Reading: Primitive Methodism in the Conference Town

Transcription of article published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by H. Ralph

READING is an ancient town with an illustrious bead roll of worthies, men who have been eminent in almost every phase of our country’s ecclesiastical life. Here you shall find the names of Julins Palmer, headmaster of Reading School; of Archbishop Laud, a scholar also of the same school; and of Professor Goldwin Smith of Toronto, W.G. Lawes of New Guinea, and Commissioner Rees of the Salvation Army, a worthy succession of great and good men whose memory it were well to preserve.

Primitive Methodism was borne into Reading on the flood-tide of a great movement, and its coming was the crown of a succession of heroic achievements. Brinkworth, the daring mother church of the South, extending her borders by an ever widening evangelistic enterprise, made no more notable advance than when, in 1829, she established a “Berkshire Mission.” At first this was the most unfruitful of all her enterprises; faced, as it was, by opposition, brutal and unrelenting, by difficulties of indifference, poverty, and often of sharp hunger. However, these were met with a heroic fortitude, a dogged courage and a sturdy zeal which refused to be beaten, as every Primitive Methodist knows. It was in prayer, at Ashdown Copse, in biting wind and heavy snow, that the two noble pioneers won the victory. Eighty-five years have passed since that great assurance was granted, but Berkshire is still ours. From that day difficulties, opposition, and poverty have been viewed only as obstacles to be overcome. Opposition has only served to give nerve for greater advances; poverty and hunger have been but sharper spurs to prayers. Our great fathers suffered many hardships as good soldiers of Christ, but they enjoyed many compensations in doing so, the chief of which was the joy of leading multitudes to Christ.

It was in 1835 that Reading was missioned, and under such heroic auspices success was assured from the beginning. For many months the services were held on the Forbury Hill, including both the prayer and class meetings. The first missionary meeting also was held on the same spot. The first camp meeting was held in a meadow where the Town Hall and Municipal Buildings now stand. The first sanctuary was a disused Wesleyan Chapel, which still exists in London Street, and is known to-day as “St. Giles’ Hall.” In March, 1836, three hundred members were reported as the result of eleven months’ services, a number which was increased by one-half during the second twelve months, during which the mission had provided all its own expenses. Then “Reading Circuit” appeared on the “List of Stations” with John Ride as first superintendent. In a letter to the writer, penned a few years ago, Mr. Ride’s son recalled a clear memory of the removal of the family from Shefford “per donkey and cart.” All the good folks of that day have now passed away, but many of their descendants still hold to the Church of their fathers. In October, 1839, Salem Chapel was purchased, and opened by Mr. T. Baker, who doubled the financial results of the opening services, and also built a schoolroom at his own expense. He was a most liberal helper to the early Church.

It was in Reading that the first Conference in the South of England was held, and the sessions took place in 1841 at Salem Chapel. The plan of the services in connection with that event is a modest single sheet, and the delegates present were forty-seven in number. The fathers of the Connexion were present, and the public services were of a powerful character. Hugh Bourne preached the opening sermon at five a.m., at which hour the only indoor services of the Conference on the week-days were held; four open-air services were held each evening in various parts of the town. Especially memorable was a service held in St. Mary’s Butts on June 13th, when the venerable William Clowes preached with all the fire and passion of his best days. At this Conference steps were taken to form a missionary organization to centralise the missionary work of the Church, and so relieve circuits such as Reading of a burden of care and responsibility. The resultant arrangements, however, did not take effect until June, 1844. At that time the Reading Circuit had a staff of seventeen travelling preachers. It had established and maintained missions at Windsor, Brentford, Kingston, St. Albans, Rickmansworth, Watford, Hertford, an Essex Mission, and the High Wycombe Branch.

The greatest movement in the upbuilding of the still vigorous parent Society of this great Circuit was that initiated by the Rev. P. Coates in 1866, when the present London Street Church was purchased. How great an influence this step has exerted upon Reading Primitive Methodists may be inferred from the fact that whereas from 1844 to 1866 the membership had practically remained stationary, in the following eight years two other town churches were built and good societies established, one at Cumberland Road, and the other at Friar Street, largely by the untiring efforts of the late Rev. T. Penrose. At first the mother church lost heavily by these developments, but the ranks were soon filled up, and the society, which is one of manifold activities efficiently maintained, remains to-day a great community, worthy of its position at the head of a prosperous and progressive circuit.

During the ministry of the Rev. G.E. Butt the Conference was again held in Reading. This was in the year 1885, and the Sessions were attended by two hundred and fifty delegates, many of whom were the leaders of Primitive Methodism during its period of consolidation and development. The well-known Thomas Bateman enjoyed the distinction of having been present at the Conference of 1841, and must have been impressed. by the contrast afforded by the two assemblies. The President of 1885 was the Rev. Ralph Fenwick and the Rev. Jas. Travis, now one of the “grand old men” of the Connexion, was Secretary. The visit of the Conference on this occasion quickened so very materially the Connexional interests in Reading that the coming again of the highest court of the Connexion has been eagerly and joyfully anticipated. To-day the circuit has five town and five country churches. The latter are situated in delightful rural surroundings, and the fervent and hearty spirit of our fathers is a cherished possession.

The circuit has given many men to the ministry of the Connexion. From James Barnes and Jesse Herbert, of early days, down to her moderns, the Revs. Phil Fisher and C.P. Groves, B.A., B.D., they have brought credit to those who called them into their holy work.

There are many more in preparation for the time when the Church shall call them to take up one or other of the tasks in which good men and women make proof of loyalty and love.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915/518