{"id":671,"date":"2020-10-07T17:52:36","date_gmt":"2020-10-07T16:52:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/?page_id=671"},"modified":"2024-05-22T21:58:25","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T20:58:25","slug":"early-faith-in-the-dales","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/early-faith-in-the-dales\/","title":{"rendered":"Early Faith in the Dales"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3>Menu<\/h3>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"#Monastic Times\">Monastic Times<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"#The Knights Templars\">The Knights Templars<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"#The Parishes of Upper Wensleydale\">The Parishes of Upper Wensleydale<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"#Non Conformists\">Non Conformists in the Dale<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"#Quakers\">The Quakers<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"#Ingamites and Sandemanians\">Ingamites and Sandemanians<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"#Congregationalists\">Congregationalists<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"#Baptists\">Baptists<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"#Methodism\">Methodism<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"#Primitive Methodists\">Primitive Methodists<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><a href=\"#Key Dates\">Key Dates<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"Monastic Times\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Monastic times<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Shortly after the Norman conquest in 1066 and the Harrying of the north in 1069 which was designed to stop uprisings and rebellion, one of the largest feudal holdings in England was establish under <strong>Count Alan of Britany<\/strong> \u00a0in 1071. It included Wensleydale, Swaledale and part of Teesdale. His brother <strong>Ribald<\/strong> built the Motte and Bailey castle in Middleham, just SW of the later stone castle built in the mid 12<sup>th<\/sup> Century. Richmond Castle was built in 1271 though there had been a stone keep since 1088.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Large areas of the dale came under Monastic control on land that was initially endowed from Norman landlords in exchange for prayer for their families. Often a lot of land was later purchased by the monastic orders.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In 1145 the first Abbey was established in upper Wensleydale at <strong>Fors<\/strong> on a site by the present day Grange Farm a mile west of Askrigg (Grid Ref SD93532 90931). There is virtually no evidence left for this building apart from what is found in documentation, graves discovered when the railway was built, and one stone window frame reused in one of the farm buildings. It is thought that John Colby used some of the stone to build nearby Coleby Hall in 1633, and there is disputed evidence that pillars in the north aisle at St Oswalds church in Askrigg was built of stone from the ruins of Fors Abbey. There is plenty map evidence in the local names including: <em>Abbottside, Abbey Head, Grange beck and Grange farm.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Fors Abbey<\/strong> was managed by <strong>Peter de Quincy<\/strong> \u2013 a monk from the Abbey of Savigny in Brittany. This was originally a Benedictine order. Land was acquired with rights to mow grass in the forest, fell timber, work for lead and iron and to collect killed deer.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1062 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_0897-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"248\" height=\"186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_0897-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_0897-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_0897-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_0897-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_0897-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_0897-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 248px) 100vw, 248px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">After five year the Abbot of Savigny was unhappy about the isolated location and withdrew his support. At the same time the Benedictine order in France was having financial difficulties and it merged with the Cisterians. Fors was but under the control of Byland Abbey and the abbot appointed a new lead monk. Following several years of poor harvests, the barrenness of the soil and the inclemency of the climate, Fors Abbey was abandoned after only 11 years. It became a Grange (farm) for the new abbey built further down the dale.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1063 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/jervaulx2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"251\" height=\"181\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/jervaulx2.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/jervaulx2-300x217.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/jervaulx2-1024x740.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/jervaulx2-768x555.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 251px) 100vw, 251px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Jervaulx Abbey<\/strong> <em>(named after the river Yore \/ Jor \u2013 vall)<\/em> was established in 1156 on land given at a site below East Witton. It was a Cistercian monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was never very large. By 1380 there were only 16 monks and by 1537 only 25. They owned and worked several granges nearby at Kilgram, Newstaed, Braithwaite, Akebar and further away at Dale Grange \u2013 their original site and at Fossdale and Melsonby. By the time of the dissolution of the Monasteries by <strong>Henry VIII<\/strong> between 1536 \u2013 40, the abbey\u2019s Manor extended westwards to include all the land north of the River Ure to the watershed with Swaledale\u00a0 and to the source at Hell Beck.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The last Abbot of Jervaulx (the 23<sup>rd<\/sup>) \u2013 <strong>Abbot Adam Sedbar<\/strong> was hung at Tyburn in 1537 because of his involvement in the Pilgrimage of Grace (an attempt to reverse the reformation).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>The Pilgimage of Grace<\/strong> started in the Lincolnshire Uprising in Louth led by <strong>Robert Ask<\/strong> of Ask Hall in Richmondshire. In 1536 draft petitions were formulated to the King at Pontefract Castle. The foundations were 3 fold:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\"><strong>Economic<\/strong> \u2013 The poor harvest of 1535 had led to high food prices and the dissolution of the monasteries had led to loss of work and shelter.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\"><strong>Political<\/strong> \u2013 there was general objections to Henry\u2019s treatment of his wives and the aristocrats objected to Thomas Cromwell because of his low estate<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\"><strong>Religious<\/strong> \u2013 the local church communities were worried about confiscation of the church plate, taxing of baptisms and the ten article \u2013 the new order of prayer.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The rebellion failed and 216 people were hung including 7 Abbots*, 38 monks and 16 parish priests.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The buildings at Jervaulx were destroyed by 1539<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>*Adam Sedbar, Abbot of Jervaulx, William Trafford, Abbot of Sawley, John Paslew, Abbot of Whalley, Matthew Mackarel, Abbot of Barlings and Bishop of Chalcedon, William Thirsk, Abbot of Fountains and the Prior of Bridlington.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#page-links\">Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"The Knights Templars\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>The Knights Templars<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The Knights Templars were a minor monastic order that evolved to protect pilgrims travelling to and from Jerusalem. Founded in 1119 the order grew rapidly in membership and power. They were a skilled fighting unit during the crusades and became very rich very quickly.