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Beverley Baptist Church History up to 1912

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BEVERLEY:
Beverley Baptist Church History up to 1912.

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BEVERLEY BAPTIST CHURCH

The Beverley Church came into being on October 15th, 1833, and consisted of some thirty members who had been accustomed to assemble in a room in Toll Gavel. They elected Robt. Johnson, of Greenock, as pastor, and, with commendable zeal, opened the Well Lane chapel during the next year. Dr. Thomas Sandwith, an Episcopalian, gave the site. Mr. Johnson continued a fruitful ministry until 1851, over 300 members having been received into the Church. His successor, Rev. G. Gregson, after two years of service proceeded to the Indian Mission field. He was succeeded by Rev. Carey Upton, whose pastorate of thirty-four years has left memories still ardently cherished. He guided the Church into many open doors of service, establishing preaching stations at several of the neighbouring villages. He was a devoted supporter of the County Association, serving as one of its Secretaries for seven years, and being elected to its Presidency in 1872.

During his ministry at Beverley, John Hulme was commended to Rawdon College for the work of the ministry, and since then has maintained a ministry at Stratford Road, Birmingham, for more than thirty years. Rev. C. B. Williams-a son of Rev. Charles Williams, of Accrington-filled the place left vacant by Mr. Upton's death, and during his period of office the Temperance Hall was purchased for Sunday School purposes. Mr. Williams, having resigned in 1895, was followed by Revs. Thos. Gardiner (1896-1900) and A. Woodward (1901-4). The town authorities, desiring to purchase the chapel property for street improvement purposes, entered into negotiations which resulted in the payment of £1000, and the provision of a site for a new chapel and schools. The buildings were opened on July 7th, 1910, and on the following Sunday, the Mayor and Corporation attended the service in state.

The cost of the chapel and the "Upton Memorial Schools" was £4150, of which only £600 remains to be defrayed. Beverley has been greatly blessed in its membership. Alderman Thomas Sample sustained many of its offices and received many honours in the county, passing away, in 1904, after fifty years fellowship with the Church. His sister, who survived him four years, left the Church a legacy of £1000. Mr. Wm. Arnott, who died in 1910, had long served the Church with great devotion, and in the same year died Mr. W. H. Elwell, Mayor, and the only Baptist who has been elected to the chief magistracy of the ancient borough. The present pastor, Rev. W. H. Davies, is in his eighth year of ministry at Beverley.


Transcribed by Colin Hinson © 2014
from the "Present Churches" section of
The Baptists of Yorkshire
by Rev. J. Brown Morgan
and Rev. C.E. Shipley