The Early Chelmsford Dissenters

The year 1662 was a very significant year in the history of our land, for in that year on St. Bartholomew's Day, 24th August, two thousand godly ministers of the Church of England were ejected from their churches and livings under the Act of Uniformity.

The principal terms required by the Act were, a declaration of unfeigned assent and consent to everything contained in the Book of Common Prayer, re‑ordination for those not episcopally ordained and a renunciation of the solemn League and Covenant. Knowing that the Puritans would not submit to such terms, the authorities framed the Act to secure their expulsion.

Among those men was John Reeve, Rector of Springfield near Chelmsford. Upon his ejection he formed an independent meeting in Chelmsford, at the sign of the King's Head, this being after the 1672 Declaration of Indulgences for Dissenters Act. In about 1714 this meeting split into two groups. The original group was known as the Baddow Lane Meeting.

In about 1790 the first movements of unrest began in the Baddow Lane Meeting. This was encouraged by the removal of a minister who had been sympathetic to the Calvinistic Baptist position and the coming of a new minister. He was a rigid paedobaptist. A group of believers within his congregation also had 'a great concern to obtain food for their souls of which they had been so long destitute'. In the course of time this group separated themselves from the Baddow Lane Meeting and they had a longing to support a Baptist cause in Chelmsford.

A few of those believers who lived at a distance from Chelmsford found a meeting room nearer to their homes and in the over‑ruling providence of God a young man, Mr. William Squirrel, who was of Baptist principles was sent amongst them to preach for them and was invited by them to stay for three months as a probationer. The stand that this man took in his preaching upset many of the independent churches round about: they found his Baptist principles obnoxious to their way of thinking. The ministers of those churches did all they could to promote his removal from amongst the flock to which he ministered and if possible entirely out of the neighbourhood. Early records state that some of his people were offered money to leave this meeting, others had pressure put on them in other ways to leave and the unlearned were persuaded that he was preaching antinomianism. His opponents were so against believers' baptism, fearing most of all that a Baptist church would be formed.

After a period of time, this hostility began to have an adverse effect. Some of the meeting wished to have open communion principles, and other things came in which made Mr. William Squirrel give the people three months notice to find another in his place, much to the joy of the opponents of the cause.

The Early Chelmsford Baptists

In the words of the early members at Chelmsford, 'the Lord's set time to favour Zion had come in respect of His sorrowing people here'. Several of them had heard Mr. William Squirrel during his six months at the meeting outside Chelmsford. They had been extremely comforted and built up under his preaching and were thoroughly persuaded that it was the plain scriptural way that the mode of baptism should be by immersion and administered to believers only. They immediately invited him to come and minister to them in Chelmsford itself. He accepted their call, and the Lord blessed his labours amongst them. So the Lord wonderfully answered their prayers and fulfilled their desires in a way unthought of and in a way unsought by them, everything working together to bring about the establishing of a Baptist church in Chelmsford and, although greatly opposed, the early members saw that 'it is the Lord's doing and is indeed marvellous in our eyes.'

In due course one of the Chelmsford brethren quickly formed a resolution that application should be made to the proprietor of the theatre in Chelmsford to grant the use of that place for preaching and worship until a proper site could be found and a suitable building erected, and so it was that William Clachar's theatre was booked for 9 months. William Clachar was an astute businessman, who oversaw much development in Chelmsford around the Shire Hall area. The 'theatre' was in fact more of a public hall than a playhouse.

The forming of the Church

And so it was on 30th September 1802 in the presence of two Baptist ministers, John Hornblow of Braintree and William Squirrel, that worship commenced. It is recorded that the friends would meet at every possible opportunity, in order to relate with each other something of the Lord's dealings with them.

It was not long before nineteen people wished to covenant themselves together to form the membership of the church and follow the Lord in believers' baptism. At first it was proposed to hold the baptizing in the river (either the Can or Chelmer), but John Hornblow of Braintree who had been such a help to them, offered the use of his chapel, and so the nineteen were baptized by him at Braintree. William Squirrel preached from Acts 2:38. It is recorded that it was a day much to be remembered, 'the charges, advices, and admonitions, so weighty and proper and delivered in such an evangelical and loving manner, left an impression on our minds never to be erased.'

Soon after the church was formed its next business was to give its minister a call to take its pastoral care. Therefore, Mr. William Squirrel was called to be the first pastor of the work.

