EARBY FREE CHURCH HISTORY (Part 3)

[Stanley]

EARBY FREE CHURCH HISTORY (Part 3)
Mr. Wynn’s Memorable Pastorate
From the Craven Herald 13th July 1934

I have been enabled to glean a few more items of interest relating to former members of the Earby Baptist Church. Mr. William Crowther, who kept a general dealer's shop at the bottom of Stoneybank Road, was a stalwart supporter of the cause. In his advanced age he retired from business, and built a substantial residence below the old chapel yard. When he passed away he bequeathed all his possessions for the benefit of the poor, together with the conversion of the old Methodist Chapel into three dwelling houses for aged poor women, and provided an endowment fund.

Mr. Thomas Turner, who was a butcher and had a shop in Water street, which is now in the occupation of his grandson. Mr. Francis Turner, was a very fine character. He served the Church as a deacon, and was particularly helpful as a Sunday School teacher and superintendent. Many old Earby people will remember his two sisters, Agnes Turner and the late Mrs. James Brown, elect ladies indeed, and the very embodiment of the Christian virtues.

William Wilkinson, the first pastor, was the great-grandfather of the late William Wilkinson, chairman of the Urban District Council, and also of the late Mr. John. Wilkinson (through a Wilkinson marrying a Wilkinson) who was a former Mayor of Nelson, and a manufacturer at Nelson.

Rev. Walter Wynn.
Just over forty years ago, the Earby Baptist Church entered upon a new era through the advent of a new pastor, the Rev. Walter Wynn. For twelve years the pastorate had been vacant, and Mr, Wynn, who had been at Sandy Lane Church, Bradford, for a few years, received an invitation to supply the pulpit at Mount Zion for the last three months of 1892. He came; he saw; he conquered. From the beginning of his association with Earby, he seemed to cast a spell over many of the people, and the influence he exerted upon them abides to this day.

The circumstances were exceedingly favourable to a man of his romantic nature and sparkling gifts. There was a commodious chapel and a fine school, free of debt; a loyal and well-disciplined band of church members; a sturdy set of church leaders and deacons; the tide of temporal prosperity was returning to the village, and the population was increasing. Before the three months had expired Mr. Wynn received an enthusiastic request to accept the pastorate, which he eagerly accepted.

In a few weeks the chapel was filled every Sunday evening, and the morning services were largely attended. There was glorious congregational singing, and. the fervour of the services was thrilling. Mr, Wynn could not endure the narrow pulpit, and a new rostrum had to be provided for him, so that his dramatic powers could have free play. He and the crowded congregations perspired freely, so a new lighting and ventilation system was installed, and the whole premises were renovated. There was a wonderful outburst of generosity, and the delighted pastor was freely granted whatever he desired.

Coincident with this outward display, there was a real spiritual revival, and the pastor conducted an evangelistic mission in the schoolroom, which resulted in many enquirers being enrolled and prepared for membership in the church. There were people of all ages, many young people, but some too who were well advanced in life, who joined the fellowship of the church, and baptismal services were frequent. During that year the membership rose from 34 to 208.

A Church Magazine.
Shortly after the commencement of his settled pastorate, Mr. Wynn started the publication of a monthly magazine, which was distributed free to every house in the village and the venture was continued for a few years. The magazine contained sermons by the pastor and accounts of the church's activities, but also included reports of the other Free Churches in Earby, Barnoldswick, Kelbrook and Salterforth, and announcements of their services. There were also articles by eminent writers and preachers, and reports of the Craven Association of Baptist Churches.

When entering upon the second winter of his residence in Earby, Mr. Wynn initiated a series of men's meetings, which were held at 8 p.m. on Sunday evenings in the Assembly Room of the Victoria Institute. These meetings, which were held in the winter months, had a successful run for a few years, and were supported and attended by many who were not associated with the Baptist Church. The services of various people were requisitioned for addressing the meetings, and a popular visitor was the Rev. J. S. Griffiths, at that time pastor of the Belmont Baptist Church, Skipton, who later entered the ministry of the Church of England. Mr. J. R. Birkenshaw, of Bradford, was a frequent visitor, and was always gladly received.

