Zion 1837 - 1937: One Hundred Years of Witness

A hundred years ago Dissenting Churches were the product of their age and sprang into being because of some inner conviction on the part of their founders. In the earlier part of the 19th Century there was a state of irreligion which challenged evangelicals both inside and outside the Established Church to get back to God and vital religion. The Church rates provided a valuable state endowment and were not abolished until 1868. Many clergy held more than one living and their parishes rarely saw the benefit of their ministry. The Dissenting Chapels became the centres of evangelical religion. Those who held convictions of truth and sought to bear witness to Christ and Him crucified, gathered themselves into Churches. It was in this way that Zion Baptist Church was founded in 1837.

Cambridge was singularly fortunate in having Charles Simeon. An evangelical of intense sincerity, he left a deep impression on the religious life of Cambridge. He was a Fellow of King's College and Vicar of Holy Trinity for 54 years. He exercised a great influence over the many undergraduates who visited him in his rooms in the Fellows' Building at King's College. Henry Battiscombe was probably among those who met Charles Simeon and came under his influence. Simeon died in 1836 and Battiscombe was admitted to King's College in 1820. He later became curate to William Farish the coadjutor of Charles Simeon which suggests that he came under Simeon's influence in College days. This would explain the conscientious sincerity and evangelical fervour of Henry Battiscombe. He also had a distinguished academic career. He received his Fellowship in 1823, his B.A. in 1825, and his M.A. in 1828, so records the University Register.

When 30 years of age, he was ordained and commenced his ministerial career at Haslingfield. He then became curate of St. Giles' and St. Peter's. It was an evangelical Church and through William Farish, the Vicar, a great influence was exercised in the Parish. Henry Battiscombe was a man of practical vision. He formed a District Visiting Society by means of which the homes of all his parishioners were systematically visited and tracts were distributed. He started Plaiting Schools for young girls and even imported large quantities of straw plait from Tuscany and Leghorn to help forward this new venture of local industry. The Sunday School was thronged and the Church was filled at all its services. He was always in earnest and supremely conscientious; his sincerity led to occasional dilemmas. For instance it was not in accord with his ideas of propriety that people, who were not themselves communicants, should stand as sponsors for children at baptism. He actually started weekly meetings for sponsors. The service of baptism for infants was another of his ritual difficulties. He could not make believe as some do, that the regeneration spoken of was a deferred benefit, held over in reserve, as it were, for moral qualification. This being so, Mr. Battiscombe was determined to resign his curacy and become a Dissenter. For this he had to forfeit his Fellowship and other pecuniary privileges since the University was only open to members of the Established Church.

He (Mr. Battiscombe) found his new spiritual home in St. Andrew's Street Baptist Church and was received into membership by profession and baptism on May 1st, 1837. Here is the extract from the church register:-

1837, May 1st. Re. W.H. Battiscombe - late fellow of King's College in this University and Curate of the Parish of St. Giles in this town, who from conscientious motives and making great pecuniary sacrifices, had recently seceded from the Established Church - and Edward Foster received into the Church by profession and baptism.

Cambridge of 1837 was very different from the Cambridge of 1937. There was a distinction between the Town and the Borough. In a report on the Borough of Cambridge dated 1831 - "The Borough of Cambridge, also called the Liberty of Cambridge, extends over 14 parishes and embraces a considerable quantity of land employed in agriculture. The Town is contained within the Borough." The Town comprised the University Colleges and residences around St. Giles church, and the commercial end of the Borough which had its centre around Stourbridge Fair, still an important event. This district was called Barnwell. Between Barnwell and the Town was a green belt comprising Parker's Piece, the Mansion House, where the Squire, Charles Humphrey lived, Christ's Pieces and Butts Green. The obvious expansion of the Town was in Barnwell district. Mr. Battiscombe had the evangelical zeal of Charles Simeon and William Farish impressed upon him, and so it is not surprising that he commenced evangelistic work at once in the rapidly growing district of Barnwell.

There were already Dissenting Chapels in Barnwell. Eden Chapel had been in existence since 1825 and there was a Wesleyan Chapel in Burleigh Row, now Fitzroy Street. This second minister of Eden Chapel was the Rev. William Allen, who resigned in 1832. For some reason unknown he founded a separate church and opened Providence Chapel in 1833. This was a Calvinistic Baptist of the same foundation as Eden Chapel. Mr. Allen and his co-Trustees mortgaged the building to Samuel Cook for £400. But Samuel Cook died in 1834 and in due course his estate was wound up and the struggling secessionist church was faced with the necessity of finding the £400 due to the executors of the late Samuel Cook. Months dragged on and what happened during the intervening negotiations we do not know. It appears that William Allen had retired from his ministry of Providence by this time, for we read of the Revd. Henry Battiscombe as minister of Providence Chapel in 1837. By this time the executors of the late Samuel Cook had foreclosed and there was no alternative but for Providence Chapel to be sold in order to find the £400 that was due. Here was a piece of fine courage. Knowing that it was a secession from Eden Chapel and that the premises were soon to be sold, Battiscombe yet undertook to shepherd this flock which were soon to be homeless. He was a man of great vision and saw beyond the clouds that seemed to threaten his flock. The blow was for him an opportunity. On June 6th 1837 providence was sold at the Red Lion Inn for £577 to three Clergymen, one of whom was the vicar of St. Andrew-the-Less. It became a church school and so the Establishment struck its first blow at the ex-Fellow of Kings. Henry Battiscombe and his co-Trustees had the balance of £177 in hand wherewith to build a new chapel for his homeless flock.

