Chapel History from 1745

Nonconformists first came to Wheaton Aston in the year 1745.

The village was visited by Evangelists of the Whitfield Mission who held open air services under a large oak tree which stood in Long Street. In the year 1777, George Barder, an itinerant preacher, together with Fletcher of Madeley and other Revitalists continued this practice. Large congregations of people gathered to hear them and were much moved, some weeping, some praying and many singing. George Barder eventually became a prominent Minister in the Congregational order and was a founder of the London Missionary Society.

In the course of these open air services, religious enthusiasm was aroused and many people were converted.

In the year 1809, a strong desire was felt for a licenced Preaching House to accomodate the people during inclement weather and eventually a house was certified belonging to Mrs. York of Brockton Grange, Great Chatwell, situated where the Chapel now stands. The Chapel was built in the year 1814, the date being recorded above the original doorway. It was made over to Trustees by the said Mrs. York's son in 1815.

In the year 1809, a strong desire was felt for a licenced Preaching House to accomodate the people during inclement weather and eventually a house was certified belonging to Mrs. York of Brockton Grange, Great Chatwell, situated where the Chapel now stands. The Chapel was built in the year 1814, the date being recorded above the original doorway. It was made over to Trustees by the said Mrs. York's son in 1815.

The building of the Chapel was largely due to the efforts of the Rev. John Fernie and a band of enthusiastic students from Hackney College, London who visited Brewood, and also held open air services in Wheaton Aston. The said John Fernie, became the first Minister of the Church in Brewood which was opened in 1803, and later when the Chapel was opened in Wheaton Aston, he presided over its Ministry.

In the year 1820 the Reverend John Chalmers was appointed Pastor at Wheaton Aston and remained until the year 1822. The Pulpit was then thrown open to many talented Lay Preachers who brought many with them to give their testimony to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and many could testify to preaching their first sermon at the Church at Wheaton Aston.

During these years the Reverend John Fernie of Brewood gave ministerial oversight to the Church.

In the year 1850, the Reverend Macdonald, a retired Missionary was called to the Pastorate. He was assisted by Mr. Tolfree, a Deacon and Lay Preacher, of Bowling Green Barn, Wheaton Aston.

The Reverend Macdonald was in the habit of preaching very long dry sermons, which the congregation did not relish and the numbers became smaller and smaller. This annoyed the good man somewhat, so one Sunday evening he concluded a very long dry sermon by saying that as they attended the services so badly, he had decided not to preach to them again. Mr. Tolfree who sat under the pulpit, rose up immediately and said "Friends shall we all stand and sing the Doxology, ' Praise God from whom all blessings flow".

In the year 1854 the Reverend Benjamin Way was appointed Minister and served the cause with zeal and devotion until the year 1874. In the year 1876 the Reverend Henry Hughes Huffadine was called to the Pastorate and rendered faithful Christian service until the year 1903. In 1905 Pastor Thurburn Conn ministered until 1906. In 1906 the Reverend John Price was called to the Church and served with loyal devotion until his retirement in 1929. All the above Ministers held a joint Pastorate with Brewood.

In the year 1906 extensive renovations were commenced. The Church was completely remodelled, a new schoolroom was added, together with a new entrance and domestic offices. the cost of this work amounted to £526.

For this work the Church owes much to the zeal and foresight of George Cambidge of High Hall, Blymhill. He was Church secretary and gave oversight to the whole undertaking. In the year 1908, the work was completed and the opening performed by the Reverend Dr. Parkes Cadman of Brooklyn Congregational Church U.S.A.

There was a large congregation, many being unable to enter, but with the windows and doors open, joined in the service outside.

The new Church presented an inspiring witness to the Christian work of the Kingdom.

The Church suffered a great loss in the passing of Edward Kendrick who died on the 21st June 1921. He was a great Christian, a loyal member and Sunday School teacher and was loved by all the children. A tablet was erected to him in the Church to perpetuate his blessed memory.

Mention too is made here, of one who was a loyal member, devoted Church worker and voluntary caretaker for many years, Denis Blakemore, a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. He entered into his reward on August 23rd 1933.

On December 6th 1934 the Church suffered a great loss in the sudden death of Ethel Molly Owen at the early age of 40 years. She was the only daughter of George Cambidge J.P.C.C. and Margaret Ann Cambidge and wife of Captain D. Price Owen. She was baptized in the Church and at the age of 14 appointed organist. For many years she trained and conducted the children's choir at the Sunday School Anniversary. She possessed a radiant and happy personality, full of zeal and enthusiasm for Christ, and the great service she rendered to the Church and also to the village will never be forgotten.