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1070 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Slapestone-Wath-1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Slapestone-Wath-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Slapestone-Wath-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Slapestone-Wath-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Slapestone-Wath-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Slapestone-Wath-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>In Wensleydale they are thought to have had an early dwelling at Slaphow near the river at <strong>Slapestone Wath<\/strong> (meaning slippery stones crossing). (Grid Ref SE 03145 89612). This preceptory built to north west of Temple farm is first mentioned between 1170 and 1181. There is little physical evidence of the use of this site but it is a prominent river crossing from the north of the river (and later from Castle Bolton) to the entrance to Bishopdale.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1071 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Knights-Templars-Temple-1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Knights-Templars-Temple-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Knights-Templars-Temple-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Knights-Templars-Temple-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Knights-Templars-Temple-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Knights-Templars-Temple-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>By 1202 they had moved to the hillside south of <strong>Temple Farm<\/strong>. (Grid Ref SE 03593 88740) The chapel there was dedicated to \u2018God, the Virgin Mary and St Catherine.\u2019 St Catherine, the patron saint of linen weavers, was important to the Templars because their outer garments were made of white linen on which was sewn a blood red cross, their symbol of martyrdom.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The Order was suppressed in 1307 \u2013 Rumour about a secret initiation ceremony created distrust and King Philip lV France pressurized Pope Clement to have them arrested and eventually disbanded<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In Wensleydale the charges against the brotherhood were particularly severe. Many of the Templars were imprisoned and some were tortured and executed. The master of the House on Penhill, Thomas de Bellerby, was one of a score of Knights apprehended and locked up in York Castle in the autumn of 1309. He, like others, was tortured and killed and the House and the chapel, together with 80 acres of surrounding land and buildings, were taken over by King Edward II.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Pope Clement V abolished the order in 1312 and the Penhill site was handed over to the Knights Hospitallers. It was not used much and by 1328 was abandoned.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A site at <strong>Palmer Flatts<\/strong> near Aysgarth Falls (Grid Ref SE 01121 88345) is thought to have been a site of a medieval Hospice for returning pilgrims and run by the Knight\u2019s Templars. (Pilgrims returning from the Holy Land in poor health carried \u2018Palms\u2019 &#8211; hence the name)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#page-links\">Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"The Parishes of Upper Wensleydale\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>The Parishes of Upper Wensleydale<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The ecclesiastical parish system started with the introduction of Christianity around the 6th century and they were fully developed between the 10<sup>th<\/sup> \u00a0and 14<sup>th<\/sup> centuries. <strong>Aysgarth Parish<\/strong> covered most of Wensleydale, Bishopdale and the smaller side dales. <strong>St Andrews church<\/strong> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1083 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/St-Andrews-Church-4-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"248\" height=\"186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/St-Andrews-Church-4-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/St-Andrews-Church-4-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/St-Andrews-Church-4-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/St-Andrews-Church-4-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/St-Andrews-Church-4-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 248px) 100vw, 248px\" \/>was the main place of worship from 10<sup>th<\/sup> century. It would have linked to Jervaulx as the Patron of the parish. A 10th Century cross was discovered in a nearby stone wall. It may have been a preaching cross or it might have stood outside a Saxon Church. A church certainly existed in 12<sup>th<\/sup> century when it was described as the \u2018mother church\u2019 for a chapel of ease at <strong>Askrigg<\/strong>. The first recorded rector of Aysgarth was Peter de Thoresby, appointed in 1236.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The Norman church was rebuilt in 1536 (as monasteries were dissolved) but by the Victorian period it was in a poor state. It had to be completely restored in 1866, giving it a decidedly Gothic revival air. Despite the sweeping Victorian changes the church retains some remarkable historical features. Woodwork and inscriptions indicate links to Jervaulx. (The rood screen may have come from Jervaulx \/ or [because it is not typical of that found in the monasteries] made and given by the monks at Jervaulx \u2013<em>Ella Pontefract an<\/em><em>d Hartley<\/em>)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1086 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/St-Oswalds-2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/St-Oswalds-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/St-Oswalds-2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/St-Oswalds-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/St-Oswalds-2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/St-Oswalds-2-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>There has been a church on the site of <strong>St Oswalds in Askrigg<\/strong> since at least 1180. That first building was a chapel of ease under <strong>Aysgarth<\/strong>. Local tradition says that there was a preaching cross at Kirk Close, on the eastern fringe of Askrigg, and there may have been a Saxon church close by. The present church dates from 1466. For centuries people in Hawes and the upper dale would be travelling to <strong>Aysgarth<\/strong> or <strong>Askrigg<\/strong> for services, baptisms, marriages and funerals.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">It was not until the end of the 16<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0and beginning 17<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0centuries that chapels of ease were built in <strong>Hard<\/strong><strong>ra<\/strong><strong>w<\/strong>, <strong>Hawes<\/strong>, <strong>Stalling Busk<\/strong> and <strong>Lunds<\/strong>. Initially these were still in the parish of Aysgarth and with pastoral links to Askrigg.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">By now <strong>The Church of England<\/strong> was established with Henry VIII\u2019s separation from Rome in the mid 16<sup>th<\/sup> C and the associated dissolution of the monasteries.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Hardraw church<\/strong> was built in the early 16<sup>th<\/sup> Century and saw its first curacy in 1686. It was rebuilt in 1880 by Earl of Wharncliffe in memory of his brother (see the plaque inside the church).\u00a0 He lived at Wortley Hall in S Yorkshire but had a shooting lodge at Simonstone.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Hawes<\/strong> \u00a0old chapel building in the lower part of the present graveyard was probably existing from 1620, (it was extended in 1712) However with an increase in the population in the\u00a0 upper dale Hawes began to agitate for parish independence. A refusal to pay the Hawes quarter led to dispute resolution being sought in the ecclesiastical courts in Richmond and York, followed by the common law court in York. The earliest records that survive containing baptisms, weddings and funerals in Hawes date from 1695.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Lunds<\/strong> had a curate appointed 1713 (the church was probably built earlier in the century). A preaching cross and possibly services were held prior to that on Course Haw (cowshaw) hill nearby. Lunds church merged with Hardraw 1858<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The original church for <strong>Stalling Busk<\/strong> (by the lake side) was built in 1603 but fell into ruins during civil war 1642 \u2013 51. It was rebuilt by villagers in 1722 and a curate appointed. Disputes with Aysgarth over baptisms and marriages resulted in it becoming a perpetual curacy in 1750\u2019s and an independent parish by 1860\u2019s<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#page-links\">Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"Non Conformists\">\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1117 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Early-Faith-in-the-Dales-Presentation-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"599\" height=\"337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Early-Faith-in-the-Dales-Presentation-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Early-Faith-in-the-Dales-Presentation-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Early-Faith-in-the-Dales-Presentation-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Early-Faith-in-the-Dales-Presentation.