Weston Turville Union Chapel

The Early Years: 

Weston Turville Union Chapel was erected in the year 1839 on farmland in School Lane, given by Mr John Munger who farmed the nearby Manor Farm. He placed the building in the hands of ‘twelve good men and true’ as trustees. The first sermon was delivered on 2nd June 1839 by Mr. Edden of Tring.The chairman was his own brother Robert who farmed at Butlers Cross. It was recorded that in 1840, the Deeds were enrolled in Aylesbury’s Court of Chancery. There are no minutes to tell us of the first years of work, and sixteen years were to pass before fourteen members formed themselves into a church on 4th February 1856. 

The 1851 Religious Census of England and Wales provides detailed information about religious attendance and chapel capacity on Sunday 30 March 1851, rather than direct denominational affiliation from the population census. However, for places like Weston Turville, we can draw reasonable estimates from the religious returns submitted for that day and indicate that about one third of those that attended religious services that day were Nonconformist.

Key Data Points for Weston Turville (Buckinghamshire) – 1851 Religious Census:

• Population of Weston Turville (1851 Civil Census): Approximately 748 people.

• Anglican church in Weston Turville: St Mary the Virgin – the parish church (Church of England). Ref 151/39A

  • Seating Capacity: Free sitting 283; Other sitting 124; Total 407

  • Church and Chancel Area: Over 3,000 sq. ft. 

  • Attendance on 30 March 1851: 

    • Morning: General Congregation 110, Sunday Scholars 59, Total 169

    • Afternoon: General Congregation 155, Sunday Scholars 79, Total 234

  • Average Attendance over previous 12 months at: 

    • Morning: General Congregation 115, Sunday Scholars 70, Total 185

    • Afternoon: General Congregation 180, Sunday Scholars 80, Total 260

• Nonconformist chapel: Nonconformist chapel in Weston Turville in 1851. Ref 151/40

  • Seating Capacity: Free sitting 75; Other sitting 45; Total 130

  • Attendance on 30 March 1851: 

    • Morning: General Congregation 38, Sunday Scholars 9, Total 47

    • Afternoon: Sunday Scholars 12

    • Evening attendance: 112; 

Note: These figures reflect attendance, not formal membership or identification, and individuals may have attended multiple services. 

The trust Deed laid down that the Chapel was for the use of Baptists and Independents. This was interpreted to mean that applicants for membership could state whether they wished to join by the way of baptism or by verbal confession of their faith. The Deeds also stated that if any time the work of the Chapel should cease, the proceeds of the sale of the property should be shared between the Baptist Union and the Congregational Union. This stipulation explains the term ‘Union Chapel’. Beyond this legal stipulation, the Congregationalists never seemed to have any official connection to the Chapel.

In 1856 the Chapel was in the Pastoral care of Reverend E Edwards. To accommodate the growing congregation, the Reverend Edwards arranged for the installation of the gallery which was added in 1856 and following requests from the congregation, a Baptistry was added which was opened on 29th April 1864. 

The Chapel House was built in 1864 and the resident minister had £10 of his annual stipend deducted whilst occupying the manse. Reverend J. Butcher was the first occupant when he took over from Rev. W. W. Edwards.[2] 

In 1865 the first elders of the Chapel were appointed; they were John Bunce and John Clark. 

The arrival of non-conformists seem to have separated Weston Turville society:- 

• For the 1851 Census of Religious Worship, Rev Arthus Isham, the rector of St. Mary's declined to respond to the questions relating to finance and how his possition was funded with the remark "As this return may be open to the inspection of the unfriendly and inquisitive I decline to make a return of the Rents" amount of Rents &cc paid to me as Rector."

• In 1857 Bell and Daldy publish "Ecclesiastical Outlines; or Suggestions, Scriptural and Historical, for the Abatement of Disunion and Schism among the People of England and Wales" by Rev Arthus Isham

• there were two Harvest Thanksgivings in the village in 1867.[6]

• In 1884, Rev. William Ernest Malaher, the rector of St. Mary's is reported to have censured two members of the choir (Thomas Rickard and his daughter) for “The Sin of Schism” for attending a Temperance meeting held in the Nonconformist Chapel. 

