The Present Diaconate 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 Chapter XV, XVI and Postscript.

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

The caption lists the "Present Diaconate" as noted in the hotspots. Reverend Wynford S. Evans is named as the Pastor.

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CHAPTER XV.

CHURCH'S MINISTRY BROADENED.

The Rev. Keyworth Lloyd-Williams (1934-1943).

The Rev. Keyworth Lloyd-Williams commenced his ministry the first Sunday in March 1934. Before his arrival the Church installed electric light in the Manse. Our memories of him are still very vivid, and few words are needed to recall him as we all knew him. He was above all things a man of a most friendly disposition and deep sympathies. He made friends by being a friend, and he created the atmosphere of goodwill wherever he went. He was consistently kind and never allowed any circumstances or conditions to betray him into uttering an unkind word. He tried to see the other man's point of view on all questions and his outlook upon life was broad. He gave to the Christian principles as wide an application as possible and he did not hesitate to stand by them when he thought they were in danger of being ignored or misapplied. He loved preaching and had great pulpit gifts. His mind was alert and his pulpit utterances forceful and eloquent. His standpoint and outlook were modern and he worthily upheld the dignity and the prestige of this pulpit. He knew his "Calling" and understood the challenge of the ministry. On one occasion he wrote, "The work of the Christian Church has two aspects. We exist to extend the Kingdom of God, this we do as we bring the Will of Christ to bear upon all life as we meet it day by day, and as we definitely influence others by word and deed for Jesus Christ. This is the extensive aspect. There is an intensive side also. In all our fellowship and activities as & Church there is only one aim that must guide us, and that is the development of the highest life in each and all."

Nothing could better describe the functions of a Church and the challenge to the Ministry. And throughout his ministry he endeavoured to keep before his mind these two aspects of the work.

His ministry had a twofold aspect. There was the distinctly spiritual side and the social side. He regarded these as complementary. They were marked and quite distinct traits of his ministry he sought to unify. He repeatedly showed anxiety about the spiritual well-being of the Church and he took steps to emphasise and quicken the spiritual life of the Church and School. He induced the Church to commence a Children's Meeting during the week, and secured Miss Shepherd and Mr. J. H. Bellis to conduct it. The Prayer Meeting as a centre for the exercise of spiritual powers and training was not allowed to fall into the background but was given a prominent place in the Church's activities. The young people were catered for when a Bible Class was formed for them and the Teachers had a monthly class. The Sunday School scholars entered again for the Congregational Union Scripture examinations. Mr. James Price, Mr. R. J. Williamson, Mr. J. W. Jones and Mr. T. J. Evans, received the Sunday School Union diploma for 25 years' service as Sunday School Teachers.

Mrs. William Lamb who has taught in the School for 56 years without interruption would seem to have set up a long term record, and she still teaches in the School. Miss Nellie Taylor and Miss Shepherd are two others with a very long record as Sunday School Teachers.

Apparently although the Church was well supplied with week-night activities, there was no meeting for the Ladies of the Church. Accordingly the suggestion was made that a Women's Guild should be formed. Mr. Williams gave every support to this project. And this Guild, under the Presidency of Mrs. Fred Griffiths, and with Mrs. J. H. Bellis as Vice President, eventually became a very successful organisation.

On the social side, a Young People's Circle was formed where the young people might meet for fellowship, mutual aid and recreation. A Dramatic Society also came into being.

On Sunday, June 28th, 1936, the Rev. Keyworth Lloyd-Williams had the honour of conducting a Broadcast Service from the Church which was crowded for the occasion. Through the wireless he was enabled to speak to a very wide audience and the Service proved a great success in every way.

The reconstruction of the Sunday School buildings which had already occupied the attention of the Church during the last ministry was now brought forward again, and a scheme was adopted whereby the Schoolroom was enlarged, and improvements were effected in different directions. A heating apparatus was installed; the reconstruction of the School vestry with a new kitchen was carried out; a sanitation scheme was completed, and electric light was introduced into the School.

