4 Worship

C h a p t e r 4

Worship

In common with many villages, Potterspur y ’ s oldest building is a place of worship St Nicholas Church dates in par ts from the 12th centur y and has seen many generations of worshippers. In modern times there are two main places of worship in the village, St Nicholas Church and the United Reformed Church, both located appropriately in Church End. There is also Fur tho Church, now disused, and in the 19th and early 20th centur y there was a United Brethren Chapel in Blackwell End. We star t with an account of St Nicholas Church by Doug Holloway, who has lived in the v i l l a g e a l l h i s l i f e a n d w a s f o r m a n y y e a r s a c h u r c h w a r d e n , a n d A m a n d a C u t h b e r t s o n , w h o h a s a l s o b e e n a churchwarden and was recently ordained as a priest

S t N i c h o l a s

P a r i s h C h u r c h

During the renovation of St Nicholas C h u r c h i n 1 9 9 1 , a r e m a r k a b l e d i s c o v e r y w a s m a d e i n t h e c h a n c e l Hidden beneath a layer of plaster and o v e r l a i d w i t h w o o d e n p a n e l l i n g , a t h r e e - s e a t e r s e d i l i a a n d a d o u b l e p i s c i n a w e r e u n c o v e r e d . B o t h t h e s e items of church architecture date from the 12th or 13th centur y The sedilia was used by the clergy (the celebrant, d e a c o n a n d s u b d e a c o n ) t o s i t o n during a ser vice of Holy Communion, a n d t h e p i s c i n a w a s a k i n d o f d r a i n going down into the earth, into which was poured the water used to wash the c o m m u n i o n v e s s e l s T h e p i s c i n a i s particularly interesting as it sits on top of an even earlier one The dog tooth design of the lower one is of a slightly l a t e r d a t e t h a n t h e d e s i g n o n t h e m a g n i f i c e n t c a p i t o l o f t h e No r m a n column on the north side of the nave

The Norman column is dated pre1170 and is thought to be the oldest p a r t o f t h e b u i l d i n g . T h e re s t o f t h e b u i l d i n g d a t e s f r o m t h e 1 2 t h t o t h e 14th centur y The north arcade is 13th centur y and the south arcade is 14th centur y. The tower is 14th centur y and w a s b u i l t t o t a k e a s p i r e , w h i c h w a s never added Although the first priest o f t h e p a r i s h i s m e n t i o n e d i n t h e Domesday Book, there is no record of a church building at that time

The early piscina and three-seater sedilia as discovered in 1991. [Rev. Jan Robinson]

St Nicholas Church in the early 20th century. [Source: Phyllis Russell]

I n 1 8 4 8 , m a j o r a l t e r a t i o n s a n d r e s t o r a t i o n w o r k b e g a n N e w r o o f timbers were installed over the entire building, except the tower The nave w a s l e n g t h e n e d a n d t h e c h a n c e l s h o r t e n e d , t o a c c o m m o d a t e t h e g r o w i n g c o n g r e g a t i o n . T h e r o o d s c r e e n ( s e p a r a t i n g t h e n a v e a n d t h e chancel) was removed and a tripartite a rc h b u i l t i n i t s p l a c e . A g a l l e r y w a s installed at the west end of the nave a n d a l o n g t h e n o r t h a i s l e T h i s w a s removed in 1864, having been made r e d u n d a n t o w i n g t o t h e o p e n i n g o f the Chapel of Ease (better known now a s St L e o n a r d s C h u r c h ) i n Ya r d l e y G o b i o n A h i g h - l e v e l w i n d o w w a s

inserted in the north aisle, to allow for m o r e n a t u r a l l i g h t , a n d t h e d o o r i n the north-facing wall was blocked up Next, raised pew bases and pews were i n s t a l l e d , a s w a s u n d e r f l o o r h e a t i n g I n 1 8 8 5 , t h e h e a t i n g s y s t e m w a s changed to a high-pressure, coke-fired one, which was used until a gas-fired s y s t e m w a s i n s t a l l e d a s p a r t o f t h e 1991 reordering. Finally, on the south side of the building, buttresses on the outside were built either side of a new chancel door, positioned fur ther east o w i n g t o t h e s h o r t e n i n g o f t h e chancel The stone for this work came from a quarr y at Blisworth

The total cost of this progressive a n d a m b i t i o u s c h a n g e w a s £ 3 0 0 0 , a third of which was paid by the Duke of Grafton, who was the patron of St N i c h o l a s C h u r c h T h e w o r k w a s c a r r i e d o u t b y R i c h a r d D u n k l e y o f B l i s w o r t h , a n d t h e a r c h i t e c t w a s R i c h a rd Hu s s e y o f Bi r m i n g h a m : t h e v i c a r a n d t h e c h u r c h w a r d e n s w e r e Rev T C B Stretch, J P Freeman and W Gallard

T h i s w a s n o t t h e e n d o f alterations to St Nicholas in the 19th c e n t u r y In 1 8 6 7 , t h e e x i s t i n g ve s t r y w a s b u i l t o n t o t h e e a s t e n d o f t h e north aisle and a small arched opening was formed into the chancel, allowing for easy access to and from the vestr y

T h e t o w e r a n d b e l l s

The tower has a roof supported by a beam with a car ved inscription: ‘Allen, L o rd Ba t h u r s t 1 7 9 6 , He n r y Sa n d e r s carpenter ’ It houses five bells (one of w h i c h i s 1 5 t h c e n t u r y ) , w h i c h w e r e rehung on an oak frame in 1848 and w e r e a g a i n r e h u n g o n a s t e e l f r a m e a n d r e t u n e d b y Ta y l o r s o f Loughborough in 1951. A new treble b e l l w a s a d d e d a t t h a t t i m e . Pa r t o f t h e o l d o a k b e l l f r a m e h a d t h e

The Norman column at the time of the 1991 reordering [Rev Jan Robinson]

The church bells awaiting hanging in 1951, with Rev R Richards (vicar), Mrs M Gratton-Holt and Mr J Soper (churchwardens) [Doug Holloway]

The 14th century tower and the clock which was given by the seventh Duke of Grafton [Peter Webb]

P a t r o n S a i n t

T h e p a t r o n s a i n t o f Po t t e r s p u r y church was a 4th centur y Bishop of Myra (south-western Turkey), s a i d t o b e a m i r a c l e w o r k e r . Sailors, children, unmarried girls, m e r c h a n t s , p a w n b r o k e r s , a p o t h e c a r i e s a n d p e r f u m i e r s a l l claimed him as their patron It is inte re s ting to conj e ctu re why he was chosen as the patron saint of Potterspur y!

f o l l o w i n g i n s c r i p t i o n : ‘ B e l l s r e h u n g 1 8 4 8 , W. G a l l a r d , J . P. F r e e m a n , Churchwardens’.

O n t h e t o w e r r o o f i s a w e a t h e r vane installed in 1848 and bearing the date and initials W.G. and J.P.F. (the c h u r c h w a r d e n s a g a i n ) T h e w o o d e n post of this vane was replaced with an iron one in 1971 by Doug Holloway, a s s i s t e d b y t h e v i l l a g e ’ s o w n blacksmith, John Smith. The tower is adorned with an 18th centur y clock, restored in 1884 by Jonathan Walker of Cornhill, London, and installed in 1 8 8 7 t o c e l e b r a t e t h e J u b i l e e o f Qu e e n Vi c t o r i a It w a s g i ve n by t h e s e ve n t h Du k e o f Gr a f t o n . T h e c l o c k c e a s e d t o w o r k f o r n i n e y e a r s , f r o m

1951, due to damage by scaffolders It w a s r e p a i r e d i n 1 9 5 9 b y S m i t h s o f Derby

Early records state that in the late 1680s and early 1690s there was a bell f o u n d r y i n P o t t e r s p u r y r u n b y A l e x a n d e r R i g b e , w h o r e n t e d l a n d bounded in the east by the churchyard and in the north by a water mill This would most certainly have been in the yard now used as a garden of Maltsters C o t t a g e , C h u r c h L a n e . T h e r e i s a r e c o rd o f A l e x a n d e r R i g b e r e c a s t i n g t h r e e b e l l s i n t o f o u r f o r S t M a r y ’ s Church, Lillingstone Lovell, at a bell foundr y in Potterspur y in 1693 None o f t h e p re s e n t St Ni c h o l a s b e l l s w a s cast by Rigbe, but the 5th and tenor, which were recast in 1885, could well have dated from the 17th centur y

T h e w i n d o w s

Another main feature of the church is i t s s t a i n e d g l a s s w i n d o w s . A l l t h o s e i n s t a l l e d a t t h e t i m e o f w r i t i n g d a t e from the 20th centur y, including the i n t r i c a t e l y p a t t e r n e d c l e r e s t o r y windows.

T h e t h re e w i n d ow s i n t h e n o r t h a i s l e w e r e g i v e n b y t h e R e v Wa l t e r P l a n t , w h o w a s v i c a r o f Po t t e r s p u r y f r o m 1 8 9 7 t o 1 9 2 0 . A l l t h r e e w e r e made by C E Moore of London, and each depicts an aspect of the teachings of Jesus: ‘Suffer the little children to c o m e u n t o m e ’ ( 1 9 4 1 ) ; ‘ T h e G o o d

S h e p h e r d ’ ( 1 9 4 6 ) ; ‘ T h e S o w e r ’ ( 1 9 4 7 ) . P l a n t a l s o g a v e t h e e a s t window, ‘Resurrection’, in 1950, but died before it was dedicated Some of t h e s e w i n d o w s a r e f e a t u r e d i n o u r colour pages.

