Chapel Next the Green (the history of Twickenham Congregational Church) index page

In this last pastorate history Twickenham Congregational Church becomes Twickenham United Reformed Church. ‘Chapel Next the Green’ was published in 1982 so covers the first ten years as a URC. I’ve not attempted to extend the narrative here. Ministers during more recent years have been Norman Setchell (1986-1990), Bob Warwicker (1991-1998), Janet Lees (ass.) (1996-1998), Terry Sparks (2001-2006), Jenny Snashall (2007-2019) and Stephen Lewis (2019 to date).

In October 1971 the Rev Harold Bennett, minister of Christchurch, Leicester, was invited to accept the pastorate and in February 1972 began his ministry at Twickenham. He served as minister until his death in 1985.

Mr Bennett was born in Sheffield and prior to entering the ministry trained as an engineer. Before going to Leicester he had served Churches at Leeds and Barnard Castle, Co. Durham. His wife, Beryl, was also a minister, though church members were enjoined at his induction service ‘not to expect two for the price of one’! Nevertheless Mrs Bennett played her part in the pastorate, also serving Hampton Hill Church as minister from 1979. Both had a strong calling towards the ministry of healing, and for many years from 1972 a weeknight service for worship and healing was held. Mr Bennett also served as the Free Church chaplain to West Middlesex Hospital from 1975.

The new pastorate began with a new Secretary, Miss Dorothy Cocker. Mrs Elsie Davies, retiring to Cheshire, was presented with a fine picture of Teddington Lock, painted by John Belderson. On October 5th 1972 the United Reformed Church came into being, an inaugural service being held at Richmond Green URC, which joined the Team shortly afterwards. The deacons were ordained as Elders and were given responsibility for pastoral oversight, taking over from the Church Friends. Although north of the Thames, established Team links led to Twickenham and Hampton Hill being placed in the Wimbledon District of the URC’s Southern Province. Over the next ten years Twickenham’s links with churches in the South West Middlesex area all but disappeared to be replaced by new friends in an area stretching from Lambeth to Dorking.

On June 9th 1979 members joined many others from the URC Southern Promise at the Provincial Day in Canterbury; sadly, they returned to learn that Mr Faers, Treasurer from 1946 to 1975, had died earlier that day.

Worship continued to evolve. In 1975 copies of ‘New Church Praise’, a URC book containing modern hymns were bought to supplement Congregational Praise. That year the organ was rebuilt and enlarged, after two years of fund-raising. 1978 saw the adoption of the sharing of ‘the Peace‘ at Communion services, an act already familiar to Anglican friends. The Church Meeting changed – from November 1976 a bi-monthly on a Sunday afternoon, followed by tea and a short service replaced the former monthly midweek evening meeting. In 1973 a third member, Mr John Burgess was accepted as a ministerial candidate. After training at Mansfield College, Oxford he was ordained at Gleadless, Sheffield in 1980, then serving in Zambia, Birmingham, and as a tutor at Selly Oak College.

The policy of progressively improving the buildings continued. Repayment of the loan incurred on rebuilding the toilet block was the first priority. In 1972 the garden was laid out with shrubs and seat, as a memorial to the wife of member. The same year saw the first of several generous gifts from Miss Mary Hadley, an elderly member, enabling the hall to be refurbished in 1973. Pine boarding replaced crumbling plaster and a new floor covering was provided. Following a gift day the renewed hall was suitably refurnished.

In 1977 the interior of the church was remodelled. A level concrete floor replaced decayed timber, a removable screen was fixed across the gallery front, a new heating system was installed and the walls were redecorated. The scheme was only possible because volunteers, under the supervision of Mr Ken Cole, carried out the last two items. The church building was reopened just before Christmas 1977. Carpet was laid in June 1973, and that October the pews were replaced with chairs, many given in memory of relatives.

The net effect of these alterations left a pleasant building which could be rearranged for special services or events. Nearly forty years later a massive refurbishment scheme transformed the building once again.

I concluded ‘Chapel Next the Green’ with these words.

And what of the future? On its formation the URC declared its intention to pray and work for the visible unity of the whole Church. Recently the church has discussed the report ‘Towards Visible Unity: Proposals for a Covenant” and has considered how far we can pursue unity without compromising the tenets that we and our predecessors, have stood for. Meaningful co-operation between local Churches has continued.

Following in others footsteps, we go into the future in faith. Today our membership is higher than fifty years ago. In the words of Mr Bennett:

“Our chief need is to deepen the Faith and Spiritual life of the Church Fellowship and with God’s help the Church will prosper and grow“

It will be for a future historian to record the nature of this growth.

