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

The entry on 25 Nov., 1866, preserves <strong>the</strong> record that <strong>the</strong> Lord's
Supper was adwtinistered by John Gordon, who also on Thursday evenings,
4 and 25 March, 1868, delivered two lectures on &W to us8 <strong>the</strong> BibZe,
and The Cross <strong>of</strong> Christ, <strong>the</strong> remaining two <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> series being given by
Robt. H. Cotton on I I March, Sin and its punishment, and on 18 March
The Gospel.
During Mr. Eastlake's ministry, which began on <strong>the</strong> first Sunday in
1872, after <strong>the</strong> meeting-house had been again closed for a short period,
<strong>the</strong> morning congregation averaged 24, and <strong>the</strong> evening 45. The old
school building, owned by <strong>the</strong> congregation, was repaired, and <strong>the</strong> Sunday
school, and night classes held in it.
After Mr. Scott's ministry, which ended in December, -1874, services
were again conducted by supplies, from 1875 to 1882, Mr. Henry Watton,
a layman, rendered much help, and in 1882 <strong>the</strong> meeting-house was again
closed.
On its re-opening in 1893, <strong>the</strong> Rev. Rudolf Davis, E.A. (q.v.) <strong>of</strong>
Evesham, a grandson, <strong>of</strong> Timothy Davis, conducted service for several
Sunday evenings, and on g September that year, <strong>the</strong> Rev. John Dale began
his ministry <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> congregation. A year later this interesting and unique
meeting-house was first lighted with gas, and <strong>the</strong> candles <strong>of</strong> many genera-
tions became only a memory.
At <strong>the</strong> close <strong>of</strong> Mr. Dale's ministry in 1895, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Midland</strong> Christian
Union again took charge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> services, which it still retains.
- In <strong>the</strong> vestry are six finely carved oak chairs, a ' Cromwell ' table,
wooden tuning pipe, and two pewter plates. No communion plate belonging
to <strong>the</strong> congregation has ever come to <strong>the</strong> knowledge <strong>of</strong> its trustee,
Mr. Herbert New, who in 1891 told <strong>the</strong> author that Mr. Hrarren used to
bring his own plate for <strong>the</strong> service.
The original register <strong>of</strong> births, -baptisms, and deaths, from 1774 to 1836
was deposited by Warren, with <strong>the</strong> Registrar General. On its first page
is written A Register <strong>of</strong> All <strong>the</strong> children Baptized at Alcesfer by me, B. Evans,
1774, &C.; by me, B. Maurice, 1785; by me, J. HancocR, 18~7. In sending
<strong>the</strong> book to London, Warren writes in it :-I am <strong>the</strong> minister aad ad-minister
<strong>the</strong> .Sacraments in <strong>the</strong> said ChapeZ,John Hancock, <strong>of</strong> Alcester, aforesaid, is Deacon,
and princz;bal acting Trwtec, and Richad Holtom, <strong>of</strong> Alcestev, is Chapel Warden ;
Thomas Warren, M0rtol.t Hall, county <strong>of</strong> Worcester. January, 1837. The
volume is a thin, square one, well preserved and bound in vellum. In
addition to numerous entries <strong>of</strong> baptisms, it contains :-The Names <strong>of</strong> those
ziho sat at th Zord's Sz@per at Alcester) <strong>the</strong> $rst time <strong>of</strong> my administering ei<strong>the</strong>r
here or anywhere, Sept. I, 1776; B. Evans. Twenty names here follow, but
many are indistinct. Next year Evans entered this note :-Hrs. Pershouse,
S@. 6, 1777, cut her throat <strong>the</strong> very day before fhe Lord's Supper, which so
afected as all, fhat rue pzdt it <strong>of</strong> to a future opporfunity ; cause-melancholy, to
which she was co~zstitutionally szdykf, but zircreased by an over anxiety about <strong>the</strong>
world.
RICHARD ROGERSON, min. Coventry 1717-1723, Alcester 1723-1733, Newcastle-on-Tyne
1733-1760, m. at Newcastle, Miss Halliday.
d. 6 Sept., 1760.
c$ <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Newcastle, John Brand, F.S.A., 1789, i, 411, M.R. 1811, p. 587.
GEORGE BRODHURST, b. in Birmingham? Ed. Findern Academy, by Dr. Latham,
min. Alcester [1733]-1773 ?
d. August, 1775.
cf M.R. 1823 P. 159.
BENJAMIN EVANS, b. [1745] nr. Llandyssul, S.W. ; ed. Caermar<strong>the</strong>n, Pres. Coll; min.
Newport, Mon.-[1774], Alcester 1774-1 785, Stockton-on-Tees 1785-1792, 1817-1821,
without cha~ge <strong>the</strong>re, 1792-1817 and 1821-1834; 91. Mary (d. 1833); d. g March, 1834, aet. 89.
cf C.R. 1834 p. 342 ; Two Hundred Years, Stockton, 1888 p. 12.
BENJAMIN MAURICE, b. [1748] in Pembrokeshire ; ed. Caermar<strong>the</strong>n, ~res. Coll. ; min.
Newmarket, Flintshire, -1785, Alcester 1785-1814 ; bachelo;;
d. 11 February, 1814, aet. 66.
cf M.R. 1814 p. 244.
CHRISTMAS NEWSON SAINT, b. Christmas Day, 1781 at Norwich ; min. Alcester 1816-1817,
Hinckley 1817-1820, Cranbrook G. B. 1829-1831, Headcorn G. B. 1832-1853, Norwich,
withozrt chnrge, 1853-1854 ; m. Sophia Garrod; Issue, Thomas, Christopher, Sophia
(b. 1805, at Norwich, nz. - Geer), Eliza (b. 1808 at Norwich, ?lt. Robt. Frisby Bealby),
o<strong>the</strong>rs died in infancy ; d. 11 Sept., 1854 ; bur. Rosary, h'orwich.
cf Proceedings <strong>of</strong> G.B. Assembly ; headstone at Norwich; information from grand-
daughter, Mary Vince (nee' Bealby) ; and from Mr. D. C. Betts, Norwich.
THOMAS WARREN,
b. 1793 ; ed. Wymondley Coll ; min. Ringwood 1815-1817, Stourbridge
1817-1821, Alcester 1834-1864, Morton Hall, Worcestershire, without charge 1864-1874 ;
d. 25 August, 1874, aet. 81.
cf; Early <strong>History</strong>, Presbyterian Congregation, Stourbridge, A. W. Worthington, B.A.,
1888 ii., 11.