A n a d d i t i o n w a s m a d e t o t h e w i n d o w s i n 1 9 9 7 , w h e n D o u g a n d Betty Holloway, in celebration of their r u b y w e d d i n g a n n i v e r s a r y, c o m m i s s i o n e d a n d g a ve t h e w i n d ow a t t h e w e s t e n d o f t h e s o u t h a i s l e C a l l e d ‘ Cr a f t s m e n ’ , i t w a s d e d i c a t e d b y t h e B i s h o p o f B r i x w o r t h , T h e

T h e B a n d o f H o p e

T h i s w a s a s o c i e t y t h a t e n j o y e d c o n s i d e r a b l e s u p p o r t i n t h e f i r s t q u a r t e r o f t h e 2 0 t h c e n t u r y I t s o f f i c i a l t i t l e w a s t h e C h u r c h o f E n g l a n d Te m p e r a n c e S o c i e t y b u t i t w a s m o r e u s u a l l y r e f e r r e d t o a s t h e B a n d o f H o p e . T h e Re v. Wa l t e r Pl a n t , w h o w a s v i c a r o f S t N i c h o l a s f r o m 1 8 9 7 t o 1 9 2 0 , w a s a g re a t b e l i e ve r i n t h e p owe r f o r g o o d o f t h e B a n d o f H o p e , a n d h e w o r k e d t i re l e s s l y f o r t h e c a u s e It i s

p e r h a p s e a s y f o r u s t o s m i l e a t t h e t h o u g h t o f t e m p e r a n c e s o c i e t i e s i n t h e s e p e r m i s s i v e d a y s a n d w o n d e r w h a t p u r p o s e t h e y s e r v e d . T h o s e , h o w e v e r , w e re t h e ye a r s w h e n p e o p l e w o r k e d l o n g a n d a r d u o u s d a y s . D r i n k w a s r e l a t i v e l y c h e a p a n d o f f e r e d a b r i e f r e s p i t e f r o m t h e c o n s t a n t d r u d g e r y a n d a l l t o o f re q u e n t l y b e c a m e a s e r i o u s p ro b l e m , s o m e t i m e s l e a d i n g t o d o m e s t i c v i o l e n c e

The window ‘Suffer little children to come unto me ’ given by Rev Walter Plant in 1941 [Gordon Freeman]

A Band of Hope group in the early 1900s with Rev. and Mrs Plant.

(Source: Hilda Faux’s ‘Memories’]

R i g h t R e v P a u l B a r b e r , o n 2 1 September 1997

The most recent window is ‘ The Nativity’, commissioned to mark the t u r n o f t h e Mi l l e n n i u m . A g r a n t o f 30% of the cost was given by South Nor thants Council, and an appeal to t h e v i l l a g e r a i s e d t h e r e m a i n d e r i n just six weeks The window, designed b y C h r i s F i d d e s a n d m a d e b y Ni c h o l a s B e c h g a a r d , w h o w e r e a l s o r e s p o n s i b l e f o r ‘ C r a f t s m e n ’ , w a s i n s t a l l e d b y C h r i s t m a s 2 0 0 0 , i n a position in the south wall.

T h e c h u r c h p l a t e St Ni c h o l a s C h u rc h a l s o ow n s s o m e f i n e s i l v e r p l a t e , t h e o l d e s t a r t i c l e b e i n g a n e l e g a n t s i l v e r c h a l i c e f r o m a b o u t 1 5 7 0 . T h e n e x t o l d e s t i s k n o w n a s t h e F u r t h o P l a t e , w h i c h consists of a silver gilt chalice and lid, d a t e d 1 6 0 1 , a n d a m a t c h i n g p a t e n a n d f l a g o n ( 1 8 8 5 ) T h e s e p i e c e s a re p e r m a n e n t l y o n l o a n t o t h e Di o c e s e of Peterborough Cathedral, displayed in their treasur y

T h e r e i s a l s o a s i l v e r g i l t p a t e n given to ‘ The town of Potterspur y ’ in 1683 by Thomas Crosse of the parish of St Pauls, Covent Garden, London Another gift of a silver chalice, flagon a n d p a t e n , w a s g i v e n b y L a d y B a t h u r s t i n 1 7 2 8 , a n d a n o t h e r c h a l i c e , m a t c h i n g t h e Ba t h u r s t o n e ,

was given by the Duchess of Grafton in 1854 More recently, a silver wafer b o x d a t e d 1 9 3 8 w a s g i v e n , a n d a s m a l l s i l v e r c h a l i c e a n d p a t e n w e r e given in memor y of John Perrot Car y Field in 1974-75

There are two pe wter alms dishes d a t e d 1 6 7 5 , b e l o n g i n g t o Po t t e r s p u r y, a n d t w o m o r e p e w t e r dishes belonging to Fur tho, stamped F f o r Fu r t h o a n d d a t e d 1 7 0 2 Tw o pe wter flagons (one ver y battered), of u n k n o w n d a t e w e r e f o u n d i n t h e boiler room in the 1960s

T h e 1 9 9 1 r e o r d e r i n g T h e 1 9 9 1 re o rd e r i n g o f t h e i n t e r i o r w a s u n d e r t a k e n s o t h a t t h e c h u r c h b u i l d i n g c o u l d b e u s e d m o r e e x t e n s i v e l y : f o r c o n c e r t s , f l o w e r festivals, parish feasts and fetes, other s o c i a l g a t h e r i n g s , a n d , m o s t i m p o r t a n t l y, f o r a m o re f l e x i b l e a n d a p p ro p r i a t e l a yo u t f o r c o n t e m p o r a r y w o r s h i p T h e w o r k w a s f u n d e d b y the proceeds of the sale of the parish c h u r c h h a l l i n Ya r d l e y G o b i o n i n 1 9 8 7 f o r a p p r o x i m a t e l y £ 7 2 , 0 0 0

T h e t o t a l c o s t o f t h e re o rd e r i n g w a s £82,000, the difference being met by t h e i n t e r e s t m a d e o n t h e i n i t i a l m o n e y w h i l e w a i t i n g f o r p l a n n i n g and faculty permission. A balance of £ 3 0 , 0 0 0 w a s l e f t f o r w o r k o n S t Leonard’s Church, Yardley Gobion.

T h e w o rk c o n s i s t e d o f re m ov i n g old, worm-eaten, pine pe ws and their t i m b e r r a i s e d b a s e s . Ne w b r a d s t o n e r i v e n p a v i n g f l o o r w a s l a i d ov e r t h e e n t i r e a r e a . A n y e x i s t i n g B l i s w o r t h s t o n e f l a g s we re t a k e n u p a n d re l a i d i n t h e a r e a n o r t h o f t h e f o n t O n e i n t e r e s t i n g s l a b o f h a r d r e d s a n d s t o n e , f o u n d i n t h e 1 8 4 8 n o r t h a i s l e l a y o u t , w a s a p p r o x i m a t e l y f i v e i n c h e s t h i c k , w i t h a c ov e m o u l d i n g o n t h r e e e d g e s a n d s i g n s o n t h e s u r f a c e o f a m e m o r i a l b r a s s h a v i n g o n c e b e e n f i x e d t o i t . T h i s s l a b

Reordering of the church interior in progress. [Rev. Jan Robinson]

The church interior of the early 1900s [Mrs Mary Nunnari]

T h e m o d e r n c h u r c h i n t e r i o r f o l l o w i n g t h e reordering of 1991. [Peter Webb]

S u c c e s s i o n o f R e c t o r s a n d V i c a r s

Robert (Subdeacon)

Silvester de Eversdene (Subdeacon) 1219 – became Lord Chancellor of England.

Ralph de Chauddesdere 12 ? ?

Master William de Hanover 1274

Geoffrey de Willeford (Chaplin) 1313

Richard de Brampton (Priest) 1321

Master Bilbert de Middleton 1324

William de Kesteren 13 ? ?

Henr y de Wynewyck (Priest) 1344

William Knight de Eyton (Priest) 1345 William de Rothwell (Priest) 1348 John de Hatton 1358

Sir William Beley (Priest) 1499

Sir John Suckling (Rector of Furtho) 1543

Thomas Folwell (Rector of Furtho) 1555

Richard Holton 1568

Hamphrey Wheatley 1597

Paul Boughton 1607

William Stilton 1638

Joseph Neville (or Newell) 1655

Thomas Raine 1691 Richard Rogers 1707

Henr y Smith 1708

Edward Cooke 17 ? ?

Robert Harding 1729 John Hellins 1790 Gowan Evans 1827

Theodore Carolus Benoni Stritch 1844

appears to have been half of the top o f a r a i s e d m e m o r i a l t o m b . I t w a s r e l a i d i n t h e f l o o r i n t h e n o r t h arcade

T h e t w o a r c h e s b e t w e e n t h e chancel and nor th aisle were blocked up, and par titioning was provided for k i t c h e n a n d t o i l e t f a c i l i t i e s . A me zzanine floor was constr ucted over these, and a staircase installed leading up to a purpose-built meeting room. T h e 1 8 7 7 H u n t e r o r g a n w a s d i s m a n t l e d a n d m o v e d f r o m t h e chancel to the east end of the nor th a i s l e , w h e r e i t w a s r e b u i l t a n d renovated

A n e w p a i r o f i r o n g a t e s w a s provided in the arch leading from the c h a n c e l t o t h e n e w f a c i l i t i e s , f o r

William de Gadesby (Priest) 1366

John de Hiddleton (Priest) 1386

Henr y Maups (Clerk) 1390

John Roderham (Priest) 1390

Nicholas Wymbysh 1414

Master Richard Wallys (Clerk) 1419

Master William Blackamore (Priest) 1424

Henr y Sharp 14 ? ?

Master John Thurson 1455

Master John Fr ysby (Priest) 1457

Master Walter Bate 14 ? ?

Thomas Rawlyns (Priest) 1482 Master John Lane 149 ?

