FLAVEL CHURCH DARTMOUTH

1662. Rev John Flavel, B.A., was ejected from St. Saviour’s Church, Dartmouth, one of 2000 Ministers who objected to the Act of Uniformity He was one of the outstanding preachers and theologians of the period, and, strictly against the law, soon gathered a little band of followers and continued to preach in private houses and in the open fields, and suffered much harassment and persecution at the hand of the local Authorities.

1672 As a result, in a small Meeting House was built in the corner of what was later the Flavel Church Hall & now the Flavel Center & Library.

1687 The Act of Toleration was passed, making the lives of Nonconformists much easier.

1729 The building was enlarged and became known as the Independent Chapel.

1735 The inscription on our Communion Plate reads:

“Presbyterian Chapel 1735” so that by this time it is evident the Presbyterian form of worship had been adopted. It is known that at that time there were 450 Presbyterians resident in the town. However the Church was affiliated to the Congregational Union at its inception, in 1832.

1784 The Building was again enlarged

1750 – 1800 During this period, for which unfortunately our records are missing, many French Hugeunots settled in Dartmouth, and a French Church was established , we have a mention of a Rev. Andre Majendie who was pastor of this Church, and an Assistant of our Flavel church.

181O—1851 This is a period of a remarkable family ministry: Rev. Thomas Stenner from 181O—1849 and Rev. John Flavel Stenner front 1850—1861.

1811 The General and Independent Sunday School was started — the very first in the district.

1831 A new Church was established at Galmpton which still exists.

1836 A Church at Dittishaffl was farmed — now closed.

1841 A Church at Stoke Fleming was formed - now closed.

The Church was rebuilt and very much enlarged, and was the largest building in Dartmouth, being 13” higher than St. Saviour’s Church. In one of the History Books it is described as a very handsome building with two tiers of galleries on the north, south and west sides and a single gallery behind the pulpit on the east side. There was a tower on the northeast corner. The seating accommodation was eight hundred.

1861—1876 The Church continued to prosper under many gifted Ministers, but in 1876 was seen the commencement of a Ministry which was to last until 1909.

1876 In 1876 a young man, Rev. John Thomas Ham Paynter, was invited to the Ministry and from the beginning it was obvious he was to alter the whole life of the Church.

During the whole of his pastorate the Church buildings were open every night of the week. As a man he became known nationally, and locally was attached to many organisatiotis, and for many years was the Chairman of the local Education Committee.

The Sunday School showed tremendous growth, so..much so that the accommodation became most inadequate.

1895 It was decided to lease a plot of land train the Borough Council in order to build a

Sunday School, but later it was agreed that a new Church should be built and the old Church adapted for use as a Sunday School. Hence the present Church, which when opened became the Flave2. Memorial Congregational Church, seating four hundred, and which has been the setting for many wonderful services.

1909 It was with great grief that the Church heard of the sudden passing of Mr. Paynter at Easter 1909.

Below is a summary of what he accomplished during his Ministry.

1880; The old Church re—seated.

1888; A two-manual 16-rank organ installed.

1896; The new Church completed. The old Church completely changed - the west gallery widened and partitioned off, making a Lecture Room holding about 120, and the rest of the building arranged suitable for classes, and when needed, providing an excellent hall for concerts .and public meetings.

When he died he left a Church of about 200 members, a Sunday School of over 300 with 40 teachers, a first class School Library and Sick Club, a Choir of about 40, the musical side of the services being of a high quality at that time.

1909 – 1918 Following. the Paynter era we had some excellent Ministers and the Church continued to prosper, one extra section being the Women’s Meeting, started by Mrs. Elliott the wife of the Rev. Ernest E1liot~ A.T.S. During the 191k—1918 war we lost several of our young men, one being the son of the Minister and another the son of our Church Treasurer.

1918 – 1939 During this period we had a succession of excellent Ministers; special mention should be made of Rev. S. Long whose work amongst the young people was exceptional. - Unfortunately he was forced to resign after a very short time with us, due to illness.

Another very successful Ministry was conducted by Rev. W. Zeal, who was a brilliant preacher who filled the Church, and had the largest membership since the Paynton era. Unfortunately the building of a large Council Estate at the top of the town₁ taking the children away from the centre of the town, drastically affected the Sunday School.

1939 This was the year when disaster really struc.c and was the first of litany troublous years which were to follow.

The Borough Council on behalf of the Government commandeered the Sunday School premises at a derisory rent, and the Church was left without ancillary premises so that all weekday activities ceased.

However, worse was to follow as the Sunday School was damaged beyond repair, by an air raid which also seriously damaged the Church, putting it out of action for three years.

1951 In this year a young Minister, Rev. Ernest Smith, joined us, and after years of endeavour and frustration, it was finally agreed that a new Hall should be built an the site of the Sunday School. The war damage amount received was quite inadequate to build the new Hall, and the Church raised thousands of pounds towards the cost of the new Hall.

We had a resident Minister up to 1969 but since then we have had to share — first with Totnes and then with Brixham. Although the Ministers concerned have given of their best, the Church has suffered, with Church membership down. The Choir for which Flavel Church was famous for many years has ceased to exist.

1974 Flavel Memorial Congregational Church became The United Reformed Church.

FOR A MORE DETAIL SEE DARTMOUTH HISTORY GROUP PUBLICATION No 29 JOHN FLAVEL