INTRODUCTION

This account of the story of our Church and Sunday School over a hundred-year period is an attempt at a "popular history".  Regarding the actual historical data, I cannot add to Mr Nettle's excellent and well documented history.  Therefore, I have endeavoured to select from the accounts we still have, incidents from the formative years of our Church; events which I feel worth recording before the ink fades in the old Minute books.... These were (mostly) beautifully written, and it was interesting to notice that the old fashioned 'S' was still in use well into the mid-19th century.

Of our Ministers - all of whom, past and present, have brought their own particular qualities and gifts to the Work; among the earlier pastors the first, Mr Torlin, and Pastor Jonathan George (1836-1847) appear, from the entries relating to them in our records, to have been held in special affection.  "Brother George" is rightly described by Mr Nettle as "a great servant of the Church".  'Our fellowship was steadily growing numerically throughout the 1850s, 1860s and l870s leading ultimately to the need for, and construction of, our New Chapel whose centenary we acknowledge this year.

The crucial gap in our records - the account of the building of this Church and its finances have dis- appeared.  One can only surmise a maladministration and subsequent "cover up".  However, from what information I have retrieved - mostly from the Sunday School records, much valuable information and help has been forthcoming.  Also, from interesting conversations with local people whose extensive knowledge of the district has been most valuable.  My thanks to them; to kind friends who have loaned me items, articles; photos etc., all of which have been a great help.

The 100 year period under review is approximately 1845-1945.  The more recent and significant years of our Church's story I have left - perhaps at the bicentenary of our Church in 1998 this period will be better seen in its historical perspective; it is not easy to write current events as "history".

To the present members and friends of Harlington Baptist Church and Sunday school this account of 100 years of our history is dedicated.  My prayer is the we shall all gain encouragement and inspiration from the witness and work of past generations, build upon the foundations laid by them, and look forward with hope to the next century of our Church's onward progress

- J.  Peake -

May 1979

HARLINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL

1879 to 1979

A hundred years ago Harlington was still mainly an agricultural community.  The Heywards had a farm in the middle of the village almost opposite to where the Model Railway is now.  Harlington was a self-contained community producing within itself most of the necessities of daily life.  There were, apart from the farmers and farm hands, the blacksmith, saddler and harness maker, carpenter; dressmaker, grocer, milkman, sweep, butcher, sweetshop and two bakers.

Our village also had at least one policeman - whose presence was sometimes requested at Church concerts!  The GWR[1]  (Brunel’s 7-foot gauge) lay to the immediate north of Harlington and was attracting industry.  New families were migrating to the area as a result.  The year 1879 on the world scene witnessed the birth of Joseph Stalin and Albert Einstein.  In London, the Inner Circle line of the Metropolitan Railway commenced operations - with steam locomotives.  The District Railway opened up its line to Ealing Broadway also in steam - electric lighting in the home was an innovation.  There were many firsts in 1879 - the first telephones, the first dining car on a railway train and the laying out of London's first "garden suburb" at Bedford Park, Chiswick.  The Baptist Missionary Society of which our Church has always been a keen supporter commenced its work in Central Africa just over 100 years ago.

Meanwhile, back in Harlington, our Church fellowship had been steadily growing, attracting new members since the 1850s or before, and this is where we begin our story as we take a glimpse into the Church records for a church meeting on Thursday, March 29, 1844, "Samuel Bateman of Heathrow came before the church and related his Christian experience and religious views ...  resolved that he be received into fellowship after Baptism ... Mary Tyrell of Harmondsworth came before the meeting and satisfactorily answered those questions put to her relative to her views of religion ...  resolved that she be received into membership after Baptism … adjourned after prayer and praise."

The Lord's Day morning April 7, 1844.  The Pastor baptised Mary Tyrell and Samuel Bateman.  On the afternoon of the same day they received the right hand of fellowship and partook of the Lord's Supper with the Church.