The Duke Street Chapel Building

In 1803 a small plot of land of 285 square yards, taken out of the field called 'Little Vintners' on the south side of Duke Street, was bought and a small brick chapel measuring 30' x 40' x 18' high was built. (This would have been on the western corner of where Victoria Road South now is). The building also called 'Ebenezer' cost £520, the money being borrowed from one of the trustees. A Dissenters' Meeting House Licence was granted. To help with the repayment of the debt of £520, a small cottage was built by subscription on part of the chapel plot in 1807, and let for £18 a year. The debt was not finally cleared for many years, but was reduced in 1809 to £250.

We learn from a written document that Mr. William Squirrel relinquished his pastoral charge in 1825 after a declining congregation. Mr. Henry Howell became pastor in 1829 until 1838.

A vestry was added to the building in 1827, this being paid for by voluntary subscription. It was also found desirable to take down the old gallery, which, it is recorded, was scarcely long enough to contain more than the singers. A new gallery was erected at the end of the meeting house large enough to contain the singers and the children of the Sunday school. It is also recorded that in 1830 a number of pews were made in the centre of the chapel, and that a sum of £14.4s.1d. remained to be paid to one of the deacons for his work and materials.

The services appear to have been morning and afternoon, and each quarter a different deacon was deputed to conduct a prayer meeting between the services.

The New London Road Chapel Building

We now come to the 1840's and to a notable architect and entrepreneur called James Fenton who had come to live in Chelmsford from Reading in about 1829. The Fenton family worshipped at the Baddow Lane Meeting together with four other leading men in Chelmsford. In due course, Mr. Fenton formed a partnership with these gentlemen. It was this partnership that conceived the idea of making a new bridge

over the River Can, and constructing a road into the fields opposite. By 17th January 1840 the great cast iron bridge over the River Can was well on the way to being completed together with the new road leading from the bridge, originally known as London Street and now called New London Road.

As New London Road was developed, Mr. Fenton governed the planning of all buildings with a firm hand, imposing strict guidelines as to how far a property could be built from the footpath. Some of the properties were up to 40 feet away from the footpath whilst others were closer. The facing bricks of these properties had to be a white brick. White gault clay deposits were found during the excavation works prior to the building of the railway embankment and this clay was used to make a brick known as Mildmay brick hence we see why Ebenezer is built so far back from the road and why such an attractive brick was used in its construction. Ebenezer chapel is now a Grade 11 Listed Building.

So it was in April 1847, that the pastor at the time, Mr. Henry Tydeman, reminded the members of the poor state of the Duke Street chapel and its adjoining cottage, the need for more seat room, and improvement to the lighting and the ventilation. At first, the members were minded to refurbish the premises, but as will be seen, they decided to accept one of Mr. Fenton's remaining sites in 'London Street' in exchange for the Duke Street site. The following is an extract from the minutes of a special church meeting held on 23rd August 1847:

'This meeting was called in consequence of a communication made by Mr. Fenton to Mr. Tydeman our Pastor, and which was as follows: that Mr. Fenton would give an eligible site and undertake to build and complete a plain substantial chapel enclosure and gates included upon the following conditions (viz) that we convey to him the present chapel, house and premises, and in addition thereto pay him the sum of £290.'

Subsequently another special church meeting was held on Wednesday 25th August 1847. At this meeting further consideration of Mr. Fenton's proposal was entertained and the following resolutions passed:

'Resolved that the liberal offer of Mr. Fenton be accepted and that the present chapel and premises be conveyed to that gentleman upon the terms and for the considerations proposed by him. Moved by Brother Dewey and seconded by Brother J. Deal.'

'Resolved that we desire to express our heartfelt thanks to Almighty God for what we can but hope to be the interposition of His hand in our behalf. and also to express our sincere thanks to Mr. Fenton for all his kindness and attention. Moved by Brother Howe, seconded by Brother Clench.'

(The Duke Street site was obviously more valuable to Mr. Fenton at that time, because of its close proximity to the Railway Station so perhaps Mr. Fenton may not have been so generous as the members thought!).

The opening of the present chapel building in New London Road

The following is the extract from the minute book regarding the opening service:

'The opening of the new chapel took place on Wednesday July 5th 1848 when three sermons were preached: that in the morning by Mr. Abrahams from the 6th chapter of Genesis and the 22nd verse: 'Thus did Noah according to all that God commanded him, so did he': that in the afternoon by our Pastor, Henry Tydeman from Acts chapter 19 and verse 20 'So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed': that in the evening by Mr. Shorter from the 1st Epistle of John the 4th chapter and the 7th verse, 'Beloved. Let us love one another for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God.' The place was crowded in the morning and evening and the collections amounted to the sum of £29.13s.2d. 0 Lord, memorialize this day in the hearts of Thy dear people and get glory and honour and praise to Thy name. Amen and Amen.'

