YEAR BOOK of the EVANGELICAL CONNEXION of the of (otherwise called the Reformed Episcopal Church)

www.ec-fce.org.uk

2018-2019

Published by the Authority of the Convocation Contents

Officers of the Connexion ...... 2

Declaration of Principles ...... 3

Framework of Reference ...... 5

Safeguarding our Churches ...... 6

Report from St Paul’s Church, Fleetwood ...... 7

Report from Christ Church, Leeds……………………….…………………………….9

Report from Christ Church, Leigh on Sea ...... 11

Report from Christ Church, , ...... 12

Report from Emmanuel Church, Workington ...... 13

Convocation Photographs ...... 15

Appendix A - Directory of Churches ...... 16

Appendix B - Directory of Church Pastors ...... 18

Appendix C – Former ...... 20

Appendix D - Retired Ministers ...... 21

Appendix E - Directory of Connexional Scattered Members ...... 21

Building of Fleetwood Church…………………………………………………………..22

1 Officers of the Connexion 2018-2019

Co-ordinator of the Evangelical Connexion: Rev Grahame Wray 35 Rathmell Road Halton Moor LEEDS LS15 0NS Tel: 01132605812, Mob: 07749467867 Email: [email protected]

General Secretary: Mr Trevor A Jordan 3 Edward Street LA4 4BL Tel: 01524833740, Mob: 0787623588 Email: [email protected]

General Treasurer and Safeguarding Co-ordinator:

Mr David Fowell 103 Cross Gates Avenue Cross Gates LEEDS LS15 7QF Mob: 07445271398 Email: [email protected]

2

Declaration of Principles

The Free , otherwise called Reformed Episcopal Church, which is a branch of the Holy Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, united by faith to Him, who is the Head over all things to the Church which is His Body, and recognising the essential unity of all who, by a like faith, are united to the one Divine and Common Head, makes declaration of its Principles as follows: 1. The Free Church of England, otherwise called The Reformed Episcopal Church, holding “the faith once delivered to the saints,” declares its belief in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the Word of God, and the sole Rule of Faith and Practice; in the Creed commonly called “The Apostles’ Creed”; in the Divine Institution of the Sacraments of and the Lord’s Supper; and in the Doctrines of Grace substantially as they are set forth in the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion. 2. This church recognises and adheres to Episcopacy, not as of Divine right, but as a very ancient and desirable form of Church polity. 3. This Church, retaining a liturgy which shall not be repressive of freedom in prayer, accepts the , as it was received, prepared, and recommended for use by the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, A.D. 1785, reserving full liberty to alter, abridge, enlarge, and amend the same, as may seem most conducive to the edification of the people, “provided that the substance of the faith be kept entire”. 4. This Church CONDEMNS and REJECTS the following erroneous and strange doctrines as contrary to God’s word: First - that the Church of Christ exists only in one order or form of : Second - that Christian ministers are ‘priests’ in another sense than that in which all believers are a ‘royal priesthood’:

3 Third - that the Lord’s Table is an altar on which the oblation of the body and blood of Christ is offered anew to the Father: Fourth - that the presence of Christ in the Lord’s Supper is a presence in the elements of Bread and Wine: Fifth - that regeneration is inseparably connected with Baptism. 5. In accordance with the liberty given in Article 3 of the above Declaration of Principles, this Church accepts the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England, with such revisions as shall exclude sacerdotal doctrines and practices.

6. This Church, as a Reformed and Protestant Church, hereby reaffirms its constant witness against all those innovations in doctrines and worship, whereby the primitive faith has been from time to time defaced or overlaid, and which at the Reformation were disowned and rejected. 7. This Church will maintain communion with all Christian Churches and will set forward, so far it lies within its ability, quietness, peace, and love, among all Christian people.

4

Framework of Reference for Covenanting Churches and Individuals

We are:

 Biblical - Believing in the inspired Word of God as our sole rule of faith and practice.

 Episcopal - Led by bishops in the historic line, but whose authority comes through the selection by God’s people, under God’s Providence, and not through “”.

 Liturgical - Careful in our worship of Almighty God using liturgies based on Scripture, relevant to the needs of the worshipper, and free of any “high church” adornments. Our liturgical services are designed to focus only on Him, and not the worship leader or attempts to “entertain”.