In May 1846 the communion offering was sent to Ireland then in the throes of the potato famine; and again an entry dated 31 December 1846 reads "At half past 5 o'clock the Pastor and 40 members took tea together in the schoolroom; at half past 6 o'clock the devotions and business of the church meeting were attended to ....  The pastor laid before the meeting a further appeal from the Baptist Irish Society on behalf of the suffering brethren in Ireland.  Resolved that the sum of £5 be granted them out of the monies collected at the Lord's Table ...  collected during the past year for the support of the minister £80 ...  (In those days the minister was paid in quarterly instalments, the first minister in 1798 Mr Torlin, was paid £32 per annum.  At the time of the building of the New Chapel in 1879 the then minister, Rev William Crick, was paid £132 per annum).

It was noted that ...  Thomas Cook had applied for membership by baptism (surely not THE Thomas Cook - he was a contemporary and a Baptist).

In 1848 the church held Jubilee (50th Anniversary) Services on the 6th April; and opened a fund for a Manse with a target of £150.  The annual meeting on 31 December, 1850 records, "A year of peace, if not great prosperity."

In February 1851 the subject of members frequenting Public Houses was mentioned - (in those days there were many more pubs in Harlington than today) and the licensee of one of them - with his family - were members of our Church viz The Magpie, now vanished, its site is today within the airport boundary near Harlington Corner.)

One of the interesting facts concerning our Church and Sunday School fellowship of 100 years ago was that they always made more of a celebration of 'Whitsun - the feast of the Holy Spirit - than we tend to do today.  Whitsun also was the Sunday School Anniversary.  On Whitsun itself there were usually special speakers, and on the Tuesday of Whit-week the Sunday Schools - both morning and afternoon schools note - had a special treat to local meadows where they enjoyed games and sports; with a picnic tea provided by the Church.  These Whit treats were great events in the annual life of our fellowship; they were large affairs and our Sunday School was sometimes joined on these occasions by those of Sipson and Harmondsworth as well.

A rough note listing the catering requirements for the 1889 treat has survived and makes interesting reading.  They needed 28 (½lb pats) of butter; 230 (halfpenny) buns; 23½loaves of bread; 132 cakes et 5½d each); 3 gallons of milk; 12 (packets) of tea; They used 8 vans for transport, the drivers providing their own fodder for their horses.  Also in 1889 special hymn sheets were ordered for the Whitsun services; 500 for the church and 300 for the Sunday School - the occasion being the induction of the new pastor, Rev Smythe.

In July 1890; the Sunday School had to be temporarily closed because of an outbreak of small pox and whooping cough - (one of only two occasions when the Sunday School has had to be closed).  In September of the same year a series of "magic lantern" lectures was given in support of the Baptist Missionary Society.

In 1890 concern was expressed regarding the heating and lighting in the lecture hall - it was called that 100 years ago - and the teachers were asked to walk with the scholars across the road to the church.  Also teachers were expected to take turns in giving the children's address on Sunday mornings.

In 1891 the Manse (which had been built with the church in 1879) was redecorated throughout for £19.  In January 1891 the teachers of the Sunday School gave a "Childrens Tea" at which prizes for regular attendance, good behaviour and scripture knowledge were presented.  Later they also gave a "parents tea", probably as a means of evangelistic outreach; and, not to be outdone, the grateful church gave a "Teachers Tea" the following month.  These special "teas" subsequently became regular features of our Church life for many years.  In 1892 we joined the Uxbridge branch of the National Sunday School Union.  Miss Louisa Hood was elected our representative.  She attended their meetings riding there on her tricycle.

