EARBY FREE CHURCH HISTORY (Part 1)

[Stanley]

EARBY FREE CHURCH HISTORY (Part 1)

There are probably very few places of its size in England, which have had such a remarkable experience as Earby in the matter of religious ministrations. From time immemorial the village community had been under the pastoral care of the Rector of Thornton, but the Parish Church was at least one and half miles distant, and no attempt appears to have been made to provide for church services until near the end of the Nineteenth Century. This lack of facilities for public worship and religious fellowship provided a suitable opportunity for other denominations to enter the field.

In the history of the Dales Congregational Churches, in the section dealing with Horton-in-Craven, it is recorded that in 1698 two houses in Earby, occupied by Sarah Coates and Daniel Parker, were registered for public worship, or meeting places, under the Act of Toleration, 1689. It is clear that there were some devout, souls of that period in Earby who were associated with the group of infant churches which embraced Horton, Pasture House Farm, and Marton Scar. The Rector of Thornton at that time (Edmund Hough, D.D., Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge) was very friendly to the "Dissenters,” as they were then styled.

About the beginning of the Nineteenth Century, a good number of men and women had identified themselves with the Baptists, the majority of them walking over the hills to Barnoldswick for worship and a few to Cowling Hill. The time arrived when this small band considered themselves strong enough to form a separate church, and they accordingly made their views known to their fellow worshippers. The Barnoldswick Church strongly contested the claim of the Earby members, and gave their reluctant consent only when their opposition proved unavailing.

THE DISMISSAL.
The resolution of dismissal, as recorded in the Bethesda Church minute book, is in the following terms: -
"It give us great pain to say that in opposition to all our advice, and in plain violation of our solemn church covenant, you have forcibly left us as a church, with which we are very much dissatisfied. Yet we exercise forbearance, and give up your names, and leave you to the disposal of Him who doeth all things well. Signed by us for the rest,
N. Smith; Henry Bracewell; Wm. Starkie; John Dean; James Starkie; James Whitaker. "Liberty with disapprobation !" .

The names of those "dismissed" included John Windle, William Wilkinson (senior), William Wilkinson (junior), Thomas Riddihough, Caleb Wilkinson, Nancy Turner, Joseph Holdsworth, Isabel Turner, Margaret Whitaker, Hartley Windle, Betty Windle and Phyllis Wilkinson. The first communion of the newly-formed Baptist Church was held on Good Friday, 1819, in a cottage, 25 persons being present (13 females and 12 males). The first pastor to the oversight of the church was William Wilkinson, and for 30 years he exercised a very gracious influence in the village, not only upon the members of his own flock, but upon all the community. He was the best educated man in the neighbourhood, and his concern for the welfare of the young people of the village led him to start a Day School and also night classes, which were held in an attic belonging to his house. His allowance was only £10 at first, and he supplemented his stipend by hand-loom weaving.

In two "years' time, the church prospered to such an extent that a chapel was built in Gravel Pit Road (Grelpit), which is now designated Red Lion Street. To obtain funds for the chapel Mr. Wilkinson walked to London and back, preaching at Baptist chapels on the way. The opening services took place on Good Friday, 1821. The interior of the building was not completed at the opening, and many of the people were seated on logs of wood and bags of sawdust and shavings, but any inconvenience was discounted by the enthusiasm displayed by the crowded congregations.

A VENERABLE FIGURE.
The special preachers for the event were the Rev. Nathaniel Walton, of Cowling Hill, and the Rev. Nathan Smith, of Barnoldswick, the latter being an object of distinction and veneration with his long silvery hair, swallow tail coat, knee breeches and buckled shoes. A few years later, a house for the minister was built adjoining the chapel, at the entrance to the chapel yard.
The first pastor of the Earby Baptist Church was a faithful and conscientious shepherd of the flock, and the entries he made in the minute book of the church furnish ample evidence of his solicitude. Here are a few examples: —
Oct. 2nd, 1819.—Celebrated Lord's Supper: all present.
April 2nd, 1820.—ditto, Phyllis Wilkinson absent through sickness.
Oct. 7th, 1821.—"We had communion with the Lord and one another.”
"Had comfortable communion on Dec. 2nd, 1821. We went out into the Mount."
Other entries have an element of humour about them: —
"Jane Riddihough absent in consequence of not being at home. John Watson absent through distance. Harriet Edmondson absent through the wetness of the day. George Smith absent through mistake."
April 10th, 1831:—"E.S. absent mostly for causes unknown, and it is to be feared unjustifiable."
Dec. 3rd, 1837:—"M.H. absent because she had quarrelled with her husband."
Feb. 11th, 1838: — "J.W. and his wife absent because they had flit."
In the record of the church for twenty years, the life of the church seems to have centred in the communion services and preaching. For fully thirty years, until 1849, Mr. Wilkinson held the pastorate, and through very difficult times and amid extreme poverty, he kept the church together and was rewarded by its steady growth and beneficial influence. His name is still "as ointment poured forth," and in the early annals of our village, for his sterling character and unselfish service, he occupies the supreme place of honour.

The Rev. Richard Heaton succeeded to the pastorate, which he held for a term of four years down to 1853, and his ministry was effective in securing the further prosperity of the church. He was much beloved by his people, but his life was cut short in the midst of his labours.

With the advent of the Rev. J. M. Ryland, in 1854, the church was stimulated to fresh endeavours, which culminated in the erection of the new chapel in 1861. Mr. Ryland was the first minister who had received a collegiate training. He was a Christian gentleman with high ideals, and devoted to the service of the church.

A NEW CHAPEL.
The crowded congregations necessitated a new venture, and with splendid courage and self-sacrificing devotion, the people undertook the erection of the imposing and commodious chapel in the centre of the village, which was at that time one of the finest village chapels in Craven.

The purchase of the site was fraught with much anxiety for the leaders of the church, but their fears vanished like mist before the morning sun when they went to inter-view the owner, Mr. Thomas Riley. The deputation was courteously received by Mr. Riley, and after they had made their request and asked for his terms he replied, rather abruptly, "Oh, I shan't hurt you." But as they had to report on their return home, the request was made for a definite price to be named. "Well, will 10s. hurt you ?" Mr. Riley rejoined. The visitors were staggered by the landowner's generosity. When the formal transfer of the land took place Mr. Riley refused to accept the half-sovereign, saying, "That is my contribution to the building fund."

Having received such heartening support, the congregation made strenuous efforts to carry the scheme forward to a gloriously successful result. The ground was rough and uneven and in one part there was a small quarry, and hundreds of loads of material had to be removed, and this was done by voluntary labour.

J. H.
[TO BE CONTINUED.]
Transcribed from the Craven Herald July 28th 1933, written by J. Hartley.
From a collection of newspaper cuttings made by J. Hartley kindly loaned by Mrs. E. Wilkinson.

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