EARBY FREE CHURCH HISTORY (Part 2)

[Stanley]

EARBY FREE CHURCH HISTORY (Part 2)

The Baptist Denomination
The new chapel was opened for public worship on Good Friday, March 20th, 1861, amid much rejoicing, which was shared by all the villagers. The preacher was the Rev, Mr. Pottinger, Rawdon College, and the collections at the opening services amounted to £145. Self-sacrificing efforts were made to wipe out the debt remaining, and this was accomplished within ten years, and it is especially note-worthy that the final gift for this estimable object was from a lady belonging to the Church of England. A paragraph in the Manchester Examiner, of August 31st, 1869, was in the following terms :—
“Mrs. Clementson, of Coventry, on the 26th instant, gave £160 to the treasurer of the Baptist Church, Earby-in-Craven, Yorkshire towards liquidating the debt on the building. The donor is the widow of a clergyman of the Established Church."

THE PASTORATE.
Two years after the erection of the new chapel, the Rev. W. Osborne succeeded the Rev. J. M. Rylands as pastor, but his period of service only lasted two and a half years, and was rather uneventful. During the next four years, from 1805 to 1869, the church was without a settled pastor, and then an invitation was accorded to the Rev. Edward Morgan, which was accepted, and he was exceedingly popular in the earlier part of his ministry in Earby. He was a kind and gracious personality, and many of the older members of the church have an affectionate remembrance of him to this day.

He was on very good terms with the adherents of other churches, and often took part in public gatherings in association with the rector of the parish (the Rev. Canon Morris, M.A.). the vicar of Kelbrook (the Rev. Owen Owen) and the neighbouring Wesleyan ministers. During Mr. Morgan's ministry, the congregations were well maintained, and many members were added to the church. In 1879, there were 300 scholars enrolled in the Sunday school, with 40 teachers.

THE NEW SCHOOL.
Soon after the removal of the chapel debt, the erection of the new school was resolved upon, and a site behind the chapel was secured. The old meeting house was sold for £300, and this provided a substantial part of the cost, and the remainder was obtained by subscriptions, opening services and a bazaar which was held in 1884 to wipe out the remaining debt.

The outstanding attraction of the bazaar was a concert by distinguished artistes, supplemented by nearly all the instrumental musical talent, which the village could produce. The 'star' artistes were Miss E. A. Blackburn (soprano), of Bradford; Mr. J. Home (tenor), Barrowford; and Mr. J. Beaumont (bass), of Burnley; and the Orpheus Glee Party Nelson. The Earby String Band gave several selections of music, with Mr. William Nutter as solo violinist, Mr Squire Firth (solo cornet) and Mr Fred Wright (solo euphonium) represented the Earby Brass Band. Mr. William Hartley, the chapel organist, was the organiser and accompanist, and the concert was acknowledged to be the most successful ever held in the village.

DEVOTED LAYMEN
From 1881 to 1893 the church was without a settled pastor the pulpit being supplied by visiting minister and Laymen connected with the local church and the Yorkshire Association. During this period the village passed through a serious crisis, the Victoria Mill being burnt down in 1884 and a few years later the principal places of employment were all closed down.

The church continued in a healthy condition and it is impossible to estimate the valued services rendered by those sterling worthies. There were six lay preachers— Harrison Bailey, Thomas Bailey, Hartley Windle, Joseph Windle, James Bailey and Elisha Harrison. Other church leaders included John Dale Green and his sons Jas. Wilson Green and John Wm Green who regularly attended the school and chapel service from Elslack Moorside, Dan Windle, Thomas Windle, W. N Berry, Chas. W Bailey and Percy Windle.

In the musical department of the church, which has always been a prominent feature, pride of place should be given to William Hartley (senior) who, for many years lived in the house in Water Street adjoining the chapel. He was a skilful and enthusiastic 'cello player before the days of organs, and he was in demand for every 'charity sermon' in all the countryside. To the end of his life he was a noted figure at Black Lane Ends sermons. He and his wife were a delightful couple and the visiting preachers were usually entertained at their house.
William Hartley (junior), who lived at ‘the top or the town,' who is the father of Lloyd Hartley, now Leeds City organist, was a unique character but he was wholehearted in his service to the Baptist Chapel, whether as choirmaster or organist.
To Mr. Joseph Foulds, who later became choirmaster, similar tribute should be paid. He was a great soul, and whether as singer, choirmaster, or training children, he did it with all his strength.

DEVOTED MEMBERS
Reverting to the earlier part of the church's history, there are a few names of saintly and devoted members which should be remembered. Nathan Watson was one of the stalwart members of the communion, and a genuinely good man. He was intensely loyal to the cause in all weathers, and no name is held in higher regard by those who remember the former days. The family connection has been well maintained by his sons, the late James Smith Watson; Charles Watson, who is one of the "pillars" of the church at the present time; Nathan Watson, and his daughter, the late Mrs. Thomas Bailey, who was a very gracious lady. Peggy Whittaker, who in her later days lived in one of the Alms Houses at Thornton, was a unique character. Attired in a bonnet and dress which were very old-fashioned, she regularly attended the services as long as she was able to undertake the journey, although it meant a trudge over difficult roads, and a distance of one and a half miles each way. But what a pattern of devotion she was! Her Bible was not only her constant companion, but she committed to memory, her favourite portions, and could recite Paul's "Epistle to the Ephesians" without a break. Hartley Wilkinson, of Mill Brow, and his son William Wilkinson, were fine supporters of the cause, and it may be noted that the latter gentleman was the first Earby man to be appointed chairman of the Urban District Council.

Mrs. Charles Greenwood, or Betty Green, as she was generally known, was a really enthusiastic Baptist. The singing pew was her special domain, and until she was over seventy years of age she retained her place as the leading contralto singer, especially on days of high musical festival. Wherever there was a performance of "The Messiah" anywhere near, 'Betty" was sure to be there, and her confident demeanour was an inspiration to all who were singing with her. Never was there a more cheerful soul. Her face beamed with delight, either in song or conversation, and she was more than a match for anyone who sought to take advantage of her by chaff and banter. Another good old soul was Mrs. Henry Bailey, who would make any sacrifice for the place of worship, which was so dear to her, and her spirit was communicated to her daughters, Mrs. Isaac Pawson and Mrs. J. W. Harrison.

There are two gentlemen living in retirement at Morecambe whom it is desirable to mention, Caleb Lee and John Brown who forty years ago were prominently connected with the Earby Baptist Church, and they are representatives of families who had a sincere and abiding affection for Mount Zion."
J.H.
(TO BE CONTINUED)


Transcribed from the Craven Herald October 13th 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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