|
South Molton Gospel Hall
'An Open Brethren
Assembly' |
|
|
|
Home Page |
Church Activities
| Our History |
What We
Believe |
|
The Chapel spear-headed the development of South Street, being the first building erected in that area. Brayley & Son's coal yard came later, along with the older buildings, some of which are still in evidence today. The price paid to Mr Hill was £52.10.0p the cost being met by the congregation. Previously the piece of ground was a field where timber was sawn, and the area now occupied by Kingsway Estate was frequently used for circuses and fun fairs. The original trustees whose names appear on the deed of sale were Hugh Chapple, Edward Knight Gillard, Charles Alexander and John Skinner. These four men took an active part in the formation of the assembly, all having a long association with South Molton and some of their descendants still live in the area. The ground was purchased on the 15th August 1840, the legal document being dated November 2nd 1840. As far as can be established this place of worship is the second oldest in the North Devon, Grosvenor Street Chapel in Barnstaple being the only one with an earlier construction date. Some of the other assemblies in North Devon, as they came into being, took over use of existing unused chapels, Eastacombe being one of such assemblies. Much support was received in these early days from Robert Chapman and George Muller who were the backbone of many of the smaller village fellowships. The Gospel Hall at Burrington was built 6 years later after South Molton and was aided in its formation by George Muller and used as a school, South Molton receiving help and support through William Hake and Robert Chapman. As a point of interest the original Bible given by Robert Chapman is still in use at the Hall in South Molton. Much of the early ground work was undertaken by a Christian worker called Robert Gribble, who was a school teacher and was active in the starting of many North Devon assemblies. Robert wrote a book in 1858, called, "Recollections of an Evangelist: or Incidents connected with Village Ministry" to which are added some extracts from his diary. His brother Joseph Besly Gribble also wrote a book, called, "The Memorials of Barnstaple." One of the early Trustees Robert Kingsland (Deed dated 2nd Nov. 1840). Left England to serve the Lord in Guyana (formerly know as British Guiana) and was one of the devoted missionaries at Demerara (Georgetown). Later, he retired as a Trustee of South Molton Gospel Hall on 23rd March 1885. It seems he was the only Trustee to survive of those listed in 1840.
The church in these days was a very low
spiritual ebb, and the movement of the Holy Spirit gave birth to the
desire to return to a more spiritual manner of worship and practice,
which characterised the first century church. This came like a
gentle cooling breeze after a hot and humid day, embellishing the
life of the church and giving considerable motivation to home and
overseas evangelistic fervour. At the turn of the last century the
South Street hall was used by William Panton for the training of
young people, with a desire for overseas missionary endeavour,
enabling them to gain experience before embarking overseas. |
|
|