Enlargement of site

It now appears that Mr. Fenton only conveyed to the members, the land on which the new chapel building stood, together with a right‑of‑way from New London Road, because six months after the chapel was opened, the Pastor told the members at a special meeting on April 23rd 1849, that Mr. Fenton had had an offer for one of the pieces of ground one side of the right of way to the front of the chapel (where the present chapel car park is). The meeting resolved to purchase both pieces of land either side of the right of way to the front of the chapel 'in order to prevent any buildings thereon that might annoy the worshippers.' It was then thought expedient to ascertain what probability there was of being able to raise the sum required, at which time various members promised subscriptions towards this building.

Pastor Henry Boulton (youngest man standing in front of cart); William Beach (centre sitting in cart ‑ an esteemed elder, deacon and preacher of the gospel who died 9.12.1901 age 89) other deacons to right of picture. circa 1899 / 1900.

Two members said their promises of money were made on the condition that the piece of land behind the chapel (where the present Sunday school hall and rear garden are) was purchased along with the two pieces at the front. In the event, Pastor Henry Tydeman and a long standing deacon, Mr. John Clench, purchased these three pieces of land for the sum of £100 in their own names and agreed to convey them to the Trustees for the same sum of money.

It is recorded that in August 1849, Pastor Tydeman was invited to supply the chapel at Liverpool for a month. This was agreed to as it was likely there would be a considerable collection made on behalf of 'Ebenezer' which would help relieve the debt on the chapel .

It is interesting to note that the small table in the present minister's vestry bears the date 1832 and belonged to John Clench (who has been mentioned earlier in this history). How the table came into the church's possession, we do not know, but as John Clench was a cabinet maker, did he in fact make the table? John Clench was a deacon in 1837 (at the time of the first surviving Minute Book) until 1862.

Samuel Green, who first preached with a view to the pastorate in 1868, did not see his way clear to give up an important situation in London and move to Chelmsford to accept the church's subsequent invitation to become pastor, but occupied the pulpit for up to twelve months at a time for approximately five years until 1872, without becoming pastor.

Sunday school work

The Sunday school work was started in Duke Street chapel. It has already been mentioned that in 1828 it became necessary to enlarge the gallery at the Duke Street chapel to accommodate the Sunday school. In those days afternoon school commenced at 1.15 p.m. followed by the preaching service at 2.30 p.m. The Sunday school work continued in the New London Road chapel and again accommodation was provided for the children in the gallery.

Back row (left to right): Mrs. Jackson, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Abberbrelton, Mr. G. Pizzey Pastor Josiah Morling, Mr. Fred Hazelton, Mr. David Monk, Mr. T. Raven, Mr. Harry Leeks, Miss Mr. David Monk (Junior). Front row (left to right): Miss Ruth Appleby, Miss Alice Lancaster, Mrs. Brown, Miss Mary Collins, Miss Florrie Lancaster (Mrs. Sid Monk), Miss Ethel Evans, Miss Eva Lancaster (Mrs. Harry Leeks). (Fred Hazelton was Sunday school superintendent 1908 ‑ 1946). Circa 1910 ‑ 1918.

Thirty years later, the superintendent, Mr. Josiah Cowell, and his staff were granted permission to build a school room on the land at the rear of the chapel. The foundation stone was laid by Mrs. Josiah Cowell on 16th July 1878. The approximate cost of the schoolroom and classroom was £400, half of which was raised by the date of the stone laying ceremony.

During the first world war, the school hall was loaned to the Red Cross Society for use as a hospital for wounded soldiers whilst the school met in the vestry. Children were encouraged to visit the patients. During the second world war, the school hall was again used in connection with the war effort. A rest centre was established in case of local aerial bombardment and a store of blankets and nonperishable foods provided for emergency use.

Between the first and second world wars, there was a morning Sunday school commencing at 9.30 a.m. (this would have been a short children's service rather than classes), following which children would join their parents in the chapel for a 10.30 a.m. service. Afternoon Sunday school was held at 2.30 p.m. In the Trust Deed it does state that there shall be no Sunday school during the time of divine services. In the 1950s teachers' prayer meetings were held once a month following the afternoon school.

In 1978 a special service of thanksgiving was held to commemorate 100 years of the building of the Sunday school hall. Old scholars were invited to write reports of their Sunday school memories and it has been encouraging to read, not only accounts of Sunday school outings to such places as Baddow Rodney, Maldon and a member's farm at Roxwell, winter treats and Anniversaries, but also of fond memories and testimonies of the way in which instruction was given in the Sunday school and words spoken which had made an impression on their hearers and which had laid a good grounding for their Christian lives which followed. Some became missionaries, others pastors and preachers, some teachers and others in quiet and unknown ways lived to serve God. Afternoon Sunday school still continues to this day.