But the mainstay of the meetings was Mr. Wynn himself, and his addresses on Carlyle's "Heroes and Hero Worship" were very fine indeed. Occasionally, there were "open" meetings for the general public, when the room was crowded. The singing of Sankey's hymns was a special feature of these gatherings.

With an infusion of new blood into the life of the church, it is not surprising that changes were made in the deaconate and the administration of the Sunday school, which were not favoured by the older section of the members.
The manner in which some of the old church leaders were treated caused much displeasure, and as many of the older members were seriously offended there were frequent abstentions from the "monthly ordinance." The climax was reached when an intimation was sent to the absentees that if they continued to absent themselves from the "ordinance" they would be regarded as having ceased to be members of the church, and this was regarded as amounting to excommunication.

Following this drastic action, about sixty members and adherents with their families withdrew from association with the Mount Zion Church, until the conditions were favourable for their return. In the meantime, they maintained a connection with each other, and remained as members of the Baptist communion, but on the Sabbath Day they worshipped at the Wesleyan Chapel. Some of the leaders assisted in the conduct of divine Worship occasionally, and worked in the Sunday school.

A School Board Education.
With the increase of the population in the early "nineties," following the erection of the Albion Shed and the re-starting of the Victoria Mill and weaving shed, further provision was necessitated for the elementary education of the children of the village. A School Board was decided upon at a ratepayers' meeting, end into this movement Mr. Wynn threw himself was characteristic abandon. He was nominated as a candidate at the first election of the Board, and was elected, being fourth on the list of the successful candidates, the others elected being the Rev. L. B. Morris, M.A. (rector of Thornton-in-Craven Parish Church), Mr. John Hartley (Kelbrook), Mr. G. P. Hartley and Dr. Hunter.

There was plenty of work to be done by the Board, two new schools being erected, one at Kelbrook and one at Earby; the staffs were to engage and a syllabus of religious instruction to be adopted. There were many verbal combats, but in spite of some differences of opinion good spirit prevailed, and it is to the lasting credit of all concerned that the religious instruction syllabus prepared by the Rector who was the chairman of the Board, was heartily and unanimously adopted.

At the second election of the Board, in 1897, the same members were re-elected, Mr. Wynn being second, with Dr. Hunter at the top of the poll. When the first meeting of the re-elected Board was held at the New Road School, in public, for the election of the chairman a long pause ensued before any member would propose a chairman. Mr. Wynn and Dr. Hunter thought the member at the head of the poll ought to be appointed chairman, but the other members did not favour a change.

The members sat and looked at each other in silence, and occasionally smiled, and at last the tension was broken by the nomination of Mr. Morris by Mr. John Hartley, seconded by Mr. G. P. Hartley, and Mr. Morris had to exercise his own vote to secure re-election.

During the discussion that took place, Mr. Wynn objected to the use of the word "spout” in reference to him by Mr. George Hartley, so the offending word was withdrawn and the word "prate" was substituted! Subsequently, Mr Wynn entertained the Board to a complimentary dinner at the Manse, and the guests were entertained during the evening by Master Lloyd Hartley, then a boy, and now organist at Leeds Town Hall.

Mr. Wynn's Politics.
In the local Parish Council and District Council elections, Mr. Wynn did not offer himself for nomination, but he had his nominees, and many interesting and exciting contests took place, and there was much correspondence in the local papers. The 1900 Parliamentary election took place while Mr. Wynn was at Earby, and he threw himself into the fray with heart and soul in support of Mr. F. Whitley Thomson. Being a Welshman, he was an ardent Radical, and he had in a marked degree the merits and the defects of that impulsive race.
While residing at Earby, Mr. Wynn published a book on "Social Inequalities," and also a book with the title, "A reply to Lord Halifax." He was the editor of the "Young Man," for a short time, after leaving Earby.