Sunday School Staff meetings in those days were usually preceded by a social tea; and opened with a short service.  There were nearly always 30 teachers present on these occasions.  The teachers were urged to subscribe to a course of IBRA[2]  Notes.  The Whit Treat in 1892 was to be held at Harmondsworth; but had to be changed at the last moment to Philp's meadow at Heathrow, due to the Harmondsworth meadow being shut up for hay - a reminder of the great economic importance of this commodity 100 years ago.  Mr Philp's meadow was to be the venue for many treats during the next few years.  (try to imagine Heathrow 100 years ago - meadows, orchards, hedges and elms marking farm boundaries - the only sounds apart from the jingle of horses harness would be the hum of bees in the clover).

In those days an annual event was Temperance Sunday, "when an invited speaker preached the Temperance Sermon.  The Sunday Schools also had their own Temperance meetings with invited speakers.  These years the latter decade of the 19th century - were the heyday of the "Harlington Temperance Society."

ln 1894 the Whit Tuesday treat was attended by 300 children (at a cost of 4½d each) and by 100 helpers and teachers.  The following year, 1895, they all went to Whitton Park, and to transport everyone a total of 16 (horse drawn) vans were obtained from church members.  The Heywards providing 5; the Philps 4 and the Wilds 3.  Also one van each from the families Hood, Whittington, Neighbour and Fletcher.  A pounds worth of halfpenny buns were eaten on that day and two donkeys were hired to give the children rides.

In 1896 the Church held a week long mission with services every day, they also pledged £5 per annum to support a child in India under a B.M.S.  sponsor scheme.  Also in 1896 the Sunday School first entered for the Scripture Examination.  7 boys classes and 8 girls classes participated.  A flower service was held in June and the collection donated to the Cottage Hospital in Sipson Lane.

In 1897 the lobbies of the new Chapel were re- plastered for £17.  Also in this year was Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee, and for the thanksgiving service they needed 750 hymn sheets.

At the 99th Anniversary Services the guest preacher was Rev Charles Spurgeon of Greenwich - son of the famous Chas.  Haddon Spurgeon.  (A poster of this event is pasted inside one of the Minute Books).  He inaugurated our 1st 100 years.  The centenary year 1898 saw special services with distinguished guest speakers.  The church secretary gave a preamble of our church's history in which he mentioned that our fellowship first started in the 18th century as a result of the preaching of the Wesleys and George Whitfield - especially the latter.  He also touched upon the reason for building the new Chapel in 1879, this was a direct result of the "evangelical revival" and the preaching of the Rev Spurgeon in the Metropolitan Tabernacle - (some Harlington folk - members of the Philp family among others were choir members in the Metropolitan Tabernacle).

In 1898 a hundred new bibles (one for each year of witness to Christ in Harlington) were presented to the Sunday School.  A Celebration Tea was organised for the old scholars at which the lady teachers served as waitresses.  Special efforts were made to decorate t the church.

In 1899 the Teachers sent a letter of protest to the proprietor of the village sweet shop for opening on a Sunday.  That year too, the summer treat was first held on August 1st instead of Whitsun.  They went to Mr Newman's meadow (Heathrow) and a portable roundabout was a star attraction.

For the church itself these were financially difficult times.  The church had been redecorated in its centenary year at a cost of £149.  Repair work at the Manse was overdue; and the minister was asked to accept a reduction of salary - even this was in arrears at the years end.  Other essential repair work had to be left - the contractor engaged on the church work recommended revarnishing the roof timbers for a cost of £10 and to repaint the outside wood and ironwork for a further £6.  (These items were deferred at the time but had to be done six years later at a greater cost).

1900, a new century.  "The summer treat for the children was at Harmondsworth.  Donkey rides and fairground style swing boats were available.

In 1901 a resolution was passed that every child in the Sunday School should possess their own Bible.  The Sunday School providing one if the family were too poor to buy one.  Miss Daisy Heyward was elected a teacher.

In 1902 saw two more new teachers, Miss Flossie Heyward and Harry Honour.  The summer outing to Harmondsworth was diverted to Heathrow because of smallpox in Harmondsworth.