Left to right: Mr. George Pizzy, Mr. Edgar Wood, Pastor Robert Hewitt, Mr. George Towns, Mr. Fred Hazelton, Mr. John Lancaster. Early 1920's.

In March 1962 some members felt constrained to start a Junior Fellowship of Youth for young children on a Thursday evening. It started in a small way but has continued right up to the present time when there have always been children attending. The 40th Anniversary of Junior F.O.Y has been celebrated this year. This meeting is considered to be a teaching meeting, when children are taught Bible truth.

A Senior F.O.Y meeting, which received a boost in the 1950's during the ministry of Pastor Joseph Hewitt, has continued up to the present time.

Centenary Services 1902

On the Lord's Day, Pastor H. S. Boulton preached to a large congregation morning and evening and on the following Wednesday afternoon, Pastor E. Mitchell of Chadwell Street, London, preached, tea being provided for 150 in the interval. A special commemorative service was held in the evening when amongst the addresses given, was one by Pastor F. G. Burgess of Wellingborough, (formerly of Chelmsford). It was recorded on that occasion that since Mr. Boulton had been pastor, 37 members had been added to the church, the membership then being 113.

Chapel refurbishment

The chapel underwent major refurbishment during the time of Pastor Burgess. There was new seating, (the previous pews were 'old fashioned with straight backs and paint that needed burning off.') New windows, a new heating system and a new water supply were installed. The walls were repainted and the ceiling papered as it was considered the best means of preserving it in good condition. It was reported that the 'effect of the whole work has been to give the building that was formerly cold and cheerless, an interior as handsome and neat as that possessed by any little chapel in the county. The open benches provided with hat pegs, the tasteful wall decorations, the effective heating apparatus and the pretty windows of Cathedral glass are, to say the least, a vast improvement upon the former state of things.' A service of thanksgiving was held in the chapel when the preacher was Mr. John Jull of Eden Chapel, Cambridge. The vestry had been enlarged and renovated two years earlier.

In 1914 gas lighting was installed and it was not until 1927 that electric lighting was provided.

Strict Baptist Open Air Mission

Between the early 1930's and the early 1960's, the Chelmsford branch of the Strict Baptist Open Air Mission was active in the summer months. During the ministry of Pastor Philip Goodge the members cycled many miles to outlying towns and villages. A portable organ was used to assist the singing and was towed behind a bicycle on a trailer. (Sadly the organ was destroyed in the 1958 flood). Each meeting started with a short prayer meeting. Following the meetings, tracts were distributed in the towns and door‑to‑door visitation carried out in the villages. The work continued during the ministry of Pastor Joseph Hewitt. There are many annual reports recorded in the church  minutes of each year's meetings. The annual report in 1945 records 'there had been 14 meetings, 85 attendances, 60 addresses  with a distribution of 1850  tracts.'

A Strict Baptist Open Air Mission gathering.

Leslie Ransome, Morris Morling, Sydney Ransom, Ebenezer Leeks, Pastor Philip Goodge, Edgar Wood, Arthur Riley, Leonard Leeks. Circa 1936 / 1937.

New Vestry

During the ministry of Pastor Timothy Pipe‑Wolferstan, it was felt that the old vestry was in need of refurbishment as well as the need for improved toilet facilities. Up until that time, the toilets were reached from the outside and could not be locked; they could be used by all and froze up in the winter. So plans were drawn up in 1976 for the demolition of the old vestry, to be replaced with what we have now: a flat roofed building to house the pastor's vestry, main vestry and toilets. This work cost in the region of £16,500, loans of £13,500 being obtained.

In October 1980 the church was saddened by the loss of Pastor Timothy Pipe‑Wolferstan when he was called to his eternal home at the age of 45 years, having been pastor for nine years. Thanks were given to God for his gracious life and witness. 'His prayers and encouragements for each one would be greatly missed.'

Following on from the rebuilding of the vestry, further major work was carried out to the buildings. In 1984 the roof of the chapel was remade and later the inside of the chapel underwent major refurbishment with a new floor, side panelling, new gas heaters and complete redecoration.

At the time the new vestry was built, there had been the possibility of a second stage, which was to be a room above the new vestry with a pitched roof. Twenty‑six years on, as the flat roof now needs attention, the church is proposing to have a pitched roof in place of the vestry flat roof, with a loft room.