Robert Emans Crawley 1852

Walter Plant 1897 A.P. Symes 1921

A W Wade Evans 1926

Folliott S Keysell (Canon) 1932

Robert Noble Beasley 1936

Reginald Warlow Clarke 1939

Richard Arch 1944

Rees Gwerfyll Richards 1950 John Nicholas Chubb 1964

Ronald Douglas Howe 1969

Gordon Stewart Murray 1981

Edward Henr y Lurkings 1984 Michael Harold Champneys 1993 Leslie Frederick Steele 1999

The church choir of around 1920 pictured in front of the vicarage of the time (Mary Nunnari]

security reasons A ne w ye w altar was m a d e , f o r u s e i n t h e c e n t r a l n a v e p o s i t i o n B o t h t h e s e i t e m s w e r e t h e gift of Bob Wintle, in memor y of his wife Audrey An oak altar now stands i n t h e h i g h a l t a r p o s i t i o n , w h i c h became the Lady Chapel and is used f o r m i d we e k s e r v i c e s . T h i s a l t a r w a s g i v e n b y A . O a k e n s o n i n 1 9 6 8 , i n memor y of his wife, and was made by D o u g H o l l o w a y. Tw o h u n d r e d u p h o l s t e r e d R o s e h i l l c h a i r s w e r e p u r c h a s e d t o f o r m t h e s e a t i n g r e q u i r e m e n t s i n t h e c h u r c h T h e s e cost £56 each

The reordering took eight months t o c o m p l e t e a n d w a s c a r r i e d o u t b y Do u g Ho l l ow a y a n d Pe t e r Me a k i n s , w h o w e re b o t h b o r n i n Po t t e r s p u r y Be t we e n t h e m t h e y m ove d ove r 1 5 0 t o n n e s o f h o g g i n ( s a n d a n d g r a v e l ) a n d m o r t a r b y h a n d , a n d l a i d o v e r 1 0 0 0 b r a d s t o n e r i v e n p a v i n g s l a b s

During the work Sunday ser vices were m a i n t a i n e d , t h e c o n g re g a t i o n s i t t i n g o n p l a s t i c c h a i r s s q u e e z e d i n t o a n y area of the church that was free from w o r k s a t t h e t i m e T h e v i c a r a t t h i s t i m e w a s t h e Re v Ed w a rd Lu rk i n g s , the architect was Bruce Deacon of the Vi c t o r Fa r r a r Pa r t n e r s h i p s , B e d f o rd , a n d t h e c h u r c h w a r d e n s w e r e D o u g Holloway and Amanda Cuthbertson

A f l o o d l i g h t i n g s y s t e m w a s i n s t a l l e d i n t h e c h u rc h y a rd i n 1 9 9 2 , and a pair of ne w wooden gates was f i t t e d a t t h e s o u t h e n d o f t h e

churchyard, also in 1992 These gates a r e a c o p y o f t h e g a t e s s h o w n o n a drawing of the church around 1841

Not only the fabric of the church has seen modernisation In July 1994, f o l l o w i n g t h e f i r s t o r d i n a t i o n o f w o m e n p r i e s t s i n t h e C h u r c h o f E n g l a n d , t h e Re v Ja n Ro b i n s o n ( o f Ya rd l e y G o b i o n ) c e l e b r a t e d t h e f i r s t communion by a woman priest in St Nicholas Church

Today, the activities in and around St Nicholas are varied and include: a b a n d o f b e l l r i n g e r s , c a l l i n g a l l t o w o r s h i p ; a d e v o t e d c h o i r , w h o e n h a n c e t h e b e a u t y o f t h e c h u r c h’s worship through music; a mums and t o t s g r o u p c a l l e d t h e M i n n o w s ; a S u n d a y s c h o o l ; f u n d - r a i s i n g e v e n t s such as the annual flower festival held b i - a n n u a l l y a t t h e e n d o f A u g u s t ; b a p t i s m s , w e d d i n g s a n d f u n e r a l s ; n a t i o n a l d a y s o f r e m e m b r a n c e a n d mourning; religious festivals and other involvement with village activities and concerns.

S t

B a r t h o l o m e w ’ s

C h u r c h , F u r t h o

T h e f o l l o w i n g d e s c r i p t i o n i s t a k e n largely from the booklet produced by the Churches Conser vation Trust and is reproduced with permission.

T h e p a r i s h a n d p e o p l e F u r t h o i s a m o s t u n u s u a l a n d v e r y s p e c i a l p l a c e , a n d s o d e s e r v e s s o m e description in this book. It is one of N o r t h a m p t o n s h i r e ’ s ‘ d e s e r t e d ’ m e d i a e v a l v i l l a g e s , a n d o f i t s m e d i a e va l b u i l d i n g s o n l y t h e c h u rc h a n d a 1 5 t h c e n t u r y c i r c u l a r s t o n e d o v e c o t r e m a i n It a p p e a r s t h a t t h e i f h o r i g i n a l m a n o r e w a s r o u g h l y e s t o f t h e c h u r c h a n d n o r t h o f t h e d o v e c o t . I n 1 0 8 6 , F u r t h o was made up of h r e e s m a l l h o l d i n g s , w i t h a total recorded population of 15 It w a s i n t h e e a r l y 1 2 0 0 s t h a t t h e d e Fo r t h o f a m i l y b e c a m e L o r d s o f t h e Manor, and this family were to remain i n re s i d e n c e h e re u n t i l 1 6 4 0 It w a s E d w a r d F o r t h o w h o e n c l o s e d t h e p a r i s h i n a b o u t 1 6 0 0 , d i v e r t e d t h e road and depopulated the village. His re b u i l d i n g o f t h e n a v e a n d t ow e r o f the church around 1620 has made it a n i n t e re s t i n g e x a m p l e o f e a r l y 1 7 t h centur y church building. In 1640 the m a n o r p a s s e d i n t o t h e h a n d s o f S i r Robert Banastre of Passenham and it w a s l a t e r p u r c h a s e d b y E d m u n d Arnold, an eminent lawyer of Doctors’ Commons, London, who was born at Ne t h e r He y f o rd , b a p t i s e d a t St ow eN i n e - C h u r c h e s i n 1 6 0 7 , d i e d a t K e n s i n g t o n i n 1 6 7 6 a n d i s b u r i e d b e n e a t h t h e c h a n c e l h e re a t Fu r t h o. H e d i r e c t e d i n h i s w i l l t h a t o n t h e death of his wife (in 1691) the income f ro m t h e Ma n o r o f Fu r t h o , t o g e t h e r w i t h o t h e r l a n d s t h a t h e o w n e d i n B u c k i n g h a m s h i r e a n d Northamptonshire, should be given to ‘pious and charitable uses ’ , particularly to give poor children apprenticeships i n ‘ h o n e s t t r a d e s ’ Mo n e y f r o m t h i s c h a r i t y a l s o b e n e f i t e d o t h e r n e e d y p e o p l e , i n c l u d i n g p o o r s c h o l a r s a t Merton College Oxford. Grants were also made to certain clergy and people i n o t h e r p a r i s h e s i n w h i c h h e w a s interested, including Nether Heyford, S t o w e - N i n e - C h u r c h e s , S t o n y

Bellringing in St Nicholas [Peter Chilvers]

Stratford and Potterspur y

I n 1 7 9 1 , o n l y t h e m a n o r h o u s e a n d c h u r c h r e m a i n e d i n t h e v i l l a g e , with four houses in Old Stratford and t h r e e i n C o s g r o v e a l s o w i t h i n t h e p a r i s h T h e p o p u l a t i o n i n 1 8 1 1 w a s 16 and it fluctuated around this figure until it rose to 46 in 1871, dropping to 29 by 1891

E d m u n d A r n o l d g a v e t h e patronage of the living to the Provost and Fellows of Jesus College Oxford, and in 1789 it was consolidated with t h e l i v i n g o f W i g g i n t o n i n n o r t h O x f o r d s h i r e I n t h a t y e a r R e v N i c h o l a s D o b r e e w a s i n s t i t u t e d a s r e c t o r o f W i g g i n t o n a n d Fu r t h o , i n addition to the living that he also held on the island of Guernsey. At the time o f t h e r e s t o r a t i o n o f t h e c h u r c h i n 1870, the Rev. John Williams Mason (rector from 1813 to 1880) probably resided elsewhere, because the vicar of Potterspur y, Rev Robert Crawley, was c u r a t e - i n - c h a r g e T h e v a l u e o f t h e living was then about £300 per year, together with 96 acres of glebe and an annual gift of £20 7s 6d from Arnold’s charity

No village now remains here and when the new benefice of Potterspur y, F u r t h o a n d Ya r d l e y G o b i o n w a s f o r m e d i n 1 9 2 0 , t h i s l i t t l e c h u r c h ceased to be a parish church and was only ver y occasionally used during the

n e x t 7 0 y e a r s I n Ju n e 1 9 9 0 i t w a s vested in The Churches Conser vation Tr u s t ( f o r m e r l y t h e R e d u n d a n t C h u r c h e s Fu n d ) t o b e p r e s e r v e d b y a n d f o r t h e C h u r c h o f E n g l a n d a n d t h e n a t i o n . D u r i n g 1 9 9 1 – 9 2 i t under went an extensive programme of repairs by Waymans of Coppingford, near Huntingdon, under the direction of Ian Stewart (architect).

T h e c h u r c h e x t e r i o r H a l f a m i l e o f f a r m d r i v e l e a d s w e s t w a r d s f r o m t h e A 5 0 8 t o t h e b u i l d i n g s o f F u r t h o M a n o r Fa r m , with the church standing a little apart f r o m t h e m t o t h e n o r t h - e a s t T h e p r e s e n t f a r m h o u s e i s l e s s t h a n 1 0 0 y e a r s o l d , b u t t h e c i r c u l a r d o v e c o t m a y w e l l h a v e s t o o d h e r e f o r 5 0 0 y e a r s T h e s e t t i n g o f t h e c h u r c h i s d e l i g h t f u l , a n d t h e c h u r c h y a r d a n d s u r r o u n d i n g s h a v e b e e n g r e a t l y i m p r ov e d t h r o u g h t h e k i n d n e s s a n d care of its neighbour at the farm.

T h e c h u r c h i s b u i l t o f l o c a l l i m e s t o n e , a n d i s a n u n u s u a l a n d d i s t i n c t i v e b u i l d i n g T h e n a v e a n d t o w e r w e r e r e b u i l t a r o u n d 1 6 2 0 , a t i m e w h e n c h u r c h - b u i l d i n g i n t h e countr y was rare; therefore this church is an important example of the period.