1903 saw the treat Cranford - the entry reads ...  "Hire of donkeys, swing boats and refreshment stall £1.5.0." The church purchased a 144 piece china tea set in this year for £5.17.0.  The church choir presented a lantern projector to the Sunday School, and the Heyward sisters, Flossie and Annie took charge of the infants.

In 1904 the Bible Classes (note the plural) and the Sunday Schools between them raised 14 guineas for overseas work in their B.M.S boxes.  Christmas Day 1904 was a Sunday, and the Pastor, Rev Collins, gave a special address to the Sunday School on that afternoon.

In January 1905 a total of 53 teachers from Harmondsworth, Sipson and Harlington met at Sipson for tea; followed by a meeting to arrange a joint summer treat.  Their evening concluded with a prayer meeting.

1908 saw the summer outing back in Harlington at The Moats.  Skipping ropes were provided and the children had egg and spoon races.

In 1909 they went to Hampton Court.  Among others, Messrs  Heyward and Philp were asked to lend "Strawberry Vans" for conveyance - an interesting sidelight on to the type of market-garden crops produced locally in those days.  There were, for instance, extensive strawberry fields in what is now the Imperial College Sports ground and the adjacent M4.

In 1910 a proposed outing to Burnham Beeches by motor charabanc would have cost 1s1d.  each.  This was regarded as too much, so Miss Daisy Heyward and another teacher offered to cycle to Ruislip to find out if the Sunday School could use a meadow' there.  In June 1910 the Church held an "Alfresco Meal" (what we would call a barbeque today) in the grounds of the "Lilacs" at the kind invitation of Mr & Mrs Heyward.  This elegant Edwardian scenario was in aid of Sunday School funds.  A visitation project was organised for new families who had come to reside in the locality.  The treat, (in case you thought I had forgotten), was held at Ruislip.  The whole school travelled there by a specially chartered TRAIN at a cost of 10d each adults; 5d for children.  The GWR laid on a "special" for them from Hayes & Harlington Station.  They travelled via West Drayton on the Uxbridge loop line - alas long vanished.

In the Sunday School registers in 1910 there were in the Junior School 106 girls and 104 boys.  In the Infants a total of 147, and a Bible Class of 60.  There were 26 teachers.  Their B.M.S.  effort in 1910 went to support an Indian Pastor in Calcutta.  Miss Kathleen Heyward was the IBRA Secretary and she exhorted the parents "to become regular readers of God's Holy Word every day, together with their children."

The 1911 Whit Treat was to have been held in a meadow down Watery Lane (near the site of the present Fire Station and Arlington Hotel).  However; 1911 turned out to be Coronation Year for King George V; and a special Civic Fete was held in the Moats; so the Sunday School went instead to Ruislip again.  400 children went on a GWR "Special".  A Service of National Thanksgiving was held in the Church on the Sunday nearest to the Coronation and special Hymn Sheets were obtained.  That year the "Band of Hope" was revived and among those helping were Mr G.  Rowley and Mr Austin (not our Reg, an earlier one).

In 1913 a C.S.S.M.  Mission came to Harlington by invitation.

In 1914, a fateful year - the Sunday School outing to Hampton Court was by motor charabanc.  It is interesting to note that the Sunday School held their own centenary services on December 8th, 9th &_10th 1914., At these services the Rev Carey Bonner addressed the scholars.  A former Superintendent of the school was there also and presided at the tea given to old scholars.

The 1915 outing to Hampton Court reflected the war effort.  Only one van, Mr Heywards, was available locally.  The remainder had to be hired.  Even so, the charge per head for the children was only 3d - with reductions for large families!  In 1915, as a war economy, the Sunday School discontinued the use of text books.  In December of that year the school was again closed due to an epidemic of influenza in the district - (the second of the two occasions when illness had closed the school completely).