The various items of the reconstruction scheme involved the expenditure of £661. But this was not allowed to burden the Church. The Ladies' Guild organised Garden Fetes, and subscriptions were solicited, and with the donation of £40 from an unknown source the money was raised. The contract for these structural alterations was signed on behalf of the Church by Messrs. J. H. Bellis, Charles Griffiths, Dennis Griffiths, William Hannaby, Ernest Jones and Simon Williams.

The Re-opening Celebrations took place on June 23rd, 1938, the door being opened by Miss Florrie Jones, J.P. A Service followed in the Schoolroom, and after tea the Rev. S. R. Jenkins, of Southport, conducted public worship in the Church.

An interesting innovation of a financial order was introduced during this ministry. A weekly assessment scheme was adopted and the weekly offerings were raised by £1 2s. 0d. a week as a result. Two more young men entered College for the ministry, Mr. J. Emrys Shepherd became a student at New College, London, and Mr. John Lloyd-Williams entered Brecon College, South Wales. The Sunday School benefited by a gift of £20 in the name of Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Bellis, the wife of Mr. Edward Bellis, J.P. She passed away on Sept. 13th, 1935, and before her death expressed the wish that £20 should be given to the School with which she had been associated for many years.

Let us not forget that towards the closing years of the ministry the Second World War broke in dreadful fury over the country. Nearly 100 young men were called to the Forces, while the young women were compelled to do war work of one kind or another. Conditions in Church life were completely disrupted. But the Church in no way relaxed its efforts. The young men who had been called away were cheered by gifts sent from the Church and everything was done to let them know they were not forgotten. Some of them laid down their lives and the Church has decided to add their names to the list of those who died in the First World War. Three separate panels will be added to record their sacrifice. Gordon Taylor, a very devoted and capable Sunday School worker, will be greatly missed. As indeed will the others, Kenneth Price and William Lewis. They died bravely and will not be forgotten.

A very dark shadow fell upon the Church when the Rev. Keyworth Lloyd-Williams was stricken down and compelled to face a long and painful illness. The hearts of his people went out to him in his suffering. And Ministers and friends out of love and respect for him came from all denominations to assist in supplying the pulpit.

While he was laid aside on a bed of pain, the time came round for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Church's Foundation. This took place on Sunday, Oct. 18th and Monday, Oct. 19th, 1942. The celebrations commenced with a Service at the cottage in which the first Church met, when the cottage was still a pottery shed. As of old, people wound their way across the Common to the cottage, where the Rev. Robert Shepherd, M.A., conducted a Service. Following the Service, a procession was formed and, the worshippers went forward to the Church. Dr. Elvet Lewis, assisted by the Rev R. Shepherd, M.A., conducted the Service, at the close of which the congregation adjourned outside for the unveiling of a tablet by Dr. Elvet Lewis. This tablet, let into the wall between the two front doors, bore the following inscription:

"This Chapel stands on the site of the original Building. The Congregational Church, the first Religious Cause in Buckley, was started in Lamb's Cottage, the Common, 1792. This tablet was erected to mark the 150th anniversary, Oct. 18th, 1942."

An appropriate Service was held in the afternoon, and in the evening Dr. Elvet Lewis, assisted by Mr. John Lloyd-Williams, again preached.

Through the thoughtful kindness of Mr. Charles Wilcock these Services were relayed to the Manse, making it possible for the Rev. Keyworth Lloyd-Williams to enter into the celebrations along with the other worshippers.

On the following Monday evening a Public Meeting was held and addresses were given by Dr. Elvet Lewis, the High Sheriff of Flintshire (Alderman Thomas Waterhouse, J.P.), Alderman Hugh Edwards, J.P., and Mr. Dennis Griffiths gave a short account of the history of the Church. The people assembled in the Church were thrilled by hearing the voice of their Pastor relayed from his sick room, as he spoke with his old vigour and eloquence.

A few months later he passed away on April 13th, 1943. Many tributes were paid to him and his life's work in the ministry, but the greatest tribute of all was the tribute of love paid by the numerous mourners, the people of the Church and congregation, who followed him to his last resting place in the Chapel burial ground, with hearts overwhelmed by sorrow at their loss.

