History of the Hatch Beauchamp Baptist Church

There is no record of the origin of the Church save a reference in Woods Baptist History, in which he states that a Baptist Church was founded at Hatch, near Taunton, in 1630. More definite evidence of the Church's existence is to be obtained from proceedings of Western Baptist Association of Churches, which was formed in 1653, for in the first circular letter of the Association to be signed by 18 messengers of 18 Churches which comprised it, signed in 1655, the Hatch Church appears among the rest. In the following year, the associated Churches dealt with the question of "imposition of hands at an orderly ordination to the ministry" and among ten dissenting churches to this procedure, the name of Brother Parsons of Hatch appears. That the Church continued to exist during the Cromwellian period is certain, I think, for dissenters enjoyed great freedom at that time; but I have been unable to discover any direct evidence that it was in existence during the dark days of persecution and outrage in the reign of Charles the second and James the second. During these reigns, which covered a period of 26 or 27 years, 70,000 persons suffered fines or imprisonment for nonconformity and 12 millions of money was extorted from them, and Sir James Macintosh states that Baptists, who were prominent advocates of the doctrine of religious freedom, were more severely persecuted than other nonconformists by vindictive authorities. It is a significant fact, however, that when representatives of Baptist Churches met in London in 1689, Jeremiah Day was messenger from Hatch Church, and that when the Western Association was re-formed in 1691, Hatch was one of the 24 Churches comprising it. And as some Churches did continue to exist through the cruel period for nonconformity from 1660 to 1689, (for though prevented from holding regular meetings they yet met occasionally in secret gatherings) it is not impossible that the light of Baptist witness was not a1together extinguished in Hatch. Indeed, I 1ike to think of those members meeting for worship and mutual encouragement in the woods which at that time stretched from Capland to Ashill. Now there is documentary evidence in the records of this Church that it has had a continuous existence from 1742 to the present day, but what happened between 1692, when Jeremiah Day again represented this Church at a meeting of the Particular Baptist Association of Churches in London, and 1742, I am unable to say. But it is a fair inference to assume that, if the Church did survive the terrible period for dissenters from 1360 to 1689, and entered happier times for nonconformity in the reign of William and Mary, it no doubt continued through the somewhat difficult 12 years for nonconformity during the reign of Queen Anne, and through the comparatively easy time under George 1st to the time when, in the reign of George the second, the Church records begin.

Starting then from the records which have survived, we find that there was a Baptist Church in 1742, and that it has had a continuous history from that time. In the single word "Church'1 I do not mean, of course, church building, but company of believers in Jesus Christ, who had banded themselves together by a common acceptance of the distinguishing beliefs of Particular Baptists. The members in 1742 were few, probably 14 all told, for it is difficult to distinguish original members from those added at a later date. As Church buildings were not common among dissenters of small communities at that date, they, no doubt, met in one or other of the houses of members, where the word was preached, the Lord's Supper partaken of, and Church business transacted, while the occasional baptisms would take place in the river nearby. It is noticeable that the first Church book which survives contains no record of any reforming of the Church, and presupposes previous church book from which the list of members had been copied. It at once proceeds to record the dealing of the Church with app1icants for baptism and membership of the Church. This is of interest and I therefore quote it. "August the 4th, the said Jonathan Adams was baptised by Mr. Perry before many witnesses." A similar record appears on October 14th, about a certain Henry Trump, and then, under the date of October 15th we read "John Adams and Henry Trump were added to the Church, and took their places at the Lord's Table. It is this abrupt beginning of the first Church Book, as well as the other considerations I have mentioned that inclines me to believe that this Baptist Church has had a continuous existence for over 300 years, a record of which its present members may well be proud. For eight years from 1742 to 1750 this Church had no settled pastor, and was no doubt, ministered to by visiting preachers.

