Interior of St. John's Congregational Church in 'A History of St. John's Congregational Church Buckley 1792 to 1947' by Rev. Robert Shepherd, M.A. (Cantab)"

Saint John's United Reformed Church, Buckley

1947

In A History of St. John's Congregational Church Buckley 1792 to 1947' by Rev. Robert Shepherd, M.A. (Cantab) - see 28.363 for main entry and below for Chapters XI - XIV.

To see all seven entries for this booklet, enter "Shepherd, Robert Rev, M.A. (Cantab)" in the author field of the Reminiscence search page.

CAPTION

Interior of St. John's Congregational Church

Showing Memorial Communion Table,

Pulpit with War Memorial Panels, and Organ

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CHAPTER Xl.

A MINISTRY OF CONSOLIDATION.

The Rev. Thomas Mardy Rees (1899-1906).

The Rev. T. Mardy Rees preached soon after Mr. Jonathan Evans had left and made a very deep impression on the congregation by his sermons. When the vote of the Church was taken to decide if he should be "called," it was unanimous in his favour. He accepted the invitation to the Pastorate and commenced his ministry in an atmosphere of hope and expectancy. There was no Manse, the old Manse having been pulled down many years previously, and Mr. and Mrs. Rees lived for a time in a house in the Lane End. But on October 25th, 1900, the Church bought for £450, from the Taylor's family, the present Manse and Mr. Rees moved into it. Mr. Rees was a student of history and alive to developments in the world of theological thought and scholarship. Of a poetic temperament, and a quiet, gentle disposition, he appealed to the hearts of the people and quickly found a safe place in their esteem and affection. Mrs. Rees was no less loved and she gave invaluable aid to the work of the Church.

The pulpit standard was worthily maintained. Mr. Rees' sermons were thoughtful and suggestive in character. His ministry was one of consolidation and of a high spiritual tone and nature. He came at a time when new organisations were in their infancy and he fostered them and encouraged their members in the work. During the interregnum the C.E. Society had been under the watchful care of Mr. Joel Williamson, who became its President and served it with the greatest devotion and fidelity. Mr. Rees saw the possibilities of this movement and identified himself closely with it. He not only attended the meetings regularly but accompanied the young people to the C.E. Conventions held at different centres in the County. One of its members, Mr. Joseph Shepherd, went to Cheshunt College, Cambridge, to be trained for the ministry. The keynote of this ministry was struck in a letter that Mr. Rees wrote at the beginning of his ministry. "The Church of Christ," he wrote, "exists solely for the object of building up holy characters." That was the chief end and aim he always kept in view, and anything contributing to this end was sure of his support and co-operation. During the first year of his ministry, twenty-five new members were added to the Church roll. The Sunday School was still held in the morning, and its classes, from the famous " Doctors' class" where men up to 70 years of age, under the leadership of Mr. Robert Price, discussed the great Christian doctrines, ranged to the infant class, with classes for every age group between these extremes. A noticeable feature of the School was the number of deacons who taught in it. The classes of Mr. Joseph Griffiths, the senior deacon, and Mr. Joseph Taylor, deacon and Church Treasurer for a great many years, enjoyed an almost hoary antiquity. But other deacons joined their ranks. Mr. Robert Davies had a class for young men beneath the present Sunday School clock, which was given by his daughter, Miss Davies, to commemorate his association with the School. Mr. John Taylor and Mr. James Reney also taught, and of course there were many other teachers giving very faithful service. Mr. Rees regularly attended Sunday School, and during his ministry scholars took the Congregational Union Examination for the first time. The Monday and Saturday evening Prayer Meetings still flourished and the spiritual life of the Church was carefully nurtured and strengthened.

But the other aspects of Church life were equally fostered. There were probably more social activities of one kind or another than ever before, and there was a Literary Society and debates were held. There was also the Good Friday tea followed by a Service which became such a well known feature of the Church's life later.

The Church greatly increased its financial responsibilities by the purchase of another organ and alterations to the buildings during this ministry. This partly explains the increase in the Church's social activities.

In 1902 Mr. J. R. Griffith₅, Mus. Bac., then organist of Christ Church, Westminster Bridge Road, London, learned that the Church at Grafton Square, Clapham, London, (Dr. Guinness Rogers), were intending to dispose of their organ. He saw this organ and advised the Church to purchase it. The Church, writing to the Grafton Square Church officials, accepted their offer to sell the organ for £240. It cost another £85 for removing, repairing and re-erecting it. Then there were other expenses for cleaning and polishing it when erected. It was opened on Sept. 8th, 1902, by Mr. J. R. Griffiths, Mus. Bac., after being unlocked by Mr. H. D. McLaren.