The Interregnum.

The Interregnum revealed in a remarkable way the happy relationship existing between the members of the Church and congregation. The affection people had for the Church took the outward form of gifts of different kinds.

The Church first of all decided to show in a practical way its appreciation of Mr. J. H. Bellis' devoted service of 21 years' duration as Treasurer of the Church. Mrs. Cropper, on behalf of the Church, made a presentation of £15 15s. 0d. to Mr. Bellis as a token of its thankfulness for his work as Treasurer.

Nor did the Church forget the kindness of Mrs. Lloyd-Williams towards the Church throughout her husband's ministry. And once again the Church expressed its feelings of gratitude by presenting Mrs. Lloyd-Williams with a cheque and an autograph album autographed by all the deacons.

On the other hand Mrs. Lloyd-Williams offered to the Church a table and chair in memory of her late husband which were gratefully accepted.

Mr. Fred Griffiths continued the good work by presenting to the Church a gift of a Bible and hymn books. Mrs. Balshaw gave a donation to the Church in memory of her late husband who had been a deacon. She suggested that the money should be used to install electric lighting points when the time came for the introduction of electric lighting in the Church.

Finally, Mr. Peter Wilcock, Mill Lane, wished to install at his own cost an apparatus for the electric blowing of the organ in memory of his sister, Miss M. Wilcock. The Church very readily acceded to his wish and thanked him most heartily for his generous gift, as indeed it did the other donors of gifts. The electric blowing apparatus was erected at a cost of £62 10s. 0d.

The Church had been discussing for some time 'a Memorial to the late Minister, the Rev. Keyworth Lloyd-Williams, and a subscription list was opened for the purpose. The memory of their late Minister was very clear to the people and money came from many quarters, including the Church at Mynydd isa which Mr. Lloyd-Williams had greatly assisted at various times. Over £60 was subscribed and the Church decided that the most fitting Memorial would be a Communion Table with a suitable inscription upon it.

This Memorial Communion Table was dedicated by Dr. Elvet Lewis to the memory of the Rev. Keyworth Lloyd-Williams at a Service conducted by the Rev. Wynford S. Evans, B.A., B.D.

The inscription reads as follows:- "With thanksgiving to God, this Communion Table is dedicated to the memory of Rev. Keyworth Lloyd- Williams, Minister of this Church, 1934-34. Called to Higher Service, April 13th, 1943, in his 54th year."

This beautiful Table was enhanced by gifts of chairs corresponding to it, for the Communion. These were presented by Mr. Charles Griffiths in memory of his son, Goronwy; Mrs. Frank Hughes and Miss Hughes; Mr. Peter Price; Mr. Ernest Jones; Mr. W. Hannaby; and the Ladies. Mr. John Taylor had years before presented to the Church the arm chair for the Minister officiating at the Communion Service.

Mrs. J. Shepherd came forward with an offer of a Flower Vase for the Communion Table which was gratefully accepted. The Church expressed its thanks to these various donors for their gifts.

CHAPTER XVI.

A COVENANTED CHURCH.

The Rev. Wynford S. Evans, B.A., B.D. (1945 ).

The Rev. Wynford S. Evans commenced his ministry in February 1945, and was inducted by the Moderator, the Rev. Gwilym Rees, MA., to the Pastorate on Feb. 21 st. His ministry opened in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and high hopes. His preaching, when visiting the Church, had greatly impressed the congregation and they looked forward with confidence to a highly successful ministry.

Already changes have been brought about both in the School and Church. Mr. Evans began at once to take an interest in the Sunday School and expressed the wish to become Superintendent of the School and to grade it. Mr. John Shepherd who was then Superintendent handed over the Superintendency to the Minister, and was presented with an electric clock by the School to mark its appreciation of his services as Superintendent. Mr. Shepherd had given continuous service in different capacities to the School for nearly 50 years.

