METHODISTS IN SWAVESEY
WITH MENTION OF THE UNITARIAN CHURCH
Continuing the series of past Churches and Chapels
By Stephen Bull

Over the past few issues of 'The Meridian' we have seen how in the past Swavesey's residents were able to worship at a number of chapels and churches. In the mid-1800's the majority of the 1,350 population (1841 census) would have attended the Anglican Church, "St Andrew's". However the 'non-conformist' congregations also catered for a significant number of adherents.

Their forerunners, the 'dissenters', are first mentioned in Swavesey as early as the mid-1600's. As the name implies, they refused to conform to the established (Anglican) church and so worshipped separately. Tradition has it that these dissenters originally worshipped in the open air in a field known as "Gospel Hill" some distance down "Mow Fen" - significantly within the sound of the St Andrew's church bells!

The first recorded non-conformist/dissenters building was the "Old Meeting Chapel" registered in 1789 and situated next to "Drayton Cottage" in Boxworth End. The wooden chapel originally seated 160 people and cost £160. It served the congregation until 1853 when it was enlarged with a gallery approached by an outside stairs. [After its demolition for many years the rather neglected graveyard survived behind a brick wall with wrought iron gate on the site of No. 36a Boxworth End.]

In 1860 a group calling themselves 'Baptists' broke away (most probably from the Old Meeting Chapel) and took over an existing chapel built in 1831 by a group of 'Unitarian Baptists' on School (formally Carter's) Lane corner ('Fen & Upland' page 58). The chapel was known as the "Church of the Unitarians". Interestingly when the Baptists took over the building for their worship an agreement was reached that the new congregation would "retain the existing Unitarian preacher (one Mr John Coulson) while he was of good moral character"!

With the demise of this small congregation in the late 1870's the chapel was purchased in 1884 by the "Methodist Church". When the Methodist congregation was formed is not known ('Fen & Upland' page 58), however it is thought that as early as 1783 there were Methodists meeting in Swavesey. Preaching started in 1823 and by 1825 there was a congregation of 150 (Mr Dennis Froment's notes on Non-conformity in Swavesey). He continues: "A circuit was in place by 1882. In 1884 a chapel was purchased ......."

The "Prims" (as they were affectionately known) were quick to celebrate. The 'Swavesey Chronicle' recorded in September, 1884 that an "anniversary service was held last Sunday in the chapel. Sermon given by Rev. A Morton." This was followed on the Wednesday by "a public tea given by Miss Thoday, Jellings, Brooks, Payn (sic), Ding (all of which were good local names) & Andrews. There was a good attendance." 19 September 1884.

Later in the year a lecture at the Chapel was reported, and "a service of song by the St. Ives Choir who sang 'The Dairymans (sic) Daughter'.'' A collection was taken for Chapel Funds (presumably to help pay off the expense of the chapel).

'Fen & Upland' describes an an enthusiastic congregation holding a Sunday Camp Meeting every July "with local preachers walking twelve miles to attend. At 2.0 p.m. the congregation assembled at the Swan pond for a service; they moved to Market Street for another and to the Recreation Ground for a third service. Between 5.30 and 8.0, the services were repeated; all the time a band was playing." (Page 58)

Their services were well attended until 1914 when the Sunday School ceased and attendance dropped. The chapel was closed for worship in 1932 and was purchased and occupied as a private bungalow by Mr George Oakman in 1934. Following demolition of the bungalow the site was developed for residential purposes and 'Celandine' No. 1 School Lane and No. 6 Middle Watch were built in 1983.

Thankfully fine postcards exist of the Chapel: one, a general view of School Lane corner and the chapel, with grave stones poking above the neatly kept hedge, and a small noticeboard on the wall by the door. This was posted to Wisbech by a Mrs Waling on holiday in Swavesey and sent to her husband. This was postmarked "Swavesey 12 pm Sept 28 (19)06 and further cancelled "Cambridge 2.15 pm 28 Sept (19)06" ....... and was no doubt delivered by first post the next day! ('Consignia' could learn a thing or two from this excellent postal service of years ago!!!)

A further card depicted a rather dilapidated chapel, photograph presumably taken 1932-34, before being made into a private residence (from which the sketch was made) and still had the roadside noticeboard in-situ reading "SWAVESEY METHODIST CHURCH" and giving times of services.

Together with the adjacent Village Pound (a small brick-walled compound used for the detention of stray animals) and the Fire Engine House a part of Swavesey's history has disappeared.

