SEVENTY YEARS SERVING SAFFRON WALDEN TOGETHER 1946 - 2016

[JEM]

SEVENTY YEARS SERVING SAFFRON WALDEN TOGETHER

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PART ONE:-  INTRODUCTION  and  PART  TWO:-   CREATION  1946 - 1962

PART ONE :- INTRODUCTION  HOW THE  CHURCH WORLDWIDE
 became fractured and began to come together again

In the autumn of 2007 an agnostic woman asked “Why are there so many different churches in Saffron Walden?”

There were 9. There used to be 14. Some have merged. The 9 that existed then [ and 8 today ] regard themselves as all members of the Church of Jesus Christ.

That is they are all the People of God., Children of God, members of Christ’s body on Earth, the Christian Church,
They do not speak of being a divided Church, but a Church United in Diversity.
They are the result of historical development

Today they comprise in the order that they originated here.

The Roman Catholic Church of our Lady of Compassion.- Castle Street

The Anglican Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, usually known as St Mary’s.-Church Street

The Society of Friends - The Quakers - High Street

The United Reformed/Methodist Church - Abbey Lane

The Baptist Church - High Street

New Life Pentecostal Church - Shire Hill

The Salvation Army Corps - Abbey Lane

The Community Church [ Brethren Evangelical ] Castle Street

These 8 have covenanted together as Churches Together in Saffron Walden and on the list the second, third, fourth, and fifth congregations representatives along with those of the former Methodist Church formed in 1946 the original Christian Council later Council of Churches.

Apart from The Salvation Army Corps the others on the list first met together on one committee as the Uttlesford Action Group of the Bible Society in 1980 being a re-organization of the Saffron Walden District Bible Society Auxillary founded in 1812.

The second to fifth on the list, in 1822 formed The Town Mission which was set up to reach the poor of the Parish, 60% of the population that did not go to Church, so the Church decided to go to them in the person of a missionary who visited homes , read the Bible in them and gave out tracts and Bibles.

Within the Parish of Saffron Walden is the hamlet of Little Walden where there is a Church of England chapel of St John associated with St Mary’s.

Formerly in the Parish of Saffron Walden is the hamlet now the Parish of Sewards End where there is a Church of England chapel associated with St Mary’s dedicated to St James.

Within the Parish of Saffron Walden is the hamlet Audley End where there is an Anglican Diocesan Youth Centre which was formerly the College of St Mark a retirement centre for elderly Anglican clergymen probably originally associated with Audley End Benedictine Abbey.

There used to be at Little Walden a United Free Church Chapel formed by the mother of Rev John Dane Player and herself at least originally a member of the Abbey Lane Congregationalist Church .

There used to be at Sewards End a Baptist Chapel from the 1830’s in a small barn and an all purpose hall from 1938 which closed in 1963.

Within the former borough, now Town, of Saffron Walden there have also been

Saffron Walden Presbyterian Church - Church Street around 1643-1649

Saffron Walden Congregational Church - Abbey Lane which began around 1665 in a building in Myddylton Place

Saffron Walden Wesleyan Methodist Church - Castle Street which began in a barn in Castle Street

Saffron Walden Primitive Methodist Church - Castle Hill

Saffron Walden General Baptist Church - Hill Street ( for a long period a Unitarian Chapel) earlier met in Gold Street.

Saffron Walden Strict Baptist Church - London Road, later the Christian Science Lecture Hall.

Saffron Walden Assembly of God - Castle Street which began in King Street in a hall above a shop previously a stockroom

Saffron Walden Salvation Army Citadel - Castle Street which later became a Laundry and then private homes. Closed early 20th cent.

Saffron Walden Railway Mission - Debden Road. Which met in a tinned roofed building which late became a grocery shop which was demolished to build a house.

For a time during the 1980’s a Community Church known as Saffron Walden Christian Fellowship met at the Town Hall. Either this petered out, or became later in the 1990’s the Saffron Walden Wellspring Church, which met at Great Chesterford, and then at Abbey Lane Church Hall Saffron Walden , and Saffron Walden County High School It later in the early 21st century dispersed to the other congregations

The present Salvation Army Corps for about 9 years hired on Sundays Golden Acre Community Hall, Ross Close and were known as the Outreach Project from Haverhill Salvation Army Corps.

The earliest Quakers met in Myddylton Place, possibly in barns or buildings where the Youth Hostel was until 2010 when it closed, as did the earliest Independents or Congregationalists.