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2>Non &#8211; Conformists in the Dale<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Though in the 16<sup>th<\/sup> Century the Church of England had become the established church in England, there were those who didn\u2019t conform. This included the Catholics who in many areas were driven underground seeing some revival with initial changes in the monarchy. Other \u2018Non &#8211; Conformists\u2019 included the Quakers, Ingamites, Baptists and the Congregationalists though in the early days there were many other names developed from significant leaders or places.<\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"#page-links\">Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"Quakers\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>The Quakers<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>George Fox<\/strong> was born in Leicestershire in 1624. At the age of 19 he started seeking for a more meaningful faith than what he saw week by week in the preaching of the church. He spoke of clear revelations from God and of a personal relationship with Christ that was not dependent on a priest\u2019s intervention. His faith grew as he read the bible and spoke with other \u2018Seekers\u2019. He began preaching in 1647 around Mansfield and Nottinghamshire and gathered a group of converts together originally called \u2018Children of the Light\u2019<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">He was imprisoned several times for blasphemy and in 1650 whilst in Derby prison, his sentence was doubled for refusing to fight \u2013 this was during the time of the civil wars!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In 1652, being led by God he traveled over Pendle Hill and saw a vision of a large number of \u2018<em>people to be gathered<\/em>\u2019. On descending he may have passed through the village of Grindleton where a group of dissenters known as the \u2018Grindletonians\u2019 lived. He then walked into the Yorkshire Dales, travelling up through Wharfedale, Coverdale and into Wensleydale. He may have spoken at Askrigg \u2013 and then continued over to Dent, Garsdale, Mallerstang, Cautley and to Briggflatts near Sedbergh, making friends with the people living there. Briggflatts later became what is the second oldest Quaker meeting house in the country<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-681 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/G-Fox-Pulpit-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"176\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/G-Fox-Pulpit-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/G-Fox-Pulpit-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/G-Fox-Pulpit-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/G-Fox-Pulpit-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/G-Fox-Pulpit-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\" \/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-682 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/G-Fox-Pulpit-1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"176\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/G-Fox-Pulpit-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/G-Fox-Pulpit-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/G-Fox-Pulpit-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/G-Fox-Pulpit-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/G-Fox-Pulpit-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\" \/>He famously preached to around 1000 \u2018seekers\u2019 for 3 hours at the place known as \u2018Fox\u2019s Pulpit\u2019 (Grid reference SD 619937) on Firbank fell above Sebergh .<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">They believed in divine guidance that they called the \u2018inner light\u2019. They objected to paying tithes and the church rate and consequently found themselves in conflict with the authorities. They rejected the rule of the bishops and liturgies set by law.\u00a0Meetings were held in private houses and did at times result in the householders being fined \u00a320 and individual participants being fined 5 or 10 shillings each. They became a people set apart because of their puritanical strict disciplines.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Richard Robinson<\/strong> of Countersett Hall is considered to be the first Quaker in Wensleydale. His religious curiosity found no answer in the established church, and he was drawn to Thomas Taylor, a dissenting minister in Carleton in Craven who was leading a group of separatist \u2018Seekers\u2019 at Preston Park in southern Lakeland. Together they went to meetings to hear George Fox\u2019s preaching at Grayrigg and Hutton. He later declared that George Fox\u2019s preaching \u2018<em>opened the way to true salvation<\/em>\u2019<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">He became an itinerant preacher throughout the north of England and was imprisoned several times. In 1672 whilst in Richmond prison he wrote about the appalling suffering of Quakers around the northern Dales.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Quakers initially met at both Countersett Hall and Carr End in Raydale. Carr end was the home of the <strong>Fothergill family<\/strong> and they were significant in the movement around the country and around the world. Alexander\u00a0 Fotthergill was a surveyor who was responsible for overseeing the Richmond \u2013 Lancaster Turnpike road and building many bridges in the dales including the one at the outlet of Semerwater. Samuel Fothergill was a noted preacher and John Fothergill was one of the most sought after physicians in 18<sup>th<\/sup> century London. He was an important figure amongst the London Quakers and established Ackworth school in Pontefract in 1779.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The <strong>Hillary family<\/strong> living at Rigg House near the entrance to Cotterdale were initially prominent Quakers at the Hawes meeting. John Hillary married Mary Robinson at Semerdale House in 1692. They later moved to Hillary House in Burtersett and joined the Countersett meeting. Their son William became a prominent Doctor and a specialist in Topical Diseases. His influence stretched to Barbados and he was involved with the early <em>Friends<\/em> in America. William\u2019s nephew (another William) was responsible for the establishment of the RNLI in 1824. Sir William Hillary was married in 1800 and departed from his Quaker beliefs. He was responsible for selling the properties in Wensleydale.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The Conventicle Act 1664 and Five Mile Act 1665 were passed to restrict activities of groups like the Quakers. These acts of parliament were designed to prevent religious assemblies of more than 5 people meeting outside the auspices of the Church of England and to prevent a minister expelled from the church living and working within 5 miles of the place he used to preside over, unless he swore again to obey the 1662 prayer book. During the reign of William and Mary, the Act of toleration was passed in 1689 which gave the right to worship and build meeting houses. It also required a registration of meetings.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">At this time meetings were registered at Bainbridge, Hawes, Carperby, West Burton and Leyburn<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-967 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Bainbridge-Quakers-2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"243\" height=\"183\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Bainbridge-Quakers-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Bainbridge-Quakers-2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Bainbridge-Quakers-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Bainbridge-Quakers-2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Bainbridge-Quakers-2-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 243px) 100vw, 243px\" \/>In<strong>\u00a0Bainbridge<\/strong> a cottage that had been bought earlier was now freely used from 1689 onwards.\u00a0 The present meeting House was built in 1836 and is still being used today.