Chapel Next the Green (the history of Twickenham Congregational Church) index page
The Church wasted no time in finding a new minister for within a month Rev Thomas Poole of Lymington was asked to preach ‘with a view’. Mr E.W.Gates, organising secretary of the LCU came down to chair a Special Church Meeting but on finding that the necessary notice required by the Trust Deed had not been given he advised that the meeting was not competent to call a minister. However there was a general feeling in favour of Mr Poole and two weeks later Mr Gates presided at a valid meeting and a unanimous call was sent. In September 1884 Mr Poole began his pastorate. He had been a minister for nearly forty years but this was only his third pastorate.
The need for an organ, first expressed many years before, was now felt to be a priority and fundraising efforts were renewed.
THE ORGAN IS BUILT
At the December 1885 Church Meeting it was reported that on Tuesday 8th inst. a Recital and Sacred Concert was given in the church on the opening of the organ under the direction of Mr E.Minshall, organist of Dr Parker’s, the City Temple. … The organ was built by Messrs P.Conacher of Hudderfield for £250 and after thorough examination and trial by the organist of St Mary’s Church, Twickenham, it was pronounced by him “a very desirable instrument perfectly satisfactory in every respect and admirably adapted to the requirements of this Church.”
Mr William Gould was presented with “a Purse containing eighteen sovereigns as a recognition of his services at the harmonium for some years past” and was succeeded by the first organist, Mr Frederick Freshwater.
During this period the church was still being supported by the LCU. It was not until 1891 that the Treasurer was able to report that the ‘church was now self-supporting after 13 years of grant’. Over this period the grants totalled £927 and had kept the Church alive over a very difficult period.
At the end’ of 1886, according to one of the grant applications, 158 sittings were let at an average of 4/6d per quarter. Congregations averaged 160 in the morning and 190 in the evening (including about 50 children at each service). The Sunday School had 104 scholars, average attendance 42 in the morning and 71 in the afternoon. The stipend was £200 and other expenses totalled £53.8.4d . In support of the grant application it was mentioned that several members were leaving the district, one of whom contributed £52 per year. The latter was Augustin Spicer whose previous generous giving has been noted.
Over this period the minutes give the impression of uneventful steady growth in the Church until Mr Poole resigned in April 1891, “stating it was entirely the result of the breakdown in health, especially his loss of voice. The eminent medical authorities he had consulted ordered lengthened rest stating that nothing else would meet the case. He had rested more than six weeks but no improvement had taken place.” On this sad note he ended 46 years in the ministry, leaving behind a church that was spiritually and financially stable. He died in August 1912 aged 89. The CYB recorded that he was “always the most optimistic of men … His genial nature made him popular as a pastor and he left behind him happy memories in all his pastorates”.
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