In addition to these, the services of two of its members were enlisted. We read: "October 14th 1743, being fixed upon by the Church as a day of fasting and prayer, our brother, Samuel Burford, spoke from a text of Scripture, 14th John, 6th verse, according to the request of several of the brethren, and after some debate, the Church concluded that brother Samuel Burlord might be useful in the exercise of his gift, and therefore desire him to preach the Gospel among them at their private meetings as often as he was called upon to do so," (By which it is clear from later entries that the edification of church members only is meant) "and said; Brother Samuel Burford being present, and the matter being proposed to him, he said he was willing to do what the Lord should enable him in that service.' In July of the following year, 1774, a brother James Adams was also under the call of the Church to exercise his gift of preaching and, at a church meeting, both he and Samuel Burford preached as requested, "and after the Church had gone into consultation about it, they thought it proper to give brother Samuel Burford an immediate call to preach the gospel among them, and brother James Adams to exercise his gift as before." From this it seems that Samuel Hurford was appointed to preach in the public services of the Church, whilst James Adams was still to confine his preaching to Church members. This continued for twelve months, when James Adams addressed a Church meeting, on Psalm 100, verse 3, and the church "having satisfaction from him, they thought fit to give him an immediate call to the work of the ministry, and a day of fasting and prayer was kept on that account". The church action in this matter affords us a glimpse of the procedure usual in those times, when "gifted brethren", as they were called, were expected to exercise their preaching powers for the edifying of the Church of which they were members, and it also reveals the fact that no member of the Church was allowed to preach without having been heard and approved and called to the Gospel ministry by the Church to which he belonged. There are several cases in the records which show that this was a call to ministry and not to pasturate. I mention one of them because it makes the matter plain. "In 1821, it was agreed by the Church that brother James Miller should try his talents before the Church, and accordingly he preached four times on four week evenings following, and a great majority of the Church believing him to have talents, therefore allowed and authorised him to preach in the villages around, or anrvhere Providence should call him". The brethren, Burford and Adams, continued to preach in turn with others for some years, whilst the Church was presided over by a member who was not a "gifted brother", for we are told that need of a ruling elder was considered, who should propose matters in Church and take up Church's conclusions, and it was thought that Brother Robert Bicknell was the proper person for that office; and the matter being proposed to him, he was willing to accept that office and serve the Church therein".

The time came, however, when the question of appointing someone to the pastoral office arose and on August 29th 1750, Brother Samuel Burford was chosen by the Church, "in a public assembly and ordained to that office. "Thus Samuel Burford was the first appointed pastor of the Church. No details are given of his ministerial labours and all that we can say of his work is that he served the Church for eighteen years and that, as far as one is able to estimate, six persons joined the Church's fellowship during that period. It was the day of small things and we need to remember that people were not particularly desirous of associating themselves with Baptist dissenters in those days, and that if they did so, it was only as a result of deep conviction, and, what is more, early pastors of the Church were engaged in other work besides preaching and visiting, and all that was expected of them was to preach about once a month, preside over Church meetings, and engage in such pastoral work as they could find time for.

Samuel Burford was followed in the pastorate by James Adams before mentioned, who continued in office for 23 years, during which time 15 persons were added to the membership of the Church. He was a most generous friend to the cause, and to him more than any other was the little Church indebted for the development of its work. His first gift was a piece of land known as "Saints Land", on which the Chapel, minister's house and adjoining cottage now stand, and it was during his ministry that the present meeting house was erected in 1783, although scarcely anything more than the walls and roof remain of the original building. At his decease, a piece of land at Clayhanger, and another at Woodlands which he left by will, came into the possession of the Church and from that property a substantial sum was derived for the support of the ministry at Hatch Beauchamp. The Rev. W. Willey was then invited "to preach among us every Lord's Day for one year, from Lady day 1792 to Lady day 1793" and in addition to this time limit the letter contains the following:- "For we have in view, if the Lord sees fit and things prove agreeable to you and to us, of a longer period, but if it should not, let it be known three months before the year is up, and then you, Sir, are to leave the house when the year is up. In this we wish you and us might be directed by the unerring hand of our wise God, that in time to come we might say with comfort, the Lord was with us of a truth". The following minute indicates the result of that period of trial. "The whole Church was soon dissatisfied with Mr. Willey because his preaching and moral conduct were not agreeable to the Gospel of Christ, for which reason we could not renew our call to him". This indicates the wisdom of the Church in fixing a period of trial, and I take it that Mr. Willey was not ordained to the pastoral office.