Sadly over the last 43 years there has been decline rather than growth – numerically speaking, anyway – but Twickenham URC survives where a number of other local URCs have closed – Richmond Green, East Sheen and Thames Ditton to name a few – and is a centre of community activity. If you’ve read through the preceding pages you’ll recall that the church came close to closing in 1849 following the death of Sir Robert Shaw, was dissolved in 1879 following Samuel Fisher’s controversial ministry and came close to closure in the late 1920s when the congregation was riven with dissent. In each case it survived and came back stronger. So we pray for another revival in the years to come.

← John Belderson, 1965-1971 – – – Index page →

Chapel Next the Green (the history of Twickenham Congregational Church) index page

It was to be nearly a year before the right successor to Mr Willmot was found. Several possible candidates suggested by the Moderator were approached, but were not endorsed by the Church. The deacons were almost on the point of advertising in the ‘Congregational Monthly‘ when Mr John Belderson, Lay Pastor of Oaklands Church, Shepherds Bush, was commended to them. Mr Belderson was born in Uganda (where his father was serving as a Colonial Audit officer) and had subsequently lived in Malaya, Singapore and Southern Africa, qualifying as an architect before coming to England to study church architecture. Feeling a call to the ministry he had trained at New College as a part-time student whilst working as an architect to support his family. In June 1965 he was invited to preach ‘with a view‘. His quiet and thoughtful manner impressed many and he was invited to accept the pastorate.

In August he began his ministry at Twickenham and was ordained on September 9th. The charge to the Church was given by the Rev Elsie Chamberlain who urged the members not to hold their young minister back, telling them “he will have up-to-date ideas and it is up to you to help him rake up the challenge”. This was to be a time of challenge. In May 1966 the new LCU London Moderator, the Rev Richard Hall, addressing the Church Meeting “gave an insight into the changing times and the colossal task we had before us, almost an impossible one”.

Changes of all sorts were to dominate Mr Belderson’s pastorate. The denomination itself was changing. In May 1966 the CUEW, a federation of independent Churches, had become the Congregational Church in England and Wales (CCEW) , a move that would have been unthinkable a hundred years earlier; Joseph Parker, chairman of CUEW in 1901 had advocated such a move with no success. The London Missionary Society became the Congregational Council for World Mission, CCEW and the Presbyterian Church of England being two of the worldwide sponsoring Churches. Union with the Presbyterian Church was a dominant subject of discussion following the publication of the ‘Basis for Union’ in 1967.

Local changes were in evidence too. The CCEW Assembly in May 1967 suggested that alternative forms of ministry to ‘one church, one minister” might be explored. That year, in consultation with the churches at Hampton Hill, Richmond (St Pauls) and East Sheen , it was decided to form a ‘Team Ministry which was inaugurated at a service held at St Pauls in January 1968. Under the new preaching plan, each month each minister conducted worship five times in his own church and once in each of the others. Spurred on by the enthusiasm of the ministers involved, ‘Ted’ Hunter (HH), Roy Bones (R), Roy Boulter (ES) and John Belderson himself the scheme was generally well received particularly by regular worshippers who appreciated the differing presentations of the gospel and got to know the other preachers. The main disadvantages were that each minister might not get to see casual attenders for weeks on end and getting to know newcomers was made more difficult The constraints of the preaching plan also made it harder for an incoming minister to get to know his congregation. As the original ministers moved on enthusiasm for pulpit exchanges lessened, and by 1982 they were infrequent. Other team events included social events, and regular joint services.

An early topic discussed at Church Meetings was ‘Family Church reappraised’ . With three children of his own, Linda, Martin and Christine, in the Sunday School, Mr Belderson took a keen interest in children’s work. During his pastorate a quarterly meeting of all youth leaders was started, which enabled closer coordination between the Sunday School, Guides and Brownies, particularly when it came to planning parade services. For several years before ‘Partners in Learning’ first appeared, Mr Belderson devised an integrated course of learning for adults and children. Unfortunately for Twickenham, many young people went off to university and unable to afford the high cost of housing did not return.

For many years members had assisted the Minister with Visiting but this was taken further in 1967 when nineteen members were commissioned as ‘Church Friends’, each being responsible for several members. A concern for community needs led to the Twickenham Churches forming the volunteer ‘Fish Scheme’ in1969. The scheme continued under the name ‘HANDS’ (Help a neighbour in distress). 1969 also saw the first 1% appeal for world poverty, repeated at each Harvest Festival since. Such concerns were a feature of this pastorate. On more than one occasion the Belderson family gave up part of their Christmas day to host a dimer at the church for people who would otherwise have been on their own.

