The Forest Chapel at Kingswood,

Transcription of Article in the Christian Messenger by ‘Asaph’.

PRIMITIVE METHODISM, as well as mother Methodism, has its remarkable story of Kingswood people and chapel. Our Kingswood is situated on the borderland of the extensive Cheshire forest, and is included in the recently-formed circuit of Kingsley and . Until recent years, as its name implies, Kingswood was uninhabited forest land, and was thickly covered with trees.

From the days of feudalism the famous Forest of Delamere has been one of the conspicuous features of the County Palatine of . In those by-gone times it was known as the Mara and the Mondrem Forests, and comprised some thirteen thousand acres. The woodlands extended over nearly the whole of the extensive hundreds of Eddisbury and . In past centuries its solitary shades were stocked with ‘big game.’ It was the happy hunting ground for the Royal sportsmen, along with the ‘reverend gentlemen’ of the , who caught the red and fallow deer, and ‘the chance wild beasts’ that came within the range of their arrows. From its glades the English oak provided timber for the building and repairing of , and also for the Frodsham Bridge which spans the Weaver. Since 1812, the Forest has been Crown property, and is administered by the Woods and Forests’ Department of the National Government. The Forest is a popular resort for thousands of holiday seekers from the industrial towns and commercial cities of and Cheshire, who delight every summer in wandering in its path-less shades.

The neighbourhood of Kingswood is closely associated with the stirring events connected with early Primitive Methodism. James Crawfoot, ‘the old man of the Forest,’ lived in the locality of Kingswood. He was frequently visited during the first decade of the nineteenth century by Hugh Bourne and William Clowes, whom he instructed in the mysteries of faith and godly living. Crawfoot subsequently became the first travelling preacher of Primitive Methodism. Some two miles from Kingswood is the hamlet of Five Crosses, which was one of the three or four places in Cheshire that appeared on the first printed plan. Lorenzo Dow preached in several of the villages skirting the Frodsham side of the Forest of Delamere. Some of the aged Methodists of the neighbourhood speak in glowing terms of their forebears having been privileged to listen to the earnest addresses of the noted American Evangelist.

Kingswood is a township in the parish of Delamere. Nearly one-half of the land-surface is still covered with forest trees. At the census of 1841, Kingswood had only fifteen houses and a population of one hundred and three persons. Since then the inhabitants have gradually increased. The township is somewhat unique, as it contains no Anglican church, and, until recently, no building for the holding of religious worship. Legend asserts that some centuries behind us an attempt was made to build a parish church on the outskirts of Kingswood, on a site still known as Church Field. Tradition states that as fast as the stones were carted by day to the proposed site, they were conveyed during the darkness of the night, by Satanic agency, to Overton, on the outskirts of the town of Frodsham, where the church now stands. The historic place known as Church Fields is now included on the farm, and close by the homestead of Mr. and Mrs. W. Andrews at Ryley Bank, which is only a short distance from the Primitive Methodist new chapel at Kingswood.

Until recently, Kingswood was completely isolated from any place of public worship. The nearest church or chapel was more than two miles distant. Some twelve years ago a few of the scattered residents determined, if possible, that they would hold religious services in their midst. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews offered their home to the Wesleyans, who declined to undertake the responsibility of supplying another

1 preaching-place in an out-of-the-way locality. After a short interval the Anglicans were asked to hold an occasional service, and they refused to comply with the request. As a last resort an aged house-holder requested the Primitive Methodists of the Preston Brook Circuit to conduct religious services in a neighbour’s cottage. The officials being true to the definition of Primitive Methodism as given by ‘the Old Man of the Forest,’ that the Primitives ‘were a people who would not neglect the one or two under hedge or tree,’ they readily consented to provide for the spiritual needs of the locality.

One memorable Sabbath afternoon, the youthful son of Mr. W. Andrews went home with the startling news that a ‘Round-headed’ preacher was coming to David Wright’s Cottage that same evening to hold a service. After tea Mr. and Mrs. Andrews attended the service. As they did not know to what Methodist church the preacher belonged, they took with them a liberal supply of Wesleyan and New Connexion hymn books for the use of themselves and their neighbours. It was ascertained that the so-called ‘round-headed’ preacher was not one of the survivors of Cromwell’s veterans, but was the ‘round ’ or superintendent preacher of the Preston Brook Primitive Methodist Circuit. After the service the minister was invited to supper at Ryley Bank Farm. Mr. Andrews ordered Primitive Methodist hymnals, and he and his wife became adherents, and ultimately members of the infant society.

At the close of an evening service the leader of the society asked Mrs. Andrews if she could and would ‘play a music’ if they purchased one. Mrs. Andrews gladly replied in the affirmative. A subscription-list was opened, and on a subsequent Sabbath the same old veteran said ‘if I find you some money can you buy an organ next week, to be ready for next Sunday’s services.’ Mrs. Andrews replied ‘that she thought she could.’ The old man gave her the requisite cash, and she made a special visit to Liverpool. The American organ was purchased and despatched to Ryley Bank Farm. On the night of its arrival it was unpacked in the coach house, in the presence of many friends and subscribers. An unrehearsed concert of sacred music and singing was given. At a late hour the gathering broke up, the interested ones being delighted with their latest musical acquisition. The organ was duly installed in the cottage and was ‘opened’ at the next Sunday’s services.

