FLAVEL CHURCH
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
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
1974
Flavel Memorial Congregational Church became
The United Reformed Church.
FOR A MORE
DETAIL SEE