Mr. Evans at once graded the School. He instituted a monthly Children's Service in the Church when the children of the Sunday School conducted the Service and the Pastor gave a suitable address. His addresses in the Prayer Meetings revealing great Biblical knowledge are greatly appreciated. It was obvious that Mr. Evans was a man of action. He did not feel satisfied with the position of the sick members of the Church who were deprived of the privilege of attending Communion. He was anxious that these should have the Communion administered to them in the sick room. To enable him to do this the deacons provided a portable Communion tray.

It was felt that the necessity of having the registrar at Marriage Services was an unnecessary disadvantage which could be removed by the Minister becoming an "Authorised Person" for Marriages. Steps were taken to effect this.

The deaths of Mr. and Mrs. John William Jones at the commencement of the ministry had removed two very faithful friends and workers of the Church. Mrs. Jones expressed her affection for the Church by bequeathing £100 as a gift to it, to be used at the Minister's discretion. This thoughtful and generous action has resulted in enabling those who suffer from deafness to follow the Service through the installation of an acoustic apparatus for that purpose. The gift was greatly appreciated by a grateful Church. Under the stimulating leadership of the Minister the Church decided to take steps to regulate its life and modes of procedure. Up to this time the Church had been without any kind of rules or regulations to govern and direct its actions. Conditions had arisen which showed the necessity for a Constitution and rules by which the Church could be controlled and guided. A Constitution was therefore drawn up and accepted by the Church. The rules and regulations relating to every branch of Church activity were presented in book form and distributed to all members. Thus a New Order had come into being, one by which discipline and a regulated mode of procedure will be possible.

Neither had the Church throughout its long history adopted any Covenant, to bind together its members into a Covenanted relationship with each other and all with God. The Church therefore requested the Rev. R. Shepherd to submit a Covenant for its consideration. This was done, and the Minister after speaking on the necessity for a Covenant, and explaining the Covenant clause by clause, submitted it for adoption by the Church. In view of the fact that many members were absent when the decision was taken to adopt the Covenant, it was again presented to the Church at the close of a Communion Service and once again adopted.

This Covenant runs as follows:-

"We recipients of the Covenant of Grace, sealed by the death of Christ on Calvary, acknowledge our sinfulness before God, and accept the Salvation which is freely bestowed on all who seek forgiveness in turning away from sin, to accept Christ as Saviour.

We surrender our lives to God, in complete dedication of our whole being to His service and in full submission to the Divine Will, as the rule of life and conduct in all human concerns.

As members of this Christian Fellowship we promise to advance with all our powers the Kingdom of Christ in this place to deepen our own spiritual life through constant exercise of our spiritual powers, that we might enrich the life of the Church; to equip ourselves for Christian service through personal loyalty to Christ and His demands upon us.

As members of the Church universal we acknowledge our obligation to strengthen, by all means available to us, the Kingdom of Christ throughout the world and to seek its advancement until the Lordship of Christ is universally acknowledged.

We realise our responsibility for maintaining the purity of the Christian Faith and Doctrines and freely subscribe to such as are found in our New Testament writings. We believe in :-

1.The Trinity of Persons in the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

2.Salvation by the Cross of Christ.

3.Justification by Faith in Christ.

4.Sanctification through the operation of the Holy Spirit in the human heart.

5. The Sacraments as divinely appointed aids of Grace.

6. The essential Unity of the Christian Church.

7. Life after death as an immortality of blessedness in the presence of God

Bound each to Christ and one to the other in this Covenanted relationship, we will seek the Glory of God and the welfare of mankind all the days of our earthly Pilgrimage."

In view of the exceptional circumstances under which the Church was founded, the Church has decreed that the Foundation Day shall be celebrated annually.

The Rev. R. Shepherd as "a small tribute to your devoted service to our Church," has been made an Honorary Deacon.

The Church very gratefully accepted an offer by Mr. Fred Griffiths to renovate the organ; in memory of his father, Mr. J. R. Griffiths, Mus. Bac. Among other things this will include the renewal of pipes and keyboard rewiring with Phos. Bronze wire; replacing the Tracker action of the Pedal Organ with Tubular Pneumatic action the provision of a Balance Swell Pedal and a new outer covering, made on the cavity principle, for the Electric Blower. The Church put on record its appreciation and thanks for such a generous gift.

