Winsham-Record of Ministers and events surrounding their appointment-1791-1927 |
The Rev John Hemsworth was succeeded by the Revd Harrington who
continued the pastor for some years, when circumstances necessitated his
removal. In 1810 the Rev Wm
Durnford from Plymouth Dock took the charge, and the cause became a very
flourishing one. The old
Chapel being found too small and inconvenient, a new one was built in
1811 together with a dwelling house for the Minister adjoining, and a
piece of ground behind the Chapel was given for a garden for the
Minister by Mr Hugh Trenchard of Maudlin.
During Mr Durnford’s pastorate, several new Chapels were built in
the neighbourhood, and the congregation at Winsham, which crowded the
Chapel when first erected, declined considerably in consequence: many of
the members, and others, attaching themselves to the new places, as
nearer their own residences.
Mr Durnford died in 1829 and was succeeded in 1830 by the Rev
Thos Childs of Mevagissey, who was in delicate health when he came and
lived only till 1832.
The Revd. John Wells of Lambrook became the next Minister in 1832, and
continued till 1836. The
cause had now dwindled down to a very low ebb, and as a change of
Minister was considered desirable, Mr Wells was requested to leave, and
in 1837 the Revd David Evans from Stringstone Somerset succeeded him.
Mr Evans continued here till 1859 when he was afflicted with an
illness which confined him to his bed for six months, and left him in
such a shattered state of health, that it was suggested to him to
resign, which he did. The
cause still continued in a dead and lifeless state during the whole of
Mr Evans’ residence here, and the congregation very small.
After Mr Evans, the Revd John Cooke Westbrook was called to the
pastorate at Michaelmas 1859 and filled the office until Xmas 1861, when
he resigned the charge in consequence of ill health.
He was a delicate man, and totally unfit to combat with the mass
of sin and error which for so long a time had been accumulating in this
place. There was, however,
a little sign of revival during his ministry, and a slight increase in
the congregation. At his
suggestion this book was bought and all the records of the church, and
other entries made in it up to this time but he quite neglected to keep
it up and all the transactions during his ministry were obtained and
entered after he left. In
February 1862 the Rev W. Gooby late of In
January 1865 the Rev Thomas M Prentice, of
November 1892 the Rev J Hall began his pastorate which lasted until Mr
Fred Wm King was appointed Evangelist and began his work on Mr
H Hammond was appointed on
Nov 5th 1905 Mr Weardale Phillips commenced his ministry;
further particulars in printed reports and minutes, was ordained after
passing County Union Exam and left for Enfield, after closing his
ministry here Feb 24th 1907.
April 1914 Mr W J Gadsby removed from Kingsdon and Ilchester to take up
his work here and remained until February 1918 when he left to take the
pastorate of Bishops Hull, Mr
W Williams removed from Kingsdon and Ilchester on Mr
H J Haggett commenced duties here on |