The walls of the nave are capped w i t h s t o n e p a r a p e t s , a n d s e t i n t h e s o u t h e r n p a r a p e t i s a s h i e l d w h i c h o n c e d i s p l a y e d a c o a t o f a r m s –possibly those of Edward Fortho The

s i m p l e t h r e e - l i g h t G o t h i c w i n d o w s d a t e f ro m a ro u n d 1 6 2 0 , a s d o e s t h e north door way (which is blocked, but still has part of its original door), the south door way and the attractive little f i n i a l a t t h e s u m m i t o f t h e e a s t e r n g a b l e T h e n o r t h a n d s o u t h w a l l s o f t h e n a v e h a v e b e e n e x t e n d e d westwards to half-embrace the tower, t h u s m a k i n g t h e n a v e a p p e a r l o n g e r t h a n i t r e a l l y i s , e s p e c i a l l y w i t h t h e a d d i t i o n o f t h e t w o - l i g h t w i n d ow i n w h a t i s a c t u a l l y t h e s o u t h t o w e r chamber

Diagonal buttresses strengthen the w e s t e r n c o r n e r s o f t h e t o w e r. T h e three-light west window and two-light belfr y windows are similar in style to t h o s e i n t h e n a v e . T h e e m b a t t l e d parapet is unusually tall in proportion t o t h e r e s t o f t h e t o w e r, a n d h i d e s most of the tower ’ s tiled pyramid roof At the base of the western parapet are t w o s t o n e w a t e r - s p o u t s , o n e w i t h foliage car ving

A s i s t h e c a s e i n m a n y E n g l i s h c h u r c h e s , t h e c h a n c e l h a s s e v e r a l d i f f e r e n c e s f r o m t h e r e s t o f t h e building Its maintenance and upkeep w e re t h e re s p o n s i b i l i t y o f t h e re c t o r (the earliest recorded rector here was i n s t i t u t e d i n 1 2 2 6 ) , w h i l s t t h e p a r i s h i o n e r s , i n c l u d i n g t h e L o r d o f t h e M a n o r, l o o k e d a f t e r t h e o t h e r parts of the church Much of the work i s m e d i a e v a l , a n d t h e t i l e d r o o f i s m o r e s t e e p l y p i t c h e d t h a n t h e s l a t e roof of the nave. In the south wall are

The old dovecot at Furtho in the early 1900s [Mrs Mary Nunnari]

St Bartholemew’s Church, Furtho, in the early 1900s. [Mrs Mary Nunnari]

t w o d o u b l e - s q u a r e - h e a d e d w i n d o w s of the late 14th or early 15th centur y, a n d a p r i e s t ’ s d o o r w a y w h i c h , although probably rene wed later, has t w o m e d i a e v a l f a c e s s u p p o r t i n g i t s hood-mould Beneath the south-west w i n d o w i s a b l o c k e d r e c t a n g u l a r ‘ l o w - s i d e ’ w i n d o w. T h i s w a s o r i g i n a l l y p r o v i d e d w i t h a s h u t t e r, w h i c h c o u l d b e o p e n e d f o r t h e ringing of a bell at the climax of the daily Mass, to enable people working i n t h e f i e l d s t o p a u s e f o r a m o m e n t a n d j o i n i n p r a y e r E x t e r n a l l y t h e r e a r e n o o p e n i n g s o n t h e n o r t h s i d e T h e t h re e - l i g h t e a s t w i n d ow ( w h i c h i s s l i g h t l y s o u t h o f c e n t r e ) h a s a t t r a c t i v e r e t i c u l a t e d ( n e t - l i k e ) tracer y of about 1330

T h e c h u r c h i n t e r i o r Fe w visitors could fail to be charmed b y t h i s b r i g h t a n d h o m e l y l i t t l e c h u r c h , w h i c h s h o w s t h e

c r a f t s m a n s h i p o f s e v e r a l p e r i o d s , including recent careful conser vation work The masonr y is exposed in the walls (which may have been ‘scraped’ o f t h e i r p l a s t e r d u r i n g t h e l 9 t h c e n t u r y ) a n d t h e f l o o r s h a v e o l d flagstones, with areas of more recent a n d l e s s a t t r a c t i v e c o n c r e t e w h e r e seating was once placed. Light pours i n t h r o u g h w i n d o w s o f a m a t e r i a l w h i c h , a l t h o u g h l e s s a t t r a c t i v e t h a n r e a l g l a s s , h a s p r o v e d t o b e m u c h more vandal-proof!

T h e w i n d o w - o p e n i n g s a n d d o o r w a y s h a v e u n u s u a l w o o d e n l i n t e l s f r o m t h e 1 6 2 0 r e b u i l d . A l s o f r o m t h i s t i m e a r e t h e t o w e r a n d c h a n c e l a r c h e s , w h i c h a r e r o u n d e d a n d re s t o n h a l f - o c t a g o n a l re s p o n d s , w i t h m o u l d e d c a p i t a l s a n d b a s e s , each side There are traces of graffiti on the tower arch, including the date

1 7 7 6 T h e s p a c i o u s t o w e r b a s e h a s s m a l l c h a m b e r s t o t h e n o r t h a n d s o u t h , w h e r e t h e n a v e h a s b e e n e x t e n d e d T h e s m a l l o c t a g o n a l f o n t w a s p a r t o f t h e 1 7 t h c e n t u r y reordering, also probably its concaves i d e d c o v e r, w h i c h i s c a p p e d b y a n acorn finial Craftsmen of 1620 also f a s h i o n e d t h e s t u r d y a n d s h a l l o w l y p i t c h e d n a ve ro o f, w i t h i t s t i e b e a m s and shor t king-posts

The pulpit, of Bath Stone with a c i r c u l a r s h a f t o f r e d m a r b l e , w a s m a d e w h e n t h e c h u r c h u n d e r w e n t r e s t o r a t i o n i n 1 8 7 0 T h e b u i l d i n g was closed for nine months before its r e o p e n i n g o n 1 8 S e p t e m b e r . I t a p p e a r s t h a t t h e w o r k w a s s p e a r h e a d e d b y t h e c h u r c h w a r d e n , John Bird, who lived at Manor Farm and who presented the church with a n e w h a r m o n i u m [ T h e h a r m o n i u m succumbed to damp and fell to pieces i n t h e 1 9 5 0 s . ] A t t h i s t i m e t h e o l d b o x - p e w s w e r e r e p l a c e d b y d e a l b e n c h e s , s o m e o f w h i c h h a v e sur vived, and the present lectern was i n s t a l l e d T h e m e d i a e v a l c h a n c e l deflects slightly to the nor th from the rest of the church, and its walls lean o u t w a rd s , b e t r a y i n g t h e i r g r e a t a g e . Although it feels small and intimate, t h e c h a n c e l i s o n l y s l i g h t l y s h o r t e r than the nave

St r a d d l i n g t h e c h a n c e l , b e n e a t h i t s p l a s t e r c e i l i n g , i s a s i n g l e c a m b e re d t i e b e a m , w h i c h m a y o n c e h a v e s u p p o r t e d a c e n t r a l k i n g - p o s t B e n e a t h t h e s o u t h - w e s t w i n d o w i s the blocked low-side window, with a seat for the ringer of the Sanctus Bell T h e b l o c k e d s i n g l e t r e f o i l - h e a d e d window on the nor th side, opposite, may have ser ved a similar purpose

Eastwards of this is a low arched r e c e s s f o r a t o m b. B e n e a t h i t m a n y y e a r s a g o w a s a s l a b w i t h t h e b r a s s e f f i g i e s o f a m a n , h i s t w o w i v e s , a n i n s c r i p t i o n a n d f o u r s h i e l d s , a l m o s t cer tainly commemorating one of the de For thos.

T h e c o m m u n i o n r a i l , w h i c h c o u l d n o t b e m o r e s i m p l y a n d f u n c t i o n a l l y d e s i g n e d , w a s p r o b a b l y made in the early 1800s The piscina i n t h e s o u t h w a l l n e a r b y w a s f a s h i o n e d a b o u t 5 0 0 y e a r s e a r l i e r,

Interior of St Bartholomew’s Church, Furtho, looking east. [Christopher Dalton]

a n d t h e r e a r e r e m a i n s o f t h e credence-shelf, on which some of the v e s s e l s u s e d a t t h e c o m m u n i o n s e r v i c e w e r e p l a c e d T h e p r o j e c t i n g s t o n e c o r b e l s i n t h e e a s t w a l l m a y we l l h a ve b e e n p e d e s t a l s f o r s t a t u e s . T h e 1 9 t h c e n t u r y a l t a r t a b l e w a s b r o u g h t h e r e i n 1 9 9 3 f r o m A l l Saints, Little Wenham, Suffolk.

In the sanctuar y floor is a ledgers l a b, i n s c r i b e d ‘ Hi c Ja c e t Ed m u n d u s A r n o l d A r m Q u o n d a m D o m i n u s ( Su b De o ) Hu j u s Ma n e r i i Qu i Ob i t 2 7 Ma r t i 1 6 7 6 ’ . ( He re l i e s Ed m u n d A r n o l d , o n c e L o r d ( u n d e r G o d ) o f t h i s M a n o r , w h o d i e d 2 7 M a r c h 1 6 7 6 ) . It m a r k s t h e b u r i a l - p l a c e o f t h e L o n d o n l a w y e r w h o l e f t t h e income from his Manor at Fur tho for c h a r i t a b l e u s e s H i s c h a r i t y s t i l l operates today.

T h e U n i t e d R e f o r m e d C h u r c h , P o t t e r s p u r y a n d

Ya r d l e y G o b i o n

Po t t e r s p u r y i s a l i t t l e u n u s u a l f o r a v i l l a g e o f i t s s i z e i n h a v i n g t w o b u i l d i n g s o f t h e e s t a b l i s h e d c h u r c h within the parish boundar y. It is also u n u s u a l i n t h a t i t i s o n e o f t h e earliest villages in Nor thamptonshire t o h a v e h a d a t h r i v i n g N o n c o n f o r m i s t c o m m u n i t y M a n y records and writings have sur vived to t e l l u s s o m e t h i n g o f i t s h i s t o r y. Fo r m e r h e a d t e a c h e r Ja c k C l a m p h a s c o n d u c t e d e x t e n s i v e r e s e a r c h i n t o t h e s e d o c u m e n t s ( w h i c h i s continuing), on which the following account, which he has kindly written for this book, is based W h e n J a m e s I I c a m e t o t h e t h r o n e i n 1 6 8 5 a m o r e t o l e r a n t a t t i t u d e t o C a t h o l i c s a n d No n c o nf o r m i s t s b e g a n t o p r e v a i l T h e p a s s i n g o f t h e To l e r a t i o n A c t i n 1 6 8 9 , a l l o w i n g N o n c o n f o r m i s t m e e t i n g s t o b e h e l d p r o v i d i n g t h e m e e t i n g p l a c e h a d b e e n r e g i s t e r e d , m e a n t t h a t f r o m 1 6 9 0 a n a t t e m p t w a s m a d e t o e s t a b l i s h a n I n d e p e n d e n t C o n g r e g a t i o n a t

