A History of Horncastle, from the earliest period to the present timeWalter, J. Conway (James Conway)
History
A History of Horncastle, from the earliest period to the present time
Walter, J. Conway (James Conway)
Horncastle (England) -- History
On the north side of the building is a graveyard, but only three
inscriptions are legible, they are “Mary Markwell, died March 28th, 1776,
aged 29. Prepare to meet thy God.” This was, doubtless, one of the
earliest interments. The second is “In memory of Thomas Lamb, who
departed this life June 7th, 1811, aged 82.
Here rests that lately animated clod,
Who self despised, and glorified his God;
And when that great decisive day shall come,
He’ll rise triumphant from the silent tomb.
Also of Frances, his wife, who departed this life April 2nd, 1810, aged
79. He was a watchmaker. The third is as follows: “Sacred to the memory
of Eliza, daughter of William Parker, Solicitor, and Elizabeth, his wife,
who died 1st April, 1835, aged 20 years. Them that sleep in Jesus will
God bring with Him.” Mr. Parker occupied part of the premises now
forming the shop and residence of Mr. Bryant, shoemaker, in the High
Street.
There is little doubt that the house adjoining the chapel, on the north
west, was once the minister’s residence. On the stairs leading to the
present rostrum there is still a doorway, which evidently led to the
house. There is a stone tablet over this door, and in 1892 an exact copy
of this was made, and placed on the north wall. The inscription reads
“John Hill, departed this life Oct. 16th, 1779, aged 48, Pastor of this
Church 13 years.”
There are some tablets on the wall within, but the Rev. F. Samuels, who
was Pastor when the Chapel was renovated, about 1882, unfortunately
allowed the inscriptions to be obliterated.
It is interesting to know that the Mint Lane Baptist Chapel, at Lincoln,
was founded in 1767, by worshippers at Horncastle. {85a} Curiously it
was not till 1892 that the Horncastle Chapel was “registered” as a place
of worship, the omission being only then discovered, when application was
made for a licence to solemnize marriages.
In 1893 the Chapel was thoroughly restored, at a cost of £80; the
interior being modernised, the walls painted, the old high pews removed
and replaced by neat seats, the old box-shaped pulpit taken down, and a
rostrum and platform erected. There is a good organ, with special seats
for the choir.
We may add that the Baptists are now a very numerous and influential
body. At the Baptist World Conference, held at Exeter Hall, London, July
10 and following days, 1905, the first ever held as an united community,
Dr. Maclaren of Manchester presiding, a message was received from the
King and Queen, thanking for a loyal address from the Conference. The
President also stated that he had informally received a greeting of good
will from the Established Church, as well as from the Free Churches.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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