Beverley Congregational Church History

BEVERLEY:
Beverley Congregational Church History up to 1868.

The Rev. Christopher Nesse, whose name is well known in connection with Yorkshire Nonconformity, was for some time occasional minister here and kept a school. He removed hence to Cottingham, and afterwards to Leeds. In 1642, 1643, and 1644, William Wilberforce, John Johnson, and William Wade, were appointed members of the Corporation of Beverley, "being Independents," but "set aside" at the Restoration. Mr. Oxenbridge, nominated by "the Committee of Plundered Ministers," preached in St. Mary's Church, from March 20, 1648. In 1662, Rev. JOSEPH WILSON was ejected from Beverley, but continued to preach in the vicinity and at Hull.

The early formation of a Congregational Church in Beverley is noticed by Edwards in his bitter pamphlets, entitled, "Gangræna." But few particulars are known. Among the early ministers appears the name of-

• 1689. Rev. -- FOSTER.
• 1697. Rev. THOMAS BRADBURY, subsequently well known as the very public-spirited minister of New Court, Carey Street, London (see page 122). After leaving the house of Mr. Whitaker, Leeds, in which he was tutor, he preached during two years at Beverley, but, as Wilson tells us,** "not as a candidate." At the expiration of that time he removed to Newcastle, where he succeeded Timothy Manlove, who had been previously minister of Pontefract and Leeds, but who died early.
• 1701. Rev. JOHN STEERE. Independent.
• In 1704, the meeting-house (Lairgate) was erected. It was originally designed for Presbyterians. Endowed, 1711, by Robert Stephenson.*** 1743, a tenement and garden ground opposite to the meetinghouse were purchased, and ten years after, three acres of land at Bromfleet were added. As the number of Presbyterians was now small, the property was assigned to the Independents. In 1789, Mark Bell bequeathed a sum of money for the benefit of the minister.
• Mr. Steere is said in Neal's list to have had 450 hearers. He died at Beverley, June 21, I 715.
• In 1715, the chapel was blown down by a violent storm.
• 1715. Rev. JOHN GOULD. Mr. G. was succeeded by
• 1736. Rev. JOHN ACTH E R. His successor was
• 1737. Rev. JOHN HARRIS, M.A. His name appears on the Hewley list, 1774.
• 1777. Rev. JOSHUA PICKLES.
• 1780. Rev. JOSEPH POPPLEWELL. He died 1790
• 1790. Rev. PETER FIEST.
• In 1800, the chapel was rebuilt. The number of members was at that time 120.
• 1807. Rev. JOHN MATHER (Cheshunt Coll.).
• 1843. Rev. JOHN CROMBIE BROWN. Mr. B. removed in 1844 to Capetown, in connection with the London Missionary Society.
• 1844. Rev. WILLIAM YOUNG, B.A. (Lond. U. and Cheshunt Coll.).
• 1856. Rev. GEORGE FREDERIC RYAN, D.D. (Rotherham Coll.). After six years' ministry, he removed to Bridlington.
• 1862. Rev. GEORGE RICHARDS (Airedale Coll., from Howden). He is the present minister (in 1868).

A prolonged litigation has taken place relative to the chapel property. It is now happily terminated.

NOTES:-
* Aided by communication from Mr. J. Hind.
** Dissenting Churches, III.
*** This endowment is now worth upwards of £500 per annum.