 Reformed - We hold fast to the Doctrines of Grace as God’s way of redeeming lost sinners. As such we maintain a line of evangelical, witness to the great truths of the Bible that is rooted in the English Reformation.

Clergy, Laity and Individuals affirm their continuing commitment to this Framework at Convocation meetings, regretting the historic division which has occurred in the Free Church of England and praying for her return to primitive faith and practice. Clergy believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God and to contain all things necessary to Salvation, and solemnly engage to conform to the Doctrine, and Worship of the Free Church of England, otherwise called the Reformed Episcopal Church, so long as they continue to be a Minister of the Evangelical Connexion; and believe the Doctrine of the said Church, as set forth in the Declaration of Principles thereof, to be agreeable to the Word of God, and in Public Prayer

5 and Administration of the Sacraments, conduct their ministry under the lawful and inclusive authority of Convocation, in total subjection to the Word of God, as the SOLE Rule of Faith and Practice.

Lay delegates declare themselves to be Communicants of the Evangelical Connexion of the Free Church of England, and solemnly promise to conduct their office and membership of the Evangelical Connexion under the lawful and inclusive authority of Convocation, in total subjection to the Word of God, as the SOLE Rule of Faith and Practice.

Safeguarding our Churches

The Evangelical Connexion is a member of CCPAS – The Churches Child Protection Advisory Service. The CCPAS website is www.ccpas.co.uk

It is the responsibility of each church in the Connexion to appoint their own Safeguarding Officer and have in place a Safeguarding Policy in order to comply with regulations, the Charity Commission and church insurance policies.

It is the responsibility of each church’s Safeguarding Officer to have DBS checks carried out on anyone who is involved in working with children and vulnerable adults.

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure our churches are safe for children and vulnerable adults.

6 Reports from the Churches

St Paul’s, Fleetwood - Rev Virgil Tountas

Our lives are certainly in the hands of God, and He leads us where He pleases. At the moment at St Paul's I feel as though we are enduring the book of Habakkuk 3:17-19 “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength.”

We have in this past year by God’s grace stayed relatively stable with having lost our warden, and a wonderful couple having left for Wales and yet God gave us another mature couple from Morecambe. This year two have died that have been part of our church, Frank Grimshaw and Janet Riley – with many tears we mourn those who have been much loved. But all in all, we have had a few visitors who were on holidays, a few church grasshoppers and yet our congregation has remained steady and faithful.

We have faithfully been preaching expository sermons, through

7 Hebrews and the book of Daniel in our morning sermons and now presently through the book of James. In our Bible study, we've worked through Philippians, Colossians and the book of Philemon. We have had the Rev’d Stephen Holland lead our Bible study, we have had Gideon's share on two occasions in our morning service.

Our youth work has not yet begun, and this is one of the projects that we have set before our church because we desire to begin work amongst a lost, lonely, depressed youth in our area – we need much prayer.

We regularly have our Jacobs join, it began following every second family service but now we have it once a month and it has certainly drawn us closer together, with friends and family – eating and dwelling on the word of God, discussing and telling of God's great blessings.

As minister of St Paul's, I enjoy visiting and speaking to people concerning the Bible, going door to door, talking to people in the streets, and visiting members of St Paul’s. Preaching, teaching, distributing literature is a great part of my life and in the work of God and I love doing it.

I pray continually that God would bless us, with faithful people and also with those who are desperately searching for the truth and never forgetting those who just cruise along. I pray that the Lord would add to us numbers from our member’s families and friends.

My family, by God’s grace is continuing to be homeschooled. Our children learn good Christian character, faithfulness and perseverance. By God's grace my dear wife is doing well and my children are all well.

God be with you and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

8 Christ Church, Leeds – Rev Grahame Wray

People

We have a membership this year of 12 – three down on last year. We were sad to be parted from two long standing members called home to glory - Mrs Sarah Pellow one of our founding members and Mr Kevin Fairchild who had worshipped with us for many years, amongst much else serving on the church council and Kev as a sidesman. One member moved to join her husband in another church. We welcome one new adherent into the fellowship most Sundays which is always a great encouragement and blessing.

All Age services have enjoyed some of the young people from the Tribe Y.P group visiting most of the first Sundays in the month. Please pray this contact with some young families in the area may reap ever deeper commitment and involvement for young families and that we would continue to get some visitors and that they will stay with us.