And as this organ, still of course in use, was a much larger one than the old organ which was now erected in the School, it seemed advisable to the Church to make repairs and alterations to the side galleries and the organ gallery so that a choir could be accommodated there. This work was also undertaken. The organ gallery, after the pulpit had been moved forward a little in the Church, was extended, and the side galleries which had previously extended to the walls were curved round so as to give access to the organ gallery. Mr. William Hopwood provided the frontage for the organ gallery. Work of this kind could not be undertaken without in some way the interior of the Church being affected, and accordingly it was decided to clean and beautify the Church. All this involved the Church in a greatly increased expenditure, and ways and means had to be provided to meet this extra financial responsibility. Mrs. Rees and the ladies began a sewing class to prepare for a Sale of Work, which in due course was held. Mr. John Taylor had recently been on a visit to the Holy Land and he gave a lecture on the Holy Land. Mr. Rees also lectured. The harmonium was sold, as well as the old gates. An organ recital was given. By such means the Church sought to raise the money. The Church now suffered a grievous loss in the death of Mr. William Catherall (Pren Brigog) who had served the Church and School as deacon and superintendent for many years, and was a liberal and generous supporter financially. A tablet in the Church records, "In loving memory of W. Catherall, Esq., J.P., of Buckley, Flintshire. Died July 25th, 1902, aged 74 years. Also Mary, his wife, died April 13th, 1894, aged 64 years. This tablet is erected by their affectionate children."

Mr. Rees maintained the spiritual life of the Church at a high level, and in 1904 was able to write, "The various Societies connected with the Church are exceedingly flourishing, especially the Sunday School." In spite of the increased emphasis on income Mr. Rees kept first things first, as his words clearly show at this time, "The noble, zealous and intelligent band of young people which we have associated with our Church is of more value to the Kingdom than millions of silver and gold."

As long as such a leader was in the Church's ministry there could be no question about the right functioning of the Church nor its character as a spiritual home for the children of God.

The Rev. T. Mardy Rees served this Church well and main-tamed its high reputation for preaching. By becoming a County Councillor he increased the scope of its influence. His kindly disposition and sympathetic nature won him many friends. The Church "atmosphere" was happy and free from strain and the Minister was in the most friendly relationship possible with his Church and diaconate when his "call " came to London, a greater and more important sphere of service. Before leaving he presented to his friends of the Church and congregation his book of poems entitled "Breezes from the Welsh Hills." (see 3.133 for one of the poems, "On Opening of Free Library, Buckley")

In accepting this wider sphere of influence he was faithful to Him who had called him to the Christian ministry, but his departure was a source of sorrow to his people.

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CHAPTER XlI.

A PREACHING MINISTRY.

The Rev. D. Emrys James (1908-1911).

The Rev. D. Emrys James came to us as a young man and married soon after his arrival here. The Church soon realised that it had secured a preacher of outstanding ability, and his preaching took a firm grip upon the minds and hearts of the people. He drew large congregations by the sheer force of his pulpit oratory and he never lost his popularity. In fact, his preaching was the outstanding feature of his ministry. He had a wonderful command of language and his illustrations were vivid and unforgettable. At the commencement of his ministry he showed quite clearly that he intended the pulpit to be his chief source of influence and power for good. Before his time the Ministers had combined preaching with pastoral work. He was of a very friendly disposition and kind by nature, and his visits to the sick and sorrowing were greatly appreciated and comforting. Occasionally he called at a house for a friendly chat and he was always a welcome visitor and a good companion. He was happy in the fellowship of the Church and was always ready to lend a helping hand to those needing his assistance. His gifts as a poet are well known.

Before his time the business side of the Church had been very unsatisfactory. Church meetings had been very irregular and erratic, and no minute book recorded the business done. But a month or two before Mr. James commenced his ministry the business of the Church Meetings began to be recorded. But very often there were four or five months between the Meetings. The Church however now decided to hold Church Meetings on alternate months. The usual meetings during the week were continued and well attended, and Mr. James formed a Bible Class for the young people, which he conducted weekly.

Two of the young men entered College for the ministry during this ministry. Mr. Robert Shepherd went to Cheshunt College, Cambridge, and his brother, Mr. William Shepherd, went to Mansfield College, Oxford. Steps were taken by the Church to improve conditions for worship. Up to this time the oil lamps in the Church were still in use, but in the first year of Mr. James' ministry a decision was taken to light the Church by gas. It was characteristic of the Church that at the same meeting this decision was made, the means for raising the necessary funds should be discussed and a subscription list opened for the purpose. The gas was a great improvement on the oil lamps. It was installed at a cost of £63.