The present Baptist Church began as a Particular Baptist Church in 1761 coming out of Abbey Lane Independent Church in 1774, as a Mixt Membership Church of Baptists and Paedobaptists, and for their first 21 Sundays in 1774 met in the barn of Mistress Elizabeth Fuller next to her house now known as Myddylton House, Myddylton Place. Several local churches began and used barns.

The first church was probably a Roman Catholic congregation meeting in a mud and wattle building at the Saxon settlement in what is now near the corner of Abbey Lane with Gibson Way.

From that developed the church on Bury Hill later taken over by the Normans close to their castle and was linked with the Priory and later Abbey at Audley End and was a Roman Catholic community until the 1500’s and the development of the Protestant Reformation in Europe

This eventually led to the establishment across the Continent of new national churches, French Calvinism, Scottish Presbyterianism, and German Lutheranism that spread over Scandinavia. There were also reformers amongst the Bohemians, the Dutch, Czechoslovaks and Spanish. Europe eventually became divided between countries which were predominantly Roman Catholic or Protestant, while Europe’s Eastern flank was Eastern Orthodox and these 3 have been the main 3 strands of Christian until the 20th Century with the addition of the Pentecostal and Charismatic strands,

The original church began in Palestine in Jerusalem, Judea and Galilee and spread to neighboring countries and around the North African coast before they were lost to Islam by the Muslim military conquests from Arabia some centuries later.

For the first 2 centuries the churches were mainly Pentecostal in exercising the gifts of God the Holy Spirit, Congregationalist in self government and Baptist in that they baptized people who had become believers and were baptized by total immersion in rivers, lakes, the sea, or constructed pools called baptisteries, some quite large and elegant. Usually baptismal candidates being believing youths or adults were baptized naked in same sex services, by naked baptizers and rising on the other side of the water, representing new life in Christ they were wrapped in white cloaks or gowns.

From 251 AD onwards the idea of infant baptism was developed by immersing or dousing babies who could not believe but were taught afterwards to believe and could have their commitment confirmed by a pastor or bishop. This was because of a change in teaching which held that unless people were baptized they would go to Hell, and because a lot of babies did die as babies. There was an enormous struggles amongst the churches over this change of beliefs and practices which carried on for about 200 years by which most of the churches were linked to the bishops of Rome and Alexandria, and Rome as the centre of the Roman Empire had become the dominant church.

Along the way there had been great persecution and slaughter of independent churches and all the churches associated with the Church at Antioch which was where the Jerusalem Church moved to via Petra after the Roman conquest and destruction of Jerusalem.

It is against such a historical background that the churches of today exist and are moving together more and more to work together in serving their world, countries and communities.

There is but one God who has made himself known to men and women, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, all equally God, and there is one Christian Church made up of diverse groups of people

The teaching of Jesus Christ and his immediate disciples known as the Apostles were the real basis for the faith and unity of His Church
But these have been interpreted differently at different times and in different places down the centuries particularly arising from the hierarchical development of Christian organization whereby one bishop has become dominant over many churches that have associated together This led to the Bishop of Rome dominating the early Church Council’s as Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire. The language of that empire was Latin

The early Christian writings were in Greek and translated into some other Asian and European languages, but Latin dominated.

The Roman Empire divided into the East ruled from Constantinople (now Istanbul) and the West from Rome. The Catholic Church divided into the West (Roman) and the East (Byzantine Orthodox) These two cultures still exist with the first churches in the East, Syrian Orthodox, Egyptian Coptic, Greek Orthodox, Eastern European Orthodox, Armenian, Persian, Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox, They claim too be nearer the truth than the Roman Catholics.

In fact some of the modern Christian Churches are nearer the truth because they have founded themselves on the teaching of Jesus Christ and the Apostles as contained in the New Testament and have not taken on board the customs, rites, rituals, symbolism, and other dogmatic doctrinal clutter that the older denominations have surrounded themselves with. much from other non-Christian religions,

Two sects have met in Saffron Walden. The Christian Science meeting house - London Road and the Jehovah’s Witnesses, a Unitarian sect used to meet in the Assembly Room in King Street and later hired Golden Acres Community Hall, but later hired Wimbish Village Hall and then bought the St Raphael Club hall off Rowntree Way.

There have also been independent house groups not associated with any existing churches,

Over the years several groups of churches have worked in alliance with each other, members of several have later merged into one church.