Po t t e r s p u r y b y M i c h a e l H a r r i s o n who, it was said, had for many years preached at Caversfield near Bicester i n O x f o r d s h i r e H e c o l l e c t e d a c o n g r e g a t i o n f r o m t h e n e a r b y v i l l a g e s , p r o b a b l y c o n t a i n i n g m e m b e r s f r o m t h e i l l e g a l m e e t i n g s p r e v i o u s l y h e l d i n t h e a r e a . T h e church records show that for much of i t s e a r l y l i f e t h e r e w e r e v e r y f e w m e m b e r s f r o m Po t t e r s p u r y i t s e l f ; m o s t m e m b e r s c o m i n g f r o m To w c e s t e r, H a n s l o p e , Pa u l e r s p u r y, Stony Stratford and of course Yardley Gobion, which was at that time par t o f Po t t e r s p u r y T h e m e e t i n g s w e r e h e l d i n t h e b a r n o r o u t h o u s e , a d j o i n i n g a r e s i d e n c e b e l o n g i n g t o R i c h a r d S c r i v e n e r, w h i c h h a d b e e n fitted up as a place of worship at the p e o p l e ’ s o w n e x p e n s e . I n 1 6 9 1 Harrison bought most of this estate, k n o w n a s P e d d e r ’ s F a r m , f r o m Richard Scrivener, a yeoman, for £70 a n d s e t t l e d i n Po t t e r s p u r y w i t h h i s wife

I n a d d i t i o n t o h i s o t h e r a t t r i b u t e s , H a r r i s o n w a s a n a u t h o r and hymn-writer who, by 1700, had p u b l i s h e d Tw e l v e D i v i n e H y m n s : C o m p o s e d f o r t h e L o rd’s Ta b l e , a n d the Lord’s Day. John Taylor describes h i s h y m n s a s h a v i n g ‘ t r u e m u s i c a l rhythm and clearly showing the note of praise’ The following lines are an

example of this:

Most Glorious God and King, Our Hearts to Thee we’ll Raise, And Joyfully we’ll Sing, To Thee sweet Songs of Praise; For Thou hast given Thy own dear son, Man to become Sent down from Heaven.

Harrison left Potterspur y in 1709 t o b e c o m e t h e m i n i s t e r o f a n I n d e p e n d e n t C h u r c h a t S t I v e s , i n C a m b r i d g e s h i r e ( w h e r e h e d i e d i n Januar y 1726). In June 1710, he sold t h e p r e m i s e s a t Po t t e r s p u r y t o Jo h n G o u g h o f Hi g h g a t e , M i d d l e s e x , f o r £ 8 3 , ‘ e xc e p t i n g a n d re s e r v i n g o u t o f t h i s p re s e n t g r a n t t h e p u l p i t a n d a l l t h e s e a t s , p e w s a n d g a l l e r i e s n o w s t a n d i n g a n d b e i n g w i t h i n t h e s a i d m e e t i n g h o u s e u n t o t h e o n l y u s e o f t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n o f p e o p l e t h a t belong to the said meeting house’

By 1 7 1 4 , Re v. Wi l l i a m Bu s h n e l l w a s t h e p a s t o r I t w a s s a i d t h a t h e ‘raised a large society at Potterspur y, c h i e f l y o f t h e l o w e r - c l a s s e s ’ O f course, they would not all be living at Po t t e r s p u r y He r e f u s e d t o l e a v e h i s congregation for a more wealthy one at Bristol, and continued to preach at Po t t e r s p u r y u n t i l ‘ h e e x h a u s t e d h i s

An old building, possibly a pastor’s house, later rebuilt as the Wood Memorial Institute [Source: Jack Clamp]

An Audience with the King

The stor y is told that on the accession of George III, in 1760, Heywood and other Nonconformist ministers came to London to present an address of loyalty to the King at St James’s Palace. When he joined the others in the anteroom to the audience chamber they looked somewhat askance at his untidy appearance and were equally surprised to see Lord Temple engage in really friendly conversation with him However, His Lordship detained him t o o l o n g a n d t h e K i n g w a s a b o u t t o r e t i r e w h e n He y w o o d , n o t t o b e thwarted, called out, ‘Stop, please your Majesty, stop! I have come all the way from Potterspur y to kiss your Majesty’s hand, and I hope I shall be allowed this honour ’ The King stopped and turned to Heywood when, it is said, he kissed the King’s hand two or three times and said emphatically, ‘God bless your Majesty; I hope you will make a good King.’

p r i v a t e p a t r i m o n y i n r e l i e v i n g t h e i r w a n t s ’ , w h e n h e m ove d t o A n d ove r, Hampshire in 1729

S i x y e a r s p a s s e d b e f o r e t h e n e x t pastor, Samuel Tailor, was ordained in 1735 It was said of him that ‘he was a gentleman of considerable abilities but supposed to be some what disordered

i n h i s h e a d ’ . H e m o v e d t o L o n g M e l f o r d , S u f f o l k s o m e t i m e b e f o r e 1739

T h e h i s t o r y o f t h e In d e p e n d e n t s f o r a l m o s t 4 0 y e a r s o f t h e 1 8 t h centur y was bound up with the name of John Heywood from Lincolnshire, who was invited to become the pastor

i n 1 7 3 9 a n d a f t e r w o r k i n g i n t h e village for 12 months was ordained on 2 5 S e p t e m b e r 1 7 4 0 He y w o o d , l i k e Harrison, composed hymns, 42 in all, f o r h i s c o n g r e g a t i o n . T h e s e w e r e p u b l i s h e d i n 1 7 4 0 u n d e r t h e t i t l e H y m n s o r S p i r i t u a l S o n g s , c h i e f l y t a k e n f r o m t h e Ho l y S c r i p t u re s a n d w e r e d e d i c a t e d t o h i s f r i e n d , t h e r e n o w n e d D r P h i l i p D o d d r i d g e ( a m o r e f a m o u s h y m n w r i t e r ) o f t h e Di s s e n t i n g Ac a d e m y, No r t h a m p t o n , w h o , i n c i d e n t a l l y, h a d p r e s i d e d a t Heywood’s

ordination

B y a l l a c c o u n t s , t h r o u g h o u t h i s life Heywood had the zeal and energy t o p r e s i d e o v e r a n d m i n i s t e r t o a c o n g r e g a t i o n f r o m n o l e s s t h a n 1 9 t o w n s a n d h a m l e t s , a n d e v i d e n t l y spent much of his time, when not in P o t t e r s p u r y, t r a v e l l i n g r o u n d t h e district giving lectures and visiting and p r a y i n g w i t h h i s h e a r e r s . T h e B i r t h and Baptism Register of his time gives further indication of the extent of his travels and influence, when one finds b a p t i s m s o f c h i l d r e n f r o m m a n y

The Chapel as built in 1780, pictured with Rev James White in about 1911 [Source: Jack Clamp]

A Poem by Ebenezer White

At Pur y then, I join a rustic throng, Blockish as inattentive Not the house Of God himself could awe them. In comes Hodge As gently as a trooper; plump he squats

In his accustomed seat The farmer snores; His son looks big, and as dashing as a lord; And ere the blessing closes with ‘Amen’, An impious hubbub bounces on your ear; And faster than they entered, all rush out. But not with prayerful silence; no one asks, With pensive earnestness, ‘Am I the wretch Thus guilty, or thus pardoned? Is heaven mine?”

But talk of weather, and the growth of corn, The state of markets, and the price of pigs; How horses, poultr y, eggs and butter sold?

Or scandal; the most trifling village news; Such themes the inter vals of worship fill

Ye visit their abodes in the fond hope Of finding life You are discovered: one

In the stable lurks; one slinks behind a stack, Anxious to ‘ scape the parson, who perchance Might start religion Join their social throng; Or at the dining board, or cheerful tea,

different villages and towns, not only i n No r t h a m p t o n s h i r e , Bu c k i n g h a mshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire b u t a l s o a s f a r a f i e l d a s L i n c o l n s h i re and Rutland. John Taylor, writing in 1891, says of Heywood that ‘He was a m a n o f g re a t e c c e n t r i c i t y, b u t o f n o little shrewdness, and was, I imagine, e v e n a g e n i u s i n M i n i s t r y Hi s l a n k f i g u r e o n h o r s e b a c k , w i t h t h e l o o s e e n d s o f h i s u n f a s t e n e d n e c k - c l o t h flying about him, was a familiar sight in many villages around.’

Heywood’s loyalty to the Crown, h i s l o v e o f l i t e r a t u r e , a n d h i s simplicity of heart attracted the notice o f t h e n e i g h b o u r i n g n o b i l i t y. E a r l Temple was considered to be a good f r i e n d w h o o f t e n i n v i t e d h i m t o h i s h o m e a t S t o w e , a n d t h e D u k e o f Gr a f t o n g a v e h i m f r e e a c c e s s t o h i s librar y at Wakefield Lodge.

O n 1 Ju n e 1 7 7 8 , a f t e r 3 8 y e a r s s e r v i c e , w h i l e re p o r t e d l y s u r ro u n d e d by a few people he had selected to be

Bring up the subject of the last discourseThe wisest cannot recollect the text!

But each devoutly tries: one fumbler thumbs

The bible; and what you in David read Is certainly (they all conclude) in John

Peasants have human souls; and he is blest Who plucks but one from mis’r y and despair

The rude and simple are to Jesus dear. But when both young and long instructed shew A vicious dominance, but female free!

When any name but that of Christ is sweet, And any theme more grateful than his love; Who’d plough a rock? or water a dead tree?

Or toil with souls gross-hearted, -sermon-proof?Perplexed, dispirited, as useless here, In spite of house and orchard and some friends Affectionate, and Fitzroy’s transient smile, I sigh for liberty, and fain would fly.

