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

Pearsall Grammar School and minister <strong>of</strong> Bewdley Chapel. An elderly
lady, who, when a girl, received Latin lessons from him, recently described
him to <strong>the</strong> author as-
a man <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> kindest nature and ever willing to help o<strong>the</strong>rs.
He was mainly instrumental in <strong>the</strong> bringing up <strong>of</strong> William Mountford,
M. A. -to whom he bequea<strong>the</strong>d his library-who was born at Kidderminster,
was a student <strong>of</strong> Manchester College, York, 1833-38, and after various minis-
terial settlements in England (see Kingswood) and in <strong>the</strong> United States,
died in America in 1885. Jones remained here until 1858, when, through
kindness to ano<strong>the</strong>r, he became involved in some financial difficulty, resigned
his post, and emigrated to <strong>the</strong> United States, where he did.
After Mr. Parry's ministry, and for a number <strong>of</strong> years a succession <strong>of</strong>
devoted lay preachers did good service here. Mention must be made <strong>of</strong>
Will Brooke (d. 4 July, 1888, zet. 66), an active member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> New
Meeting, Kidderminster. For many years he conduct%d <strong>the</strong> Sunday service
here with acceptance, a work only relinquished through failing health.
During <strong>the</strong> ministry <strong>of</strong> W. Carey Walters at Kidderminster we find
<strong>the</strong> Guild <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Good Shepherd taking up <strong>the</strong> work under his active
direction, and <strong>the</strong> names and labours <strong>of</strong> Charles Stainer, George A. Payne
(now minisfer <strong>of</strong> Brook Street Chapel, Knutsford), Harry Haycock (now
minister <strong>of</strong> Victoria Street Chapel, Loughborough), and George Harry
VVilliams are still gratefully remembered at Bewdley.
On 2 November, 1886, <strong>the</strong> MONTHLY MEETING was held in this chapel,
wheli George Henry Smith, <strong>the</strong>n minister at Wolverhampton, read a paper
detailing <strong>the</strong> steps <strong>of</strong> his passage from methodism to Swedenborgianism and
<strong>the</strong>nce to unitarianism. Eighteen miriisters were present on this occasion.
In 1894, owing to deaths and removals, <strong>the</strong> resident congregation had
well nigh disappeared, and, for a time, worship was discontinued. At <strong>the</strong>
last only some twelve persons attended, and most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m were recipients
<strong>of</strong> charities belonging to <strong>the</strong> chapel. At present <strong>the</strong> building is let to <strong>the</strong>
Baptists at a nominal rent ; <strong>the</strong> trustees can, however, resume possession
whenever <strong>the</strong>y require it.
For many years it had a large and influential congregation."
The meeting-house, which stands back from <strong>the</strong> street, and is approached
"<strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> Bewdley, John R. Burton, B.A., 1883, p. 49.
through a long passage, is an excellent building, and bears evidence <strong>of</strong>
erection by a wealthy congregation. The interior is oval, with a gallery
facing <strong>the</strong> pulpit, and old-fashioned high-backed pews. On <strong>the</strong> wall is a
marble tablet with a short Latin inscription, which may be rendered :-
To perpetuate <strong>the</strong> remembrance <strong>of</strong> Samuel Kenrick this tablet was erected
by P.P. [Dr. Prattinton?] Literature was his delight ; <strong>of</strong> manners gentle,
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> supreme Being, a devout worshipper ; in integrity <strong>of</strong> life, a bright
example. He died 6 October, 181 I, =et. 83.
Samuel Kenrick was <strong>the</strong> third son <strong>of</strong> John Kenrick, minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
dissenting congregation <strong>of</strong> Wrexham ; he was born at Wynnehall, Denbigh-
shire, and educated at Glasgow, 1743-1750. After some years spent on <strong>the</strong>
continent as tutor to <strong>the</strong> two sons <strong>of</strong> James Milliken, <strong>of</strong> Milliken, in Ren-
frewshire, he settled at Bewdley, and conducted a banking establishment
<strong>the</strong>re between 30 and 40 years, eagerly devoting his spare time to ancient
and modern literature. His name appears as one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first members <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> Western Unitarian Society, instituted by his nephew, Timothy Kenrick,
minister at Exeter.
Communion plate is said to have been in <strong>the</strong> possession <strong>of</strong> this con-
gregation so recently as 1860, although all attempts on <strong>the</strong> author's part
to discover who now holds it have failed.
The trusteps are members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> New Meeting, Kidderminster, and <strong>the</strong>
books and papers from which many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> above details are taken are in
<strong>the</strong> custody <strong>of</strong> Messrs. Talbot and Son, Solicitors, Kidderminster.
The Baptismal Register is a very thin, small, square book, bound in
a rough cardboard cover, and contains -entries from 1722 to 1823 ; <strong>the</strong>
author saw it in July, 1898.
ENRY OASLAND, b. 1625 ; B. I May, parish <strong>of</strong> Rock, Worcestershire ; ed. Bewdley
Grammar School; Trinity Coll., Cambridge (4 years), [1644?- 1, B.A. 1649, M.A.
1653 ; ord. London, 5 August, 1631 ; min. Bewdley, 1650-ej. 1662 ; lic. 25 July, 1672 ;
m. (1660) daughter <strong>of</strong> -Maxwell, banker, Bewdley ; Issue, Edward, Henry, and o<strong>the</strong>rs.
(1'. 19 October, 1703; bur. chancel, Kingswinford Church.
cf; Dic. Nut. Biog.
EDWARD OASLAND, B. at Bewdley ; ed. Sheriff-hales by John Woodhouse ; min. Bewdley
1704- I 750.
d. January, 1752.
c$ Dic. Nat. Biog. under Henry Oasland.
JOHN ADAMS, ord. 18 July, 1751 ; min. Beurdley, 1750-1773.