The Walden based churches have also founded other congregations in the surrounding villages

The Church of England operate a United Parish with Wenden’s Ambo, Wenden’s Lofts, Duddenhoe End, Littlebury, Littlebury Green, Ashdon, and Hadstock, and for a time cared for Ickleton, Elmdon and Newport during the illness of their ministers, or in between ministers and the operate a Team Ministry.

The Congregationalist Church and the Baptist Church set up Union chapels at Wimbish and Debden.

The Salvation Army citadel had a branch at Wimbish

The Particular Baptist Church [ Upper Meeting ] set up new congregations at Ashdon, Thaxted and Langley and today co-operates with them as a Baptist Church Cluster also including Great Sampford which was founded by a former member of Upper Meeting . They used to be part of a North West Essex Baptist Fellowship.

The Society of Friends had an Evangelistic Band with chapels in various places one of which was at Hadstock.

The Primitive Methodist Church developed branch churches in several villages all now closed. Arkesden, Clavering, Langley, Chrishall, Hempstead, Little Chesterford and Ickleton.

The Free ( non Episcopalian) Churches of Walden and its nearest villages prior to 1909 were members of the Bishops Stortford and District Free Church Federal Council which stretched from Epping to Sawston and Dunmow to Ware.

Later after the First World War they formed the Saffron Walden District Free Church Council which continued unto this century and drew in the Brethren and Pentecostal Churches from Duxford to Thaxted and Hempstead to Clavering, Chrishall, and Langley and then those in the town joined in Churches Together with the C of E.

In the 1950’s -60’s the second and fourth to sixth the list with various village congregations formed Saffron Walden & District Youth for Chris and worked together to support the Billy Graham Evangelical Crusades

It is against this ongoing background of history that Churches Together has grown as Christians from various denominations have taken the risk to visit one another listen, talk, share and understand. Alas all too many have as yet not started that process and cling to their own denominational beliefs and customs decades and centuries old yet some are clearly not part of New Testament teaching.

The differences between the churches are based on their historical experience but may be allowed for by the teaching of Jesus expressed in Matthew 16 verses 15-20 and 18 verses 15-20

In the first section it looks rather as though Jesus said to Simon Peter, who had answered his question whom do you say that I am with “Thou art the Christ the son of the living God” and was the first disciple to admit that belief. So Jesus said “Blessed art though Simon Bar-jonah for flesh and blood has not revealed it to you but my father which is in heaven and I say to you that “Thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it”

Jesus says to Simon henceforth you will be called Peter [ In Greek Cephas meaning “the rock” ) to you I will give the keys of the Kingdom, what you agree on Earth will be agreed in Heaven.

Some too cling to a Bible and services still in Latin, and others still cling to the Tudor English of the so called 1611 Authorized Version of the Bible and even build their doctrines on what one proof text appears to say taken out of context and at random despite the fact that in Greek it may not mean what they think it means.

In point of fact no Christians using the so called AV use the 1611 version at all, but the 1789 fourth revision. Most of the New Testament of the so called AV versions were based on 3 of a bunch of 8 manuscripts of what is called the Received Text,

But today we know that there are thousands of manuscripts available, and the Greek of Erasmus on whose version the New Testament was translated is the classical Greek of the scholars, but the New Testament was written in common ordinary Greek as spoken by the majority of ordinary people.

Those who still cling to the so called 1611 AV (1789) as the only accurate English translation, as it is from those few manuscripts, will not agree to a new English translation into modern 21st century spoken English from those original manuscripts because they claim there are today no translators of spiritual worth who can be trusted with such a great task,

In fact they really should know they are basing their beliefs on rocky ground.

The New King James Version is the nearest we will get to this but fundamentalists don’t like the absence of Thee, Thou, Thine and wheresoever and whithersoever and a lot of other 500 year old English jargon, no longer used in normal conversation.

Many evangelicals base their beliefs about the Second Advent of Jesus Christ on the teachings of an obscure 19th century Bible teacher from the Church of Ireland who emigrated to the Southern USA, John Darby which are in conflict with the teaching accepted for the previous 19 centuries. Because millions now believe it, does not necessarily make it the Truth.

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PART TWO  CREATION 1946 - 1962 


Throughout this account drawn from the Minutes we will often mention the names of those who joined the Council as Representatives but there are less references to resignations. This may be due to some churches electing new representatives each year at their Annual General Meetings who replaced someone who so served the previous year. As far as possible everyone who joined has been mentioned as they all made a contribution to the debates, discussions and decisions of the council.