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In\u00a0<strong>Hawes<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Appersett<\/strong>\u00a0early meetings took place in the Routh\u2019s home. (Oswald Routh left land for a burial ground in Hawes at Town Foot, opposite the playground) By early 1700 a cottage was purchased for a meeting house in Hawes and continued to be used until 1920. In 1955 the property was demolished for road widening.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-684 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/IMG_1177-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"246\" height=\"185\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/IMG_1177-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/IMG_1177-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/IMG_1177-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/IMG_1177-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/IMG_1177-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 246px) 100vw, 246px\" \/>\u00a0The graveyard remains, but is unused though it is open as a \u2018quiet space\u2019 for people to use. Thomas Fawcett, a quaker in Hawes, is reputed to have built a cottage in 1668 \u2013 now a restaurant with an inscription above door\u00a0 which reads \u2018<em>God being with us \u2013 who can be against us<\/em>\u2019 \u2013 words taken from Romans chapter 8.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In\u00a0<strong>Appersett<\/strong>\u00a0a property on left as you enter from Hawes was possibly a meeting house with its burial ground on the corner opposite. (It was a custom for every meeting house to have a graveyard). This may have been used by Sandemanians as some of the Willans family in Appersett were Sandemanian and they were buried in Gayle. The cottage was later used by the Methodists<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1092 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Carperby-meeting-House-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"312\" height=\"176\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Carperby-meeting-House-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Carperby-meeting-House-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Carperby-meeting-House-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Carperby-meeting-House.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 312px) 100vw, 312px\" \/>Quakers met in <strong>Leyburn<\/strong> as early as 1653 (the Coverdale meeting), originally meeting in homes (Richard Geldart used his home. He was convinced by Quakerism after hearing Richard Robinson preach at Countersett). Meetings ceased by 1738, however by 1796 Friends from Richmond began meeting in Leyburn again. This also was short lived and the meeting was closed again in 1821 as Friends\u00a0 joined the Aysgarth meeting. (established in 1704). In the early 19th century the Aysgarth and Carperby meetings combined and a meeting house was built in Carperby in 1864. This meeting house closed in 1984 and Friends from here started meeting in Leyburn again establishing a meeting house for the lower dale and Swaledale at 7 Grove Square.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Other Meeting Houses had been established at <strong>Chantry<\/strong> (West Witton) (1720) and <strong>Carleton<\/strong> in Coverdale (1743).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-969 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Countersett-Quakers-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"242\" height=\"182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Countersett-Quakers-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Countersett-Quakers-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Countersett-Quakers-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Countersett-Quakers-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Countersett-Quakers-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 242px) 100vw, 242px\" \/>The meeting house in <strong>Countersett<\/strong> was opened in 1710, twenty years after Richard Robinson\u2019s death. There had by this time been almost 60 years of quakers meeting in Raydale \u2013 at Countersett Hall and at Carr End, the home of the Fothergill Family.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The Quakers grew in numbers during 18<sup>th<\/sup> Century but declined into the 19<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0as a result of growth of other non-conformists and significant emigration to America. Some found the strict discipline and some of the marriage rules hard \u2013 you could only marry within the sect.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#page-links\">Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"Ingamites and Sandemanians\">\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2>The Ingamites and the Sandemanians<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Benjamin Ingham<\/strong> was born in 1712 at Town End in Ossett. He attended Batley Grammar School and matriculated to Queens College, Oxford. He was a contemporary of <strong>John and Charles Wesley<\/strong> and with them was part of the \u2018Holy Club\u2019. He was ordained into the Church of England in 1735 and in the same year traveled to Georgia in America with the Wesleys on a preaching mission. The journey there was eventful in many ways. The sailing in \u2018The Simmonds\u2019 was rough with many storms, some quite ferocious. Many of the 80 plus English passengers feared for there lives. However, there was a calmness among a group of 26 Moravians from Hernhuth in Germany. Their focus in prayer through those storms impressed Ingham.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The mission in America was not successful and Benjamin Ingham planned to return home to recruit more missioners. A month before he set sail for England, he attended a Moravian meeting and there he \u2018<em>found rest for his soul in a profound evangelical conversion experience<\/em>\u2019<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In late 1737 he returned to England and north to Ossett. He began an itinerant preaching ministry having been banned from preaching in Wakefield Cathedral and other churches in the diocese of York. His Preaching throughout Yorkshire and the north saw many converts and initially over 60 Ingamite Societies. He handed these over to the Moravians at first for them to manage. William Batty, one of his local preachers from Gayle records that,<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u2018<em>whilst Ingham was instrumental in bringing the Moravians to Yorkshire, he declared himself neither a Methodist nor a Moravian<\/em>.\u2019<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Benjamin Ingham had some \u2018<em>uneasiness with the Moravian \u2018Stillness Doctrine\u2019 \u00a0<\/em><em>which taught that those who lacked the full assurance of salvation should engage in no spiritual activities. In other words, Bible reading, prayer and attendance at the Lord\u2019s Supper were to be forsaken until such assurance came.\u00a0 The Moravians also taught that assurance was the essence of true faith, and that the existence of doubts and fears was a sign of the absence of such faith.\u00a0 Ingham had spoken against these perceived errors publicly<\/em>.\u2019 (Pastor Kevin Price 2016)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In 1741 he also broke his connection with the Wesley\u2019s because of their \u2018Holiness\u2019 or \u2018Entire Sanctification\u2019 doctrine. As a result, many of Inghams supporters refused to attend Methodist meetings when John Wesley visited the north.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The 1750\u2019s where the best years for the Ingahamite denomination with chapels being developed across the whole of the north of England, especially in the Yorkshire Dales, the Forest of Bowland. Colne, Barnoldswick, Kendal, \u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026. and West Yorkshire. The chapels were disciplined societies with strict membership rules which is understandable as they were seeking to maintain a purity of the gospel.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A small Ingamite chapel existed at <strong>Ravenseat<\/strong> farm in Upper Swaledale. Ella Pontefract and Marie Hartley describe that, at that time there were two farms, eleven families with the men working at Tan Hill Pits. When what became a barn was knocked down there was still a pulpit in the corner.