1870 there is a Bible Class Benefit Society registered at the Union Chapel Vestry, though it was dissolved in 1881.[4]

A licence to conduct marriages was granted in 1881. 

The Pastor between 1882 and 1901 the church was served by the pastors Fletcher, Appleby (1888-1891), Geo Barnes (1891-1896) and W.A Coventry.

In the early days of the Chapel, transport and communication was limited. Preachers without a horse were required to walk to Weston Turville and it was not unusual for a Preacher to walk from Quainton to deliver his sermon. By 1905 the Chapel required renovation at a cost of £18. It was decided to undertake the renovation work and to build a schoolroom which incorporated a Ministers Vestry, at the rear. A boundary wall and iron fence was also erected to surround the burial ground. The opening ceremony for the new schoolroom and building works was conducted by Mr John Munger, a descendant of the benefactor who originally gave the land for the Chapel to be built on. 

In 1906 the Baptist Union of Great Britain became Trustees by Resolution of the Members. 

Through the following 30 years the work of God at the Chapel never faltered and despite many difficulties, it survived through the efforts and commitment of a loyal group of dedicated members, including Mr G Bowker, who was Secretary for 30 years and an honorary Pastor; Miss Kempster who was the Sunday School Superintendent for 60 years and Miss Holt the Sunday School teacher and organist. 

Extract from Bucks Advertiser 17 Jun 1909

"THE FREE CHURCHES. BY FREE CHURCHΜΑΝ"

I have often called attention to the earnest self-sacrificing work that is being carried on in connection with the Free Churches in the rural districts. This has been clearly emphasized in the history of the Weston Turville Union Chapel, which was built in 1839, and will seat 170 persons. This cause has been a centre of activity in Christian work, and for many years past has found a faithful supporter in Mr. E. Plater, of Aston Clinton, who holds the office of deacon. Three years ago it was re-solved to add to the accommodation by the erection of a schoolroom, and Thursday, June 3rd, saw the completion of that work. The additions include a schoolroom, minister's vestry, boundary wall, and an iron fence, the whole having been carried out at a cost of just over £200. Local effort resulted in the raising of a sum of £164 8s. 24d. up till the time of opening, and on that day a further sum of £22 6s. 11d. was contributed, thus leaving a debt of about £20.

The proceedings on June 3rd were of quite an interesting character. Mr. Robert Munger, of Chalkshire, an old friend of the cause, whose grandfather gave the ground for the Chapel, performed the ceremony of opening the new schoolroom in the presence of a large congregation, and that gentleman related some of the history of the work at Weston Turville. Mr. E. Plater also read an interesting statement, in which it was recorded that in 1905 the chapel was renovated, and it was at that time an effort for the erection of a schoolroom was resolved. A number of ladies, led by Mrs. Robert Munger, commenced to work in good earnest, foremost among a them being Mrs. A. P. Scrivener, Mrs. J. Munger, Mrs. C. Richard, Mrs. F. Cox, Misses Grace, A. Young, and E. Munger. Friends from the surrounding district were also inspired to enter heartily into the work, and so, by means of concerts, sales of work, etc., the money has been raised, the fact that the largest donation has not exceeded £3 3s. indicating how all have taken their part. The work of building the schoolroom was satisfactorily carried out by Mr. Charles Rickard (superintendent of the Sunday School) and his brother, both of whom took a deep interest in the work. Following the opening ceremony, those present had the privilege of listening to a couple of excellent sermons, preached by the Rev. Charles Brown, of Ferme Park, these being helpful in the deepening of spiritual graces.

It may also be mentioned that the whole of the furniture in the minister's vestry has been given by friends, and a fine lamp for the outside of the chapel is the present of Mrs. John Munger. Such a successful opening of the new schoolroom is naturally regarded by those associated with the work at Weston Turville as the dawn of brighter and better days, and hopes are entertained that ere long the remaining debt of £20 will be wiped off.

