Nonconformity in Elstow

Elstow Moot Hall, used for some years by the Bunyan Meeting

History of Registration of Nonconformist Meetings

In 1672 Charles II issued a Declaration of Toleration for Protestants dissenting from the Church of England; this had the effect of some dissenting meeting houses registering with the Secretary of State. The Toleration Act of 1689 enshrined the right of protestants to dissent from the Church of England and, once again, encouraged meeting houses to register voluntarily with local quarter sessions and Anglican church. Registration provided protection against persecution, laying a duty of protection upon magistrates and so was popular with nonconformists. Most registrations were made with quarter sessions until the middle of the 18th century, presumably due to the mutual antagonism of nonconformists and established Church. However, from that point registration with the Church, via the local archdeaconry began to become the favoured method, because the archdeaconry Registrar would issue a licence at any time rather than during the days each quarter when the quarter sessions met.

Bedfordshire & Luton Archives & Records Service has a reasonable number of registrations of nonconformist meeting houses in both the Quarter Sessions and Archdeaconry of Bedford archives. Registration continued through the 19th century even though persecution faded away - this was because registered buildings were allowed to claim exemption from parish poor rates, were exempt from control by the Charity Commission and were allowed to be licensed to carry out marriages. These things meant that registration became almost compulsory in practice for well established nonconformist meetings. This is fortunate for the local historian because sometimes the only surviving references to a nonconformist meeting occur as registrations. One drawback with the registrations are that they do not usually inform the reader of the particular type of denomination involved, though sometimes it is possible to infer it from other evidence.

Early Elstow Registrations

Bedfordshire & Luton Archives & Records Service has six separate registrations for Elstow, the first being that of the dwelling house of William Maulden, wheelwright in 1754 by Joseph Freelove and John Mays, both of Bedford [ABN1/1 and ABN2/7]. Another 18th century registration is that of the house of Samuel Goodman by Goodman himself, William Berrill, Jonathan Negus and John Risley in 1792 [ABN1/1 and ABN2/70]. In 1814 the house in occupation of John Goodman was registered by John Dean of Bedford, minister [ABN1/1 and ABN2/164], this was probably a Wesleyan Methodist meeting, suggesting that Samuel Goodman's may also have been of that persuasion.

Bunyan Memorial Hall in 1910 [Z209/95/78]

Bunyan Meeting

A registration of 1812 simply states "Green House" [ABN1/1], which was, in fact the Moot Hall and was occupied by the Bunyan Meeting before construction of the later building next to the school in 1910.

In 1836 the house occupied by George Smith was registered by Smith himself, William Ansell, George Goddard, Edward Thomlinson, Ann Noraway, Samuel Smith and Ann Halyer [ABN1/2 and ABN2/311]. In 1850 the house and premises in occupation of William Ansill [perhaps the William Ansell of the 1836 registration] was registered by Samuel Smith, George Smith, householder and Thomas Pointer, householder [ABN1/2 and ABN2/419]. The name Pointer or Poynter came to be associated with the Bunyan Memorial Hall in later years

A Bunyan Meeting in Elstow was registered by the senior minister, John Jukes of Dame Alice Street, Bedford in 1860. Between 1812 and 1910 years the members of the church worshipped on the upper floor of the Moot Hall. In 1910 the Bunyan Memorial Hall, on a site next to the village school, was built. The foundation stone was laid on 20 May and the building was opened on 27 Oct that year. The site was given by the Whitbread family. The building has a three layered stained glass window depicting scenes from Pilgrim's Progress.

Bunyan Memorial Hall in September 2007

Bunyan Meeting Sources

- Z209/64: scrapbook by wife of Superintendent of Sunday School on his work: 1884-1892;
- Z209/55: Sunday School admission register: 1890-1932;
- Z209/66a: scrapbook by wife of Superintendent of Sunday School on his work: 1890-1897;
- BY16/4/23: Sunday School library register: 1890-1912;
- Z209/57: Superintendent's register of teachers' and scholars' attendances: 1891-1912;
- Z209/65: scrapbook by wife of Superintendent of Sunday School on his work: 1892-1897;
- BY16/4/12: tenancy agreement for Moot Hall: 1895;
- X373/585: photograph of upper floor of Moot hall when used by Bunyan Meeting for services: c.1900;
- BY16/4/14: Band of Hope attendance register: 1906-1923;
- Z209/59b: scrap book: 1907;
- BY16/4/13: two hymn tunes composed by Thomas Hands: 1910;
- CDE14/1-7: plans and elevations of new Bunyan Memorial Hall: 1910;
- CRT180/326 and CRT170/4/15: account of laying of foundation stone of new meeting: 20 May 1910;
- X373/586-587: photographs of foundation stone laying: 1910;
- X373/588: photograph of opening of Memorial Hall: 1910;
- Z209/62: papers on the building: 1910-1963;
- Z209/95/78: photograph of Bunyan Memorial Hall: 1910
- Z50/142/135: photograph of Sunday School: 1911;
- Z209/58: Superintendent's register of teachers' and scholars' attendances: 1913-1926;
- BY16/4/1: treasurer's ledger: 1925-1945;
- Z209/59a: Superintendent's register of teachers' and scholars' attendances: 1926-1932;
- BY16/4/8: Order of Service for Bunyan's Tercentenary: 1928;
- BY16/4/6: church calendar and year book: 1932;
- BY16/4/3: Sunday School Clothing Club register: 1934-1962;
- BY16/4/15: Sunday School club register: 1939-1949;
- Z209/61: notes on Communicant Church Members' Group and Junior Members' Group: 1939-1941;
- BY16/4/11: cash book: 1942-1945;
- BY16/4/4: church balance sheets: 1944-1955;
- Z209/56: Sunday School admission register: 1945-1946;
- BY16/4/2: treasurer's ledger: 1945-1973;
- BY16/4/16: Sunday School club register: 1949-1960;
- BY16/4/18: photograph of meeting: c.1950;
- BY16/4/9: programme celebrating 50th anniversary of Elstow meeting: 1960;
- BY16/4/19: programme for public tea to celebrate 50th anniversary of building: 1960;
- BY16/4/24: programme for public tea to celebrate 50th anniversary of building: 1960;
- BY16/4/20: programme for carol concert: 1960;
- BY16/4/17: Sunday School class registers: 1961-1963;
- BY16/4/10: miscellaneous correspondence: 1962-1966;
- BY16/4/5: leaflet adsvertising autumn bazaar: 1963;
- By16/4/21: stewardship leaflet: 1963;
- Z209/60: Diploma of Honour from National Sunday School Union & Christian Youth Service to Percy William Townsend for 32 years service: 1964;
- BY16/4/22: list of services: c.1965;
- BY16/4/7: Elstow & Kempston leaflet: 1966