On Wed Jan 16th 1946 for the first time the Saffron Walden United Christian Council met at Myddylton House under the Chairmanship of Mr F B Malim. Present with him were Mrs F E Clapham, Miss Edith Cornell, ‘Mr Joseph Custerson, Miss B Drake, Mrs King-Beer, Mrs D Field, Mrs H Perry, Mrs G Littleboy, Miss Gladys Trigg, Mr E Barrett, Mr A M Dunscombe, Mr A Fitch, Mr Ken Reed, (Secretary) Rev S B Harris with apologies received from Miss Gladys Dyer, and Mr C Gaylor

From these names we can gather that there were representatives from St Mary’s Church of England, the Society of Friends, Abbey Lane Congregationalist Church, Castle Street Methodist Church and High Street Baptist Church.

The Minutes read were those of Dec 19th 1945 of the Interdenominational Committee set up in the town in 1944 to consider how the churches could work more closely together, which on that date in 1945 set up the Christian Council.

Their purpose was defined as “To promote common activities between Christians in carrying out the implications of their faith in the neighborhood.”

Their first item of business was to set up some meetings about Home and Family Life

Some people wanted first a Declaration of Beliefs. This was rejected as it would be regarded as an evangelistic statement but they were not yet ready for united evangelism. But what was needed were actions to stem the flow away from family life.

It was proposed that they should organize 3 meetings to set out what Christianity without giving an impression of criticism can do for 1. Children 2.. Home makers. 3. Depressed and Disillusioned people.

The next meeting was held at Abbey Lane Church Vestry.  They decided that the first meeting would be led by a Free Church Minister, that specialist speakers to speak on the 3 subjects should be engaged and that a closing act of worship should be led by an Anglican Minister, and the booked speakers,

So there first action was to address the current problems left by the War effecting so many families the community, Family Life and Community

The Very Revd W J Coneybean was to lead the closing act of worship and would lead prayers for the homes in Saffron Walden broken by the war Prayer sheets would be printed and a Collection taken up for the British Council of Churches

The Meetings were advertised by locally distributed handbills, adverts in the local newspapers, and on the local Cinema screens, for the princely sum of £1, and they were held at the Town Hall, the hire of which was four pounds, five shillings and sixpence. [£4.27½p] .

The first AGM was held on April 9th 1946 and they discussed the proposal to open cinemas on Sundays They regarded it as an unwise move. It would be a temptation to evening worshipers, and staff should not be forced to work on Sundays

Christian Council meetings were a sounding board for a number of new ideas some of which were taken up by particular churches, or in co-operation with one another.

These included a Marriage Guidance Course in co-operation with the Town’s Youth Council.

A Christian Discussion Forum but this was turned down as it was thought it would have been in competition with the newly formed United Nations Association meetings.

A Canteen for service men and women to go to as an alternative to the Pubs.

A Sunday Evening Youth Fellowship. This was proposed by the late Tom Dewing Congregationalist Lay Preacher and dedicated teacher at the Boy’s British School and later at Saffron Walden County High School and who lived to be over 100 years old.

A public meeting was arranged to discuss this chaired by Mr E Barrett, This Youth Fellowship was established at 8pm as an alternative to the Cinema. A Committee was set up to organize it and visitors were appointed to keep any eye on their activities. .

They invited to join the Council the new Vicar, the then Revd. M Roy Sinker, the new Baptist Minister. Revd Arthur. J. Blower and the new Vicar of Littlebury, the latter declined, the other 2 joined.

At the October 4th meeting 1946 A Good Friday Procession of Witness was suggested, also an United Evening Service and a series of Open Air Services. For the latter it was felt the Whit Sunday would be a useful date to begin, .

It was agreed to start monthly United Bible Study meetings from Nov 11th..

at that meeting it was reported that a Saffron Walden Youth Fellowship was to meet at the Parish Room on Sunday evenings at 8pm. a committee was set up to lead it comprising Mr Eric Barrett, Miss A Burrell, Miss Gladys Dyer, Miss J Fenson, Miss K Hyde, Miss Mary Turnbull and Mr K Wombwell. The programme included discussions, quizzes, community singing, Gramophone recitals, Brain’s Trust, play readings. The total number to have been involved was 64, with an average attendance of 40.