The financial position of the Church is very sound, the average weekly collections being over £12, with a balance in the bank of some hundreds of pounds.

Yet because of this financially sound position, the Church does not sit back to enjoy the prospect at its ease, but launches a scheme whereby the finances can be still further strengthened. A Covenanted financial agreement of the members of Church and congregation has been adopted in principle by means of which the Income Tax authorities will forward annually handsome sums of money to the Church's funds.

The ministry is still in its opening phases. Considerable success has already been achieved. We look to the future and ask "Well, what next?" But we shall have to "wait and see."

POSTSCRIPT.

LOOKING BACK.

Church and school alike in retrospection present to us a picture in which things appear in their true perspective. We are like people leaving a crowded city by train and finding, as the train draws away, the massive buildings beginning to tower over the less important. Distance in time, in the same way reveals the important and outstanding features of Church and school life.

What does our backward glance reveal ?

We see amidst the multitude of workers the stalwarts of the Faith, accepting joyfully the great responsibility of maintaining the ministry of the Church and school, and giving unstintingly both of their time and material resources to make effective its ministry. It is difficult to think of the past history of this Church apart from them. Its history centres round great Christian personalities who are far too numerous even to mention by name. Many of them have long ago passed over and heard the trumpets on the other side, heralding their approach and arrival. We are tempted to look back on these and ask shall we ever see their like again?

But this Church has never lacked men and women prepared to labour and sacrifice to bring success to its ministry. And we still have among us those who are worthy successors of the warriors of old. One of the surprising and gratifying features of the present day is the fact that the present diaconate is comprised almost entirely of descendants of those who were leaders in the Church from its earliest days. William Price, John Shepherd, Rev. R. Shepherd, Fred Griffiths, Mrs. Cropper (Miss Taylor), John Hallet Bellis, T. C. Jones, Peter Price, Joel Williamson, William Williamson, bear names that occur again and again in the past history of this Church. And there are many others in whom dwells the spirit of other days, making safe the future of the Church and its success.

Yes. From the earliest days we see the greatest emphasis laid on things of the spiritual order. No one can read the history of this Church without realising that it always put first things first. From the days of the old Prayer Meetings with 70 to 80 attending weekly, down through the years until the C.E. movement laid hold of so many of our young people and set their faces towards a life of spiritual striving and Christian service, this Church has been rich and powerful in spiritual experience and the fruits have been luscious and plenteous. Not many Churches can boast of so many of its young men sent into the ministry. Seven have gone to College for the Christian ministry from this Church-William Henrik Jones, Joseph Shepherd, M.A., Robert Shepherd, M.A., William Shepherd, B.A., Iorwerth Price, J. Emrys Shepherd and John Lloyd Williams, B.A., B.D. Alongside these, two others have given their lives to the healing ministry: Professor Frank Lloyd Hopwood, D.Sc., who has done such excellent work in cancer research, and Dr. John Griffiths.

In addition to these there has been a long line of lay preachers who have gone out to other Churches to share with them the spiritual heritage of this Church.

Truly the Church has been richly blessed and proved a blessing in the world.

Can we discern any other outstanding feature ?

Yes. The unflinching loyalty of the people to the "old place." The affection in which this Church has always been held by the members of Church and congregation alike, has produced a type of worshipper in which the spirit of loyalty has been a marked and outstanding characteristic. While few Churches of its kind have enjoyed such excellent preaching, the loyalty of the people has never depended on the pulpit. It mattered little who was conducting the Service, the people out of love to Cod and the Church went to worship. Their disinterestedness was revealed in all their attitudes. They have always been prepared to sink their own individual preferences that the Church might prosper. In favourable conditions or when strain and adversity have come, they have been undaunted, unafraid and wholehearted in their loyalty to the Church. That is why today this Church is the strongest in the district and bids fair to become the leading Congregational Church in the County.

