Midland Churches: A History of the Congregations on - General ...

<strong>the</strong> few that attended, which he has continued ever since ; and from July
1819, Timothy Davis, from Evesham, has regularly supplied in <strong>the</strong> evening
at Alcester, after two regular services in his own place, <strong>the</strong> distance being
ten miles. The congregation,. is considerably increased, and <strong>the</strong> prospect
is promising. A Sunday school, has been lately established. The debt
incurred in making new deeds, and repairing <strong>the</strong> place, about two years
ago, is almost paid <strong>of</strong>f through <strong>the</strong> aid <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Unitarian and ~ellowsh:~
Funds.
John Hancock, who died at Alcester, 6 March, 1842-
was for many years engaged in tuition and occasionally in <strong>the</strong> ministry at
<strong>the</strong> above place";
he once began studying for <strong>the</strong> ministry under Robert Aspland,
but was found not to possess <strong>the</strong> requisite intellectual qualifications.+
One <strong>of</strong> his two aged daughters, living in Alcester in 1894, says that
her fa<strong>the</strong>r, whose health had failed whilst at Hackney, abouf $1818, began to
conduct <strong>the</strong> services at <strong>the</strong> Old Meeting, and this he continued to do until MY.
Warren came, to 7edom he wus for a little 7.hiZe assistant. Hancock was never
<strong>the</strong> appointed minister, but gave many years <strong>of</strong> occasional assistance to
<strong>the</strong> congregation. In 1837 he is described in <strong>the</strong> Baptismal Register as
deacon and princita l trustee.
The beginning <strong>of</strong> Timothy Davis' extended labours on behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
congregation, is thus briefly recorded in his journal :-
July 25, 1819, 'Preached first evening lecture at Alcester, with prospect <strong>of</strong>
success.$
His favourable anticipations were fully realized. For many years he con-
tinued to discharge this laborious duty. At <strong>the</strong> close <strong>of</strong> his second service
at Evesham, after a few minutes for refreshment, he mounted his hack,
protected in inclement wea<strong>the</strong>r by impenetrable drab great coat and leg-
gings, and rode ten miles to Alcester, where his exertions were amply
repaid by <strong>the</strong> interest which a large congregation took in <strong>the</strong> services so
zealously rendered. This was essentially a missionary work.
With advancing years Davis found <strong>the</strong>se exertions too great for his
strength, and <strong>the</strong>y were <strong>of</strong> necessity discontinued ; and in 1834s Thomas
Warren, <strong>of</strong> Moreton Hall, began his long ministry with this congregation.
"C.R. 1842 p. 320.
tC.R. 1861 p. 279.
SC.R. 1861 p. 279.
5 The late Mr. Herbert New, <strong>of</strong> Evesham, gave this date to <strong>the</strong> author.
Alcester is probably <strong>the</strong> last place where Theophilus Lindsey's original
liturgy, Apostles' creed, and all, were read, and that so recently as 1863,
by Warren, a year before his resignation. The magnificently bound quarto
copy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Prayer Book, which he always used is in <strong>the</strong> author's pos-
session. In it he has written in large printing hand, on a card that would
be more legible, a copy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> creed. The phrase he descended into hell, is
omitted and substituted for it is We rested in t4e grazrc; and instead <strong>of</strong>
The hoCy Catholic Churclz: are <strong>the</strong> words body Christzan Church. The card
and <strong>the</strong> pages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> liturgy are well thumbed, and give evidence <strong>of</strong>
constant and reverent use. Warren usually wore <strong>the</strong> surplice, and was
a man <strong>of</strong> means, which he generously devoted to <strong>the</strong> welfare <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
congregation. The present Bible in <strong>the</strong> pulpit was his gift, and bears his
book plate with motto Fides et constnntia. One <strong>of</strong> his old scholars told
<strong>the</strong> author how he used to teach <strong>the</strong>m whole chapters <strong>of</strong> St. Luke's--and
especially St. John's-Gospels, which <strong>the</strong>y frequently had to say to Warren
when he visited his Sunday school, where he <strong>of</strong>ten had forty boys and as
many girls. He began <strong>the</strong> present Regisfer <strong>of</strong> Christenilzgs at ~lc&ter, Old
P~esllyferialz rlieeti~ig, <strong>the</strong> first entry being dated g July, 1837. In <strong>the</strong>
account* <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> celebration festivities on <strong>the</strong> occasion <strong>of</strong> Queen Victoria's
marriage, Warren is described as-
<strong>the</strong> gratuitous minister, as well as <strong>the</strong> benefactor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> congregation.
But for him, <strong>the</strong> meeting-house would have been a ruin, and <strong>the</strong> congregation
have become extinct.
He lived ten years after his retirement, and died 25 August, 1874.
On 17 July, 1864, <strong>the</strong> Birmingham District Unitarian Association began
its care <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> supplies for <strong>the</strong> pulpit, which in 1866 was passed on to
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Midland</strong> Christian Union. John Gordon was <strong>the</strong> active promoter in
this well sustained movci~~cnt. The vestry book contains a record <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
weekly supplies by ministers and lay preachers, who entered <strong>the</strong>ir tests
and hymns. The rota thus preserved to 13 March, 1870, includes <strong>the</strong>
names <strong>of</strong> Saml. Bache, Chas. F. Biss, John Birks, Wm. Cocl~rane, Robt.
H. Cotton, John Cuckson, David Davis, John Dean, H. Enfield Dowson,
Robt. B. Drummond, Hy. Eachus, hiat. Gibson, John Gordon, Wm. H.
Herford, Jos. Heywood, Leonard Hiinges, Jas. Kedwards, Edw. Myers,
David Maginnis, Edward Parry, and Benj. Wright.
"C.R. 1840 p. 344.