So oft we loathe the oaks ourselves desired, And of our chosen gardens grew ashamed ‘Nevertheless, at Thy word, I will let down the net ’ Isaiah 1:30.

with him, John Heywood died

The church was without a pastor u n t i l 1 7 8 2 a l t h o u g h Jo h n G o o d e , a student at Newport Pagnell Academy, d e p u t i s e d f o r a g r e a t e r p a r t o f t h i s t i m e , a s h e h a d d o n e o c c a s i o n a l l y before Heywood’s death During this period, the old meeting house and the a d j o i n i n g r e s i d e n c e o f t h e m i n i s t e r were pulled down The present chapel was built in 1780, and apparently the manse was built later in the same year. Although the two buildings abut each other and are of similar construction, a n i n s p e c t i o n s h ow s t h a t t h e re i s n o p h y s i c a l j o i n t b e t w e e n t h e t w o b u i l d i n g s , a n d i n f a c t t h e b r i c k courses do not even line up and each r o o f h a s a d i f f e r e n t p i t c h W i t h n o p a s t o r a n d a s m a l l , e l d e r l y m e m b e r s h i p o n e w o n d e r s h o w t h i s m a m m o t h t a s k w a s f i n a n c e d a n d carried out, but the fine buildings still s t a n d , w i t h v e r y f e w c h a n g e s , a s a memorial to their efforts

G o o d e w a s o rd a i n e d i n O c t o b e r

1 7 8 2 a n d h e w a s a p p a r e n t l y v e r y much respected by all who knew him a n d s o o n g r e a t l y i n c r e a s e d t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n H e r e m a i n e d i n P o t t e r s p u r y u n t i l 1 7 9 4 , w h e n h e moved to the Independent Church of Christ, at White Row, London. Soon after his departure, the members who lived at Towcester decided to form a separate church, and were accordingly dismissed from the church meeting at Potterspur

y

G o o d e ’ s s u c c e s s o r w a s G e o r g e Vo w e l l , w h o , j u d g i n g f r o m t h e c o n t e n t s o f a l e t t e r h e w r o t e t o a f r i e n d , s e e m s t o h a ve l i k e d t h e r u r a l life at Potterspur y, which he compares favourably with the amusements and o p p o r t u n i t i e s a f f o r d e d b y l i f e i n L o n d o n : ‘ I a m q u i t e h a p p y i n t h e e x p e c t a t i o n o f a n a b o d e i n Po t t e r s p u r y, w h e r e I c a n h e a r t h e rustling of trees, and not the rattling of chariot wheels: where I can listen to the nightingale’s melodious notes, and

n o t b e o f f e n d e d w i t h t h e d r u n k a rd’s song: where I can enjoy a walk in the g r e e n f i e l d s , w i t h o u t t h e b u s t l e a n d tumult of London streets: where I can enjoy the company of friends, without b e i n g e x p o s e d t o t h e i m p e r t i n e n t visits of triflers and gossips. You will smile, perhaps, at my monkish taste, and say, what is all this to a charming society, elegance, and amusements o f v a r i o u s k i n d s , w h i c h a l a r g e a n d p o p u l o u s c i t y a f f o r d s : h e r e i s perpetual enter tainment, always ne w, a n d r a v i s h i n g d e l i g h t s , w h e re a l l t h e s e n s e s m a y b e g r a t i f i e d a t a s m a l l expence [sic] ’

Unfortunately, it seems that some o f t h o s e a t P o t t e r s p u r y d i d n o t g e n e r a l l y a p p r o v e o f Vo w e l l a s a preacher and successor to Goode, but this did not deter him from what he c o n s i d e r e d t o b e h i s d u t y H e p a i d particular attention to the instruction o f t h e c h i l d r e n o f t h e p o o r a n d re g u l a r l y s e t a s i d e t i m e a f t e r Su n d a y ser vices for that purpose Sad to relate h i s h e a l t h s o o n d e c l i n e d a n d h e returned to Brixton Cause way where h e d i e d s o m e m o n t h s a f t e r w a r d s a t the age of twenty-three

After a succession of unsuccessful preachers, Ebenezer White was invited t o t a k e c h a r g e o f t h e I n d e p e n d e n t C h u rc h i n 1 7 9 8 . He w a s a p p a re n t l y f a c e d w i t h a d i f f i c u l t t a s k a s t h e c h u r c h w a s i n a v e r y d i l a p i d a t e d c o n d i t i o n a n d t h e m e m b e r s h i p h a d fallen from 47 to just eight. In 1799 he reorganised the Church, made an abridgement of the church covenant, a n d c o n t i n u e d t o p r e a c h a t Po t t e r s p u r y u n t i l 1 8 0 0 , a l t h o u g h h e n e ve r a c c e p t e d t h e c a l l t o b e p a s t o r White composed a poem soon after he a r r i v e d i n Po t t e r s p u r y, i n w h i c h h e e x p r e s s e d h i s e x a s p e r a t i o n w i t h h i s flock and his apparent lack of success with them. His poem affords us a u n i q u e d e s c r i p t i o n o f v i l l a g e f o l k o f 200 years ago and is therefore printed here in full

N o t u n t i l 1 8 0 5 w a s R e v I s a a c Gardner, from Essex, recommended as a suitable pastor. This was a surprising recommendation when one considers that the church meeting minute book tells us that Gardner was not a young

man and for the greater part of his 16 y e a r s a t P u r y h e w a s s a i d t o b e s o i n f i r m t h a t h e w a s u n a b l e t o s u p p l y t h e z e a l w h i c h w a s r e q u i r e d t o r e v i t a l i s e t h e c a u s e H e d i e d o n 2 1 O c t o b e r 1 8 2 1 a t t h e a g e o f 6 7 a n d w a s i n t e r r e d i n t h e c h a p e l H i s memorial tablet bears these words:

Let Gabriel take the Golden Harp and strike the trembling lyre; However high his strains shall rise, my notes shall still be higher.

T h e s t u d e n t s o f t h e N e w p o r t A c a d e m y s u p p o r t e d t h e c h u r c h a t Po t t e r s p u r y u n t i l 1 8 2 3 w h e n o n e o f t h e m , J a m e s S l y e , w a s i n v i t e d t o become the pastor In his first year, a society was formed at Potterspur y for v i s i t i n g a n d r e l i e v i n g t h e s i c k o f w h a t e v e r d e n o m i n a t i o n . A d m i r a b l e t h o u g h t h e s o c i e t y ’ s o b j e c t i v e s w e re , they showed an ulterior motive, when t h e y s t a t e d t h a t ‘ t h e v i s i t i n g w o u l d a f f o r d a n o p p o r t u n i t y f o r p i o u s p e r s o n s t o p r e s s t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f d i v i n e t r u t h o n t h e m i n d o f m a n y, who in health, had been inattentive to the means of grace ’ Ja m e s Sl ye w a s o rd a i n e d i n Ju n e 1 8 2 5 a n d f o r 5 0 y e a r s , u n t i l h i s r e s i g n a t i o n o n 2 1 D e c e m b e r 1 8 7 3 , w a s re m a r k a b l y i n f l u e n t i a l . Ju s t o n e year into his ministr y the number of c h i l d r e n i n t h e S u n d a y s c h o o l h a d

increased from 36 to 106 A year later, in 1824, the number had increased to 1 4 0 , a n d t w o n e w g a l l e r i e s w e r e erected in the church to accommodate t h e i n c r e a s e d c o n g r e g a t i o n a n d S u n d a y s c h o o l T h e n u m b e r o f children remained at this figure until 1828 when it dropped to 100 owing, i t w a s re p o r t e d , t o t h e o p e n i n g o f a S u n d a y s c h o o l b y t h e E s t a b l i s h e d Church.

By 1825 the suggestion was made t h a t q u i t e a f e w v i l l a g e p e o p l e k n e w little of the holy scriptures, and so the bold decision was taken to enquire at ever y household to determine whether t h i s w a s t h e t r u e s i t u a t i o n . T h e e n q u i r y c o n f i r m e d t h e i r s u s p i c i o n s that both at Potterspur y and Yardley Gobion there were many people who were ignorant of the ‘ Word of Life’ In answer to this problem, many copies o f t h e Bi b l e w e re d i s t r i b u t e d b y t h e L a d i e s ’ A s s o c i a t i o n , w h i c h h a d b e e n formed to carr y out this task Another relevant but not at all surprising fact brought out by the enquir y was that many of the poor could not read. In a n e f f o r t t o r e m e d y t h i s , a n o t h e r initiative was taken and a school for a d u l t s w a s s t a r t e d . N o m e n t i o n i s made of its success but, after just two years, a sewing-school was established in its stead!

I n 1 8 2 4 t h e N o r t h B u c k s A s s o c i a t i o n m a d e t h e o f f e r o f a

A group of church deacons, with the Rev. James White. [Source: Jack Clamp]

s m a l l s u m t o t h e c h u r c h c o n g r e g a t i o n a t P o t t e r s p u r y o n c o n d i t i o n t h a t t h e y b u i l t a c h a p e l a t Y a r d l e y G o b i o n T h e c h a p e l w a s b u i l t a t a c o s t o f £ 6 8 4 s 1 0 d , a n d w a s o p e n e d o n 1 9 Ap r i l 1 8 2 6

O n 1 N o v e m b e r 1 8 2 8 , S l y e c a r r i e d o u t t h e b u r i a l o f J o h n H o l l o w a y o f Ya r d l e y G o b i o n , t h e f i r s t t o b e i n t e r r e d i n t h e n e w b u r y i n g g r o u n d , w h i c h h a d b e e n l a i d o u t i n p a r t o f a f i e l d a d j a c e n t t o t h e c h a p e l a t Po t t e r s p u r y

T h e n a m e S l y e o f P o t t e r s p u r y b e c a m e w e l l k n o w n i n N o n c o n f o r m i s t c i r c l e s o u t s i d e P o t t e r s p u r y, m a i n l y b e c a u s e o f h i s a u t h o r s h i p a n d p u b l i c a t i o n s A c c o r d i n g t o J o h n Ta y l o r, i n t h e s u m m e r m o n t h s h e m i n i s t e r e d f o r m a n y y e a r s a t R e v. R o w l a n d H i l l ’ s S u r r e y C h a p e l i n B l a c k f r i a r s R o a d , L o n d o n , w h i l e H i l l m a d e e x c u r s i o n s t o t h e p r o v i n c e s , w h e r e h i s p r e a c h i n g i s s a i d t o have attracted immense crowds T h e f i r s t o f S l y e ’ s b o o k s , A B r i e f Na r ra t i v e o f t h e R i s e a n d P r o g r e s s o f t h e I n d e p e n d e n t C h u r c h a t P o t t e r s p u r y , w a s published in 1831 and printed by H Dixon, a Stony Stratford bookseller. His six other works were published in London.