A Mr. Hugh Giles was then requested to preach for three Sundays, which he did to the Church's"great satisfaction and comfort", and then the Church suffered a sad and tragic experience in his sudden and unexpected decease, and thus there was no ordination to the pastoral office. The Rev. Joshua Bradler "was ordained among us at Hatch" on May 28th 1794, and served the Church during the great war against France, when poverty and destitution were rampant in the land, and Christian work was very difficult His ministry covered 20 years, and 17 persons joined the Church. There is a record of an agreement between him and the Church in regard to his resignation of pastoral office in which he is to "give unto the Church just and peaceable possession of the meeting house, gardens and orchard, and offices thereto belonging, together with parlour and parlour chambers in the dwelling house, the remainder of the house he is to retain for his own use for the space of three months and no longer". In consideration of his long service and advanced age, the Church generously voted him "A sum of £10 yearly and every year during his natural lire", an annuity which he received for 14 years. After Mr. Bradler's retirement in March 1814, the church pulpit was supplied with various ministers for more than twelve months, when a Mr. Robert Fry, then a student under Mr. Kielpin of Exeter, was asked to undertake the pastorate, and in his letter of acceptance he urges the members to pray for him, because in praying for their minister they were praying for themselves, and they were to pray that he might have clear views of divine truth, and be able to place same in a most conspicuous light before saints and sinners so that it might be applied with divine energy to their hearts, and that he might even be a living example of the doctrines preached." He began his ministry of June 18th 1815, the very day of the great victory over Napoleon at Waterloo, but just before his ordination certain unpleasant circumstances induced Mr. Fry to preach a farewell sermon and actually leave for a few weeks. A touching letter was sent him from the Church in which he was assured that the Church was "warmly attached" to him and could not "bear thought of parting" from him, and that an unexpected change had taken place in regard to their promise (which they had failed to keep) given in their invitation, "that it will be our happiness, as well as our duty, to render you as comfortable as lies in our power". Accompanying; this letter was a list of subscribers, which is referred to as a stronger proof than anything that could be said that the congregation desired his return and felt an interest in supporting him. Mr. Fry returned in response to this appeal, and within a month was ordained on May 27th 1817. Under his earnest and faithful ministry congregations largely increased, the Sunday School established in 1816, which gives it a record of 117 years (this was in 1933) of continuous service, and preaching services started in the homes of people at Curry Mallet, and later at Blindmoor.

It is interesting to note the genesis of the meeting house in the former village. In 1826 a benevolent individual, a member Hatch Church, Mr. Richard Uttermore, of Curry Mallet, "appropriated a house and fitted it up for a place of worship at his own expense." It was "a commodious place, with a gallery at the end, but what was most pleasant, it was generally filled with attentive hearers of the Gospel." A new baptistry was built in Hatch Chapel in 1818 at a cost of £6. 5. 6d. I say "new" because although this is the first mention of a baptistry there was a previous one, for it is recorded of Hannah Humphreys, grandmother of Thomas Baker on his mother's side, that "she loved this House of God and Sabbath by sabbath walked four miles to Chapel at Hatch Beauchamp, in which she was baptised on June 26th 1784." It was during Mr. Fry's ministry that the Chapel was enlarged by the erection of two galleries for the accommodation of those anxious to hear the word preached, and this, with other improvements, involved an outlay of £102. 9. 51d all of which was raised at two collections, about a year and a half apart. This was in 1825, Mr. Robert Fry's ministry was well attended, and during the 13 years of his pastorate almost unbroken harmony prevailed. The only rift within the lute occurred in 1823 when five members were requested to give their reasons for absenting themselves from the services. This they did in writing, which in short were that Mr. Fry did not preach the doctrines of the Gospel and that there were disorders in the Church administration. These charges were repudiated in a Church meeting as "trivial and factious" and the Church affirmed its satisfaction with Mr. Fry's preaching as consistant with the Word of God as asserted that if disorder existed in the Church it was due to the action of the absentees. In a letter sent to them they were informed that as there were no sufficient grounds for their absence from the Church Assemblies, they were advised to be satisfied with the ministry of their pastor and the order of the Church, and to peaceably return, for on no other ground could the Church wish or permit it, and if they failed to return on these conditions, they could no longer be regarded as members of the Church. Three of the dissentients were dismissed to Chard, one to Lower Farrington, and one to Taunton, in the hope that it would be for their comfort, and for the benefit of the Church to which they had gone.

In August 1827, Mr. Fry's health began to fail, and for six months he was able to preach but little, and November 1828 parted this life in faith and hope of the Gospel; and was interred in the vestry which was where the present pulpit stands. A tablet erected in the Church bears this inscription:- "Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Robert Fry who was the faithful pastor of this Church for 13 years. He died November 27th 1828, aged 47. This tablet is erected by the Church and congregation as a token of respect to the memory of one they loved." There is pathos in the concluding sentence of the report of the funeral service in the Church book, "This was a time of universal sorrow". The Rev. J. B. Cox, of Bridgewater, settled in April 1829 and laboured with great acceptance for 12 years. The Chapel was twice enlarged during his pastorate at a cost of £118. 5. 5d and £100.

