Page:The histories of Launceston and Dunheved, in the county of Cornwall.djvu/369

MR. SALTREN'S MINISTRY. 333 worship and service of God, situate and being in Laun- ceston." The Rev. Michael Martin, who had been ordained by the Exeter Presbyterian Assembly on the 24th August, 1694, was the first minister appointed to the charge of this chapel. He afterwards removed for awhile to Lympstone ; but about the year 1728 returned to Launceston, and there continued till he died, 10th August, 1745. He gave £50 by will to James Hillance and twoothers,in trust for the meeting- house in Castle Street. After Mr. Martin's death, Mr. George Castle, also a Presbyterian, occasionally preached here ; but at length the meeting-house was closed, and sold by Richard Coffin, Esq., the heir-at-law of the before named Edward Bennett, to Thomas Parson, junior, of Launceston, clothier. Mr. Parson retained the property until the year 1788, by which time it had become much dilapidated. On the 29th March, 1788, Mr. Parson and his mortgagee conveyed the neglected building to Mr. William Saltren. Mr. Saltren, assisted by an independent religious society, which he and his brother John had formed in Launceston and at Newport, entirely reconstructed the house, and adapted it to purposes of public religious worship, at a cost of £350. The building was reopened on the 13th Septem- ber, 1788, by the Revs. D. Ford, of London, W. Paddon, from the Tabernacle at Plymouth, and — Heath, of Plymouth Dock. Mr. Saltren was ordained pastor of this chapel on the 9th June, 1790, and continued his ministry in it until he died, 18th April, 1795. The same Mr. Saltren by his will, dated 8th April, 1795, directed his brother, John Saltren, to convey the chapel, and a passage leading thereto, which was private property of the testator, to trustees for a place of public and religious worship and service of God by the society of Protestant Dissenters, known as the Congregation, or People at Launceston.