It was decided as an act of reconciliation to invite a German Prisoners of War choir from one of the camps near the town to come and sing. The Leader had been the organist of Dresden Cathedral. The allies had severely bombed Dresden in reprisal for German bombing in the Blitz on East London. While this was agreed to it was later discovered the Choir had been disbanded. The concert was however held as a new POW Choir had been formed at the Camp at Radwinter A collection for their Welfare Fund raised £9 pound and 12 shillings. Not bad when a labourer’s wages were about 10 shillings a week.

On 29th November 1946 a meeting was held at the Baptist Manse to discuss organizing Food Parcels to Germany.

It was agreed to send parcels to the families of the German Prisoners of War we had contacts with in the local Camps in the German towns and cities. It was agreed to involve the Women’s Institute, Rotarians and Political Parties.

Collection Depots were to be set up at the Friends Meeting House and the Town Hall. Mr F A Marsh was appointed Director of Operations, Mrs Kingbeare was appointed to arrange a rota of collectors. Mrs Marking and Miss Clapham were appointed to organize packing. Due to changed regulations they had to be unpacked and re-packed by a band of willing volunteers.

The minutes record that the December meeting was chaired by Mr Albert Coote of the Baptist Church [ though he was actually called Arthur] and Miss Burwell Secretary of the Youth fellowship joined the Council. That meeting began to concern itself with the Welfare of the Elderly in the town. The Youth Fellowship sang carols at St Jame’s Hospital [The Workhouse ]

In January 1947 The Week of Prayer was organized with Prayer Meetings at St Mary’s and at the Baptist Church. An Open Air Service was held on Good Friday. A Club was begun at the Parish Room weekly for German POW’s from the Camp at Radwinter and surrounding farms, Including, bagatelle, billiards, table tennis, coffee and tea. Forty from Radwinter benefited. The club caused much criticism in the town.

Additions to the Council were Mr J W Jacob [ Methodist ] Mr W Cornell
[ Congregationalist.] Mr P L Allen and Miss Molly Trigg,[ C of E ] and Mr R A Wright [ the Society of Friends ], but a Mr Fitch resigned

Revd Harris. Resigned from being Secretary and Rev A J Blower took on that role. Mr P Archer was Youth Fellowship Secretary and Miss M Dupont was Youth Fellowship Treasurer, and a Miss M Tooley, represented the Teacher Training College SCM [ student Christian Movement]. Mr Eric C Barrett [ Baptist ] was appointed to represent the council on the United Nation Committee.

I was agreed in future to meet monthly .

Some Undergraduates from Cambridge came over for the Empire Youth Sunday Service. Free Church subscriptions were raised to a guinea.

Open Air Services were arranged for May, June and July on the Common

[ If wet in the corn exchange ] Rev Blower provided the microphone.

A Salvation Army band was obtained to play from a wagon. Mr J P Elsden, headmaster of the Boy’s British School provide the electricity, his house was on the side of the Slade at the bottom of the Common next to the School.

It was agreed that a public meeting would be held at the Town Hall for the British & Foreign Bible Society which Rev Reginald N Humphries would help the Revd Robert Moffat to organize Mr Alderman C B Rowntree, [ Society of Friends ] would preside. Reginald was the Parish Church curate during the war and helped the Vicar of Littlebury organize and staff the Church Lads Brigade at St Mary’s which had been a strong Company with a band, as there were the no Scouts as the leaders were at the War

Reginald went on to be for many years Vicar of Newport, and Chaplain to RAF Debden. Robert Moffat was a retired Congregationalist minister who lived in Debden Road on the West side near the Water Tower that was on the east side.

Rev Arthur Blower was the speaker at the special 3pm service on Remembrance Sunday . Arthur was also a chaplain to the Forces.

Five week night prayer meetings at different Church locations were arranged for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January 1948 with a United Service at the Town Hall. It was agreed that Robert Moffat would give a talk to the Youth Fellowship.

As 1947 came to a close The Club for German POW’s was closed down as they had been repatriated to Germany

During 1948 Rev R M Moffat joined the Council and Rev Robert Catt of Hill Street Baptist Church joined also. 30 - minute Open Air Services were held in June, July and August. [ no collections were taken up ]

A meeting was arranged to learn about the work of the World Council of Churches and another meeting arranged was about spiritual healing.

In 1948 Rev F M Case from the Methodist Church joined and in 1949 Miss A Ashwell and Miss Farrow representing the Teacher Training College [TTC] joined together with. Mr G Clayden Mr M Pierce and Mr A Jones all joined from the Congregationalist Church and Mrs W E Haddleton from the Methodist Church, together with Mr M Pierce and Rev A Jines from the Congregational Church.