Extract from The Bucks Herald 16 Jun 1939

"Weston Turville Centerary - Thanksgiving services at the Free Church"

There were good congregations at the Centenary Thanksgiving Services held in connection with the Weston Turville Free Church on Sunday and Monday. The preacher on Sunday was the Rev. Alfred Mathieson, a favourite in the district, and his able discourses were thoroughly enjoyed. The services were quite in keeping with the importance of the occasion, and there was a note of real thanksgiving throughout. The services were continued on Monday evening, when the congregation included friends from Aylesbury. Aston Clinton, Stoke Mandeville, Halton Camp, Chalkshire. Winchendon and other places in the district. The speakers were Group Captain Wiseman and Mr. Montague Goodman (Oxford) both of whom are well-known among Bucks Free Churches, and who invariably render acceptable and encouraging service.

The story of the work of the Free Church at Weston Turville (familiarly known for many years as the "Union" Church) is of necessity incomplete, for our forefathers in many cases failed to keep church records. However, Mr. A. G. Bowker, who is the recognised leader at the Weston Turville Church at the present time, in collaboration with Mr. H. T. Sharp, his colleague on the diaconate, were able to compile certain data of the history of the Church, and those who have been associated with its work for a long period of years are able to recall much that has happened in those later years.

There is a record that in November, 1838, Mr. John Munger purchased a field at Weston Turville and made a gift of a portion of it sufficiently large to provide a site for the erection of a chapel. Mr. John Munger was the father of the late Mr. Robert Munger, of Chalkshire, Mr. John Munger, of Manor Farm, Weston Turville, and of Miss Munger, of Weston Turville, who during their lifetime were regular members of the congregation and supported the Church in many ways, their families forming a welcome number of the congregation. Mr. John Munger's grandchildren and great grandchildren are among the present members of the congregation, Mr. Stanley Munger often serving the Church as organist. There is no record of contributors or early helpers in the Church, but following the gift of land a chapel was erected and completed by January, 1840, and an indenture was made between Mr. John Munger and twelve good men and true who formed the first body of trustees in connection with the property. A later record reveals that there were 14 members of the Church in 1856, under the pastoral care of Mr. W. Edwards, who had a son Mr. Eliezer Edwards, probably a silversmith, who presented the Church with a set of silver Communion plate, which is still in use. A chapel house was erected in 1864 for occupation by the minister.

Between the dates of 1882 and 1901 the Church was served by Pastors Fletcher, Appleby, Geo. Barnes and W. A. Coventry, since when supplies from Aylesbury, Wendover, Kimble, Aston Clinton, Chesham, London and other places have been engaged to conduct the Sunday services.

In 1909 a large and convenient Schoolroom was built on to the rear of the Chapel by the joint labours of Messrs. Edward Plater, Charles and Frank Rickard, and opened by Mr. Robert Munger, of Chalkshire.

Other workers whom many will call to mind were Messrs. Thomas Howe, Alfred Perry Scrivener, F. Cox and C. McIntosh, who all played their part in maintaining the Church. The oldest living member is Miss Kempster, who has completed half a century of service in the Church which has included many years of devoted service in the Sunday School. Like so many Christian Churches in the rural districts, there is a lack of young people, especially in the Sunday School, but the same indomitable spirit to carry on remains, all honour to those in Weston Turville who continue the good work.

In commemoration of the centenary the interior of the building has been redecorated and presents a pleasing and bright appearance. This work has been carried out at a cost of about £40 and the proceeds of the centenary were devoted to this outlay.

References

1. ^This page is largely based on an article by Mrs Heather Mayall, Secretary of Weston Turville Union Chapelin the June 2013 edition of Weston Turville Times

2. ^ Weston Turville a History by Hamish Eaton

3. ^ "The Demands of Darwinism on Credulity" by Rev. F. O. Morris (1890)

4. ^ The Solicitors' Journal 1 Oct 1881

5. ^ "Weston Turville Centerary - Thanksgiving services at the Free Church" The Bucks Herald 16 Jun 1939

6. ^ Bucks Advertiser 28 Sep 1867