Within the Church there were changes of personnel. Mr Derek Smith, Co-secretary from 1964, took over the leadership of the Sunday School from Mr Stockdale in 1968. Mrs Elsie Davies, who had succeeded Miss Gladys Mills as Co-secretary in 1966, continued with the duties single-handed. 1968 also saw Mrs Emily Cumber become a Life deacon, in honour of her long and devoted service to the Church. Mr Faers continued as Treasurer, completing 25 years service in 1971.

Times of services were reviewed and in Spring 1971 were, as an experiment, moved to 10a.m. and 7p.m. The former was quickly changed to 10.30a.m.; subsequently the evening service reverted to 6.30p.m.

With an former architect as minister the buildings were not neglected. Indeed, Mr Belderson’s ability was to benefit the locality when he became the first chairman of the Twickenham Green Residents Association, founded in 1969 to safeguard the amenity of the area.

A loan from the LCU towards the rebuilding of the kitchen was repaid in 1964, enabling further projects to be considered. In late 1965 a Building Committee was constituted to deal with future building work. It decided that the priority was the church roof, still half tiled and half slated. Following a ‘Raise the Roof ‘ Bazaar and many other efforts the tiled part of the roof was finally replaced with slating in 1968. Mr Belderson then approached a fellow architect to produce a for improving the church interior. Among his suggestions, some of which were subsequently implemented, were improving the end wall, provision of a flat concrete floor, chairs instead of pews, a suspended ceiling, moving the organ to the front of the gallery, and repositioning the pulpit to one side. Action on these was deferred whilst a fund was started to rebuild the large vestry and toilet accommodation. By the end of the pastorate nearly £2000 had been raised for this scheme.

Donations had paid for other changes. In 1966 thanks to an anonymous donor, an induction loop amplification system was installed for the benefit of the hard of hearing. In 1970 the uninspiring end wall of the church was transformed with cedar cladding, paid for by several donations and legacies. The illuminated cross, made by Bernard Sanders of East Sheen Church, is in memory of Mrs M.Liversage, a deacon for many years. In 1971 a gift, of high level lighting in the church, was accepted, giving the church a much more open appearance.

In May 1971 Mr Belderson accepted an invitation to the pastorate of West Park Church, Leeds. He and his family left Twickenham at the end of July. Several matters which had received attention during his ministry were to come to fruition during the six-month interregnum that followed.

Vote for Union

The Church has never marked time during an interregnum – indeed the term, in its literal sense, has no meaning in a Free Church. It has however been the usual custom to delay important decisions until a new minister is secured but during the second part of 1971 the Church had to make one of the most important decisions in its history.

On September 28th a Special Church Meeting was held to vote on the ‘Scheme for Union’. By a majority of 37 to 1 it was resolved:

“. . .to unite with other member churches of the Congregational Church and with the congregations of the Presbyterian Church of England to form one united Church under the name of the United Reformed Church (Congregational-Presbyterian) in England and Wales …”

The union took effect on October 5th 1972.

At the same church meeting consideration was also given to a more mundane subject the rebuilding of» the large vestry and toilet block, the cost of which was increasing faster than money could be raised. In November 1971 approval was given to a revised scheme necessitating the rebuilding of the toilet block only. The work was carried during the summer of 1972 the LCU again providing loan and grant assistance.

← Andrew Willmot, 1955-1964 – – – Harold Bennett, 1972-1985 →

Chapel Next the Green (the history of Twickenham Congregational Church) index page

With rented housing becoming increasingly scarce it was felt that the vacancy would be hard to fill until a manse could be provided. Thanks to further generous donations, offers of loans and gifts from the LCU and CUEW, and the promise of a substantial bank loan it was possible to begin looking for a suitable property.

The interregnum was not uneventful. In March 1955 Mrs Still and Miss Pearce retired after 25 years service to the Guide movement. In April the Rev. Aubrey Lewis, Principal of the LMS Tiger Kloof settlement which had been forced to close because of the South African apartheid policy was invited to accept part-tine charge of the Church, but he did not feel able to accept until the future of the mission was finally resolved.

May 1955 saw four young people making their decision for Christ at the Billy Graham Crusade, then becoming Church members. In July a coach party of supporters went to the ordination of Mr James Sparkes at Swanley. On September 26th, during the first of several visits home, the Rev. Arthur Stops conducted the services in his old church.

