The History of our Church
This is a brief a summary
looking into the life of Lindfield United Reformed
and the Church's history. Various sources have been key in finding out information.
The book 'Annals of the Congregational Church at Lindfield' by N.
Caplan has been very helpful with lots of interesting facts from the
founding of the church in 1814. Much of the details in early 1900s
come from old Church Meeting minutes. Some additional information,
particularly early 80 & 90s, has come from some Church members
themselves. Not every Minister is listed.
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1810
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Occasional Services held at Lindfield
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1811
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More frequent services held in Black Hill cottages, latterly a
room was hired in 'Bent Arms' pub
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1813
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Erection of first chapel in Lindfield, opened in this year
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1818
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Four members founded the Lindfield Congregational Church
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1857
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21st September,
Foundation Stone of main church building, which stands today, was
laid
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1879
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Front of church building was altered, going from two to one main
door
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1888
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Church purchased the house next door 'Ryecroft' as a manse
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1898
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School Room opened,
the original small additional room built onto the back of the main
church, roughly equivalent to the size of the present Lounge area.
(this picture taken much later in School Room)
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1904
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At Annual Church Meeting on 21st January, it was recorded that
the Ministers stipend (salary) was £20. Income from the offertory
was £11-6-4
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1907
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Proposal at church members meeting on 11th April, by Mr Jones (Secretary)
that monthly church meetings be held on the last Thursday of each
month. They are still held on a Thursday, but now the second in
the month!
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1915
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7th September, it was agreed to subdue lighting in the church during
Evening Services, to comply with Military & Police Authorities
requirements during the Zeppelin raids during the War
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1921-29
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'The Lindfield Bishops'
At this time in the churches life, the Manse was being let out and
the cost of upkeep on church buildings meant that the small number
of active members could not support a full-time ministers stipend.
The student-pastors came down from Hackney College at the weekends,
and their tremendous effort enabled the church to continue through
a difficult phase.
Their names were: Frank Short, Henry Guntrip, Albert Copeland &
Frank Bowden.
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1928
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At the meeting on 2nd April, Miss Simmons proposed that Mr Wood
(Organist) be asked to accept a salary for this work of £20
per annum
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1935
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26th May Motion 2. Thanks were recorded to go to Miss Simmons
and Mrs Robbins in donating the sum of £150 for the installation
of electric light in Ryecroft.
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1935
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Formation of a group church with Ardingly and Horsted Keynes
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1947
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Rev Albert Trinder was called to be minister of the Lindfield Group
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1948
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Mr Wood proposed (seconded by Miss Pierce) to have electric light
installed by Southern Electricity Board in Church and School Room
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1951
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Ryecroft still had a tenant, church purchased a new manse in Compton
Road
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1953
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Church finally sold 'Ryecroft' for £5,750, It had not been
used as a manse to the church for over 50 years!
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1960
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A thanksgiving service was held to thank God for the opening of
the extension to the building. A large hall and kitchen had been
built behind the School Room, with an adjoining passageway.
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1966
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Rev Trinder retires from full-time ministry, after nearly 20 years
at Lindfield.
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1967
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Induction Service for the new minister, Rev Richard Tucker from
Bexley Heath
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1972
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United Reformed Church is formed as a denomination. Lindfield Congregational
Church became Lindfield URC as the Presbyterian and Congregational
denominations joined together.
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1978
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May. The church performs a Christian musical called 'Spirit' in
The King Edward Hall, Lindfield. Written for the Salvation Army,
it portrays the first nine chapters of the book of Acts.
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1980
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The three churches in Lindfield worked together to arrange a 'mission'
on the Common called Lighthouse. Lives were changed during
that week and many young people gave their lives to following Christ
at that time.
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1982
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Spring. Inspired by the popularity of 'Spirit' Lindfield
URC puts on another musical in King Edward Hall for two nights.
This time a story showing how Peter might have felt in the early
days of Christ's ministry. Such was the success, that the show played
Clair Hall for a further two nights later on that year.
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1983
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Rev Richard Tucker ends his time at Lindfield, and moves to Sevenoaks
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Thirty years after we sold Ryecroft, the church took the wonderful
opportunity to purchase the original manse again! With thoughts
of a new minister coming and possible expansion of church premises
in the future.
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1984
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Rev Norman Smith moved to Lindfield to take up the pastorate of
the church, from Tonbridge.
(photo shown of Norman more recently!)
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1989
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The church organises their first 'conference' over a weekend at
Ashburnham Place, near Battle. Seen as a way of drawing the fellowship
closer together these conferences involved Bible teaching
as well as practical advice and having fun together. They were popular
and the idea was repeated for a number of years.
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1996
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January. The church made a leap of faith, as we believed it right
to improve the churches facilities. Larger sanctuary, an entirely
new suite of rooms and vastly better kitchen. The dramatic change
to the building would cost over £400,000. Little did we know
at the time, that it would all have been paid for in just two years,
thanks to the the Spirit prompting many to give or lend generously.
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1997
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October. A week-long Children's holiday club was organised and
run by members of Lindfield URC on our premises. The success of
this venture, meant it was to become an annual event.
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1998
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April. The church launched a new identity across all stationery.
The old drawing which previously adorned letterheads was out of
date since the extension had been completed.
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June. We start an 'experimental' period of having two morning services
on a Sunday 9.30 and 11am. One specifically aimed at a younger,
more family based, worshipper informal and led by a Worship
Group. The latter a traditional service, with formal structure and
just Organist or Piano accompaniment.
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1999
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Easter-time. We welcomed Mike Lee, appointed as the church Youth
& Children's Pastor, working full-time on all matters of our
Youthwork. This was the result of many months of advertising and
searching for someone to lead and develop the many groups within
the church working with young people.
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December. With the new millennium
nearly upon us, the church wanted to say something about its history
and future to mark the occasion. Two members of the church took the
'Good News 2000' on as a project, and created a leaflet that explained
what the church believes and where we hope to be going in the future.
Over 1,000 were distributed far and wide during Year 2000. |
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2000
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June. As part of our celebration
of the two thousand years since Christ came to Earth we held
what was called 'Church Week'. Many events were held on the premises
on different days/evenings including a Mens Meal with after-dinner
speaker and a concert by London Emmanual Choir in the Church. |
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2001
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January. Church launched details
of a planned 'Away Weekend' to be called "UNITE 2001". It
has been a long time since the Ashburnham conferences, and it was
felt that we needed to draw together as a family, especially before
Rev Norman Smith retires in December 2001. |
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March. Mike Lee leaves his position
as Youth & Children's Pastor after two years of ministry at Lindfield. |
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December. Revd Norman Smith
retires, and leaves Lindfield URC for Church Stretton, in part time
ministry there. |
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2003
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Revd Colin Bones is inducted
as the new minister - shared between Lindfield and Balcombe URCs.
Colin joins us from Canford Heath URC in Poole. |
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2005 |
Alive 05 - a three churches, week of events - held on the common, takes place on the Village Common, in a large maquee. |
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2006 |
May. Colin Bones, called to Nottingham, where he took up a new role. |
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2007 |
November : Revd Charles Martin is called as the new Minister for Balcombe and Lindfield. |
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2008 |
April 19th : Revd Charles Martin is inducted as our new Minister |
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2013 |
July : Revd Charles Martin Retires |
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2015 |
March : Rev Keith Morrsion is inducted as our new Minister |
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