Succession Planning

Attempts to seek a new pastor locally to take over from myself have not worked out. The young couple reported on last AGM are no longer

9 available to consider full time ministry. I am currently exploring two avenues – independent Anglican groups (AMiE) and Bible Colleges (Oak Hill and Union) and have sent our “Welcome Pack” to them to recommend our group to young men being trained for ministry. In conversation with representatives from these groups, however, it has become very apparent that ideally our churches are going to need men of some experience, as at the moment none of our churches can really offer much support for young men taking on their first incumbency. I have been advised to widen our search for such help from such sources as the “Gospel Partnerships” which have sprung up recently in most parts of the UK. These are strong Evangelical churches offering assistance to weaker churches and areas that are lacking in gospel witness and manpower to reach those areas. Do continue to pray for the Lord to raise up the right men to come and help us here and our other churches whose ministers are also retired or part time.

Regular Events

The most effective in terms of drawing in folk from the community have been the Xpedition XGates children’s outreach using the “Messy Church” craft centred approach and the well tried and tested Bible Exhibition – though this has shrunk these past two years to just two schools now participating, though invitations have gone out to all the primary schools in the area as per usual. Let us pray these may continue and be even more effective, especially in terms of some actually joining us more regularly. We need much wisdom and boldness to try and encourage those participating in these events to want to know more.

A verse to carry us on into a new year of service, which is also a call to prayer for a fruitful year ahead is: Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever”.

10 Christ Church, Leigh-on-Sea – Rev Lee Potter

Upholding the principles of the Reformation, Christ Church continues to maintain its identity as a church in the Anglican tradition.

The Word of God is to all that we do. Week by week, there continues to be expository preaching, alternating Old and New Testaments. Having completed Lamentations, I am now preaching through the Epistle to the Hebrews.

One of the few all-Prayer Book churches in Essex, Christ Church continues its distinctive witness and is registered with the Prayer Book Society. Once a month, the Athanasian Creed, with its biblical teaching on the Holy Trinity and the Incarnation, is recited at Morning Prayer. This is a helpful antidote to deadly heresy.

An outside book table is set up monthly with free adult and children’s Christian books. The response has been good and there have been interesting conversations with atheists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Roman Catholics.

In February we hosted a creation meeting and presentation given by Jay Seegert, Managing Director of the Starting Point Project, an international organisation based in the United States.

11 Christ Church, Tuebrook, Liverpool Mr Arthur Williams (Lay Pastor)

Greetings from the Christ Church Tuebrook Fellowship.

This last twelve months has been similar to the previous few years. We are a small fellowship of Protestant Christians whose faith remains as strong as ever; we know our Redeemer lives, and our souls will live eternally with God.

You are welcome to come, and share in the worship of our Risen, and Ascended Saviour the Lord Jesus. Come, and seek personal strength in prayer, rapport with believers like yourself, and familiarity with the Gospel preached to you. Be stronger in your faith after experiencing the Holy Spirit within our fellowship.

God bless you, and your loved ones.

12 Emmanuel Church, Workington Rev Tony Pietersen

Dear Brothers and Sisters, thank you for your interest and prayers for our work here in Workington.

It has been a difficult year of ministry but also full of the Lord’s goodness and blessings. We have also made and are still in the process of making some strategic Gospel decisions that we believe will with the Lords help, preserve and grow the work here in Workington.

We are thankful for our many volunteers who serve in our church. As our church grows there are many new demands for people to serve and it has amazed us how God has provided. We thank the Lord for a couple of new families joining our church, growing attendances in our Bible studies, youth ministries, chatterbox etc. We have also introduced enrolled membership this year with a lot of hard work from our council.

One of our strategic Gospel decisions was to close down our traditional evening service and we are now running an evening service called -

13 'ECW unplugged' in the back room of our church. It has been very well received and even better attended than our old format evening service, for which we are grateful. We have been exploring the subject of guidance and thrilled to see how God does work to a plan and guide us by His Holy Spirit through His Word. If you go to our churches Facebook page you should find a video and some pics of this event and our other ministries.

We are thrilled to have started a 'Teen church' to accommodate some of our young people from ages 11-16. Please do pray that the Lord would bless this ministry We have 2 Sunday school classes for which we are ever grateful and also 2 Friday night youth groups.