Meanwhile the pastorate had been filled. In June Mr Peirce learned that the Rev. F.A.Willmot, newly returned from New Zealand, was seeking a pastorate. A party of deacons was hastily organised to hear him preaching at Hounslow. He was invited to preach at Twickenham two weeks later, and on July 5th the members knew their search was over: “there was a unanimous conviction that the Rev F.A.Willmot was the right minister for our church and the meeting wholeheartedly agreed that a call be given to him”.
Mr Willmot had been apprenticed as a printer‘ s compositor, but, convinced of a call to the ministry, had trained at Paton College, Nottingham, using his entire savings. His five years in Christchurch N.Z. had followed pastorates at Haverhill, Suffolk and East Sheen. It was at Haverhill that he married his wife Amy who contributed enormously to the success of his ministry.

By stretching every last penny , a suitable house, 219 Staines Road, was secured for £3000 [it last sold for £875,000 in 2024!]. The Manse fund with loans stood at £3040. Dawe & Co made a gift of their legal services and with further donations essential repairs were carried out. In the meantime Mrs Burgess senior generously vacated her house to accommodate Mr and Mrs Willmot and their two daughters while this work was done.

As the Church was still receiving a grant it was not at liberty to pay a stipend higher than the minimum (£390). With the deacons blessing Mr Willmot returned to his old trade of printing, working on Mondays and Tuesdays to supplement his income. Fortunately he was able to give up this extra work after nine months.

As soon as the pastorate began everyone knew that the right minister had been found. Everyone loved Andrew Willmot, from the smallest child (myself included!) to old folk whom he faithfully visited on his bicycle. The membership grew from 90 at the start of the pastorate to an all-time high of 144 in 1960. By 1958 the finances of the Church, under the careful stewardship of Mr Faers, had improved to such an extent that for the first time in over 35 years the Church was able to support a full-time minister without external assistance. Many of the new members were young people who from 1958 were able to show their commitment by becoming Junior Members. The Secretary, reporting on 1958, considered that “the growing number of young people coming into active fellowship was the finest thing that had happened in the Church recently, and our thanks were due to all the youth leaders and to Mr & Mrs Willmot who had done so much through the warm welcome so often given at the Manse“.

The same year saw the winning of the Scripture Examination Shield, 15 local Sunday Schools competing. To the “real joy” of Mr Stockdale the roll was maintained at over 100 all through the late 1950’s leading to the fear expressed in 1960 of “possible overcrowding in the Sunday School and young people’s organisations“. Sunday evenings would see the pews full of young people, many of whom, including the Willmots’ daughters, Frances and Elizabeth, belonged to the Sunday evening discussion group. Sunday School festivals were a great event of the time. A visiting preacher would conduct Sunday worship and on the Monday evening parents and friends would come to the Sunday School play, rehearsed for weeks beforehand under Mr Stockdale’s supervision. In 1962 the present form of Mothering Sunday service with attractive posies for mothers was begun and has continued ever since.

The only disappointment was the closure of the Boys Brigade in 1962 due to lack of suitable leadership, leaving a gap only partly filled by the Greenside Youth Club. For a period in 1962 the 8th Twickenham Scouts and Cubs attended parade services and since 1980 they’ve met in the church hall. The Guides and Brownies continued under several leaders, Mrs Willmot serving as Guide Captain for three years.
Older People were not forgotten. In 1956 10,000 copies of a leaflet advertising a sermon series on topical issues were distributed, bringing in several new members. Similar ventures were repeated throughout Mr Willmot’s pastorate. In 1982 many still remembered the pageant ‘Our Glorious Heritage’ produced by the women of the Church to mark the Tercentenary of the 1662 Great Ejection.

Two services were broadcast from the church. The first in 1957 was conducted by the Rev Elsie Chamberlain who had joined the church in 1955 after a pastorate at Vineyard church, Richmond. Her influence on the church as a deacon and occasional preacher was mirrored by her prominence on the national scene, culminating in her serving as chairman of the CUEW 1956-57. The second broadcast service, on July 26th 1964, was equally well received.

Broadcasting had taken the other direction in December 1952 when thanks to DER (a television rental company) the ‘Congregation was able to join in a service televised from the newly commissioned Missionary ship ‘John Williams VII’. For many years this line of ships, working in the South Sea islands was the responsibility of Congregational children, and ‘Ship Sunday’ in November each year would mark the start of the collecting season.

During this time links with local Churches were strengthened. In 1960 Mr Arthur Burgess was inducted as Local Pastor at Brentford, and links with other Congregational Churches in the district were well maintained. In May 1962, one of the deacons, Mr Charles Portway, suggested that the Church should take the lead in forming a local council of churches. Minister and Church were enthusiastic and with support from the Vicar of Twickenham, the Rev John Davies, the Twickenham Council of Churches held its inaugural meeting on May 27th 1964, Mr Portway being appointed its first Secretary. Since then, under the revised name of Twickenham United Christian Council, it has did much to contribute to the high degree of unity between the local church and several of our members served as chairmen. It has to be noted that since CNG was published in 1982, interest in ecumenical activities has declined.