In 1949 a Bible Society Films Show was arranged during the week on an afternoon at the Town Hall showing 3 films. One of them entitled “MAN OF TWO WORLDS” Meetings were organized on the “Reconstruction of Europe”, and “The Royal Commission Gambling.”

Mr Thomas Fordham from the Baptist Church joined the Council. Mr G Bradley replaced Mr E Barrett as UNA Committee Representative. Rev S V Evans of the Congregational Church and the C of E Assistant Curate Mr N E thingyinson joined the Council also Miss E Glenn and Mrs M Whitworth of the Teachers Training College, Mr E Small and Mr James M Strachan from the Society of Friend, and Miss J Haddleton from the Youth fellowship Deaconess E Vigor resigned. Rev Arthur Blower resigned from the Secretaryship to be replaced by the Rev A V Evans.

The Bible Society Film meeting at the Town Hall for parents and children became an annual event. A Collection of Clothing to assist the Christian Refugees Service was organized with Harts as a collection centre over 3 week period.

In 1950 the Christian Council was renamed as the Saffron Walden Council of Churches, and a new Constitution was adopted with a committee of Ministers with 1 other representative from each church so that each church was represented by 2 people and the Society of Friends that had no minister had 2 representatives. Chairman and officers were elected. Their main responsibilities at that time were to organize an annual study course, and the week of Prayer for Christian Unity; and appoint visitors to the Youth Fellowship, Later that year the Collection of Clothing Centre was moved to the Friends Meeting House.

1951 was the year of the Festival of Britain. It was proposed to open each church all the weekend at the local Festival of Britain Week with displays about their history and booklets t give to visitors.

The Minutes indicate more people joining the council but does not mention who stood down but under their new constitution there must have been a fair bit of coming and going.

Mrs. A Emery joined representing the Methodist Church
Miss Petley and Miss Prestone represented the Teacher Training College.
Miss J Elliot-Binns joined representing the women of St Mary’s Church
Mr G Dupont as Treasurer and Miss J Barker as Secretary of the Youth Fellowship joined the Council
The Methodist minister having stared House to House visiting of a new housing estate asked for other ministers to help him.

A Church Diary was begun. The Empire Youth Sunday Service continued.

In 1953 Coronation Year. Mr A V Wright joined representing the Congregationalists and Mr Eric J Swan joined representing the Baptists, also a Miss A S Holland.

Bible Week was observed from March 21st to 28th. with displays of Bibles including at the Library. There were to be special services in the churches, and a public meeting with The Bishop of Barking, and a Pageant in the Secondary School hall organized by Mr Southgate. Culminating on march 28th with a United Service at the Parish Church at which the preacher was Rev John Murray BD chairman of the Cambridge and Huntingdon Congregational Union.

For several days in May the film “CRY MY BELOVED COUNTRY “was screened at the Walden Cinema.

Strangely there is no reference to the Coronation in June although there was I believe a special service at the Parish Church and a Carnival Procession on the Saturday following in the town. In which the Baptists had a float about the work of the Baptist Missionary Society.

1953 was the year it was decided that at our Special United Services the collections would be to support Inter Church Aid and Refugee Service.

The Youth Fellowship suggested that National Service should be extended to other forms of service than just the Armed Forces.

The Council began monitoring Sale of Work dates so the various churches did not clash. Open air services were not held in 1953.

Towards the end of the year Rev Len Addicott the new Baptist Minister and Mr Frank Flack, a Methodist ,joined the Council.

Rev George Sharman the Methodist Minister presented a discussion paper to the Council asking the following question “ What is the difference between a Christian and a decent living person who does not go to church”. We have no record of the reply.

Upon another question of Rev George Sharman It was agreed to seek expert advice as to how to deal with young people roaming the streets at night. It was suggested that we invite Probation officers t the Council Meeting to explain.

It was proposed that we should seek contact with the local village churches.

In 1954 Rev S Evans resigned as Secretary and the task was taken on by Mr M Pierce for a year and then in 1955 Rev George Sharman took it on..

those who joined the Council that year included Mr Ernest Newton and Miss Jean Stalley from the Baptist Church and the Rev’d Hugh Wrigley Pastor of the Ashdon Baptist Church and Secretary of the Bible Society Auxiliary.