Mr. Wynn had a genius for social affability, and as he walked down the village or engaged in conversation with friends he had a cheery greeting for all. He was especially fond of a chat with Mr. James Brown, the village "grand old man," who kept a newsagent's shop in the centre of the village. He was also a popular member of the Victoria Institute, and revelled in a discussion with the members in the conversation room.

During their residence at Earby, Mr. and Mrs. Wynn suffered a grievous bereavement in the death of their son, Walter Ruskin Wynn, when he was nearly five years of age. The beautiful marble cross in Earby Cemetery is an abiding monument to Mr. Wynn's association with Earby. Mrs Wynn was shy and retiring in disposition, but a very kindly lady, who won the esteem of all who knew her. Mr. Wynn retired from the pastorate in 1904, after an eventful twelve years, and accepted a call to a church at Chesham, Bucks. After a few years a rift occurred, and Mr, Wynn, in co-operation with some of the members who supported him, formed a new church, which was styled "The United Free Church." He remained the pastor of this church until last year, when he resigned, and the church has been admitted into the recently formed United Methodist Church. Mr. Wynn now devotes his time as a preacher to weekend and special engagements.

Later Pastors.
In 1905, the church extended a welcome to the Rev. Richard Tallontire, of Manchester, and the choice was a very happy one. As a young man, Mr. Tallontire was well known in the Skipton district as an evangelist, being associated with the Primitive Methodist minister, the Rev. A. B. Carter. Within a few months, Mr. Tallontire was successful in restoring the unity of the church, and the old members were welcomed back to their old spiritual home. It is pleasing to note that the unity has been maintained in the subsequent years, and the church has had a prosperous career ever since.

The outstanding feature of Mr. Tallontire's ministry was the inauguration of the "Earby Brotherhood," which was a great power for good under his leader-ship. The membership of the church steadily increased under his vigorous and versatile ministry, and he endeared him-self to all the church.

The Rev. C. W. Townsend succeeded to the pastorate in 1910. He was a special favourite with the young people, and during his term of service the Sunday school adopted the grading system, with a beginners and primary department. A fund was also started for the provision, of a new Primary School, which came to fruition in 1921, at a cost of £2,500.
Mr. Townsend is now the minister of Cross Street Chapel, Manchester, one of the most influential places of worship in the city.

After a brief period without pastor, the Rev. W. A. Livingstone took up the charge in 1915, and during the difficult war years he rendered very effective service; and the same tribute is deservedly due to his successor, the Rev. J. W. Derwent, who was the minister from 1918 to 1920.

In the following year, the Rev. J.W. Townsend was invited to become pastor, this being his first charge. The young minister was acceptable to all, and during his Earby ministry he laid the foundation of what promises to be a distinguished career. Mr. Townsend is now the minister at Ebenezer Church, Burnley. After taking up his residence at Burnley, Mr. Townsend was married to Miss Gertrude Bailey, second daughter of the late Mr. C. W. Bailey, J.P.

In 1926, the Rev. Joseph Tinker received a call to Earby, and no minister in the history of the Church has rendered more valuable service. He is a splendid "all round" man, of sound judgment and clear vision, with true understanding of the times. Mr. Tinker is supported by a loyal band of workers and, notwithstanding serious losses by death, the church goes forward in strength and gracious influence.

Earby Cemetery.
In closing this record, mention should be made of the fact that the Earby Cemetery owes its existence to the enterprise of the Baptist Church. When it was opened in 1887, there was no burial place in the village, and the cemetery has been provided by the trustees of the church. It is a credit to the church, and a public benefaction for which Earby people are truly grateful.
J.H.

Transcribed from the Craven Herald July 13th 1934, written by J. Hartley.
From a collection of newspaper cuttings made by J. Hartley kindly loaned by Mrs. E. Wilkinson.

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