Cooperation between the Churches to help others led to the first Christian Aid Week in 1962. We were one of two Churches to take part but were joined by nearly all the others in the following years. January 1962 had also seen the quest for greater unity expressed in the adoption of a Church Covenant.
Besides spiritual growth, buildings were not forgotten. The Manse debt, £2000 at the start of the pastorate, was cleared by 1961, and a number of improvements were made to the house. In February 1956:

“Following an idea voiced at Church Meeting it had been discovered that a plot of land might be available for building a new church at the Staines Road corner of the Rivermeads estate. Whilst the diaconate seemed to feel that the shortcomings of the existing premises could best be met by improvements on the present site, it was agreed to obtain an agent’s estimate for the sale of the present site and buildings in order that we might have a more realistic view of the problem“.

A “ridiculous offer of £8500 for the existing site and buildings” did little to change the diaconate’s view and on the advice of an architect it was decided to systematically improve and repair the buildings. A Renovation Fund was started and helped by memorable efforts including the ‘Bazaarbecue’ (1956) and the ‘Bazarchery’ (1957), the church was completely redecorated in 1958, the kitchen rebuilt in 1961, and the church heating converted to gas in 1964. On completion of the latter a presentation was made to Mr Percy Smith, who had stoked the boiler for many years.

In July 1964 Mr Willmot announced his resignation which was received with much regret. Having done so much for Twickenham, he had felt led to accept a call to the Church at Earlsfield, which had struggled without a minister for some years. He moved in October 1964 leaving behind him a church that was spiritually and financially sound.

Sadly Mrs Willmot died in February 1972, so was not able to share in his retirement. In 1973 he retired to St Leonards where he continued to serve the Churches in the Hastings area. He died on 26th December 1976, aged 69, only weeks after returning to Twickenham for a farewell social on the retirement of Mr & Mrs Reg Peirce to Sidmouth.

← Albert Molineaux, 1949-1954 – – – John Belderson, 1965-1971 →

Chapel Next the Green (the history of Twickenham Congregational Church) index page

As the church had been without an active minister for over a year it was decided to fill the pastorate without delay. On June 7th, 1949, just before Mr Holland’s pastorate formally ended, Mr Albert Molineaux of New College, London, was invited to become the next minister. On September 6th he was ordained and began his ministry at Twickenham.

In the meantime, on July 12th, the church had been full for the ordination of his fellow student and deacon of the Church, Mr Arthur Stops, who was commissioned for service with the Commonwealth Missionary Society. With his wife Elaine (another former member of the League of Young Worshippers) he departed for Umbilo, Durban. He would go on to serve several other South African Churches.

As a result of Mr Dawe‘s negotiations following unauthorised building against the church walls, £300 compensation was received enabling the debt to the ICU to be cleared. A Manse fund was inaugurated with the balance, which was to be the focus of fund-raising activities during the pastorate.
Mr Molineaux had grown up in Stepney, and before entering New College had served in the RAF. When it came to dramatic roles he could excel and his practical abilities also came in useful, as witnessed by pews he made for the ‘childrens corner’. Through his efforts six pendant lights, a gift from Palmers Green Church, were installed; older members remembered them as a hazard to standard-bearers on church parades.

The first year of the pastorate saw a close study of church organisation. A feeling that bazaars should not be relied on for routine finance was endorsed, “it being generally agreed that regular direct giving by members was the ideal method of meeting the demands of God’s work”. The diaconate considered “The High Calling and Work of a Deacon”, written by the Rev Harold Bickley, and agreed that “more help should be given to the minister in the visitation of members and friends“. In June 1950 100 copies of the new hymnbook ‘Congregational Praise’ were ordered but before they could be supplied (in early 1952) the number had to be raised to 150 because of increasing congregations. In this period ‘Family Church’ was fully established and training classes for teachers began.

In 1951 another young member, James Sparkes, was accepted for ministerial training at New College. Despite other commitments the church pledged itself to sponsor him and duly met their obligations.

1951 also saw the ‘Forward Movement’ , a three-year programme of evangelism, though not many were keen on house-to-house visitation. By December 1951 “all was now ready to begin the visitation of the Hampton Road flats” and the January Church Meeting received “two messengers of the Forward Movement” who spoke on their experience of such work. By May 1952 we read: “Visiting the Hampton Road flats was left to the moving of the Spirit in the hearts of our members and it was hoped that the work would proceed in due course“. A few members were so ‘moved’ but in general there was little enthusiasm for this form of mission.

