Page:History and characteristics of Bishop Auckland.djvu/179

152 mSTOKY OF BISHOP AUCKLAND. J. A. Bastow, of Darlington (author of the " Biblical Dictionary"), delivered a lecture in the Town Hall, on " The good old English Bible," the chair being occupied by J. Proud, Esq. The opening services were held on Sunday, the 5th February, 1869, and were commenced with a public prayer meeting. Sermons were preached in the morning and evening by the Rev. J. T. Harwood, Wesleyan minister, of Crook The Rev. T. Boyd, Presbyterian minister, of Bishop Auckland, delivered an appropriate discourse in the afternoon. On the following day a tea meeting was held in the School-room underneath the chapel, when about 400 persons were present. A sale of fancy needlework and other articles was also opened the same afternoon. After tea a public meeting was held in the chapel, at which Charles Pease, Esq., presided, when suitable addresses were delivered by several ministers of the town. The chapel, which cost about £1,000, is built somewhat in the Grecian style of architecture, from designs furnished by Mr. John Braithwaite, of Bishop Auckland. The front is adorned with dressed stone pilasters surmounted with carved caps, and in the centre above the door is a three- light window. The length of the chapel is 65 feet and the width 34 feet, and seats are provided for 350 persons. The old-fashioned pulpit is dispensed with, and in its place there is the modem rostrum. Behind this there is an orchestra twelve feet in length. In front of the orchestra and rostrum there is an open metal fretwork. Underneath the rostrum is a vestry 18 feet by 12 feet, suitable also for a class-room. The school, which is underneath the chapel, is 26 feet by 30 feet, 12 feet in height, and well lighted. On the same floor with the school there is a small house suitable for the residence of a chapel keeper. The various parts of the work were entrusted to the following : — Joiner's work, Mr. John Braithwaite; masonry, Mr. John Watson; slating, Mr. Mascall ; painting, Mr. Pickering ; iron work, Mr. Wilson, of Blue Row Forge. INDEPENDENT CHAPEL. The body of Nonconformists known as Independents had its origin about the year 1616, and was generally considered an offshoot of the Brownists, who were followers of the Rev. Robert Brown, a clergyman of the Church of England. Mr. Brown lived about the year 1600, and inveighed against the ceremonies and deceptions of the Established Church, and separated himself from her communion. A Mr. Robinson appears to have been the founder of the sect, though the first Independent or Congregational Church in England is said to have been established by a Mr. Jacob. The Inde- pendents are so called from their independence in relation to other churches, and their maintaining that each church or congregation has sufficient power to act and perform everything relating to religious government within itself, and is in no way subject or accoimtable to other churches or their deputies ; and, therefore, disallow parochial or provincial subordination, and form all their congregations upon a scheme of co-ordinancy. Although the formation of this particular body dates as far back as the beginning of the 17th century, it was not until the year 1822 that we find any efforts being made to form a congregation in this town. In the absence of any official documents, or other papers bearing on the subject, it is extremely difficult to trace its early history, but we believe we are correct in stating that the existence, if not the actual formation, of the congregation was due to the exertions of the late Mr. William Barrett and the late Mrs. William Dobson, both of whom interested themselves warmly in its behalf. The first ministrations were held in a room situated in the King's Arms Yard, and afterwards in a building immediately behind the premises now occupied by Mr. Philip Digitized by Google