The memories of old days crowd in upon us and every one of them is dear to us. But we cannot live in the past nor can we go forward in the strength of the days that have gone. While it is good to take a glance at the past and open our hearts to the inspiration and challenge of the vision, yet it is the present and the future that are alone in our keeping.

Can we make today as golden in promise and as rich in achievement as the days that have passed ? That is the challenge that we face at this hour. With the passing of the years conditions have changed. The fight for the soul of the people has been intensified. We are in a transitional age that brings an atmosphere' of uncertainty where formerly assurance was unchallenged. In a hundred ways success in religious enterprise is jeopardised. But amidst all change, the God of our fathers remains the same, and human need for Him is as great as ever. With us lies the verdict of the future. Upon us rests the responsibility not only of preserving and maintaining the spiritual wealth with which the past has enriched the life of this Church but of realising all that it has made possible too.

The coming generations will look back, as we do now, and take account of our stewardship. May they be able to say of us, they were worthy successors of the old and valiant stalwarts of the Faith, and have passed on to us a heritage enriched with their toil, devotion and sacrifice, a heritage made glorious by their undying allegiance to their Lord and unswerving obedience to His will.

OFFICERS

Minister-Rev. Wynford S. Evans, B.A., B.D.

Deacons-Mrs. M. E. Cropper, Messrs. T. Crozier Jones (Senior Deacon), W. E. Price (Deacon's Secretary), J. H. Bellis, E. Bolton, T. J. Evans, F. Griffiths, W. Peers, P. Price, J. Shepherd, J. Williamson, W. Williamson, Rev. R. Shepherd, M.A. (Hon.).

Corresponding Secretary--Mr. T. L. Griffiths, The Cross, Buckley.

Minute Secretary-Mr. T. W. Inglesfield.

Treasurer-Mr. W. E. Price.

Financial Secretary-Mr. J. H. Bellis.

Organists-Mr. J.H. Bellis, Miss Gwynedd Griffiths, L.R.A.M.,

Mr. A. Bellis.

Caretaker-Miss E. Shone.

::FINANCE COMMITTEE::

Messrs. J. H. Bellis (Chairman), E. Bolton, F. Griffiths, T. C. Jones, W. E. Price, J. Shepherd, Ted Bellis, Edward Davies, S. Hughes, T. E. Jones, Joseph Shepherd, J. Wainwright.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Superintendent-Rev. W. S. Evans.

Joint Secretaries--Miss E. Wilcock, Mr. J. Powell.

Treasurer-Miss E. Bellis.

:: YOUNG PEOPLE'S CIRCLE::

Secretary-Miss E. Bellis.

Treasurer-Miss J. Powell.

::WOMEN'S LEAGUE

President-Mrs. Wynford S. Evans.

Vice-Presidents-Mrs. J. H. Bellis, Mrs. J. Shepherd.

Joint Secretaries-Mrs. W. Parry, Mrs. J. Wainwright.

Treasurer-Mrs. R. Wright.

::DRAMATIC SOCIETY

President-Mr. T. E. Jones.

Secretary-Mrs. B. Lovell.

Treasurer-Miss H. Messham.

Producer-Miss J. Powell.

London Missionary Society Secretary-Mr. J. Shepherd.

MINISTERS

Licensed Pottery Shed Meeting House:

An Oswestry Student.

Buckley Mountain Church

Rev. Mr. Powell. Chapter III

Rev. Thomas Jones. "

Rev. Mr. Davies. "

An Unknown Minister.

