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Compiled from extracts of "These Years Have Told", by G E Bayes 1951
Baptist Church - village meetings

As the Rushden Baptist membership grew rapidly in the 1860s, cottage meetings were arranged in surrounding villages at Podington, Wymington, Chelveston and Yelden.

In the 1890s cottage meetings were started at Stanwick and Hinwick, the latter having an iron building purchased and erected there.

At Chelveston this led to regular Sunday services in the farm house of Mr Gross. Later a special accommodation was provided adjoining a house in the village with an ‘upper floor’ the gift of Mr Gross and family. This was regularly visited by Mr Bradfield with young people from Rushden, on week-nights.

The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavour started in 1894, and the young people held a week of mission services at Stanwick and at Chelveston.

About 1910 Deacon J T Colson took over care of Chelveston. An annual anniversary event was held at Whitsuntide and there the Rushden Baptist Cricket Club played a match against the village of Chelveston.

In 1914 a mission was founded at Higham Ferrers.

In 1919 a parcel of land was purchased for £380 with three cottages at Chelveston. The cottages were sold for £275 and the members of Rushden and Chelveston subscribed the rest. A building fund was started and the foundation stones were laid on 30th August 1922, and the opening service was held on 6th March 1924.


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