We have also felt the need to encourage people to pray more for each other daily, not just the pastor and some selected few. We do pray for each other in our meetings. A Facebook messenger group (for our church only) was established what we called the 'ECW Prayer Line.' Every person can ask for prayer at any time and it's amazing to see people responding immediately to the prayer request. We have prayed for medical emergencies, for travel mercies, daily concerns and even able to be part of answered prayers. This has been enormously beneficial for connecting our people and being able to pray for each other.

We are far from perfect but are trying with the Lord’s help to Reach, Teach and Equip people to serve Jesus. Please do continue to pray for us as we seek to do the Lord’s Will and to please Him. Please be assured of our prayers for you all.

God Bless.

14 Convocation 28th and 29th September 2018 Christ Church, Tuebrook, Liverpool

15 APPENDIX A Directory of Churches of the Evangelical Connexion

St Paul’s Fleetwood (1907) Darbishire Road, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 6QA

Sunday Services: 11 am and 6 pm Rector: Rev Virgil Tountas Lay Reader: Trevor A Jordan, 3 Edward Street, Morecambe, Lancashire. LA4 4BL. Mob: 07876235886. Email: [email protected] Delegates: Mrs Wendy Grimshaw, Mrs. Anne Jordan Clerk: Mrs Louise Tountas. Web Site: www.stpaulsfleetwood.org.uk

Christ Church, Leeds (1949) Manston Gardens, Leeds, LS15 8EY

Sunday Services: 10.30 am Rector: Rev Grahame Wray Wardens: Vacant Delegate: Mrs Debbie Wray, Web Site: www.christchurchleeds.org.uk

Christ Church, Leigh-on-Sea (1889) Pall Mall, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 1RH

Sunday Services: 11 am Rector: Rev J Lee Potter Rector’s Warden, Delegate, and Clerk: Mrs Elizabeth Potter, Mob: 07896710854, Email: [email protected]

16 Christ Church, Tuebrook (1881) Buckingham Road, Tuebrook, Liverpool L13 8AY

Sunday Services: 11 am Lay Pastor: Mr Arthur Williams, E Mail: [email protected] Delegates: Mrs Val Radcliffe, Mr George Radcliffe: Mob: 07896153806. Alternative Delegate: Mr P Lee, Telephone: 0151 220 6115 Clerk: Mr Arthur Williams

Emmanuel, Workington (1939) Vulcans Lane, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 2N

Sunday Services: 10.30 am and 6 pm 2nd Rector: Rev Tony Pietersen Treasurer and Trustee: Mr D Temple, 61 Wampool Street, Silloth, Cumbria. CA7 4BN Delegates: Mr D Temple, Mr I Wright, Mr P Thorpe Clerk: Mrs Rosie Thorpe Email: [email protected] Web Site: www.ecw.org.uk Charity number: 1169274

17 APPENDIX B Directory of Church Pastors

Rev Tony PIETERSEN

13 Corporation Road, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 2PG Tel: 01900 268 512, Mob: 07715579000 Email: [email protected]

Rev James Lee POTTER

92a Hadleigh Road, Leigh-On-Sea, Essex, SS9 2LZ Tel: 01702 710 163 Email: [email protected]

18 Rev Virgil TOUNTAS

St Paul’s Parsonage, 38 Lowther Road, Fleetwood, Lancashire. FY7 7AS Tel: 01253 875 499, Mob: 07986 374859 Email: [email protected]

Rev Grahame WRAY

35 Rathmell Road, Halton Moor, Leeds, LS14 0NS Tel: 0113 260 5812, Mob: 07749 467867 Email: [email protected]

Mr Arthur WILLIAMS (Lay pastor)

Flat 1, Court, Gateacre Park Drive, Liverpool, L25 1PA Tel: 0151 722 0789, Mob: 07984 477743 Email: [email protected]

19 APPENDIX C Former Bishops

Rt Rev Arthur BENTLEY-TAYLOR

24 Tyttenhanger Green, St Albans, L4 0RW. Tel: 01727 863 281; Email: [email protected]

Rt Rev Dominic Stockford

Pastor: Christ Church, Christchurch Avenue, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 9AB Email: [email protected]