In 1955 Mr F Malim resigned as Chair and this was taken on by Miss E Glenn the Training College Principal.

In 1955 Mrs G Marriage of the Society of Friends joined along with Mr Charlie Farnham Abbey Lane Congregational Church and Mrs W Uden from St Mary’s C of E.

In June 1956 the united Young People Fellowship closed and it was hoped each member Church would try to organize their own. The Baptists did in association with the Training College and it became a regular Sunday evening feature with a Youth Witness Team that visited various churches in the villages, such as Newport, Thaxted, Langley, Chrishall, Helions Bumpstead, Hempstead, Ashdon. Great Chesterford, Little Chesterford, Ickleton, Clavering, Great Sampford, Barnston, Radwinter, Sewards End
and from 1957 became a mid week Youth Fellowship too. From this two other ministries developed Saffron Walden and District Youth for Christ, with the Gold Street Brethren Chapel and the Castle Street Pentecostal Church, Ashdon Baptist, Thaxted Baptist, Saffron Walden Baptist and the Saffron Walden Circuit of Methodist Churches, and some village Congregational churches. Rallies were held at the Friends Meeting House. Youth For Christ later was renamed Saffron Walden Christian Fellowship and after that disbanded the name was adopted for a Charismatic congregation meeting at the Town Hall which later developed as Well Spring Evangelical Church until that disbanded to the other churches. The other ministry to come out of this was the Ministry of Christian Literature which arranged bookstalls at various Free Church united events and was renamed in AD 2000 as Lighthouse Prayer Ministry [ MCCPF ] which went on to reach over 29,000 people overseas across 176 countries as well as many people locally.

In 1956 newcomers joining were the new Congregationalist minister Rev. A N Mayson. The new Baptist Minister Rev Horace Webb, and Miss S M Spencer representing the Teachers Training College.

An Inter Church Aid Week was launched from May 6th - 11th 1957 which became annual. [ Later known as Christian Aid Week ]

The Rev. Hugh Wrigley. Ashdon Baptist Church minister joined as the Bible Society representative.

A Constitution was adopted in November as Saffron Walden Christian Council of Churches based upon the Constitution of. and associated with, the British Council of Churches.

They agreed on 4 objectives.

1.Promotion of full mutual understanding between Churches represented in the Council to assist in the growth of ecumenical consciousness amongst members.

2.Facilitation of Communication by the Church in evangelistic enterprise, in promotion of enlightened friendship, in stimulating a sense of social responsibility, and in guiding the activities of the churches in the welfare of Youth.

3.Consideration of Issues that effect the spiritual and moral welfare of the local community and to give guidance and take action as may be thought appropriate in the light of the Christian Gospel.

4.Expression. They ere to give such expression to the common faith and devotion as may from time to time be found desirable having due regard to their different usages and traditions.

This was followed by 6 practical points of organization.

5.Membership

All clergy and ministers of each local church in the Borough of Saffron Walden which desires to participate in the work of the council and is represented nationally on the British Council of Churches.

3 lay representatives for each participating church except the Church of England that had 5, and 1 lay representative of local inter-denominational bodies including the BCC and the Teachers Training College

Such number of co-opted members as the Council shall determine providing they shall not exceed one quarter of the representative membership.

6.Officers . A Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Honorary Treasurer, and 2 Honorary Secretaries were to be elected at the AGM to hold office each for 1 year and be eligible for re-election

7 Meetings

The Council was to meet at least 4 times a year

The July meeting to be AGM for Accounts. Reports and Elections

8 Executive Committee

was to be formed of The Officers, Clergy, Ministers and 1 lay member from each church and 2 from the Society of Friends [ who had no minister ] and may set up other committees and co-opt people onto them

9 Finance

Each church to pay a subscription and donations accepted from anyone to be encouraged

10 The Council should have the power to amend articles 6,7,8 9 due notice having been given and at an AGM may have power to amend articles 1,2,3,4,5 and 10

It was proposed in December to have a Luncheon for 100 people at 10 shillings a head to raise money for Christian Aid, but was later abandoned

Inter Church Aid boxes and collections provided £ 17

It was noted that help was needed for International Help for Children

It was agreed to make a joint house to house collection organized by Horace F Webb all were agreed except the Society of Friends but individuals from them might help. 100 volunteers will be needed

Miss B Gibbs joined as a new member from the Methodist church at Hempstead.