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-973 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Gayle-insttute-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Gayle-insttute-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Gayle-insttute-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Gayle-insttute-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Gayle-insttute-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/Gayle-insttute-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Two prominent Inghamite preachers\u00a0 <strong>William Battey<\/strong> and <strong>James Allen<\/strong> built an Inghamite chapel in <strong>Gayle<\/strong>\u00a0during the 1750\u2019s with a Sunday School later being established in Dyers Garth, in Hawes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">What has been described as one of Ingham\u2019s greatest mistakes occurred when he read some of <strong>John Glas<\/strong>\u2019 writing and sent James Allen and William Batty to Glasgow in 1761 to find out more.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">John Glas was a Presbyterian Minister in Glasgow and he was unhappy with the national church whose organization, he claimed, found no support in the new testament. He established his own church and they were called \u2018the Glasites\u2019. His son in law\u00a0<strong>Robert Sandeman<\/strong> became a leader in the church and brought the church to London and America. The Sandemanians where very strict in their observances and quite exclusive. Their first developments outside London occurred in Yorkshire. James Allen and Willian Batty were so impressed with what they saw and returned to Gayle and converted the Inghamite chapel into a Sandemanian chapel as well developing chapels in Kirby Stephen, Newby and Kirkby Lonsdale. By 1768 James Allen had helped establish church congregations in York, Norfolk and Colne.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: left;\">In Gayle, two services were held each Sunday with the Lord\u2019s Supper being administrated to the faithful in the morning and a Gospel service in the afternoon. In between they had a common meal at the Old Hall, the home of the Allen family. Services ceased towards the end of the 19<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0Century and in 1929 the chapel became the village institute. The graveyard is next to it.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Benjamin Ingham was not convinced. As well as the debate on church government, there was also a doctrinal issue. The Sandemanians believed that mental assent to the doctrines of the Gospel was sufficient to possess saving faith; a person need only claim that he was willing to be led by the Scripture.\u00a0 The place of conviction of sin was therefore not found.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Ingham never accepted the Sandemanian theology and the split with James Allen was never resolved.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>For a fuller account of Benjamin Ingham\u2019s life and witness in the Dales and his links with John Wesley and James Allen, as well as the Moravian Church, visit the Website of Salem Congregational Church, Martin Top. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.martintop.org.uk\/content\/benjamin-ingham\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.martintop.org.uk\/content\/benjamin-ingham<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>See also: &#8216;Fine Gold from Yorkshire&#8217; Chapter 9 Benjamin Ingham (Author: Faith Cook\u00a0 EP Books)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#page-links\">Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"Congregationalists\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>The Congregationalists<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Robert Brown<\/strong> (1550 -1633) was living during the reign of Elizabeth I and he became a separatist partly by listening to neo Calvinist talks and cross fertilization with the Anabaptists. He openly criticized the church&#8217;s administration and leadership. He was jailed many times but always soon released because of his wealthy contacts and contacts in the government. He set up the first separatist church in Norwich and some early members of his congregation were arrested tried and hanged at Bury St Edmunds for selling some of his \u2018seditious\u2019 writings. Robert Browne is considered the father of Congregationalism. He is also seen by some as the father of the Pilgrims as the Mayflower passengers in 1620 included members of the Brownist movement.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">As a group of protestants separatists, the Congregationalists advocated separation from the Church of England rather than reform. Their church structure emphasised the right and responsibility of each congregation to manage its own affairs. The 1658 the Savoy Declaration (formulated in the Savoy Hotel) was the Congregationalist \u2018confession of faith\u2019.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Separatists experienced mixed fortunes<\/strong> in the early years,<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 80px;\">suffering<strong> persecution<\/strong> during the reign of <strong>Elizabeth I<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 80px;\">receiving greater <strong>support<\/strong> with <strong>Oliver Cromwell<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 80px;\">increasingly <strong>difficult times<\/strong> following the <strong>Act of Uniformity of 1662<\/strong> (Charles I), the <strong>Conventicle Act of 1664<\/strong> and the <strong>Five Mile Act of 1665<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 80px;\"><strong>support<\/strong> at the time of the <strong>Toleration Act of 1689<\/strong> during the reign of <strong>William and Mary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 80px;\"><strong>problems<\/strong> during the reign of <strong>Queen Anne<\/strong> when the <strong>Schism Act in 1714<\/strong> threatened the survival of the Congregational Schools (as well as Catholic Schools)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 80px;\">a final period of <strong>stability<\/strong> when <strong>George I<\/strong> came to the throne (1714)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 80px;\">at the start of the 18th century the rise of Methodism and later the Evangelical Revival (1750 &#8211; 1815) had a significant impact on Congregationalism. <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">George Whitfield<\/span> had close relationships with the Congregationalists.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Lord Wharton<\/strong> the 4<sup>th<\/sup> Baron (1613 -1696), whose family had residences at Aske Hall near Richmond, Wharton Hall, at Nateby near Kirkby Stephen, and at Healaugh Priory, Tadcaster, was significant in the growth of some chapels in the Dales. He was sympathetic to the dissenters from the Church of England and gave money to support the establishment of chapels at Ravenstonedale and Smarber near Low Row in Swaledale, Rent from 2 parcels of land near Nateby provided salaries for the ministers.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1097 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Church_ruin_Isles_-_geograph.org_.uk_-_1258285-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"234\" height=\"175\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Church_ruin_Isles_-_geograph.org_.uk_-_1258285-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Church_ruin_Isles_-_geograph.org_.uk_-_1258285.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 234px) 100vw, 234px\" \/>Smarber chapel<\/strong> was built in 1691 on the hillside just west of Low Row. It was part of Smarber Hall &#8211; Lord Wharton&#8217;s shooting lodge. It is registered at Thirsk as a \u2018Meeting House adjoining Smarber Hall for Protestant Dissenters\u2019. (Grid Ref:<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>SD9728097565) It was establish beyond the 5 mile limit of Grinton Church. (Presumably the churches at Muker and possibly Keld were Chapels of Ease). The first minister in 1693 was Rev John Holland. Smarber closed in 1809 when the chapel at Low Row was built. The present building replaced in 1874 is now a United Reformed church. Meetings are held annually at the old chapel (photo: Gordon Hatton) in August to maintain the endowment\u00a0 established by Lord Wharton<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Shortly before he died in 1696, Lord Wharton instructed that some money in his will continued to be used for a practice he had set up in his latter years \u00a0&#8211; to give bibles to young people. This trust still operates and details can be found at: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lordwhartonbibles.