A few months later Mr. David Wright passed through ‘the valley of the shadow.’ Mr. Andrews without delay threw open his spacious kitchen for the holding of the services, and in various ways contributed to the prosperity of the Kingswood society.

Shortly before his death, Mr. Bushell had decided in his own mind that Kingswood should have a Primitive Methodist Chapel. On an interview with Mrs. Andrews he told her in a matter-of-fact sort of way that a yard of brickwork costs so much. So many yards would build a chapel, and consequently a chapel should only cost so much. Naming an amount which ran up into three figures, he suggested that they could raise it if they would only try. As the result of the old man’s enthusiasm, it was found that if heads, hearts, and pockets could only be united they could build a village sanctuary. Efforts were at once inaugurated to procure a building-site, and erect a house of prayer. A gentleman was communicated with who proffered to give them a site for the erection of a chapel, on the following conditions, viz:- That no Bible Classes, Entertainments, nor week-night services should be held therein; and further that only two preaching services, and no other meeting of any possible description should be held within the chapel during the hours of the Sabbath. This conditional and singular offer was not entertained.

Then an attempt was made to secure a piece of parish land. The authorities decided that a site should be granted providing that every rate-payer of the parish would sign a document expressing his desire to have a chapel in their midst. The rate-payers were canvassed and they all appended their signatures, with the

2 exception of a solitary one, whose refusal to sign nullified the proposed erection. In their extremity they approached Smith Barry, Esq., M.P., a local landlord, who kindly consented to sell a freehold site for the nominal sum of £5. The necessary amount was raised and Connexional sanction was given. A friendly solicitor made the Deeds of Conveyance simply for the cost of the Government Stamp. The sand was given, and the neighbours did all the haulage of building materials free of cost. On December 10th, 1891, the foundation stones were laid, and a huge tea and public meeting were held at the homestead of Mr. W. Andrews at Ryley Bank. August 17th, 1892, was a red-letter day in the history of the Kingswood Society, for on that date the much-longed-for Kingswood chapel was opened for public worship.

For some time a consolidated debt of £80 remained upon the property. After much thought and prayer, a few of the friends determined that the incubus should be removed. Within six months after the inception of the debt-extinction scheme the necessary money was raised, and the chapel became debtless. After the chapel was freed from debt a thanksgiving service was held, at which the following homely rhyme was recited:—

‘The friends of the Primitive Methodist Connexion Have a circuit near here called the Preston Brook Station. And a few years ago opened a mission Near , that famous plantation.

In the house of our late dear brother Wright. They started, and worked away with their might, To evangelise Kingswood and gather a cause To worship according to Primitive laws.

But death took away our dear brother VVright. And took him to reap his reward in God’s sight; Then our friend Mr. Andrews opened his door, ' So in the folk entered, and prospered still more.

‘Let’s build a chapel,’ was the cry all around, So we got the trustees and secured the ground; Then the building began and went on apace, And over a year ago opened the place.

And now we've a chapel and an organ played By our friend Mrs. Andrews, ever ready to aid. What we’re aiming at now by meetings like these To pay off the debt, and the burden to ease.

So friends, we desire to thank every one Who have helped us by anything which they have done, And hope that whenever we ask you again, You'll be quite as ready to help us the same.’

Fifteen years ago the prospect of a chapel at Kingswood seemed very remote. To-day it is an accomplished fact, and it is an evidence that the aggressive zeal of village Primitive Methodism is not played out. This

3 Cheshire forest sanctuary is a worthy example of how God honours the united faith and earnest work of his children, although they be but few in number and feeble in their resources.

Kingswood Chapel is well built, centrally situated, and comfortably furnished. It is a great credit to the neighbourhood. The trustees are of opinion that a village chapel ought to enjoy the same privileges as the National Church. They have accordingly licensed their chapel for marriages, and the first wedding has taken place therein. The happy couple concerned have sailed to their distant home in one of the commercial cities of Canada, where they have entered upon a prosperous career. The promoters of Kingswood Chapel are desirous that it something more than a mere architectural ornament for the immediate neighbourhood. They are prayerfully anxious that it should be the birth-place of many precious and immortal souls. Mr. Andrews is the steward of the Church worshipping within the walls of this village sanctuary. Mrs. Andrews, who for some years before marriage, was prominently connected with one of the leading educational institutions in the city of Sheffield, is interesting herself in many ways in connection with the young people, the choir, and the church. During the last ten or twelve years only two permanent clearances of timber had been made in Delamere Forest, and these were on the Kingswood side. The first was for a farm of about eighty acres in extent. The more recent clearance of woodland is for the erection of the Liverpool Sanatorium or Consumption Hospital, which is being built at Kingswood, and within a few minutes’ walk from the chapel. In connection with this philanthropic Institution it is a pleasure to be able to state that W. P. Hartley, Esq., is one of the leading promoters, and one of the principal subscribers.

______References Christian Messenger 1901/48

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