So what of those first members? Little, if anything, of them is recorded, nor does it appear that any of their writings have survived. The Trust Deed describes them as 'a Society of Protestant Dissenters who are called Particular Baptists'. One of the better known members of days gone by, however, was Mrs. Mary Ann Chaplin who is remembered for her Christian poetry. She was of Huguenot descent; was born in London in 1844; was one of eleven children and only went to school until six years of age at which time she was taken away to help her father with his weaving. The Lord had spoken to her early in life and she was baptized when fourteen years of age at Hackney. Mary Ann was married in 1868 to Mr. Thomas Chaplin and came to live as a farmer's wife in Galleywood. She joined 'Ebenezer' in August 1885. When coming before the church it is recorded that 'Our sister in the usual way related the Lord's dealings with her, expressing the pleasure she felt in listening to the Word, and how she had felt constrained seeing that the Lord was with us, to cast in her lot amongst us.' Mrs. Chaplin's published works ran to about 12,000 copies.

As we survey the old minute books, it is clear that those early members were definitely Strict and Particular Baptists who came to their position by the gracious leading of the Lord in His truth, holding that salvation is by grace and not by works. As a church, they had contact with other likeminded people around the country. There is one account of a church in Exeter applying to Chelmsford friends for help.

During Mr. Tydeman's pastorate one Thursday in July 1847, it is recorded that Mr. J. C. Philpot came and preached. Minutes also inform us that Mr. Tydeman was invited to preach at the Eden Street Chapel, Hampstead Road, London. (This was a church where many of the wellknown Particular Baptist preachers such as John Kershaw and John Warburton preached when in London). Mr. C. H. Spurgeon preached for Ebenezer in 1855. For this occasion the Independent chapel in New London Road was kindly lent. The attendance was estimated at between 1500 and 1600 people. One of the fourteen original Trustees in 1848 was John Gadsby, a printer, the son of the well‑known Strict Baptist minister and hymnwriter, William Gadsby.

There were also, of course, many like‑minded brethren throughout our country at that time, often being labelled 'antinomian'. These men saw from the Scriptures that man by nature has no capability of his own to turn unto the Lord or to do any spiritual good whatsoever. 'Salvation is by the free grace of God calling forth an elect people' was their cry.

The Scriptures were the foundation of their faith: those precious infallible words of God preserved since the pen men inspired of God wrote them down, kept all through the dark ages of history until in the goodness of God, men like Wycliffe and Tyndale were raised up to translate the Bible into English, all this resulting, in providence, to the printing of the Authorised Version. It is this version which our forefathers at Ebenezer used, and is still recognised and used today as the most accurate available.

It is true also of the hymns we sing. It is recorded that in 1842 the church started to use Gadsby's selection. This collection of hymns was in use until 1952 when the church moved over to Gospel Hymns which still contains the great hymns of our faith, hymns by Newton, Hart, Kent and Gadsby: hymns full of scripture and experiential truth. The Scriptures and these grand old hymns have been the support and comfort of God's people all down the years since 1802 and before.

Indeed it is this truth that God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, made under the law (Galatians 4:4), which was their hope; that the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son, that glorious second Person of the Trinity, Who before the world was made, was appointed to be the sin‑bearer of His people, Who in the fulness of time was born of the virgin in Bethlehem's manger, Who lived that perfect life, Who indeed fulfilled the law on behalf of His believing people, Who is that Lamb of God 'slain before the foundation of the world' (Revelation 13:8.) This is the One Who shed His precious Blood that poor, needy sinners might live. And as our forefathers in the faith lived by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, so may we despite all the wandering of our old nature, look unto Him Who is precious, Whose Blood cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).

The prayer of the church today is the same as that of those early members at the opening of our present building in 1848, when they besought the Lord that He would continue to get honour, glory and praise to His Name.

The Chapel has been flooded on three occasions:

In August 1888, when the schoolroom was only 10 years old, it was flooded to a depth of 5' and the chapel 2'6" when the River Can overflowed and much damage was done to the town. The bridge in New London Road was swept away at that time.

In March 1947 the water in the schoolroom rose to a depth of X. Owing to fuel shortages at that time, the chapel services had been held in the schoolroom throughout the winter months and for their protection, the chapel organ, Bibles, hymnbooks and tune books were all stored in the schoolroom. Three organs were overturned and the books submerged. The volume of water swept away the boundary walls.

In September 1958 the water rose to the level of the front seats in the chapel ‑ even higher in the schoolroom.

Chronological list of Pastors