T h e No r t h a m p t o n Me rc u r y of 12 April 1873 repor ted that, t o m a r k S l y e ’ s h a l f - c e n t u r y a t Po t t e r s p u r y, t h e m e m b e r s o f the church made presentations t o h i m a n d h i s w i f e : ‘ F i r s t a c a p i t a l t e a w a s p r o v i d e d a n d t h e n a l l a s s e m b l e d i n t h e c h u r c h w h e r e , a f t e r s i n g i n g a n d p r a y e r s , m a n y f i n e a d d r e s s e s w e r e m a d e b y fellow nonconformists from near and f a r ’ T h i s o b v i o u s l y j o y f u l o c c a s i o n ended with the singing of the hymn, ‘Abide with me ’

A f t e r S l y e ’ s r e s i g n a t i o n i n 1 8 7 3 , he and his wife, daughter Eleanor and s o n T h o m a s c o n t i n u e d t o l i v e a t Po t t e r s p u r y. H e d i e d o n 4 J a n u a r y 1 8 7 6 i n h i s e i g h t y - f i r s t y e a r A monumental inscription in the chapel

records the fact that James Slye passed away in 1876 and was interred in the family vault at Seal in Kent

A f t e r Sl y e r e s i g n e d , t h e s t u d e n t s o f H a c k n e y C o l l e g e s u p p l i e d p r e a c h e r s u n t i l W i l l i a m A t t w e l l a c c e p t e d a n i n v i t a t i o n t o b e c o m e p a s t o r, c o m m e n c i n g o n S u n d a y 2 0 June 1875 He set about reorganising c h u r c h s e r v i c e s i n t h e t w o c h a p e l s ,

formed to ascer tain the best course to a d o p t a n d t o s e e t h a t t h e w o r k w a s c a r r i e d o u t A p u b l i c m e e t i n g , t o discuss various proposals made by the committee, was to be held but, before i t c o u l d b e c a l l e d , At t we l l s u b m i t t e d h i s r e s i g n a t i o n A n o t h e r p u b l i c m e e t i n g , h e l d t o d i s c u s s t h e n e w s i t u a t i o n , r e f u s e d t o a c c e p t h i s resignation. He explained that he was n o t h a p p y w i t h t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n t h e P o t t e r s p u r y a n d Y a r d l e y chapels Yet another meeting w a s c a l l e d a t w h i c h t h e p a s t o r p r o p o s e d a s e t o f 1 5 r ules for the guidance of the c h u r c h , t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n , a n d b o t h c h a p e l s , a s w e l l a s the Sunday schools. Probably t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t o f t h e s e r u l e s we re n u m b e r s o n e a n d t w o , w h i c h s t a t e d t h a t t h e chapel at Yardley be regarded s i m p l y a s a b r a n c h o f t h e P u r y c h u r c h a n d c o n g r e g a t i o n , a n d t h a t t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n s o f b o t h chapels be considered as one c o n g r e g a t i o n o n l y, a n d t h a t c o n s e q u e n t l y t h e r e b e b u t o n e c h u rc h , t o b e c a l l e d t h e P o t t e r s p u r y a n d Y a r d l e y G o b i o n C o n g r e g a t i o n a l C h u r c h . O t h e r i m p o r t a n t r u l e s w e r e i n c l u d e d f o r t h e r e g u l a t i o n o f t h e f i n a n c i a l a r r a n g e m e n t s o f t h e c h u rc h P r e s u m a b l y A t t w e l l ’ s p r o p o s i t i o n s w e r e a c c e p t e d because he did withdraw his resignation and continued as pastor

b u t i t w a s s u g g e s t e d b y s o m e members that his proposed alterations would probably lead to separation of the chapels at Potterspur y and Yardley

G o b i o n A t t w e l l r e f u s e d t o l e t t h e m a t t e r b e d e c i d e d b y a v o t e o f t h e members and agreed that the ser vices s h o u l d b e c a r r i e d o u t a s b e f o r e D i s c u s s i o n a l s o t o o k p l a c e o n t h e material condition of the Potterspur y b u i l d i n g , a n d i t w a s c o n c l u d e d t h a t e x t e n s i v e a l t e r a t i o n s a n d i m p r o v e m e n t s w e r e n e e d e d . I n t r u e B r i t i s h f a s h i o n a c o m m i t t e e w a s

T h e p u b l i c m e e t i n g t o c o n s i d e r t h e s t a t e o f t h e c h a p e l a t Po t t e r s p u r y w a s f i n a l l y h e l d o n 2 7 Ja n u a r y 1 8 7 6 w h e n t h e p l a n s m a d e b y M r I n g a l l o f B i r m i n g h a m f o r i t s r e s t o r a t i o n a n d i m p r o v e m e n t s w e r e considered and agreed By July 1876, M r P a c e y o f S t o n y S t r a t f o r d h a d c o m p l e t e d t h e w o r k a n d t h e c h a p e l w a s r e o p e n e d f o r p u b l i c w o r s h i p O n e d o o r w a y w a s c l o s e d o f f a n d replaced by a ne w window, and most of the existing windows were reglazed t o a ‘ m o r e m o d e r n d e s i g n ’ s o re p l a c i n g t h e o r i g i n a l a n t i q u e l e a d e n

Poster advertising the bicentenary celebrations in 1890 [Source: Jack Clamp]

c a s e m e n t s . Va r i o u s o t h e r i m p rove m e n t s we re m a d e , i n c l u d i n g the provision of oil-lamps to replace t h e c a n d l e s p r e v i o u s l y u s e d f o r l i g h t i n g T h e p u l p i t t h a t H a r r i s o n had brought with him and had been u s e d s i n c e t h o s e e a r l y d a y s w a s re t a i n e d a n d i n c o r p o r a t e d o n a n e w platform erected at the east end of the chapel instead of at the north side as previously. A 17th centur y oak chair with panelled back car ved in low relief a n d w i t h a r m s w i t h t u r n e d s u p p o r t s remains on the platform. Could this c h a i r p o s s i b l y b e t h e o n e i n w h i c h John Heywood sat and preached when he could no longer ascend the pulpit because of declining health and had to be carried into the church and placed in his chair in one of the aisles?

I n A u g u s t 1 8 7 6 , A t t w e l l f i n a l l y r e s i g n e d a g a i n a n d m o v e d t o T h e r f i e l d , H e r t s , i n t h e f o l l o w i n g Januar y A period of constant change followed, with a succession of pastors w h o r e m a i n e d o n l y b r i e f l y T h e church was in a ver y low state when, from Middleton in Derbyshire, along c a m e J a m e s W h i t e , w h o b r o u g h t stability to the church by remaining as i t s m i n i s t e r f o r 2 2 y e a r s . W h i t e ’ s o r d i n a t i o n a s p a s t o r , i n 1 8 9 0 , coincided with the celebrations of the bicentennial of the foundation of the I n d e p e n d e n t C h u r c h i n 1 6 9 0 . H e

revived the Sunday school, the Band o f H o p e , a n d t e m p e r a n c e w o r k . I n addition to his pastoral duties, he was a member of the Board of Guardians a n d b e c a m e a p a r i s h c o u n c i l l o r i n 1 8 9 4 A t t h e s a m e e l e c t i o n h e a l s o b e c a m e a d i s t r i c t c o u n c i l l o r a n d r e m a i n e d a v e r y a c t i v e m e m b e r o f b o t h b o d i e s f o r o v e r 1 5 y e a r s H e b e c a m e t h e p a r i s h c o u n c i l representative on the school managers g r o u p , a n d w a s a l s o o n t h e d i s t r i c t education subcommittee.

I n 1 9 1 1 , W h i t e p r e s e n t e d h i s resignation, which was accepted with deep regret but coupled with sincere t h a n k s f o r h i s l o n g a n d f a i t h f u l ser vice, loving sympathy and help to the members in their ever yday life. An a r t i c l e i n t h e No r t h a m p t o n Me r c u r y u n d e r t h e h e a d i n g ‘A L o n g V i l l a g e Pa s t o r a t e ’ s a y s , ‘ M r W h i t e , a l t h o u g h s t u r d y i n h i s N o n c o n f o r m i t y a n d p r o n o u n c e d i n h i s L i b e r a l i s m , h a d always shown a broad and charitable s p i r i t t o a l l w h o d i f f e r e d f r o m h i m , e i t h e r p o l i t i c a l l y o r e c c l e s i a s t i c a l l y, w i t h t h e r e s u l t t h a t h e h a d a l w a y s been on the most friendly terms with t h e v i c a r , t h e R e v Wa l t e r P l a n t (another ardent temperance worker), and members of the Anglican Church; all uniting for the best interests of the p a r i s h a t l a r g e ’ . He w a s a l s o s a i d t o h a v e b e e n h o n o u r e d w i t h t h e

f r i e n d s h i p o f t h e D u k e o f Gr a f t o n , ‘ w h o s e k i n d n e s s a n d s y m p a t h y h a d b e e n a s t i m u l u s t o M r W h i t e i n h i s ministr y ’ In March 1912 he, together with his family, retired to Silloth, now i n C u m b r i a , o n t h e S o l w a y F i r t h where he died in 1918

As far as it is possible to discover from the scant records, the number of m e m b e r s a d m i t t e d i n t o t h e I n d e p e n d e n t C h u r c h a t Po t t e r s p u r y from the end of the 17th centur y up t o t h e e n d o f t h e 1 9 t h c e n t u r y w a s 4 2 7 O f t h e s e , 2 9 3 w e r e f e m a l e s a s o p p o s e d t o 1 3 4 m a l e s , s o o n e c a n appreciate the large support given by t h e s e w o m e n . H o w e v e r, e x c e p t f o r o n e o r t w o r e f e r e n c e s , s u c h a s t h e large part they played in the running o f t h e S u n d a y s c h o o l , v e r y l i t t l e mention is made of their contribution to the cause or any part they took in s e r i o u s d i s c u s s i o n i n t h e e a r l y d a y s As the 19th centur y drew to a close, w o m e n h a d b e g u n t o b e m o r e s e l fassertive throughout the countr y, and t h i s m o o d i s re f l e c t e d i n t h e i r v o i c e being heard more often in the affairs of the church in Potterspur y. In 1892, on 21 September, the church minutes r e c o r d f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e t h a t t h e pastor ’ s wife, Mrs White, proposed a motion with regard to admission of a new member, which was seconded by M i s s Wo o d F r o m t h a t t i m e o n ,

The Wood Memorial Institute today [Geoff Emmins]