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wharton Bibles<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\">Chapels in the Dales<\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat; color: black;\">As well as the early Congregational chapels built in\u00a0<strong><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Ravenstonedale<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(1662) and Low Row (1691) at a time when persecution was rife, 18<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: 8.0pt; font-family: Montserrat; color: black;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat; color: black;\">\u00a0Century chapels were built at\u00a0<strong><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Reeth<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(1783),\u00a0<strong><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Keld<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(1789) and\u00a0<strong><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Leyburn<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(1793). 19<\/span><sup><span style=\"font-size: 8.0pt; font-family: Montserrat; color: black;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat; color: black;\">\u00a0century chapels were built in\u00a0<strong><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Dent, Sedbergh, Thwaite, Hawes<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(1851),\u00a0<strong><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Burtersett<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(1876),\u00a0<strong><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Bainbridge<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(1865) and\u00a0<strong><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">West Burton<\/span><\/strong>. There was a shared chapel built in\u00a0<strong><span style=\"font-family: Montserrat;\">Widdale<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(1863).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-716 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/Congregational-Church-Hawes-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"278\" height=\"208\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/Congregational-Church-Hawes-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/Congregational-Church-Hawes-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/Congregational-Church-Hawes-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/Congregational-Church-Hawes-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/Congregational-Church-Hawes-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/Congregational-Church-Hawes-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 278px) 100vw, 278px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Hawes Congregationalists began in 1843 with Rev W Palmer becoming the first Minister and he was succeeded by Rev J W Rolls in 1846. They took over Dyers Garth Sunday School from the Sandemanians and during these early years numbers grew rapidly from 11 to 76 so that by 1849 they decided to buy land to build their chapel. The chapel was completed in 1851 . It was known as Bethel meaning \u2018House of God\u2019 and became the centre of Evangelistic activity with services being held in many surrounding villages. The centenary celebrations were held in 1943. The Bethel Church in <strong>Hawes<\/strong> became part of the United reform Church when the Congregation Churches in Britain merged with the Presbyterian church in 1972. The chapel is now closed and has been used as a Gallery for some time.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#page-links\">Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"Baptists\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Baptists<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The Baptists developed out of 17<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0Century puritanism and trace their roots to the Anabaptist movement (Mennonite) in Amsterdam. Their theology was Calvanistic and the church structure was akin to the Congregationalists. Particular Baptists (as opposed to General Baptists) were non separatist in that they didn\u2019t totally deny the position of the established Church of England, though felt the need to be independents.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">There is little evidence of a Baptist Church in the Dale beyond Snape near the entrance to Wensleydale. In developing their churches, the Baptists bypassed the dales and developed their congregations in the Northallerton gap and northwards into county Durham.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">However there are two references to Baptists in the dale:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-999 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/10\/Baptist-Church-Thornton-Rust-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"260\" height=\"347\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/10\/Baptist-Church-Thornton-Rust-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/10\/Baptist-Church-Thornton-Rust-rotated.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-998 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/10\/IMG_1033-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"360\" height=\"270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/10\/IMG_1033-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/10\/IMG_1033-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/10\/IMG_1033-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/10\/IMG_1033-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/10\/IMG_1033-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A Calvanist chapel in <strong>Thorton Rust <\/strong>\u00a0was founded 1827 with a school room below. John Tomlinson gave money to support minister and schoolmaster. One woman in the village disagreed with some of the Calvanist ideas and established a Baptist church at the west end of the village. An inscription above the door read <strong>\u2018Jehovah my Banner Particular Baptist 1836\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0 The chapel didn\u2019t last long and was later sold. It is now West View farm.(A barn behind the house was used as Wesleyan chapel)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The Calvanistic chapel is now the mission room \u00a0&#8211; part of St Andrew\u2019s Benefice.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In 1840\u2019s Robert Capstick of<strong>\u00a0Burtersett<\/strong>\u00a0was described as a Baptist minister. He ran the shop and probably held services in his home. They were known as Particular Baptists and conducted baptisms by total immersion in the river Ure.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#page-links\">Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"Methodism\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Methodism<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">John Wesley<\/span> was born in 1703 \u2013 the 15<sup>th<\/sup> child of Samuel Wesley an Anglican Minister at Epworth in Lincolnshire. John himself became an Anglican priest in 1728. Ten years later, he and his brother Charles had what they described as a \u2018spiritual awakening\u2019 at a Moravian meeting in Aldersgate, London on 24<sup>th<\/sup> May 1738. He described this evangelical conversion as \u2018his heart being strangely warmed\u2019 and he gained an assurance of his salvation. With the encouragement of <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">George Whitfield<\/span>, he began his ministry as a travelling evangelist, mainly preaching outdoors. He never intended to establish a separate church. Early followers were expected to go to parish church for communion, but later, societies were formed with afternoon and evening meetings arranged. Eventually, Wesley ordained his own ministers and began to build chapels. By 1791 when Wesley died \u2013 separation was complete and the Methodist church had been established.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">John Wesley visited Wensleydale in 1743 and 1774 and preached at <strong>Wensley, Redmire<\/strong> and <strong>Castle Bolton<\/strong>. In 1765 a minister was appointed in <strong>Middleham<\/strong> and by the end of the century a circuit was established in the Middleham area extending west as far as <strong>Bainbridge<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1113 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Gayle-Chapel-1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Gayle-Chapel-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Gayle-Chapel-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Gayle-Chapel-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Gayle-Chapel-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/Gayle-Chapel-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Methodism came to the upper dale from Kendal and Sedbergh (Wesley had visited Kendal several times) and an early society was formed in Garsdale. Between 1825 \u2013 35 Garsdale miners came to Gayle to work at Storth pits in Sledale and the Methodists among them began meetings. The chapel in <strong>Gayle<\/strong> was built in 1833 \u00a0and was part of the Kendal circuit. When a Sunday School was built in 1855 \u00a0it is recorded that there were 16 teachers and\u00a0 50 scholars \u00a0with 54 church members. In 1879 the chapel was extended with a new front and gallery. Gayle chapel was noted for evangelistic missions, their band of hope, class meetings and open air meetings.