The Baptist movement has been represented in Denton for a long time. The naturally independent nature of the villagers and the lack of a local Squire to 'encourage' toeing the Church line probably accounts for why the non-conformist movement was, not only long established, but also very well attended and supported for many years.

 

Records left show evidence of meetings of the Society of Protestant Dissenters of the Baptist Denomination dating back to the 17^th century. These would have been either open-air gatherings or meetings in members’ cottages

 

 

Over 20 years after this date 2 cottages in Denton came into the ownership of a Mr Andrews of Olney in 1826. They were used for some time as a place of worship and later, in 1838, Mr Andrews son, William Andrews, a gentleman from Market Harborough (who it is assumed had inherited them by then) sold the two cottages to the Baptists of Denton for 10 shillings. Where these cottages are, or were, however remains unclear as they are referred to as 'adjoining Burnt Close' and no record or recollection of anywhere in Denton with that name has been found. The most likely explanation is that they occupied the same plot of land where the present chapel was built in 1878.

 

In Whellans Directory of 1849 there is said to be 'a small Baptist chapel in the village, capable of seating about 250 persons, which was rebuilt and enlarged in 1837'.

 

This would suggest that the original 2 cottages may already, by then, have been made into some larger sort of place of worship as considerable space would have been needed to accommodate 250 people.

 

What is known is that the present chapel building dates from 1878 as its large date stone proudly confirms.

 

The picture of the building below seems to date from before 1909 as the extension added in that year, and referred to below, appears not to have been built when the photo was taken.

 

Notice the attractive lamp on the arch over the gateway which has unfortunately now disappeared.

 

 This building stands a couple of cottages up from the church on the Bedford Road and appears to have been, at least in part, built on land provided by the Marquis of Northampton who is mentioned with affection as having 'met them so liberally in regard to the land, and also for materials used in the structure' . It was converted to a private dwelling following its closure as a chapel in 1991. It still retains its outward features including a large simple white cross incorporated into the wrought iron gate at the foot of the steps up which so many Dentonian feet of all ages must have trod over the years (no provision for the infirm or disabled in those days!).

 

By 1909 the accommodation was proving inadequate for the enthusiastic congregation and their children, and the local press reported in February that year-

 

'The work of erecting a schoolroom and other necessary buildings in connection with the Baptist Chapel is about to be commenced. £170 has already been raised towards the fund, and with the object of increasing it to £200 a unique idea was carried out on Thursday evening in the form of a silver tree and concert. A fine large fir tree had been gratuitously provided for the occasion, this being laden with silver printed envelopes, each containing a silver coin varying in amount from the threepenny-piece to ten and sixpence, contributed by many friends from Northampton and also from some twenty villages in the county, also from the county of Bucks, the whole being hung on the tree with silver tinsel.

 

The Misses Butler, Mr & Mrs Toomes, Mr. Whitehead, and Mr Frank Skinner, of Northampton, contributed to the musical items, which were much appreciated by the crowded audience. Mr W. Painter presided, and assisted by Mr. J. Stapleton and Mr Parker Dartnell (the hon. sec.of the building fund) read the mottoes  from the envelopes (written on by the contributors) between the various items of music. At the conclusion of the programme the tree was illuminated, giving it a beautiful effect. Words of thanks and appreciation were offered by Mr. Dartnell to Miss Whitehead, Mr & Miss Skinner, Mr H. Underwood of Northampton, and the many friends in the various villages, for the valuable assistance given in distributing and collecting the envelopes. At the close of the gathering, the secretary had pleasure in announcing that the success of the effort was beyond their highest anticipation, nearly £36 being added to the fund. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the friends who had contributed to the programme, and responded to by Mr. Toomes and Mr. Painter'

 

The money having being raised the work commenced with the memorial stones being laid in April 1909 and by October that year the new buildings had been completed by the contractors Messrs Sharp and Robinson of Earls Barton (who also worked on the Church restoration in 1927). They had added a 27ft x 20 ft schoolroom accessed to the older building by sliding doors together with a new storeroom and kitchen.

 

 Immediately after the opening a service was held conducted by Rev Henry Davis of Kettering assisted by the Rev J. Field of Ecton. The large gathering from many fellow Baptists from churches around the area meant the service had to be held in the chapel yard and later more than 100 sat down to tea in the new schoolroom.

 

The Chapel was always keen to promote family worship and, as well as the well-attended Sunday School, the younger people were encouraged to join such organisations as the Girls' Life Brigade and Christian Endeavours.

 

 

In 1978, the chapel building celebrated its centenary and there was obviously an exhibition held in the displaying documents and other items. The following notes remain from the event although, rather frustratingly, the documents referred to have not been traced. The notes themselves, however, are interesting enough to warrant reproduction.

 

Denton Baptist Chapel – 100 years of history 1878 -1978.

 

The present building has been in use for public Worship for a period of 100 years, but religious meetings of the Society of Protestant Dissenters of the Baptist Denomination have been held in Denton since the 17^th Century. The meetings were, no doubt, held in the cottages of members, and when these got overcrowded Worship was carried on in the open air.

 

During the period 1830-1840 one George Cave from Hackleton was very active in the establishment of larger and more suitable premises for Christian Worship, he acquired from a Mr William Andrews of Olney, a barn or building which stood on this site. The purchase price was 10/- (50p) and it was made available on the condition that the meetings were held in connection with Mr. Andrews’ Church at Hackleton. The above transition took place in 1838. The original release of the property is on show.