Rt Rev J Barry SHUCKSMITH

26 Ramblers Lane, Barton Upon Humber, North Lincolnshire, DN18 5BU Tel: 01652 661348 Email: [email protected]

20 APPENDIX D Retired Ministers and Ministers without Churches

Rev Joe BUSFIELD

1008 Adams Court, Warrington, PA, 18976, USA, Tel: 00 1215 882 3816 Email: [email protected]

Rev Michael John SMITHSON

1 Owen House, Whitcombe Gardens, PORTSMOUTH, PO3 6BL Tel: 07802482584; Email: [email protected]

APPENDIX E Directory of Connexional Scattered Members

Dorothy BURROWS 23 St Kentigern Close, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5PE Tel: 01768774528

Brian and Janet ELWICK 35 Mill Road, Swanland, North Ferriby, East Yorkshire, HU14 3PJ Tel: 01482 633201. Email: [email protected]

Val KIFT 2 Whitemoor Cottages, Loxhore, North EX31 4SR Tel: 01271 850414. Email: [email protected]

21 Memoir by Herbert Johnson (1927) son of Rev Stephen Frost Johnson, Minister of Christ Church Leigh-on-Sea and Master Builder of St. Paul’s Church, Fleetwood. 1991 when Herbert was 84.

Right Reverend Sir I am copying this from a letter dated January 1st, 1991 which commenced: I trust you will receive the completed edition. Enclosed are copies of original snaps of the construction work of your church and this is the story as I remember it.

My father Stephen Frost Johnson was a delegate at your Church Synod in 1926 (?) at Fleetwood in a building in a rather dilapidated and leaky condition somewhere towards the docks and railway area.

Father, being a very practical and accomplished master builder felt he could not return home and leave the church like that, so he bought some tools, borrowed some trestles etc. got the materials and repaired the roof, fixed metallic lathing over the weatherboarding and cement rendered the front and stone dashed it.

I do not know whether your present church site had yet been acquired but things were set in motion, plans drawn, submitted to the local authority for approval.

Father bought a small Winget block making machine and showed a very willing band of volunteers from the congregation how to make the rock faced and plain blocks and the angled ones for the piers and columns and eventually the panels for the pulpit. He gave them the approximate number required and said he would be back the next year to build the church.

The working party came from all walks of life. I remember Fred Dilkes an insurance collector, Joe Wright a diver on the docks, Mr. Smiles, a dear old gentleman who I doubt had ever done any manual work in his life. He was the proprietor of a rope and

22 hawser manufacturing firm. One or two trawler men and other local trades people.

And so, to Easter 1927. _.

Father, myself a 19 year old apprentice in my 2nd year of a seven year apprenticeship in bricklaying, draining, roof slating and tiling etc. together with a good strong and lively general labourer, drain layer and scaffolder named Charlie Ryan entrained at Leigh- on- Sea for Fleetwood via Fenchurch Street Station - taxi to Euston Station with our luggage and gear - tickets for 3 obtained - Charlie told to get the things put in the Guards Van on such and such a train and wait for father and myself who were going shopping! Away we went to a large well known tool merchants called Buck and Hickman’s in City Road - choosing pick hammers (as held by Rev Steele in photo) - bolster chisels and ordinary cold steel chisels.

Then "I want to nip across to Oliver’s the oak specialists to see about some oak pews". Not a stone had been turned at Fleetwood yet! When father said 'nip' he meant running along the road, dashing between vehicles, short cuts up alleyways. In and out of Oliver’s with some photos of pews, pulpits etc. "You're cutting it a bit fine Dad!" "OH, Are we? Taxi!!

I remember arriving at Euston Station each with some tools under our arms, dashing on to the platform, Charlie Ryan beckoning from a carriage door, the guards whistle, the train moving, catching up to Charlie with the door held open "Jump in Baby Boy", father sat down and laughed! Within a few minutes he was writing a load of letters. He never wasted a minute.

We were met at Fleetwood by the Rev Steele and conducted to

23 our 'digs'. Charlie to a widow who needed extra cash, father and to Mr and Mrs. Dilkes in the next road from the church. Carr Road if I remember correctly. Up at dawn and through the footway opposite to the church site - stacks of blocks of varying shapes and sizes and a shed within a paling fence.

Father "Find some short ends of paling and shape them for setting out pegs, get out your setting out lines and we will make a start". Thus, was started/ the building of St. Paul's Church.

Digging the foundations was extremely difficult and hard work being pick and shovel work through very little earth but mostly sand and cobbles; obviously the sea bed at some time. The cobble stones can be seen interspaced between the rock faced blocks. "Ah! My boy, they will" last forever and quite pretty too!"