Rev. John Griffith. Chapter IV

Rev. E. Ambrose Jones. Chapter V

St. John's Congregational Church:

Rev. J. D. Thomas. Chapter VI

Rev. Howell Elvet Lewis. Chapter VII

Rev. Thomas Hallet Williams. Chapter VIII

Rev. J. Vinson Stephens. Chapter IX

Rev. Jonathan Evans. Chapter X

Rev. Thomas Mardy Rees. Chapter XI

Rev. D. Emrys James. Chapter XII

Rev. David Evans. Chapter XIII

Rev. W. Meurig Thomas. Chapter XIV

Rev. Keyworth Lloyd-Williams. Chapter XV

Rev. Wynford S. Evans, B.A., B.D. Chapter XVI

Deacons of the Church

Jonathan Catherall (Founder)

David Edwards

Edward Price

William Catherall

Robert Davies

Joseph Griffiths

William Jones (The Cross)

Charles Taylor

George Taylor

Joseph Shepherd

Joseph Taylor

John Taylor

Joel Williamson (Senior)

James Reney

Richard Bellis

John Davies (Church Road)

Charles Gerrard

Levi Thomas

Joseph Rowlands

Samuel Roberts

James Price

William Lamb

*T. Crozier Jones

*Fred Griffiths

*John Hallet Bellis

Robert Williamson

Robert John Williamson

John Shepherd (Nant Mawr)

John William Jones

Jonathan Catherall

*Thomas John Evans

Thomas Iball (Hon.)

*John Shepherd (B'wick Rd.)

*Mrs. M. E. Cropper

Mrs. Ada Griffiths

William Hannaby

Ernest Jones

Alfred Balshaw

J. Simon Williams

W. Prynaullt

* Ernest Bolton

Charles Griffiths

*William Peers

* Peter Price

T.Wilcock

*William Ed. Price

*Joel Williamson

*William Williamson

*Rev. R. Shepherd (Hon.)

* Deacons 1947

Organists

Miss Susie Shepherd

Mr. Joseph Griffiths

Miss Annie Griffith

Mr. J. R. Griffiths, Mus. Bac.

Mr. Charles Taylor

Miss E. J. Taylor (Mrs. W. Davies)

Mr. John Swire

Mr. John Davies

Mr. T. Cropper

Mr. Dennis Griffiths

Mr. J. H. Bellis

Miss Gwynedd Griffiths, L.R.A.M.

Mr. A. Bellis

Sunday School Superintendents

Martha Catherall

Frances Catherall

William Catherall

Edward Price

Joseph Griffiths

William Jones (The Cross)

James Reney

Thomas Cropper

Joseph Fennah

Jonathan Catherall

Edward Bellis

James Price

Fred Griffiths

William Ithel Roberts

Thomas Griffiths

Peter Jones

Wm. Roberts (P'wood Rd.)

Thomas John Evans

Dennis Griffiths

John William Jones

Ernest Jones

J. Emrys Shepherd

Samuel Roberts

Robert John Williamson

William Peers

George Kelsall

John Shepherd

Rev. Wynford S.. Evans

:: MEMORIALS IN THE CHURCH ::

Tablet in memory of the wife and children of Jonathan Catherall.

Tablet to the memory of Jonathan Catherall (Founder).

Tablet in memory of Anne, wife of William Catherall.

Tablet to the memory of Lieut.-Col. Timothy Jones.

Tablet to the memory of Rev. John Griffith and his wife.

Tablet in memory of William Catherall and Mary, his wife.

Stained-glass Window in memory of Rev. John Griffith.

Memorial Communion Table in memory of Rev. Keyworth Lloyd-Williams.

War Memorial.

Memorial Tablet at the Front Entrance of the Church.

MEMORIAL STONE IN THE CHURCHYARD

This Testimonial to the memory of

Wycliffe who died 1384

Cranmer1556

Ridley1555

Latimer1555

Hooper1555

Coverdale1568

Knox1572

Grotius1648

Calvin1564

Luther1557

Arminius1609

Wesley1791

Doddridge

Hall Robinson

Armitage White Reynolds

Luke Thorpe Knill Bridgeman, Chester

Lewis Jenkin, Wrexham

Miss Prescott kept a day school where Peter Jones's tavern is. Her father, Bartholomew, heard Whitfield preach under the sycamore a mile nearly North from this place. Mr. Sellers of Chester with a few friends came in a boat to Sandycroft, then up to Hawarden to preach where he was shamefully abused bad, eggs, etc., thrown at him,"

Author: Shepherd, Robert Rev, MA (Cantab)

The Present Diaconate 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

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