M i s s C a r o l i n e W o o d , a f t e r w h o m t h e W o o d M e m o r i a l I n s t i t u t e w a s n a m e d [Source: Jack Clamp]

The Primitive Methodists

T h e h i s t o r y o f w o r s h i p i n o u r v i l l a g e w o u l d n o t b e c o m p l e t e without mention of the small band o f Pr i m i t i v e Me t h o d i s t s w h o m e t re g u l a r l y i n t h e e a r l y y e a r s o f t h e 20th centur y under the leadership of Eli Tapp Little is know of them b e c a u s e n o re c o rd s h a ve s u r v i ve d T h e r e a r e b u t t w o r e m i n d e r s o f t h e i r e x i s t e n c e : t h e h o u s e i n Bl a c k w e l l E n d , s t i l l k n ow n a s t h e o l d c h a p e l , w h i c h w a s w h e re t h e y w o r s h i p p e d , a n d a p h o t o g r a p h t a k e n i n 1 9 1 1 o f t h e c o r o n a t i o n p ro c e s s i o n ( s e e C h a p t e r 8 , Vi l l a g e Events). This procession went past t h e A n c h o r I n n t o S t N i c h o l a s C h u r c h . A l l o f t h e v i l l a g e d i g n i t a r i e s w e r e t h e r e , i n c l u d i n g ‘Little Eli’ as he was affectionately k n o w n , m a r c h i n g p r o u d l y a l o n g s i d e t h e v i c a r a n d t h e N o n c o n f o r m i s t m i n i s t e r t o r e p r e s e n t h i s s m a l l a n d d e v o t e d congregation.

women members of the congregation q u i t e o f t e n p r o p o s e d a n d s e c o n d e d motions at church meetings S o m e o f t h e m o r e a f f l u e n t l a d y members sometimes left considerable s u m s o f m o n e y t o t h e c h u r c h . I n 1 8 8 6 , M r s A n n S c r i v e n e r o f De a n s h a n g e r l e f t £ 4 0 t o b e i n ve s t e d a n d t h e ye a r l y i n c o m e t o b e p a i d t o t h e m i n i s t e r M r s S a r a h I l i f f e , w h o had been an active member for many years (par ticularly concerning herself w i t h t h e y o u n g e r m e m b e r s o f t h e c h u r c h ) , b e q u e a t h e d i n h e r w i l l o f 1910 a sum of £50 to be used towards the purchase of a new organ Another s t a u n c h s u p p o r t e r o f t h e c h u r c h f o r 51 years, until her death in November 1 9 1 4 , w a s M i s s C a r o l i n e ( C a r r i e ) Mar y Wood (who became a member d u r i n g S l y e ’ s m i n i s t r y, i n 1 8 6 3 ) , a Su n d a y s c h o o l t e a c h e r a n d t re a s u re r, a n d s e c r e t a r y o f t h e l o c a l b r a n c h o f the London Missionar y Society In her will she left £300 for the conversion o f a n o l d s t o n e o u t b u i l d i n g i n t o a n institute, which the church decided to c a l l , i n h e r m e m o r y, t h e Wo o d Memorial Institute The new building was completed by Februar y 1916 and h a s re m a i n e d i n u s e s i n c e t h a t d a t e , n o t o n l y b y t h e c h u r c h b u t a l s o b y m a n y v i l l a g e s o c i e t i e s . A g a i n s t h e r name in the Register of Members, the Rev W Angel wrote, after her death, ‘ S h e r e s t s f r o m h e r l a b o u r s a n d h e r

w o r k s d o f o l l o w h e r ’ S h e a l s o l e f t £400 to the church

Our record of subsequent years of t h e N o n c o n f o r m i s t C h u r c h i n P o t t e r s p u r y i s t h a n k s t o M i c k Wo o t t o n a n d G e o f f E m m i n s , b u t there is a gap until the 1940s.

D u r i n g t h e y e a r s o f t h e S e c o n d World War and immediately after, the Rev Whitehouse was minister at the Congregational Church as it was then k n o w n . O r i g i n a l l y f r o m We s t Bromwich and a keen supporter of the Baggies ( West Bromwich Albion), he lived in the manse with his two sisters. On his retirement he returned to the We s t M i d l a n d s I n t h o s e d a y s a t t e n d a n c e m o s t Su n d a y s w a s q u i t e high at both village churches and both r a n S u n d a y s c h o o l s T h e S u n d a y school at the Potterspur y chapel was run by Bessie Meakins, who lived with h u s b a n d C h a r l i e i n o n e o f t h e redbrick cottages that are now all one d w e l l i n g a t 8 0 Hi g h St r e e t . Su n d a y a f t e r n o o n s s a w u p t o 3 0 c h i l d r e n between the ages of five and 15 attend c l a s s e s f o r b i b l e s t u d y a n d h y m n singing. The highlight of the year was the Sunday school anniversar y, which w a s a l w a y s o n W h i t S u n d a y T h e c h i l d r e n w e r e c o a c h e d f o r s e v e r a l w e e k s t o g i v e g o o d p e r f o r m a n c e s o f n e w l y l e a r n e d h y m n s , b i b l e re a d i n g , monologues and musical cameos, and the congregation invariably filled the building. Scripture exams were taken ever y year, where the entrant answered q u e s t i o n s o n s e t s u b j e c t s f r o m t h e

Rev. Whitehouse with harvest produce. [Milton Keynes Museum]

The interior of the chapel, facing east. [Geoff Emmins]

b i b l e . T h e r e s u l t s w e r e g i v e n a n d certificates presented on Good Friday at the church group rally. Good Friday was then regarded as being a holy day, e v e n m o r e s o t h a n a S u n d a y A n a n n u a l s u m m e r e v e n t w a s a d a y ’ s o u t i n g , t h e f a v o u r i t e p l a c e t o v i s i t b e i n g W i c k s t e e d Pa r k i n K e t t e r i n g Some summers, sports days were held i n t h e f i e l d a b o v e t h e c h a p e l o n Duffers Hill.

The next minister was Rev Denis H e g i n b o t h a m w h o a l s o l i v e d i n t h e m a n s e , w i t h h i s w i f e M a r g e r y a n d three young sons He was previously a c o m m i t t e d m e m b e r o f t h e Sa l v a t i o n A r m y a n d w a s a v e r y p o p u l a r a n d charismatic individual, so attendances r e m a i n e d h i g h w h i l e h e w a s i n Potterspur y. For many years he ran a y o u t h g r o u p i n t h e Wo o d Me m o r i a l H a l l e v e r y F r i d a y e v e n i n g f o r t h e youths of the village, exactly the same a s a c o n v e n t i o n a l y o u t h c l u b w i t h s n o o k e r, t a b l e t e n n i s , d a n c i n g , e t c The one proviso was that, in order to a t t e n d t h e F r i d a y m e e t i n g w h e n r e l i g i o n w a s n o t o n t h e a g e n d a , yo u n g s t e r s h a d t o a t t e n d t h e Su n d a y evening ser vice It speaks well for the m i n i s t e r a n d h i s r a p p o r t w i t h t h e youths that numbers at both meetings were high.

F o l l o w i n g R e v H e g i n b o t h a m ’ s d e p a r t u r e , R e v M a u r i c e H u s s l e b e e became minister until 1962 when he

m o v e d t o Wo l v e r h a m p t o n a n d w a s r e p l a c e d b y R e v. G e o r g e G o s s a g e i n 1 9 6 3 . Fo l l o w i n g h i s r e s i g n a t i o n i n 1 9 6 7 t h e r e w a s a l o n g i n t e r r e g n u m until Rev Michael O’Hara, who lived in Buckingham and had pastoral care o f a t o t a l o f f i v e c h u r c h e s , b e c a m e m i n i s t e r - i n - c h a r g e i n 1 9 7 4 He a n d his wife built up the church, including a t h r i v i n g Su n d a y s c h o o l , u n t i l t h e y left in 1983.

T h e r e f o l l o w e d a n o t h e r l o n g p e r i o d d u r i n g w h i c h t h e r e w a s n o m i n i s t e r a p a r t f r o m o n e y e a r w h e n R e v A s h l e y H i l l s t o o k t e m p o r a r y charge In 1991 Rev Hazel Whitehead became minister until her early death i n 1 9 9 3 , w h e n h e r h u s b a n d R e v Roger Whitehead took over as interim minister for one year. They developed t h e c h u r c h , i n c re a s e d t h e s i z e o f t h e e l d e r s h i p a n d b u i l t l i n k s w i t h t h e v i l l a g e s c h o o l a n d t h e A n g l i c a n Church in the village

R e v R i c h a r d D a v i s b e c a m e m i n i s t e r i n 1 9 9 5 a n d c a r r i e d o n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e c h u r c h a n d brought it further into the life of the v i l l a g e w i t h i n i t i a t i v e s s u c h a s t h e children’s Good News Club, the men ’ s b r e a k f a s t , A l p h a c o u r s e s a n d f u r t h e r contacts with the school, ably assisted by his wife, Trish Rev Davis left at the e n d o f 1 9 9 7 , a n d t h e m i n i s t r y w a s taken over by Rev Rosemar y Smith

Succession of Ministers

1690 Michael Harrison 1709 W Bennett 1709 Isaac Robinson 1714 William Bushnell 1735 Samuel Tailor 1739 John Heywood 1782 John Goode 1794 George Vowell 1794 Stephen Morrell 1795 William Whitefoot 1795 John Savage 1796 John May 1797 William Saunders 1798 Ebenezer White 1805 Isaac Gardner 1823 James Slye 1875 William Attwell 1877 James Ault 1879 David Griffiths 1881 Henr y Moulson 1885 Ebenezer Willie Honour 1890 James White 1912 W. Angel 1924 J D Allan 1926 J.H. Bolton 1936 W.H. Whitehouse 1951 Denis Heginbotham 1958 Maurice Husslebee 1963 George Gossage 1974 Michael O’Hara 1991 Hazel Whitehead 1993 Roger Whitehead 1995 Richard Davis 1997 Rosemar y Smith

The tercentenary celebrations of 1990 brought together former ministers and elders From left to r i g h t : G e o f f E m m i n s , J o y c e W e s l e y , R a y m o n d C l a r k , R e v G e o r g e G o s s a g e , R e v D e n i s Heginbotham, Annie Meakins, Rev. Maurice Husslebee, May Tyrrell and Rev. Michael O’Hara. [Geoff Emmins]