Father would work at Fleetwood for two or three weeks at a time then return home to attend to business matters, attend Council Meetings, the Bench etc.

We would get up at dawn each day, tip toe downstairs, make a cup of tea, go to work, go back for a good breakfast, back to work till noon with a break for a cup of tea about 10-30. A quick dinner then back to work. Various ladies of the congregation would take it in turn to bring us tea and cakes in the afternoon then back home for a high tea about five thirty and return to work until dark. It was the same on Saturdays except that we had to knock off no later than 11 pm so that we could have a good wash and a cup of milk before the Sabbath arrived. Father would sometimes then sit up and prepare a sermon! When father was not up at Fleetwood, we could have Saturday afternoon off and Mr Steele would take me into Blackpool by tramcar and we would have tea out.

My eldest brother, Gladstone, was responsible for a" the carpentry work assisted by a local man loaned to us by a builder named Browne,

24 a local Methodist I believe. Father brought another of our bricklayers up towards the end when I had got a bit behind! The stone tracery window in the Chancel was cut, carved and erected by a local stonemason, an uncle of Mrs. Dilkes.

The asbestos roofing sheets had been ordered from Turners Trafford Tiles in Manchester we" in advance but due to a strike were not delivered until midday the day before the opening! The roof had been match boarded on and covered with tarpaulin. My brother and the other carpenter marked and drilled the asbestos sheets - six holes per sheet I believe - handed them up to the bricklayer on the scaffold who passed them to Charlie Ryan who would carry them up to father and me who were sitting on the roof. It became very wet and windy and after dark oil hurricane lamps became useless so father and I would have to locate the drilled holes with our fingers, insert the drive- screws and washers and drive them home - a wonder we had any fingers left. By 3-30am we had fixed the lot, dressed the lead flashings down and a" was sealed and water tight.

When we got down inside father and I took our gum boots off and emptied the water out! As we sat on the roof working, the rainwater soaked through our overalls and trousers and ran down into our boots until they were full and sloshed about as we moved. With the roof completed father said, "All knock off and go home". So, we went. "You nip up and have a nice hot bath Baby Boy". I did and came down in my pyjamas for a hot drink. "Why the pyjamas? I didn't say anything about bed." Then he laughed and said, "I want you to come back with me while there is no one to get in our way". So back we went to cement the aisles! We mixed our own cement mortar nice and strong and fairly stiff. Father screeded it off and wood floated it while I followed on and steel finished it. We completed one aisle then went to breakfast. I fell asleep at the table! Mother, who had come up for the opening, said I ought to go to bed. Father said he could spare me for an hour, no longer!

25

We finished the aisles and cleared everything out - ladies came in, swept up and dusted the pews and at the last minute we laid scaffold boards down the aisles for the congregation to walk on and not mark the cement. Father nipped, as he would say, into the vestry, put his on, walked round the outside and joined the clergy at the front. I went around the other way and stood inside the fence where the scaffolding was laying. It was not long before I sat down and fell asleep. My mother noticed me and when the people commenced moving inside, she came over to me and told me to go and get into bed for a while. . There was a Celebratory Tea at the old church hall where I again fell asleep. This time on mothers’ shoulder. Their· 'Baby Boy' was whacked out but happy and contented. I had pleased my wonderful parents.

My brother Gladstone had been married less than a year and with no family his wife, Flossie, came up with him for the summer and it was she who, at fathers request, went to the foreshore daily to collect the prettier of the pebbles we used, particularly those for the star in the steeple, or rather I should say the tower, and the pulpit. Father built the pulpit entirely himself and so left his own personal mark on what I am sure was the building he always considered his favourite, second only to his beloved Christ Church which he built in 1920 when he laid every brick and block himself! But that is another story. I do hope I have not made this too much 1,1,1, but I (again!) have endeavoured to relive that memorable summer of 1927.

With my sincerest best wishes

Herbert J L Johnson

An excerpt from a Separate publication Fleetwood and Ritualism which can be obtained from the General Secretary whose address is at front.

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CHURCHES

St Paul’s Church Christ Church Fleetwood Leeds

Christ Church Christ Church Emmanuel Church Leigh on Sea Tuebrook Workington

Wikipedia

© Evangelical Connexion of the Free Church of England. Produced by the General Secretary Trevor Jordan to whom all enquiries should be directed - [email protected]. The Church now has a Facebook group, is in Wikipedia and a website is now under construction.

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