In 1916 a series of joint meetings with "our branch school" at Hatton was arranged.  A Mr Whetnall went to Hatton to collect their contingent of 3 teachers plus scholars in his motor car - the first mention of such a vehicle in our Harlington annals.  On Whit Sunday 1916, 80 scholars from Hatton - (they could not have all got in one car!) - were at our Chapel for the services followed by tea in the Lecture Hall.  August Bank Holiday 1916 saw the summer treat at Cranford.  Wartime or not, they were determined to give the children a pleasant outing.  Caterers were engaged at a cost of 7d per child (but "we had to do our own cutting" - presumably of bread) - 2 vans were provided for the infants only; everyone else had to walk.  In November of that year the Sunday School staff and Bible class scholars presented an evening of entertainment for the Sunday School.

In February 1919 a victory tea was held.  Each scholar was presented with a booklet giving information on the Great War; Their summer outing that year was to Hampton Court.  They went there by Tram from Hounslow Bell Inn.  (The Sunday School records were mostly concerned with the annual treat in those days because for most people holidays as we understand them were completely unknown - and this annual "treat" therefore was the only break these children had).  In 1920 the school went to Hampton Court again, but on this occasion, they hired six motor lorries (for a total cost of £5.10.0).  Two of the teachers who went on that memorable outing were Mrs Halfacree and Eileen Saunders.  The children enjoyed immensely the - to them - novelty of lorry rides, and a letter of thanks was sent to the owners "for their kindness in adding to the enjoyment of the children." Mr Heyward succeeded Mr Belch as Superintendent of the Sunday School in 1920.  Mr Belch had served in this capacity for 25 years - since 1895.  At the Whitsun Anniversary they held a prayer meeting at 7 a.m.  for Sunday School teachers ...  before the war it used to be at 9 a.m.

In January 1921 a "Lantern Lecture" on David Livingstone was held in the Lecture Hall; after the Christmas tea for the children.  Both Hall and Gallery were packed for this.

In 1923 the outing was to the London Zoo.  They went by train for 1/- each - including admission to the Zoo!

In 1924 they also went to the Zoo - they had intended taking the Sunday School to the Empire Exhibition at Wembley; but-most of the scholars had already been there with their day schools.

In 1926 they managed to hire two trams to take them to Hampton Court...  Fare 1 shilling return, including tea in the Pavilion, Bushey Park ... Happy Days.

In December 1927 we find the first mention of a Toy Service ....  the idea of Messrs Halfacree and Honour.  Clothing was also donated in those days.  These Toy Services were from the start, firm favourites.

In 1928, at the suggestion of the Baptist Union, parcels of toys and clothing were sent to the Zion Baptist Chapel at Pentre in the Rhondda Valley; and a most gracious and appreciative letter of thanks was subsequently received at Harlington.  from the Minister of Zion Church.  The poverty in the mining areas was dreadful in those years of depression following the 1926 general strike, and our parcel of cheer was a real Godsend.  The Girls Life Brigade led by Captain Halfacree went carol singing that year and raised £8.  That sum was added to the Sunday School cash in hand of £3.10.0 and sent to three Baptist Chapels in, the South Wales mining area of Pentre, Ystrad and Treorchy.

At Easter 1930 the Sunday School had an egg collection for the Cottage Hospital, and 300 eggs were taken there by the children.

The summer treat in 1931 was to Burnham Beeches.  GWR return fare to Slough was 1s.  1d.  return, and the bus fare from Slough to Burnham was 7d return.

1933 saw a new Superintendent in the Sunday School Harry Honour, who took over from Mr Heyward when the latter moved to Oxfordshire.

In 1936 they had a coach outing to Ashstead Woods, and Will Chipperfield organised the sports.  On their return to the lecture hall the children and friends heartily sang the Doxology, thanking God for having spent such a happy day.

New names appear in the Minute book during the 1930s.  New teaching staff in 1935 included the Misses R.  and J, Deering.