I hope that this edition of The Meridian has dropped through your letterbox on time. We had major problems with the last edition and I can only apologise again to any of you that had advertised events that had already happened by the time the magazine arrived. To be honest it was getting to the point where if we had not managed to get the magazine into print when we did it would not have appeared at all!
I must thank you for getting your contributions to me by the deadline, it is a great help especially when we have a new team who are trying to get to grips with it all.

Well we have had a whole month of 2002 and what do you think of it so far? How many of your new year resolutions have you kept/broken? If you have not made any perhaps I can suggest that you resolve to contribute to your magazine this year? Do you have an idea for a series in the magazine, maybe you have a holiday experience you would like to share, did you like Harry Potter or did you prefer lord of the Rings? Do you want to sell something? Remember we now have the website which means we can reach a world-wide audience, maybe you want to get in touch with an old friend or family member who has moved away/emigrated. Send us your details and we will place them on the website (if it works please tell us!).

We have changed the format of this issue so that the adverts are in a centre pull-out section. Please let us know your views and if it meets with majority approval we will continue with this format in the future.

Finally the deadline for the April/May edition is February 28th, and if you want your discs back please tell us your address. Thank you.

April Martin

I have often seen two local farmers, John Shepperson and Keith Wilderspin, on Over Hill monitoring the water levels, so thank you both for all the work you do, and anyone else I have left out.

We now seem to be getting excessive amounts of rainfall and indeed blocked ditches can cause havoc with the water having nowhere to go, thus backing up causing flooding.

Now Oakington airfield has been put forward as a suitable site for housing, where will their run-off water end up?

Do we want extra water near us? I don't think so. Please Planners think again.

Margaret Brown

I hope all those who attended the Carol Evening, held in Market Street on 22nd December 2002, felt that the new format, stalls and general 'look' of the event was an improvement on past years. For the second year running we had over 200 children filing past to see Father Christmas. The number of adults who also attended was much greater and various estimates put the total attendance at approximately 700 people.

Residents, who have only recently moved into the village, may wish to know that it is twenty-four years since the first of these Carol Evenings was staged. Our aim, as always, is not to make a profit from this evening but only to cover the expenses involved in giving the Village and especially the children, a good old-fashioned start to the Christmas celebrations. However, after settling our accounts with the Band, Caterers, Printers, providers of power, flaming touches, tree lights, stalls and the sleigh, I am happy to say that we will still be able to make our usual contribution to St Andrew's Church and the Bethel Baptist Chapel. Please bear in mind that this event is not organised by the Parish Council and therefore we rely entirely on you for financial support.

Although Father Christmas, like all of us does not get any younger as the years roll by, he still managed to work his magic to appear next to a chimney pot! (I have no doubt that Mr Pook's relatives received an extremely rare picture of the Pook's house, taken that night!) But our major thanks and appreciation this year, must be for the super effort made by Jeff Cockram who designed and co-ordinated the building of Father Christmas' magnificent sleigh. (Our grateful thanks go to Callaghans Engineering of Waterbeach and to John Mills of Swavesey Auto Electrics for their invaluable help, advice and financial support.)

Judging by the remarks made to me, concerning the new format I used in an effort to put over the true message of Christmas, having each carol introduced by the Vicar and thus building up the story of Christmas was preferable to past procedures. I am sure the fact that you could actually hear what was being said this year did not escape you; for this we are deeply indebted to Alan Stanley and Martin McDonald of Cambridge Sound & Light. Disc Sales & Hire.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who helped to make the evening such a resounding success namely, Bill & Jenny Smart, George Hendry, Anne Stone, the Cottenham Brass Band Members, Kath Clewlow, Janet Hinson, Shirley Smith Liz and Jonathon Kinns & all who donated Mince Pies, John & Carol Pook, John Brown, the Reverend John Yule, John Ardley, Margaret Springer and all who donated raffle prizes, Nick Dennis, Carole & Derek Shaw, Peter Nuttal, Sue Marriot, Bob & Jean Long, John Burgess, Brian Dye, John Hodson, John Dyer, Diane Amure, Les & Maria Bailey, Mr Manish-A Patel, Colin Kennedy(Rudolf) & Father Christmas' assistants. (With antlers!)

I hope everyone enjoyed the Carol Evening and wish you all a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.
BOB STONE

P.S. What a pity some mindless killjoys had to vandalise one of the notice boards and steal some
bulbs from the tree in Market Street!