A change was made, too, in the Communion Service. The wine in these Services was served in two large silver cups which were passed from person to person for each one to partake of the wine. But this mode of serving the wine was now abolished and the individual Communion cups were introduced. In 1910 a resolution was passed to place an inscription plate on the coloured glass window at the front of the Chapel, which had been presented to the Church by Mr. Robert Griffith and Mr. J.P. Griffith, in memory of the Rev. John Griffith.

A change was also made in the time of the Church Services. From the foundation of the Church and Sunday School, the School Services had been held on the Sunday morning, and the Services in the Church on the Sunday afternoon and evening. It was now determined to hold the Church Services in the morning and evening, and bring the School together on the Sunday afternoon.

The Rev. D. Emrys James did not long remain with us and just before he left the Church he wrote a letter expressing his thanks for the kindness bestowed on him during his ministry. "Let me say," he wrote, "that I am hopelessly indebted to your sympathy and magnanimity during the last three years. Your prayers have enriched my mind and inspired my efforts." South Wales Churches were anxious to secure his services and after three years at Buckley he left for Pontypridd.

CHAPTER XIII

SUCCESS UNDER ABNORMAL CONDITIONS.

Rev. David Evans (1912-1923).

The Rev. David Evans who succeeded the Rev. D. Emrys James came with a great reputation both as a preacher and organiser. His ministry proved to be the longest apart from the Rev. John Griffith's ministry in the history of the Church. He had had a very successful ministerial career before accepting the pastorate here, and had been instrumental in the erection of a Church at Blackburn in Lancashire. His experience in Church life and activity proved a great asset in his Buckley ministry. He had a very happy disposition and was most companionable. He had realised that the strength of a Church lay in the spiritual excellence of its Christian fellowship, and he repeatedly urged the claims of the spiritual side of Church life, especially the Prayer Meeting and the Christian Endeavour. He was a great admirer of the C.E. Movement and formed a Junior C.E. Society, which became a flourishing organisation.

Mrs. Evans took an active part in the Church work, and her assistance proved very helpful.

When Mr. Evans came there was a debt of £170 on the Church buildings. He determined to liquidate this debt and raised by subscriptions £ 124 for this purpose, and within a few months the Church buildings had been freed from debt. The old organ which had been taken from the Chapel and erected in the Sunday School was now sold for £50.

His ministry was highly successful and the Church very prosperous when war broke out, and conditions in the country began to deteriorate. The young men began leaving the Church for war service and over 60 of them were at one time serving in the forces. This of course resulted in a great loss in workers within the Church and School, and the anxiety and worry in the homes of the people tended to turn attention away from the working of the Church. A Comforts Fund was opened and a working party of over 70 sent out parcels to the men in the Forces. The Church granted facilities for War Savings and over £1,056 was raised by members of the Church and School in the purchase of War Savings Certificates.

At the close of the War, the Church decided to erect a War Memorial to those who had made the Supreme Sacrifice, and three exceedingly beautiful panels were placed in the pulpit with the inscription, "To the memory of the men of this Church who fell during the Great War, 1914-1919." These were Thomas Antrobus, Cecil Catherall, John Ellis, Samuel Ellis, Harry Fox, Edward John Griffiths, Ephraim Jackson, Andrew Lewis. G. H. Lewis, Stephen Price, William Roberts, Olive Rowlands, John Wilcock, Wilfred Wilcock, Harry Williamson. The cost of the Memorial, which was £135, was covered by subscriptions.

The Church's life and activities had naturally been affected adversely by the war conditions, whose reactions had a crippling effect. Steps were taken to make conditions of worship more acceptable to the people.

The Sunday School had been greatly handicapped by unsatisfactory heating, and a new heating apparatus was introduced. For many years the Church had been using the old Barratt's Congregational Hymn Book, but the Congregational Union had produced a Hymn Book with a much better selection of hymns, and the Church in 1921 dispensed with the old Hymn Book and adopted the new Congregational Hymnary.

In the same year Mr. Richard Bellis, who had served the Church very faithfully for many years as Caretaker and had won the respect of members of the Church and congregation alike, resigned from the position. The Church signalised its appreciation of the services rendered by Mr. and Mrs. Bellis by a Testimonial presented to them.

In 1922 the Church celebrated the Jubilee of the New Church Buildings. On Sept. 2nd, the Rev. Robert Shepherd, M.A., preached at the morning and evening Services, and a Musical Service was held in the afternoon presided over by Mr. Thomas Waterhouse, J.P., C.C., of Holywell. On the Monday evening following, the celebrations were continued, when the Rev. Pendre Evans, of Liverpool, conducted a

Service.

