Chapter 1 – Stirrings of Nonconformity

In 1994 Reverend Reginald Rooke wrote a short book called “His Candlestick and a Light Among Them”, detailing the more than 300 year history of the United Reform Church in Great Chishill. His book is reproduced here with kind permission of the author.

Table of contents

• Foreword
• Chapter 1 – Stirrings of nonconformity
• Chapter 2 – The first congregation
• Chapter 3 – Rev. John Nicholls (1694 – 1740)
• Chapter 4 – The brothers Watson and Interregnum (1735 – 1795)
• Chapter 5 – Recovery under Rev. James Dobson (1795 – 1832)
• Chapter 6 – Rev. John Dorrington (1833 – 1847)
• Chapter 7 – Revs James Mirams and James Irwin (1847-1883)
• Chapter 8 – Rev. Tutin Thomas (1884 – 1889)
• Chapter 9 – A new building, Rev. John Butcher (1889 -1899)
• Chapter 10 – Revs. Samuel Pendred and Thomas Loose (1900 – 1908)
• Chapter 11 – Revs. Herwood Allen and John Pledger (1909 – 1916)
• Chapter 12 – A long ministry, Rev. George Hobson (1917 – 1945)
• Chapter 13 – Revs. Frederick Oliver, Frederick Greaves and David King (1946 – 1962)
• Chapter 14 – A lively ministry. Rev. David Buckle (1963 – 1966)
• Chapter 15 – Rev. Constance Payne (1967 – 1973)
• Chapter 16 – Wider Grouping
• Chapter 17 – Different Links – Rev. Ward Murray (1984 – 1988)
• Chapter 18 – Building Matters
• Chapter 19 – Finance
• Chapter 20 – Payment of Ministers
• Chapter 21 – Marriage
• Chapter 22 – Barley Chapel
• Chapter 23 – Everyday life in Barley Chapel
• Chapter 24 – Ministry at Barley Chapel
• Chapter 25 – Linked Pastorate
• Chapter 26 – Tercentenary thoughts