Great Houghton Congregational Church History

GREAT HOUGHTON:
Great Houghton Congregational Church History up to 1868.

The property at Great Houghton, in the parish of Darfield, belonged originally to the family of Rich. It afterwards descended to the family of Sir Edward Rodes. In the civil wars an attack was made upon his house (1642). He served the Parliament, and accompanied Cromwell to Scotland. In 1650 a domestic chapel was erected near the Hall. O. Heywood preached here 1673. After 1662 the persecuted Nonconformists found an asylum at Sir Edward's house, and after his death in the house of Lady Rodes. Sir Edward's daughter suffered from a singular disorder, which rendered her usually dumb. Lady H. died 1681, aet. 72, and her son mt 50, immediately after. In 1709 died Godfrey Rodes, at. 22, "heir to a great estate."-North. Reg.

Heywood mentions several visits to this mansion, which is yet standing. We take one instance when he preached (June 30, 1674), in company with Mr. Richardson. "I began concerning 'the root of the matter.' He went on from Coloss. I, 20, on fruitfulness in every good work.' God ordered our subjects as if we had purposely cast them into the same mould."

• 1689. Rev. -- WEARUM. (See p. 118.)
• Rev. Thos. JOHNSON, M.A., who had heretofore been chaplain to Sir Edward Rodes, preached here monthly at one period after his ejection. Another regular preacher was Rev. N. DENTON, ej. Bolton upon Dearn. He received regular aid from the Stretton fund, and resided at Hickleton. Milner is mentioned in the Northowram Register as the usual preacher. Ob. 1681.

R. S. Milnes, Esq., ancestor of the present Lord Houghton, married Miss Bush, a niece of S. Rich. By her the property came into the possession of the Milneses of Pontefract, and from it Monkton Milnes, Esq., derives his present title of Lord Houghton.

Great Houghton was for many years associated with the Unitarian chapel at Doncaster.

The chapel at Great Houghton is now united to the Church of England. The mansion, with all the traces of former opulence, is now a road-side inn.