A new move that emphasised the Congregational principles of Church polity came a little later. The Church had never taken kindly to the Congregational principle that the Minister enjoyed no functional privilege that may not be shared by the ordinary members. A Minister had always been required for a Communion Service. But in January 1923 the Church passed a resolution, that in the absence of the Minister the Communion Service should be conducted by the Senior Deacon. This was certainly a step forward and a fuller recognition of the Congregational standpoint. Mr. Evans' long ministry was by this time drawing to a close and he resigned from the Pastorate on January 5th, 1923. He had been called upon to minister to this Church under very difficult conditions. There had been not only the war conditions with which to contend but the slump in the industrial world with its great numbers of unemployed which followed the war. But Mr. Evans maintained his course bravely to the end. Although he resigned on January 5th, 1923, he retained a connection with the Church until March 25th of the same year, when he went into retirement. He remained in Buckley until his death, and his body lies at rest in the Chapel burial ground.

The Interregnum.

During the period between the resignation of the Rev. David Evans and the commencement of the next ministry, the Church was renovated, the interior being painted and decorated. This involved the Church in a considerable financial liability. But a subscription list was opened to meet the expenditure, and this together with the collections taken at the two Re-opening Services, covered the entire cost. In January 1924 a most important step was taken with a view to enlarging the burial ground when that should become necessary. Mr. John Taylor, the senior deacon, acting on behalf of the Taylor's family, offered to the Church the meadow adjoining the Church and Manse for £150, with certain reservations. Part of this meadow was to be used as a burial ground. The offer was gratefully accepted by the Church. But the necessity of appealing once again for subscriptions to defray the cost of the meadow was avoided through the generosity of Mr. John Taylor and Mr. Jonathan Catherall. Mr. John Taylor contributed £50 towards the cost, and Mr. Jonathan Catherall offered the remaining £100 in memory of his family, on certain conditions. He made this offer an opportunity for establishing a fund for the upkeep of the building fabric. The hundred pounds were given in the form of a Trust Fund, and an estimated income from this of £5, to be called the "Catherall Trust," was to be paid yearly to an account devoted to the upkeep of the building fabric. The Church gladly agreed to this offer and the Conveyance was completed on December 29th, 1924.

All benefits and any income from this meadow are made over to the Building Fund.

The Church by resolution expressed its warmest thanks to the two donors, Mr. John Taylor and Mr. Jonathan Catherall.

During this interregnum the Sunday School apparatus was reconstructed at a cost of £55.

CHAPTER XIV.

A UNIFYING MINISTRY.

The Rev. W. Meurig Thomas (1924-1931).

The Rev. W. Meurig Thomas, who is so well known to so many of us, received a unanimous vote at the Church Meeting which "called" him, and accepting the invitation to the Pastorate, commenced his ministry in 1924.

He was not married when he came but married a little later and received a handsome wedding present from the people of the Church and congregation, who were already beginning to know him intimately.

He had served in the Great War, and his experiences in the Forces had given him an insight into human nature and the human heart. In disposition he was kind and sympathetic and he had a spirit of generosity that resulted in great liberality to those in need. He had a great capacity for friendship and was very approachable. He never ascended a pedestal from which to look down upon his people. The young people found in him a companion as well as a friend and he entered into all their games interesting himself in all their activities. He was fortunate in possessing an optimistic outlook upon life and his ministry was animated by a confidence in the future that went far to ensure success. In his first letter to his Church, knowing the challenge of the past and the difficult post-war conditions, he quoted Browning's "The best is yet to be." He believed this. It was his faith. No difficulty daunted him and no challenge made him afraid. It was obvious from the outset of his ministry that he hoped to exercise a ministry wider in scope than his own Church interests. He had been here but a short time when he endeavored to revive the Free Church Council with a view to fighting unitedly as Churches evils like drink.

The Church, the year following his settlement, enabled him to give expression more fully to his generous spirit by separating the Communion collection from the ordinary Church collections and establishing a Fellowship Fund, which was placed at the disposal of the Minister to be used for charitable purposes at his own discretion. The Church was happy in its Fellowship. The old Communion Cup, which had been the gift of the Founder of the Church and was no longer in use, was presented to Mr. Jonathan Catherall, thus enabling him to preserve as a family heirloom this historic cup.

This spirit of goodwill pervaded the Church and gifts were made revealing the deep love the members had for the "old place."

Mrs. Joseph Taylor and her family presented the Church with a Baptismal Font.