The following year however, the Church formed an ‘Evangelistic Commission’ under the leadership of Mr Arthur Burgess. Its considered opinion was that “the need was for personal evangelism through Christian friendship … not the traditional evangelistic mission to the masses”. Particular emphasis was placed on welcoming newcomers and bringing them into the fellowship, also on visiting parents of Sunday School children.

At this time the sending of children to Sunday School by non-Church parents was still common. Helped by the post-war baby boom and the enthusiastic, capable leadership of Mr Maurice Stockdale, appointed Superintendent in 1953, the Sunday School had a highly successful decade. This extended to the uniformed organisations. The Boys Brigade was restarted by Mr David Lightman and Mr James Sparkes in 1948. In 1951 it was supplemented by its junior branch, the Lifeboy Team, under Miss Peggy Mason and Miss Sheila Stroud. This replaced a Pilot company. The Guides and Brownies continued under the capable leadership of Miss Dorothy Pearce and her sister, Mrs Andrey Still, respectively.

Welcoming newcomers was not neglected either. Chief door steward, Mr Willie Stops made it a point of honour always to be in the porch, and his friendly greeting encouraged many to cone again. That year ladies were first invited to take turns ‘on the door’ and the two lady deacons ‘were persuaded’ to act as Communion servers.

The high spot of 1952 was the ‘Triple Jubilee’ held on May 17th – 19th. The historical ‘evidence’ for this has now been all but discounted, but the weekend was enjoyed by all. It began with a Re-union social at which Mr W.J.Lightman, Organist and Choirmaster from 1912-21 and 1931-52 was presented with a testimonial. His place at the organ was taken by his deputy, Mrs Marion Faers, whose musical sensitivity delighted members for several decades. The Sunday Services were conducted by the Rev Harold Bickley, Moderator of the Western Province, who had begun his ministry at Twickenham 35 years earlier. During the service a brass lectern was dedicated in memory of Mr and Mrs William Purchase, whose service to the church has already been noted on previous pages. On the Monday a ‘Jubilee Celebration Meeting’ was held, at which the principal speaker was the Rev Leslie J .Tizard, chairman of CUEW.

The following year saw celebrations of a different kind when Mr Molineaux married Miss Peggy Mason. The service was conducted by the Rev F.H.Tripp of Hampton Hill. Previously Mr Molineaux had lodged with one of the members, and now a home was found for the newly-weds in rented rooms. Although homely these were not suitable as a manse and so priority was given to increasing the Manse fund so that a suitable home could be purchased.

It was more difficult than expected to find a suitable property at a modest price and before one could be found Mr Molineaux tended his resignation, having ,like George Hamson, 56 years earlier, accepted a call to Coggeshall. With his wife and baby daughter, Anne, he left for Essex at the end of October 1954. Subsequently he ministered at Haverhill and Reading.

← Maurice Holland, 1944-1949 – – – Andrew Willmot, 1955-1964 →

Chapel Next the Green (the history of Twickenham Congregational Church) index page

W.W. MAURICE HOLLAND 1944-1949
On June 16th, even before Mr Job had left, the deacons met the Moderator to discuss the future. He asked them to consider a joint pastorate with Isleworth, but said that financial assistance might be available for a full-time pastorate. In February 1944 a unanimous call was sent to the Rev W.W. Maurice Holland BA BD, of Ashford (Mx). The stipend offered was the London minimum of £300p.a, towards which the LCU had offered £100. Only 1958 was the Church able to dispense with such assistance.

In the spring of 1944 Mr Holland commenced his pastorate. Like his predecessors he had seen service abroad, for seven years as minister of Cambridge Terrace Church N.Z. In 1927 he had served as Chairman of the Congregational Union of New Zealand. Mr Holland was not a man of strong constitution, and his pacificist views had tested his immer resources during his last years at Ashford.

As the war drew to a close, plans were made for the future. A fund was set up to purchase an electric blower for the organ – with the war it had become harder to find young men to pump the organ. The money was finally raised and the work was carried out in early 1949, after some difficulty occasioned by the electricity supply, which was not changed from DC to AC until 1958.

In 1946 Mr A.P.Phillips left the Church, moving away to Poole. He had ably served as Secretary since about 1930, and following the sudden of the Treasurer, Mr A. Beckett Park in 1942, had taken on his duties also. To replace him two young men, Reg Peirce and ‘Steve’ Faers, were elected as Secretary and Treasurer respectively. One of Mr Faers’ innovations was the introduction of covenanted giving (now Gift Aid),which has hugely benefited the church over the years.