The Sunday School Secretary, Miss Hood, died in 1937 and the Superintendent, Harry Honour said that Miss Hood had given over 60 years service to the school - which date takes us back to the year 1877!

Will Chipperfield accepted the post of Sunday School.  Secretary in 1937.  Another new teacher in 1937 was, Miss Ruth Tingay - soon to be known as Mrs Albert Nettle.  (The school funds were by now always in the red, each year showed a deficit of between 4 and 5 pounds; and this fact alone prevented the Sunday School outing from venturing too far afield.  Hampton Court seemed a popular venue, and travel costs there were not excessive).

The Rev Frank Taylor came to the Church in 1937 and he conducted the Anniversary Services.  That year, the annual outing was on the Bank Holiday Monday, and they went for the first time to the seaside - to Bognor.  Two 32-seater coaches were hired for £6.15s.  apiece.  78 people in all went to Bognor; the smaller children 'doubling up' on the seats.  They were lucky to get a coach at all, as 1937 was Coronation Year for King George VI.  The outing to Bognor cost them half a crown each; with the customary reduction for large families.  They took their own packed lunch, but had tea in the Corner House Restaurant before returning home - (tea included in the price).

1938 saw a new teacher starting in the Primary - Miss M Taylor.  New Senior Class teachers were Reg Austin, Tom Beechey and Miss Gwen Jackson.  The Lecture Hall was redecorated this year for £11.8.8½d.

The lure of the sea beckoned again, Bognor in 1938 and Littlehampton a year later.  The cost remained the same 2/6d; including tea.

The date of the next teachers meeting was recorded in the minutes for 12 September, 1939.  This meeting however, was overtaken by other events ...  the dates and even the times of church services and other meetings had to be altered to conform with blackout regulations.

The Heathrow farmlands were requisitioned by the Government (and it was impossible to get the use of a meadow for the summer treat).  The procedure to adopt during air raids was worked out, and Mr Honour consulted the "Trench Wardens" in Sipson Lane about this.  Afternoon school took the form of open school because of frequent air raids and dwindling numbers.  If an air raid occurred during Sunday School the children were taken to the shelters in Sipson Lane.  They still maintained morning and afternoon school, and endeavoured to keep things as normal as war conditions allowed.  The Christmas Sunday School party in 1941 was, held, but with unrationed food only provided.  The Primary Department closed temporarily because of the frequent air raids, and met in different homes for a while.

At Christmas 1942 gift parcels were sent by the children to teachers on active service - perhaps Bert Goodall remembers this.  In 1942 also Miss K Brown was a teacher in the Senior Department and the following year Harry Honour took over the leadership of the morning school which henceforth became the "Young Worshippers."

The immediate post war years had their own particular problems.  The Church Secretary at that time (1945) was Mr F Hughes.  He served our church faithfully and ably during very difficult times; skilfully steering our church through negotiations with the Airport Authority.  There was uncertainty as to where exactly the new proposed Airport would extend; rumour was that the whole of Harlington Village - our premises as well - would vanish.

Maintenance work on the Church, Hall and Manse had gone by default through the war years because of the shortage of men, money and materials.  However, extensive repair work was put in hand - mainly by the effort of church members - in 1948.  Then, as now, the name of Reg Austin appeared at the head of working parties.

A site committee was set up to look for a possible location of a new church but fortunately such a need did not materialise.  1948 was a special year for our Church, the 150th anniversary.  The minister, Rev Browell, and the then serving deacons, had their photograph taken outside the church.  Another event in 1948 was the first meeting of the Bazaar Committee, whose activities on behalf of our church have over the years been of incalculable benefit.

In 1950 the Cranford Park branch of our Sunday School was opened and this was to have a life of some 20 years before being absorbed into our own main school.  So we come to the end of this portion of our Church's story - a story which is still in the making, we ourselves are the participants and it is our service, our worship, our efforts, our hopes which will be recorded as history to future generations.

[1] Great Western Railway

[2] International Bible Readers Society