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-724 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/Hawes-Methodist-Church-2-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"217\" height=\"289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/Hawes-Methodist-Church-2-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/Hawes-Methodist-Church-2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/Hawes-Methodist-Church-2-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/Hawes-Methodist-Church-2-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/10\/Hawes-Methodist-Church-2-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 217px) 100vw, 217px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Hawes<\/strong> chapel was built on land given by William Whaley in 1856. It had a similar plan to the \u2018Bethel\u2019 Congregational church. Problems with damp in the lower ground area resulted in it being demolished and rebuilt in 1913. The first organ installed was a memorial to the first world war.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In 1871 <strong>Hawes<\/strong> became an independent circuit and included <strong>Bainbridge, Askrigg<\/strong> and <strong>Marsett<\/strong>. It later amalgamated with Middleham and Leyburn in 1901 becoming the Wensleydale Circuit\u00a0 with 3 ministers. Cottage meetings were taking place at \u00a0Birkrigg, Lunds, Worton and Appersett (in the Quaker meeting house). <strong>Burtersett<\/strong> chapel had been built in 1874 and was enlarged in 1904 as the local quarries expanded. The Methodists were worshiping in <strong>Widdale<\/strong> for some time during the last century using the congregational chapel. Having stood empty for a long time, this is now being converted into housing.<\/p>\n<p><em>For some of the above notes on Methodism &#8211; Acknowledgements to James Alderson \u2018Under Wetherfell\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#page-links\">Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"Primitive Methodists\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\">Primitive Methodists<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In 1810 revival meetings at Mow Cop in Staffordshire resulted in the establishment of the Primitive Methodists who in part were attempting to get back to the simplicity of the early Methodists and maintain the evangelistic traditions and focus.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Hugh Bourne and William Clowes were prominent leaders in this movement. The \u2018prims\u2019 attracted working class adherents with their simple, plain design of their chapels and their direct, spontaneous and passionate worship. They were often called \u2018Ranters\u2019 due to their more charismatic style. They were keen temperance advocates and involved in many social reform programmes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Primitive Methodists created their own circuits and built chapels. In 1822 a\u00a0<strong>Middleham<\/strong>\u00a0circuit was established with 12 Sunday Schools and 20 meetings in cottages. The first chapel was built in\u00a0<strong>Cotterdale<\/strong>\u00a0by 1836. By 1870 a Primitive Methodist Society existed in\u00a0<strong>Hawes<\/strong>\u00a0and chapels were built in\u00a0<strong>Askrigg \u2013 Moor road<\/strong>\u00a0 (1869),\u00a0 <strong>Sedbusk<\/strong>\u00a0(1875),\u00a0 <strong>Bowbridge<\/strong>\u00a0and the \u2018Prims\u2019 were using the Quaker meeting house at\u00a0<strong>Countersett<\/strong>. And chapels opened in<strong> Dent<\/strong> (1840), <strong>Garsdale Street<\/strong> (1841) and <strong>Deepdale<\/strong> (1889)<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Cotterdale Revival<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>In the early 1830\u2019s, Cotterdale was known as a \u2018rough\u2019 place. Lord Wharncliffe who owned the estate had to emloy four gamekeepers to keep the poaching down. A \u00a0Primitive Methodist preacher \u2013 possibly William Clowes from Burslem, travelling to or from Kendal felt he should go into the dale but was warned not to. He went in regardless and conducted an outdoor service. A number were converted \u2013 the beginning of the revival. Following this local men built the chapel on land given by Lord Wharncliffe who also subsequently only employed one gamekeeper because of the \u2018change of heart\u2019 of the local people.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em><strong>[Related by Bill Phatt from Kendal \u2013 a local preacher himself who had relatives living in Cotterdale]<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The chapel opened in 1836 and at one point had 40 members.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1046 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_0995-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"267\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_0995-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_0995-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_0995-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_0995-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_0995-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 267px) 100vw, 267px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The record of Ralph Metcalf (1804 \u2013 1838) whose family moved from Lunds to farm in Cotterdale<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>Ralph became regular in his attendance upon the Primitive Methodist\u2019s means of grace; but continued a stranger to saving religion until the beginning of the year 1836, when, by the goodness of the Lord, a blessed revival of religion broke out, and affected nearly the whole of the inhabitants in the dale.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><em>The work first appeared at a class-meeting held in my father\u2019s house, when my brother William was suddenly and unexpectedly brought into gospel liberty.\u00a0 And from that time it began inwardly to work like fire in the bowels of proper materials.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>And in about three weeks the Lord broke in upon the assembled congregation.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>That divine influence which had been working inwardly burst into a visible flame.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><em>The greater part of the congregation were arrested by the power of conviction, and a cry for mercy followed; and it seemed as if the answer to so many faithful prayers could no longer be delayed.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><em>The following Thursday Brother North, the superintendent preacher, on some account not coming to his appointment I had to supply for him.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><em>And that night several penitents found liberty; and the good work proceeded till our seven members were increased to upwards of forty; most of whom were made happy in the prayer meetings, which were then held every night; and which sometimes did not break up till morning.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><em>Our praying company being greatly enlarged, and filled with love to God and man, could not contain themselves within their own place, but went forth into a neighbourhood called Mossdale, where the work broke out, and a society of eight or nine members was raised.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><em>Memoir of Ralph Metcalf \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myprimitivemethodists.org.uk\/content\/people-2\/lay-people\/surnames-beginning-with-m\/ralph-metcalf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">My Primitive Methodists<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">It is interesting to note that Cotterdale was a haven for 6 Catholic families who were avoiding persecution during the reign of Elizabeth I<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Bowbridge revival (Low Abbotside Primitive Methodist Chapel)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">In 1918 Rev Dr Scurrah spoke of his memories from 50 years previously in 1868 when the chapel had over 100 members following an 8 week mission led by William Handley.