In 1957 Mr E Brown joined representing the Society of Friends

Concerning International Help for Children it was noted that some local parents had offered accommodation An invitation was issued for a party of children to visit Saffron Walden and a sub committee was organized to make the arrangements.

So from refugee camps in Europe the schools were expecting a party of 20 children aged 8 -14 during the summer and £300 would be needed and the children would return home on July 16th. In the end £322 was raised.

The Churches were asked to help organize a Careers Exhibition but a decision was deferred.

The Churches were asked to help with the Festival of Saffron Walden and there would be a pageant that each church could take part in preceded by the Clergy and Free Church Ministers

They were also asked to help with the Carnival Procession on June 29th

A proposed visitation of new homes was postponed to the Autumn and those participating would need training.

In November Mrs Ruth Gladman joined the Council representing the Pentecostal Church.

In 1958 they gave support to the Mentally Handicapped children. Mr A Jones joined representing the Society of Friends

On Nov3rd 1958 they received a request from the King Edward the Sixth Almshouses to conduct a monthly service in their chapel on the 3rd Friday during the summer months May - September

An open air service was arranged for July 26th at 8pm and the Haverhill Band was asked to lead the singing.

In November that year the visitation campaign was still being discussed and was delayed until May 1959 but then it was abandoned from lack of support. The Baptists said that they would do it on their own in one particular area.

Mrs. M Reed joined from the Congregationalist Church as did Rev B Leech the Curate at St Mary’s. Mr C R Wells resigned.

In 1959 the Rev Frank Sorrell the new Methodist Minister became General Secretary and new members included Mr Len Reed from the Congregationalist Church and the Dr E thingyson from the Methodist church

It was decided to arrange a Christian Aid Week collection in 1960 if volunteers could be recruited

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was dropped but the idea proposed to include the villages and go to one of those.

In 1960

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A report was received from a Mental Health Lecture held at the Library.

New members received were Miss M Woolen from the Teacher’s Training College, Mr Frank Flack from the Methodist Church, Mr N Brian Newman from the Church of England, and Miss E King from the Congregationalist Church.

There was a World Refugee Year Exhibition at the Corn Exchange from May 18 - 21st involving the Political Parties covering Rehabilitation, Roman Catholic Women’s Guild Dealing with the Middle East, Society of Friends covering the needs of Children; the Red Cross and WVS, and TOC H concerning prisoners of war

Under the work of International Help for Refugee Children a party of 11 children were entertained during June.

This year’s Saffron Walden Festival Open Air Service was held at 8pm in the Jubilee Gardens on June 12th at the end of the Festival and the Vicar Rev M Roy Sinker and the Secretary had written to all the students at the college inviting them all to attend.

On July 8th there was a meeting of local doctors and local clergy.

Rural representation was again considered but transport was a problem but it was agreed to receive a representative whether Minister or Lay Person from each of Newport Congregationalist Church, Ickleton Methodist Church and Ashdon Baptist Church.

The Mayor convened a meeting for all interested organizations at the Town Hall concerning the welfare of old people, it was greed to send two representatives.

It was agreed that the proceeds of next year’s Carnival should go to the St Mary’s Parish Church Restoration Appeal

A lecture was arranged dealing with Juvenile Delinquency and Penal Reform.

In 1961

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Mrs N B Newman joined as representing the Congregationalist Church. As did the Rev J Ford , the Assistant Curate of St Mary’s Parish Church.

Some lectures were arranged based on a world Council of Churches Booklet, and a Bible Exhibition was held at the Friends Meeting house in October. The Atrocities in Angola were highlighted locally as a national campaign got underway led by two Essex Baptist ministers, Eric Blakeborough, and Len Addicott who had been formerly minister of Saffron Walden Baptist Church, [ 1953 - 1956 ] using radio and newspapers a petition was raised to cause our government to intervene.

The Council sent a letter to the Portuguese Embassy and a letter from our MP R A Butler then the Home Secretary was released to the local papers,

on the subject and the British Government’s reaction to the action.

In 1962
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Revd Alan Trinder the new minister at Abbey Lane joined the Council together with Mr E Rapkin. From the Baptist Church Mr Eric Swan joined.

A series of lectures took place on “The Christian and his, Faith, Witness, Home and Work.”

It was discussed whether to close all the churches on on Sunday morning and have one united service in one of them The Church of England and Methodist representatives were against this idea and felt it would lead to great disagreements so it was decided not to do so. [ The time was not yet, but came later] ….