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:
- “The full power and authority of the Church Meeting is not maintained”
- “The equality of status of ministers and laymen is not safeguarded”
- “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 →