A Sunday School at Curry Mallet was opened in 1830 with 70 scholars attending and the Cause at Blindmoor started in 1832 with twelve members dismissed for this purpose. And later, Mr. James Miller, who had been a preaching member of Hatch Church for 12 years was unanimously elected as its first pastor. The most interesting events of this pastorate was the baptism of Thomas Baker in 1829 and the request of the Church that he should try his preaching gifts, which he did to the satisfaction of the Church. In 1833 the Church called him to publish the word of life and salvation "where-so-ever in the providence of God he may be called so to do". The Church may not have fully realised the significance of the event, but it made no mistake as to the young man's Christian character and ability to preach, for after improving his gifts as a preacher at Ashill, Curry Mallet Blindmoor and other places and seizing every opportunity to acquire secular and scriptural knowledge, he visited Borobridge on several occasions, until several friends there, though with no place of worship and no Church formed, entreated him "to come and dwell among them and train them in the ways of God". The social, mental and spiritual conditions of the place were deplorable. Drunkenness, cursing and immorality abounded. The Lord's Day was disregarded, being a great day for buying and selling and the only use people seemed to have for the Church was to marry them, christen their infants and bury their dead. Bull-baiting, cudgel playing, and sports of the most degrading kind prevailed. The prospect was far from alluring, and there was a certainty of severe privations, and danger from the swampy district which made it a hotbed of rheumatism and fever, and yet Thomas Blaker, after much thought and prayer, and in dependance on God's faithfulness, decided to go, and after 3.5 years labour, a chapel was erected in 1836. Converts were formed into a Church and Thomas Baker dismissed from Hatch for that purpose, became its first pastor in the year 1837, and so successful was his work that it changed the character of the neighbourhood, and he was called the Apostle of Borobridge. In the glory of that service, the Church at Hatch has its share, because of its influence upon his life and its authorisation to preach the Gospel. Mr. Cox adopted the views of the Plymouth Brethren, and resigned the postorate in 1841, and Mr. John Fry, brother of the former pastor, Mr. Robert Fry, accepted a call in the same year1 but owing to a derangement of mind and no hope of recovery, the Church agreed to pay his stipend to the end of the year, 1845, when his pastorate closed.

The Rev. H. W. Stembridge of Monmouth was next pastor, and began his ministry on November 29th 1846. One item of interest in 1847 was the dismissal of brother Hugh Crabb to form a Church at Ilminster, which became extinct in 1850. The minister's health being seriously impaired, the Church resolved in 1849 to relinquish the work at Curry Mallet, and after 34 years of continuous oversight, it was taken over by the Church at lle Abbots. During this pastorate, an organ, played with a handle, having a repertoire of 12 tunes, was placed in the gallery of the Hatch Church at a cost of £30. Mr. Stembridges relations with the Church seemed to be happy and harmonious, and during the seven years of his pastorate, which closed on his leaving for Paulton on April 3rd 1853, sixty were added to the church roll by his ministry. The Rev. John Teal settled in the August of the same year, and having refused to occupy the Chapel house because of its dilapidated and dangerous condition, a public meeting was almost immediately called, in which it was decided to erect a new house, and on November 21st 1854, the foundation was laid by the pastor, "in presence of a large concourse". The occupation of the new house by Mr. Teal and his family was celebrated by a tea meeting, and in the report of the latter it is quaintly said "The old parsonage house, in which for about 70 years past the brethren in the ministry have resided, has given place to the claims of the times, and is succeeded by an edifice in which we hope honourable and useful men will long reside." Mr.Teal's wise counsels and his services as "clerk of the works" were recognised at a public meeting when he was presented with a timepiece costing £20. The extinction of the debt on the building took place 61/2 years after the laying of the foundation stone. Between 400 and 500 people took tea in a tent in Chapel Mead, and at the evening meeting the excitement was intense. It was reported that the Chapel house had cost £254.l9.93/4d, of which Hatch folk had raised £220 and the rest, with the exception of £5, by outside friends. The £5 was at once sent up to the platform whereupon a dramatic incident took place, for amid the cheers of the people, notes of hand were set on fire by Mr. Teal, and while they were burning, the congregation rose and sang "Praise God from whom all blessings flow". Later, Mr Teal persuaded the Church to spend a further £25 on the house, and when all was completed, money expended and gifts of material and hauling gave the Church a property valued at about £400. Mr. Teal did not long enjoy the house for which he had so strenuously laboured, for in 1861 he received a twice repeated call to queen Street Church, Woolwich, and deciding to accept it he left for London in the August of that year.