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>&#8216;He, with others, had formed a mission band, and walked miles to proclaim Christ. They were eager to promote the work of God, and realised great success.&#8217;<\/em><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><em>For years following, The Bowbridge Society continued to be under the influence of that gracious revival.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The present building built was built 1908 and closed closed in 1962. It is now a private house.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Hawes Junction (Originally &#8211; Mount Zion)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The original location of the church was in house next to Moorcock. There were a large number of locals living in a \u2018shanty town\u2019 for the railway construction. Local Methodists were significant providers of welfare for railway workers. The railway opened in May 1876 and the Midland railway company built the present Chapel. Reuban Alton \u2013 converted at Bainbridge revival \u2013 laid foundation stone <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1043 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_1105-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"229\" height=\"172\" srcset=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_1105-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_1105-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_1105-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_1105-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/IMG_1105-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 229px) 100vw, 229px\" \/>for the chapel. There were 15 \u2013 20 members originally and the chapel was part of the Middleham circuit and then later from 1885, the Dent circuit.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>A significant preacher and evangelist at this time was Dick Atkinson \u2013 a local gamekeeper living in Grisedale. He died aged 40 in 1880. \u00a0The Wesleyan Chapel in Grisedale was\u00a0 built 1889 in memory<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">A revival at Hawes Junction in 1882 saw the chapel with 60 members \u00a0(35 new members).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The Methodist Union of 1932 saw the Wesleyan and Primitive circuits joined, though in some parts of the country, including East Yorkshire, a small number of Primitive Methodists \u2018continued\u2019 in their own right.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Some of the history of the Primitive Methodist (Continuing) Church can viewed <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/primitivemethodism.com\/the-primitive-methodist-continuing-church\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>. The writer of this page grew up attending <strong>Redbourne Street<\/strong> Primitive Methodist Church in Hull referred to in this article.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#page-links\">Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"Key Dates\">\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Key Dates<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">12<sup>th<\/sup> C\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aysgarth and Askrigg churches built<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1145\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jervaulx abbey established first at Fors, Bowbridge near Askrigg. 10 years later moved to present site near East Witton<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1202\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Knights Templars build preceptory south of\u00a0 Temple Farm (Penhill)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1483\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 First priest appointed in Hawes (Roman Catholic)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>1517\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Luther posts 95 Thesis on church door in Wittenberg \u2013 \u2018start\u2019 of the protestant reformation<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>1534\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Henry VIII \u2018established\u2019 Church of England and started the dissolution of the monasteries<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1620\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Probable existence of original \u2018chapel\u2019 in Hawes (on site of present Parish Church)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1652\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 George Fox (Quakers) preached near Sedbergh<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1658\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Savoy declaration (Congregationalism)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>1662\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018final revision\u2019 of Church of England Prayer Book<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Congregational church built in Ravenstonedale<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1689\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <em>Toleration Act passed in parliament giving freedom of worship (to independants)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Quakers meeting \u2018freely\u2019 in Bainbridge<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1691\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Smarber congregational chapel built in Swaledale<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">18<sup>th<\/sup> C\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Early Congregational churches built in the dales<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1735\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Benjamin Ingham travels to America with the Wesleys &#8211; first encounter with the Moravians<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1738\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <em>Methodist movement begins \u2013 John Wesley at Aldersgate<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1750\u2019s \u00a0 Inghamite Chapel built in Gayle (became Sandemanian Chapel shortly afterwards)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Evangelical revival (1750 &#8211; 1815)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1765\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Methodist minister appointed in Middleham<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1810\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Primitive Methodists meet on Mow Cop Staffordshire<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1833 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gayle Methodist Chapel Built<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1836\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Primitive Methodist Chapel built in Cotterdale<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Baptist Chapel in Thornton Rust<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1851\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hawes Congregational chapel built (Bethel)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Hawes New Parish Church built (St Margaret\u2019s) &#8211; within one year<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1856\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Hawes Methodist Chapel Built (rebuilt 1913)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1874\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Primitive Methodist Chapel built in Sedbusk<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1932\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Methodist Union \u2013 Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists United<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1972 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 United Reform Church formed between the Congregationalists and Presbyterians<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#page-links\">Back to Top<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Early Faith in the Dales &#8211; Mike Hirst<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Menu Monastic Times The Knights Templars The Parishes of Upper Wensleydale Non Conformists in the Dale The Quakers Ingamites and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-671","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Early Faith in the Dales - St Margaret&#039;s Church, Hawes<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/upperwensleydalechurch.org\/st-margarets\/early-faith-in-the-dales\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Early 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