That year it was decided that re-opening the afternoon Sunday School was not practicable – Mr Dawe, as former Superintendent, did not agree! By compensation for loss of office, and in recognition of his support for the Church he was made a Life Deacon in 1947.

April 1947 saw the ‘Christian Commando Campaign’ run by all the churches in Greater London. The local FCFC complained to the Council about an application to play cricket on the Green on Sundays, which today we view in a more kindly light. In the aftermath of the war “the Food Officer had granted the Church a soap ration. Volunteers were asked for to join a working party which Mrs Holland was organising to give the Church a thorough clean“.

Various repairs necessitated by secondary effects of bombing were put in hand, including the remaking of the large stained-glass windows, though the gates were not reinstated until 1953. The suggestion of a Battle of Britain Service, conducted by ex-RAF members was supported by only three members and not pursued.

Talks about Union

At the end of 1947 members turned their attention towards a larger topic, possible union with the Presbyterian Church of England. The first talks, begun in 1932 had been ended by the war, and a fresh series was begun in 1945. The report of the Joint Committee was presented to the CUEW Assembly in May 1947. Locally, the deacons met the Elders of Richmond Presbyterian Church, and the proposals were discussed in detail at the Church Meetings in November 1947 and January 1948. Whilst approved of in principle they were rejected because:

1. “The full power and authority of the Church Meeting is not maintained”
2. “The equality of status of ministers and laymen is not safeguarded”
3. “The proposed united church might exclude from Communion Services those who were not full members of a Church”

Nationally there was no agreement on a union, but it was agreed that:

“. . .the denominations would enter into a solemn relationship with one another, covenanting together to take counsel with one another in matters of common concern ..”

As 1948 progressed Mr Holland’s health began to deteriorate further. Few knew that he was slowly succumbing to Parkinson’s disease but by Christmas it was obvious that he would not be able to resume active service. During this period Mrs Holland did sterling service in visiting the sick and housebound. The deacons met the Moderator and arrangements were made enabling Mr Holland to retire. His pastorate formally ended in June 1949 and after much illness he died in January 1952. Mrs Holland was made a Life Deacon in 1961, remaining an active member until her death in September 1972.

← H.Allen Job, 1934-1943 – – – Albert Molineaux, 1949-1954 →

Chapel Next the Green (the history of Twickenham Congregational Church) index page

The pastorate did not remain vacant for long. Mr Dawe, active as ever, met the Rev R.J.Evans, and reported to the February 1934 Church Meeting “that the Rev H. Allen Job was coming to London from Manchester and was taking up an appointment in London. He also gave particulars of his interview with Mr Job”. A unanimous invitation to take part—time charge of the Church was sent to Mr Job, a stipend of £3 p.w. being offered. In April 1934 he began his ministry; his other post was as the first secretary of the Churches Committee on Gambling.

Those who remembered him when I was writing CNG regarded this as one of the great pastorates of the Church. Mr Job was not a notable preacher but his outstanding personality drew many into the Church – during his nine years 76 new members were enrolled. Brought up in the Australian outback, Mr Job left home at the age of 19 and came to study at Harley College, London. He then spent six years working amongst Inca descendants in the Andes followed by a five year ministry in Christchurch N.Z. After eight years temperance work in New Zealand, Australia and Manchester he accepted the charge of Oldham Street Church, Manchester in 1927. During his ministry many were to be enthralled by tales of adventure in these far-flung places.

Mr Job quickly made an impact on the area. Mr Parker had left a small but stable fellowship, and now it began to flourish. Work with children and young people was particularly successful. The League of Youth with its programme of serious, social and practical activities attracted many young people, particularly after its reorganisation in 1938. The Boys Brigade was re-started in 1935 and together with the Life Boys provided a balance for the existing girls activities. Later a Ranger group was started. For the older members, the choir (under the leadership of Mr W.J.Lightman, who had commenced a second term as organist in 1931) grew from 12 to 23. Mr Job’s sympathy with temperance causes led to the appointment of a Temperance Secretary in 1936.

Meanwhile the buildings, which had deteriorated during the ‘low years’, were being put in order, much work being done by volunteers. Then the boiler failed; as a plaque on the boiler house recalled for many decades a collection for its replacement was made at a Sunday evening social. Gas radiators were installed in the schoolroom “purchased from the gas company under the hire purchase system”. In 1935, at long last, electric lighting was installed in the schoolroom by two volunteers, Mr Dawe donating the materials. The following year the Church was similarly equipped at a cost of £17, the special collections being encouraged by the discovery that “the gas pipes embedded in the church walls were virtually eaten right through”. Gas heating for the church was investigated but not pursued.