If the ordinary work of the Church during his ministry of 8 years seems rather overshadowed in the records by the erection of the new house, it is only seeming, for the Church was united and prosperous, and the membership well maintained. Indeed the roll mounted to 107 members in fellowship, the largest in the Church history up to that time. On November 14th 1861 Mr. Edward Curtis entered upon his pistoral labours, and his ministry was a long and notable one, and only a few references to what was accomplished can be given. In 1865 the old organ in the gallery came under the condemnation of the Church as "being of no use and daily decreasing in value" and the pastor was authorised "to dispose of it at the first opportunity for cash only". This was done, and after a period in which the singing was led by a band of instrumentalists in the gallery, an American organ was procured. Mr. Chappell, of Ile Abbots, resigned the work at Curry Mallet. Hatch Church resolved to again take the station under its care, the Hatch evening service being discontinued for this purpose, and thus, after a separation of 19 years, the re-union of these Churches took place, and Mr. Curtis began his work there in October 1866. In 1867 considerable repairs and improvements were effected at Hatch Chapel, and in 1870 the interior of the building was remodelled by the removal of the two galleries and dividing wall between Chapel and vestry, the enlarged space being reseated with tile pulpit moved from its previous position on the West side of the building to its present one on the site of the old vestry. The cost was £150. In 1874, the beautiful Church at Curry Mallet was erected on a site leased at a nominal rental from the then Prince of Wales, afterwards King Edward the Seventh, and the whole cost of £620 was realised before the conclusion of the opening services. In 1883 the centenary of the Hatch Chapel and the 22nd anniversary of Mr. Curtis' pastorate was celebrated by repairs and improvements to meeting house and manse at a cost of £100 and by the gift to the Church by Mr. Vincent Owsley, one of the Deacons, of the present lecture rooms and classrooms at a cost of £320. A further benefaction of Mr. Owsley was the presentation to the Church in 1885 of Windmill Hill Chapel and the property adjoining by deed of gift, so as to ensure continuance of services there, and on which he had expended £366. He also greatly improved the cottage belonging to the Church in which he resided, and it was estimated by Mr. Baxter Baker - who was a much esteemed Church Secretary, that out of £2,000 spent on additional improvements during the 25 years of Mr. Curtis' ministry, £800 had been given by this valued member and deacon of the Church who is now at home with the Lord. The ministry of Mr Curtis continued with unabated vigour for 38 years during which he was the recipient of many expressions of regard and affection from his people. In 1871 he was presented with an easy chair in recognition of his services in connection with the alterations of Hatch Sanctuary, and these lines accompanied it:-

When with fatique and toil oppressed

Sit down in me and take your rest,

And while you sit, here may you find

The Heavenly thoughts to fill your mind.

He was also presented with a handsome lounge as an acknowledgment of his work in connection with the New Chapel at Curry Mallet, and with a study chair and a silver biscuit box and tray on his 50th birthday, and with a gold watch and two bank notes on the 25th anniversary of his pastorate, and with an illuminated address and a purse of 70 guineas on his retirement in 1899. During his long and honourable ministry of 38 years, 167 members joined the Church, and at a great public meeting to bid him goodbye, public testimony was borne to the love and esteem of the Church and the appreciation of friends from other Churches, for his unblemished character, genial personality, and faithful service. The decease of this good minister of Jesus Christ took place in Hatch, July 1907, nearly 8 years after his retirement and at his funeral there was a large and influential gathering from a wide area to pay the last tribute of respect and affection for his sterling character and faithful service for the kingdom of God. The brass tablet in the Church is:- "In memory of Rev. Edward Curtis, who was for 38 years 1861-1899 the faithful and devoted pastor of this Church. He entered into rest on February 16th 1907 in the 73rd year of his age. This memorial was erected by the Church and congregation and numerous friends, far and near, as a tribute of their affection and esteem. In thy presence is fullness of Joy. Psalm 16, 11th verse." The next pastor, Rev. J. Onions, who came to Hatch from Swindon, settled in November 1899, but his stay was of short duration, his health unfitting him to cover the distances necessary for the performance of his duties, and he preached his farewell sermons just two years after his entry on the pastorate. The Rev. A. W. Holden, of Hailing in Kent, then undertook the work of minister, and from April 1902 he maintained a faithful ministry for 15 years, during which time 49 names were added to the membership roll and a valuable addition was made to the property of the Church by the enlargement of the burial ground and its enclosure at a cost of about £100. He left for Sherborne in 1917, and after some years of suffering and infirmity he was called in January 1929 to the nearer presence of his Lord. The Rev. F. C. Fox, of Beckington, Bath, accepted the pastorate of the Church and commenced his ministry in May 1918. After 91/2 years of happy service he felt led to accept a call from the Church at Pill, Bristol, and relinquished the pastorate in August 1927. After an interragnum of about 2 years the Church called the Rev. J. I. Walker to undertake the oversight of its work and he moved from Barnsley in Yorkshire and settled in Hatch in 1927.