars and. few workers.”

1920 April 25th. Brass War Memorial in the church unveiled by Lady Petre.

1922 January. Free Will Offering Scheme adopted instead of Pew Rents.,

1928 November. The Church was in considerable difficulties, with no Minister and no Secretary. Mr. H. Savage, a former member and son of a former Minister, agreed to return to become Secretary temporarily, and. was made an Honorary Deacon.

1929. An individual cup Communion Service presented to Mountnessing by Mr. & Mrs. H. Savage.

1930 July. Now that the Church had a new Minister (Rev. P. R. Russell, M.A) and. many of its previous difficulties had been overcome, Mr. Savage resigned the Church Secretaryship “which he had accepted for six months and had held for two years.” Mr. A. E. Lambert became Secretary. (The Chair at the Communion Table was given in memory of Mr. & Mrs. H. Savage.)

193l. Roofs of Schoolroom and Church stripped and renewed. Electric light installed. Choir formed.

1932. Hot water heating system installed. Complete interior redecoration of the Church. Church re-opened in June.

1932 September. Chelmsford. District Meetings held at Ingatestone.

1939 June. An appeal before Magistrates against the Council’s decision to make up Norton Road was successful.

1939. November. Sohoolroom used by evacuated and. other day school children.

1943 May 29th. Golden Wedding of the Senior Deacon, Mr. Anger, and Mrs. Anger.

1943. Monthly Messenger started.

1944. September. “The Chairman intimated that it was proposed to hold public services of thanksgiving in most Churches on the evening of the day on which hostilities in Europe shall cease. Agreed to hold such a service in our Church, at 7.30 p.m.

1944 April. Mr. R. Kirkby elected Mountnessing Superintendent in succession to Mr. H. Purver, who held that office for 23 years.

1945 February 14th. Destruction of the Church at Mountnessing by enemy action.

1945 October. Mr. A. E. Lambert retired from being Secretary, after 15 years’ service in that position.

1946. Miss Nash, organist for over 50 years, resigned; a presentation was later made to her. Mr. Witney became organist.

1948. Mountnessing Church rebuilt and re-opened.

1949. Sunday School to meet in the morning instead of the afternoon.

1956. September. The Church Meeting recommends one of the members, Mr. W. S. Wheale, for the Ministry.

1961. October. Over £200 raised by Autumn Fayre, to meet the cost of external painting of the Church and redecoration of the School room and purchase of new chairs.

1962 150th CHURCH MINIVERSARY SERVICE (to be held) on SATURDAY, JURE 30th. Preacher: The Chairman of the Congregational Union of England and. Wales, the REV. PRINCIPAL JOHN HUXTABLE, M.A.

PRAYER (of Sir Francis) “O Lord God, when Thou givest to Thy servants to endeavour any great matter, grant us also to know that it is not the beginning but the continuing of the same until to be thoroughly finished, which yieldeth the true glory. Through Him that for the finishing of Thy work laid down His life - Thy Son, Jesus Christ.”

MINISTERS OF INGATESTONE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

1813 – 1846: B. Hayter

[1848 – 1851/2: H Cocks]

1852 – 1860: G. Moore

1861 – 1866: J. Bevan

1867 – 1870: A. C. Gill

1871 – 1872: G. G. Horton

1873 – 1895: S. W. Houchin

1897 – 1900: A. A. Savage

1901 – 1902: W. Whittley

1903 – 1908: J. Collyer

1910 – 1915: L. C. Sellars

1915 – 1921: A. W. Galpin

1921 – 1928: E. W. Chesher

1930 – 1934: P. H. Johnson

1935 – 1940: S. E. Boorman

1940 – 1945: D. F. Flawn

1945 – 1949: S. I. Lippiatt

1950 – 1958: N. S. Williams

1960 - : R. M. Alderton

INGATESTONE

SUNDAY SERVICES

Prayer Meeting 10.15 a.m. (in the Vestry)

Family Church 10.45 a.m.

Evening Service 6.30 p.m.

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at the end of the morning service on 1st July

Monthly Congregational Hymn Singing Practice after the evening service on 1st July

PREACHERS IN JULY

1st. The Minister CHURCH ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY

8th. Mr. Davies

15th. Rev, D. U. Pattinson, Minister-Secretary, Essex Congregational Union

22nd. Mr. Empsall

29th. The Minister

We take the Huskards service on:

1st, 15th and 29th July

CHOIR PRACTICE - Thursdays, 8.15 p.m.

CHURCH MEETING - Monday, 2nd. 7.34 p.m.

MOIJNTNESSING

Services on Sunday at 6.30 p.m.

Preachers in July to be announced

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at the service on July 8th

SPECIAL SERVICES -  every evening July 9th - 14th Led. by an American team.