The funeral service was conducted by Reverend W. Owen and was very impressive the congregation being so large that many stood outside. The procession to Lapley Churchyard where she was interred was a mile and a half long.

In 1934 the Reverend W. Owen, who had been minister of the Church jointly with Brewood received a call to Longworth near Oxford. He had served the Church faithfully and well for a period of 6 years.

Again the Church came under the loving care of George Cambidge, now 80 years of age. he became a member of the Church in 1878. An ardent Congregationalist with a deep conviction of spiritual things. He was devoted to the Sunday School which he founded.

Preachers were found by him, travelling often with his horse and trap to fetch them great distances, and they were always his guests at High Hall, his home. He experienced no difficulty in finding preachers to fill the pulpit for the hospitality they received at his table was renowned.

George Cambidge was in the habit of rising at 5am every Sunday. He drove 3 miles to the service at 11am, then back with the Preacher to dinner, again at 2.30 he drove to the Sunday School, back to tea and finally he drove down with his family for 6.30pm service. Hail, snow, rain or sunshine he never failed, neither did his horse, who was as loyal as his master.

The finances of the Church were sound and any new demands for extraneous expenditure was always readily met by the Church members who subscribed generously. Charles Leek, ably filled the office of treasurer. Brought up in the Church from boyhood, he was a devoted member and worker for the Church and Kingdom.

In the year 1937 the Church mourned the loss of Margaret Ann Cambidge, wife of George Cambidge J.P.C.C. She was in her 78th year. She was a warm hearted, kind hearted and graceful lady. A loyal and devoted worker in the Church. She was a staunch Congregationalist, a pillar of strength to the cause and was loved by all.

In the following year, her husband Alderman George Cambidge J.P.C.C. passed to his great reward on July 3rd 1938. He was 85 years of age. For 60 years he had given loving and devoted service in the Master's name. To him fell the full responsibility of finding preachers and the care of the Church and Sunday School. Only a few weeks before his death, the Staffordshire Congregational Union honoured him for his many years of loyal and devoted service not only to the Church, but also to the County Union.

He was laid to rest at the side of his wife and daughter in Lapley Church yard, mourned and revered by a great congregation of people from near and far, who had come to bid farewell to one who had been staunch and upright in life, loyal and steadfast to the things of the spirit, a faithful Christian warrior in the service of God and his fellowmen. His favourite hymn, 'Jesus keep me near the Cross' was sung at the graveside and many eyes were dimmed with tears at the passing of so great a Christian, loved and revered by all.

The Church was without a Minister since 1935, but the lantern of truth still burned brightly. There was indeed a presence of the Divine Spirit. The services were well attended and the message of the Gospel was bought valiantly by devoted lay preachers who kept the candle of the Lord burning brightly in the Church, where many found warmth, comfort and inspiration.

During the great War 1939 to 1945 the Church prospered amid all the difficulties of travel and blackout. The schoolroom was placed at the disposal of the A.R.P. authorities for first aid and other work.

During this period it would be fitting to place on record the distinguished war service of one of the Church members. Leut. Roger Price Owen, son of Captain and the late Mrs. D. Price Owen of Brook House. Roger was born on November 30th 1922, was baptised in the Church and brought up in the Sunday School and became a loyal and devoted member. He volunteered for the Navy and became a pilot in the Royal Naval Air Service. He saw active service in many theatres of the War and was twice mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for great gallantry. He received his decoration from the hands of King George VI at Buckingham Palace in 1944. Roger was 22 years old.

In 1946, a memorial tablet was placed inside the Church to the blessed memory of George Cambidge, his wife Margaret Ann Cambidge and their daughter Ethel Molly Owen. All the members of the Church subscribed to this memorial, which perpetuates the memory of a great Christian family who served the Church with great zeal and devotion and who were loved and revered by all.

This short history records events up to the year 1947. The Lantern of Truth still burns brightly within these sacred walls. The services are well attended and the Gospel Message preached Sunday after Sunday brings comfort and inspiration to all who enter these courts to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness

The author of these pages, upon leaving the district in March 1947, profoundly regrets having to sever his fellowship as a Deacon and Lay Preacher after 25 years of membership, which has been to him such a wealth of Christian experience, happiness and rich blessing. He acknowledges with deep thankfulness the Church's token of gratitude in the tangible form of a silver rose bowl bearing the inscription: 'Presented to Captain D. Price Owen by members of the Congregational Church, Wheaton Aston for devoted service over 25 years'.

He requests that his membership be transferred to Newport Congregational Church and prays that God's Blessing and Guidance will rest upon those who will direct the work in his vinyard in future days.

Dated March 25th 1947