Mr. Vaughan gave a table for the Minister's Vestry. Mr. and Mrs. Baldshaw, who had suffered the sad loss of their daughter Evelyne, presented £5 to the Church in memory of her. Mrs. Joseph Davies presented a flower vase for the Communion Table.

These gifts were accepted by the Church with gratitude to the donors.

It was during this ministry that the step was taken to abolish pew rents and make all seats free.

This was a deed requiring faith in the people's readiness to supply by free-will offerings all the money needed for the working of the Church. The pew rents had been a source of considerable income. There were very old family pews with a good deal of sentiment attached to them. But the Church did not hesitate to take the step and make all seats free. It is gratifying to find Mr. Thomas later referring to the financially sound position of the Church, and pointing out that this had resulted from the free-will offerings of the people alone.

A Finance Committee was now functioning to give guidance to the Church in all financial matters. Mr. Thomas was never over-anxious about the financial side of Church life, nor did he emphasise it at all. He kept his fingers on the spiritual pulse of the Church's life and made every effort to heighten and strengthen its spiritual activities. He gave every assistance to the Christian Endeavour Societies, senior and junior, and he speaks of them as in a very flourishing condition.

The Church was not slow to show its appreciation of those who had been faithful in its service, and Mr John Hallet Bellis' devotion to the Church was acknowledged by a presentation made to him, while Mr. Dennis Griffiths, who was organist for nearly 30 years, was voted an annual grant of £20 as organist.

It was felt that some outward form of respect should be shown for members who had passed away and it was decided to put the pulpit in mourning when death overtook any of its members.

Another of the Church's young men, a very devoted worker, Mr. Iorwerth Price, received the good wishes of the Church on leaving to prepare for the Christian ministry. He entered Manchester College for this purpose.

It is in keeping with the traditions of the Church that its former Ministers should not be forgotten. And when the Rev. Elvet Lewis, then in London, celebrated the jubilee of his ministry in 1930, Mr. Jonathan Catherall went to the celebration to represent our Church. And later, the Rev. Elvet Lewis came to Buckley to continue the celebration when he preached and gave an account of his ministerial career. The Church added its tribute to him by making him a presentation to commemorate the event as already related.

Mr. Thomas had been anxious for some time to extend the Sunday School buildings to provide more space and accommodation for the scholars. But the post-war conditions were by no means favourable for such an undertaking and although he brought the matter to the point of decision and led the Church to adopt a scheme, yet he left for Colwyn Bay Church before anything could be done.

His ministry had been a very successful one. One of his deacons once said to me, "Mr. Thomas never preached a poor sermon." That was a great tribute to one who ministered here so long. But he deserved it. Before leaving, Mr. Thomas put it on record that he saw signs in the Church for a growing unity between the various organisations and he regarded this, and very rightly, as one of the chief signs of the spirit which throughout his ministry had been working in the Church. He ended his ministry here on April 21 st, 1931, having made many friends to regret his departure.

The Interregnum.

Mr. Jonathan Catherall, J.P., C.C. passed away in February 1933, and the district lost one of its leading figures and the Church one its most distinguished members. His association with the Church had been long and characterised by a great devotion to its welfare. His interest in the Church was rooted in a family tradition that went back to its foundation, and which is still carried forward by his daughter, Mrs. Dr. Dobson, Mold, and her children. In making his Will he did not forget the Church he loved so dearly, as the following copy of his legacy dated Sept. 1933 shows. In this he says "I give and bequeath the following pecuniary legacies (all of which are to be paid free of legacy and other duties) . . . . to the Trustees of the English Congregational Church, Buckley, the sum of Two hundred pounds, such sum to be in memory of my son, William Cecil, and I desire that this legacy shall be invested by the Trustees of the Church in Trustee investments, and that the income arising from such investments shall be applied towards the upkeep of the fabric of the Church. Provided that in any year a sum not exceeding seventy-five per cent. of the said income may at the absolute discretion of the said Trustees of the Church be devoted to the general purposes of the Church.....I declare that the above legacies shall be paid at the close of twelve months after my death, and I further declare that the receipt of the Treasurer for the time being of each of the Churches shall be sufficient discharge for the payment of the said legacies."

This two hundred pound legacy was invested by the Charity Commissioners in the purchase of £191 6s. 10d. 3 ½ % War Stock. The Stock thus purchased was transferred into the name of the official Trustees of the Charitable Funds on 21^st August, 1934. The dividends were to be paid to the Church's Building Fund at Lloyds Bank.

Author: Shepherd, Robert Rev, MA (Cantab)

Tags

Year = 1947

Building = Religious

Extra = 1940s

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