 

Very little information is available as to the cost of the present building or how the money was raised; but it is obvious that very great efforts were made as no mortgage was required and only an interest-free loan of £100 was sought from the Baptist Building Fund. Letters available for inspection.

 

One year later in 1879 a further piece of land, which had, apparently, already been absorbed into the new Chapel, was given to the Trustees by the Marquis of Northampton. The conveyance for this is also on display.

 

The 1:24 scale model of the chapel shows the probable layout of the building when first opened for public Worship. It will be noted that the interior porch was added at a later date. Lighting was by oil lamps; 4 wall mounted, 5 from the ceiling (the hooks are still there) and one on the pulpit.

 

The chapel and its members continued for about 30 years before making any major changes; by the time the need for a Sunday School room was felt and the new extension which incorporated the large hall, kitchen, toilets and coal store was added and opened in 1909. This was possible only after two gentlemen had agreed to sell some fruit trees and small pieces of garden so the land could be given to the Chapel. Their agreements are on display. Major alteration work was necessary to the main building as evidenced by the folding partition between the Chapel and the Hall. At the same time the interior porch was added.

 

There have been three organs used in the Chapel, the oldest being depicted in the model, the original now serves as a table in the kitchen and is beyond repair. The second one, on show in the Hall is still in working order and money for the purchase of this was raised to some extent by members carol singing. One of these singers being the Mother of our present Secretary – Mr. Bert Hollowell. The present electric powered reed organ was installed in 1953 and therefore celebrates its Silver Anniversary this year.

 

There are various documents etc. relating to the building of the new extension as show as are the school registers from 1909 to the present day. Lists of Secretaries, Treasurers, Organists and Superintendents are here for you to see, together with certificates the School children have won over the years; including the Trophy for Small Sunday Schools which we won in May 1978.

 

The various items of furniture and household articles are to give you an idea of the environment of the homes in which the first members of the Chapel would have lived.

 

A point of particular interest, and of no small credit to the members over the last 100 years, is the fact that, at no time, has there been a resident ordained Minister in Denton, and they have kept the Chapel going with the help of visiting Ministers and lay preachers.

 

We would like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone who has helped to make all this possible, and in welcoming you to our Chapel, we ask that God will Bless You and Yours, and hope that you will enjoy your visit.

 

FIRE ON THE GREEN!

 

Another event with an ecclesiastical element occurred a year or so before the chapel extension was built. The Evangelistic Society had been moving round the county and had already pitched their 300 seater mission tent at Wootton and Hartwell. The next stop was Denton and it had already been used for several nights when, on Friday 24th July 1908, it went up in flames and was wholly destroyed before help could be summoned. The local paper reported :

 

'As there was no occasion for any light in the vicinity of the tent it is believed that the fire was caused by some lad, but whether out of mischief or accidentally, cannot at present be said. The tent is valued at £100, and is uninsured, so the whole loss falls on the society. We are glad to know that thanks to the kindness of the Marquis of Northampton, K.G one of his tents will be used for the mission service tomorrow'

 

The loss of £100 would have been substantial as can be judged when compared with £320 that was spent at a similar time to build the extension to the Baptist Chapel as above. 

 

WAS THERE AN EVEN OLDER CHAPEL?

 

Another chapel is referred to in early records. It was supposed to exist in the North-west of the village and be used by a Guild or Fraternity in honour of the Blessed Virgin.

 

There are tantalising pieces of evidence which suggests that mayn hudreds of years ago there was indeed a place of worship in Denton called the Chapel of St. Mary.

 

Rev Eltoft, vicar of Denton Church from 1936 -1964, was an educated scholar interested in the history of his parish. He listened to the oldest villagers and their memories from earlier years and interpreted these along with evidence on the ground.

 

He was of the view the chapel in question existed in the 16th century in the area round the fishpond and the dovecote. He believed the fishpond, now under the houses of The Leys and Fishpond Close, dated from the time when the monks were at St Mary's – it was a pond created by damming an existing water course so would not have been difficult to create and would have provided fresh fish (normally carp) to eat in a time long before food could be preserved easily. The dovecote similarly has never been dated definitively – it is usually spoken of as 17^th century but it is quite possible it, or a previous version of it, could have been in place, providing fresh pigeon meat and eggs from the 1500s.

 

The building of the chapelry was thought to be around the top of the concrete steps on Northampton Road opposite the access to Bridge Meadow. The existence of a water supply (there used to be a pump just to the West of these steps) gives strength to the theory as does the large yew tree outside Yew Tree House which would have been in the chapel grounds.

Yew trees are well known for their longevity and association with religious sites and buildings.

 

Just to the West of the water supply there is evidence in the wall of substantial cut ironstone blocks which Rev Eltoft believed were from the building itself.

 

However the single strongest clue to the existence of St Mary’s Chapel being confirmed comes from the time around 40 years ago when parish records were passed to the County Records Office for safekeeping and one of the archivists advised they held a will from the 16^th century which referred to leaving money ‘to buy candles for the altar of St Mary’s Denton’.

 

If this document could be traced the weight of evidence would be such that it is indeed likely Denton once had a third place of worship in addition to the Church and the Baptist Chapel.