In 1938 Mr Dawe resigned ‘as Treasurer, seeking more tine for his duties as Sunday School Superintendent. At the end of that year Mr Purchase died and in honour of her family’s service to the church Miss Purchase was made a Life deacon. Mr William Gould died the same winter. He had been a member for 57 years and had seen ten pastorates and many changes since the re-formation meeting in 1882.

In July 1939 Mr Job tendered his resignation: “I find myself in an impossible situation occupying two posts which both demand full-time service”. The Rev R.J .Evans, now Moderator, was approached and suggested a possible candidate, but before the resignation could take effect other events intervened.

The Second World War

From the Church minutes it appears that WW2 affected church life far more than the First War. Certainly it had more effect on civilian life generally, with blackouts, evacuation, bombing and rationing all disturbing life in once peaceful suburbs.

An early hint of trouble ahead had come in May 1939 when:

“As a result of a suggestion made by the Rangers, they had been allowed to make themselves responsible for looking after some dozen (Czech) women and children refugees and the church officers had allowed them the use of the schoolroom as a hostel for nearly a week. Mr Wilfred Dawe had collected a sufficient number of beds by means of an army lorry. All the arrangements for the care of the refugees were well received and gave credit to the church. In fact, the whole thing was a very happy improvisation”.

The happiness was not to last. Mr Job opened the church meeting on August 30th (the last for seven months) “with a prayer that the shadow of war might be lifted and for those separated from their friends by reason of additional duty“. The hall was offered for use as a refuge by or feeding centre, seven members volunteering as canteen workers.

On September 3rd 1939 one young member, Ernest Burgess, was late for church – at Mr Job’s request. He slipped in and passed Mr Job a note confirming, as all had feared, that war had been declared at l1a.m. For the duration of the war Church life had to continue as best it could. Monthly meetings had to be suspended, and were held only when absolutely necessary, often on Saturday afternoons or after Sunday services. After some delay the schoolroom was provided with blackouts. Choir practices and the afternoon Sunday School were suspended because of the risk of air-raids. “It was agreed that in the event of an alert the service should start a little late”. The Ladies Working Party whose task in life was to make items for sale at Bazaars had to suspend operations when clothing coupons were introduced. Collections were made towards the £500,000 Reconstruction Fund launched by the CUEW in October 1941.

Many of course saw none of this for they were away in the forces. They were not forgotten however — Mr Job went to great lengths to correspond with members, wherever they might be, and his letters were greatly treasured.

As the war progressed people adapted to its adversities. In April 1943 Mr Job tendered his resignation for the second time as the Churches Committee on Gambling now felt able to offer him a full-time position, and the Moderator (Rev Alan Green) “had agreed that the change would be better now than at the close of the war. It would be easier to fix up the church”. At the same meeting Mr Job announced with much pleasure that Mr Arthur Stops, a younger member serving in the RAF, had been accepted for ministerial training at the end of the war.

At the end of June 1943 Mr Job’s pastorate cane to an end. Had he been a full-time minister he would have had cause to feel satisfied with the results of his labours; for a part-time minister the results were outstanding. His continued work with the Committee was brought to a close by illness, leading to his death on March 29th 1947. His two daughters, Monica, Lady Prescott, and Mrs Hope Hay both followed in the missionary footsteps of their father.

← Arthur Parker, 1930-1933 – – – W. Maurice Holland, 1944-1949 →

From the Dundee Evening Telegraph – Tuesday 01 April 1947

Missionary Who Became Tribal Chief

The death in London of Rev. H. Allen Job, secretary of the Churches Committee on Gambling since 1934, is announced in London to-day. One of the most colourful adventurers, this cheery, bushy-haired pastor had lived with the world’s last civilised race. He had been appointed tribal chief, fought notorious white bullies on the Amazon, lodged in mountain holes, and existed on monkey flesh for weeks. The son of a bullock driver, Job was born 66 years ago in the Australian bush. He became rough-rider, gold prospector, printer’s devil, reporter—and missionary. His adventures began 14, when he crossed the Blue Mountains to seek his fortune at Sydney.

Thought Matches Black Magic

He became a missionary, travelled several times round the world, and finally found himself the upper reaches of the Amazon living with the Chuncha Indians. “I found them charming people,” he once said … though ignorant of anything beyond their tropical forests … To them a knife and box of matches were black magic. I showed them what I could do with them and they marvelled. But they thought me a poor, ignorant savage when they took me swimming and found that I was no good at spearing fish.” In England, Job later worked at Oldham Road, Manchester, and at Twickenham, and declared “There is just as much work and adventure found in the jungle of England—some of it of the most tragic kind.” In 1944 he predicted a boom in all forms of gambling at the end of the war.