It is important to note the place which Dissenters occupied in the life of Cambridge at this time. After long years of persecution the disabilities laid upon them were removed. In 1828 the Test and Cooperation Act was repealed. In 1836 the Registration Bill was passed ensuring the legal registration of birth in Dissenting families, and of marriage in Dissenting chapels. Previous to this the only evidence of birth for Dissenters was the Family Bible. There was a growing organization among the Dissenting Denominations, and Dissenters were taking their places in public life. In a letter to the Cambridge Chronicle, dated April 15th, 1837 - "It will not be denied that in this place (Cambridge) the Dissenters are, by comparison with other towns, numerous, wealthy and influential - witness our municipal elections, nearly half the Town Council and the Mayor for this year and last belonging to that body." Ebenezer Foster, the second reform Mayor of the Borough and head of Fosters Bank, was a Baptist and a member of St. Andrew's Street. The whole family were generous and zealous for the work of God. It was evident that Mr. Battiscombe had secured the interest and support of these influential Baptists.

After the sale of Providence on June 6th, 1837, Henry Battiscombe secured at once a corner site on East Road and Petersfield from Charles Humphrey and launched his appeal for funds which was attested by the minister of St. Andrew's Street. The result was evidently satisfactory, for on October 16th, 1837, the first brick was laid by R Foster, junior, Esq. A large number of people gathered in the open air and the courageous founder preached from 1 Peter, 2:6, "Behold I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elite, precious; and he that believeth in Him shall not be confounded." In the Huntingdon, Bedford and Peterborough Gazette and Cambridge Independent Press for October 21st of that year, there appeared this comment - "The Evangelical Minister of Providence Chapel may be said to have laboured not in vain in attempting to bring sinners to repentance by means of the Gospel truth, and by successfully persuading them to cast off the works of darkness, and put upon them the whole armour of light."

It is not clear where the congregation worshipped in the meantime but some door would open to such an importunate seeker. From the Baptist Union Handbook there is given this information that a new chapel was opened on June 6th 1838, exactly a year to the day from the auction in the Red Lion Inn. This was, however, no new "Providence". Battiscombe had seized the opportunity of cutting himself from the secessionist element and at the same time building more commodious premises. This was a new Church with a new name. His text on October 16th, when the first brick was laid, had inspired it, it may be said that Zion was founded in an auction room in June 6th 1837. The establishment had bought up "Providence", but out of its ashes had risen a new church and "Zion" was to march on for a hundred years, and we hope more. In the records of old "Providence", and the new "Zion" there are names of some stalwarts who stood by their Pastor. Although his name is alone remembered, we know that without their support the venture of 1837 and the triumph of 1838 would never have been realized.

Not only was the founder an Evangelist but an Educationalist. In the School Room underneath the Chapel a Nonconformist School was started. The schoolmaster was Francis Gray, a friend of Battiscombe's Anglican days. He was also Superintendent of the Sunday School. This venture was so successful that more commodious premises were acquired in Fitzroy Street, which became later the British Schools. It is interesting to note that Dissenters were the first to educate the poor, and the British and Foreign Schools' Society was the earliest Society for this purpose. The crowded congregation necessitated the addition of galleries to the Chapel. The total cost of the whole venture was £2,016. In addition a Ministers house was provided on East Road (not the present Manse), and a burial ground in Staffordshire Street, which later gave place to the Nonconformist Burial Ground on Histon Road.

The Chapel was known at first as 'Battiscombe's Chapel'. This is significant. The whole venture was a result of his initiative and driving enthusiasm. It is not surprising then to find that there was no democratic constitution such as is common to the Baptist tradition. The property was vested in Battiscombe and money was loaned on the security of the property. When no more could be loaned on that account, Battiscombe insured his life and offered that as security. He was trained for the Established Church where the vicar then was the complete autocrat. It was a daring experiment to try and graft that conception of the Ministry on to the democratic Baptist tradition. Battiscombe did not understand that tradition. All he wanted was full scope to exercise the call within him to serve his Master. As the Church gathered strength the difference in outlook between Minister and people became more marked. One is not surprised to find that in 1845 Mr. Battiscombe resigned the Pastorate. Democracy imprisoned the spirit of a man who was born to be unfettered. His conscientious scruples must take second place in order that his spirit might be freed. He rejoined the Establishment. We should be lacking in discernment if we did not give full appreciation of his magnificent courage, his vision and enthusiasm, his evangelical zeal, his faithful devotion to his Lord. His passion for souls left its mark upon Zion and the Church still retains that evangelical note.

He lived in Cambridge on Hills Road, for three years pending his return to the Established Church. During that period he was busy with preaching, cottage meetings and visitation. His remaining career was characteristic of his restless soul. Lowestoft, Gorleston, Lock Hospital Chaplaincy, and at last St. German's Chapel, Chorlton. Doctor Scott Lidgett when a boy remembered seeing him and describes him as an 'estimable and venerable' old man. He died at Chorlton on January 13th 1871 at 70 years of age. When Mr. Battiscombe resigned there arose a very difficult legal situation. The premises were heavily mortgaged and were vested in Mr. Battiscombe. Under the providence of God, the Revd. Thomas Burdett was called from Long Sutton in 1845. A minister was needed who knew the Baptist tradition. The foundation Deeds of the Church indicate how well Mr. Burdett handled the situation. The property was vested in Trustees and founded on a constitutional basis as a Church of 'Evangelical Protestant Dissenters of the Particular Baptist Denomination holding the principles of Open Communion'. Instead of the theological foundation which later became the Strict Baptist Denomination with the Closed Communion, Mr. Burdett brought Zion into line with the larger body of Particular Baptists. As to the financial situation, we see the good hand of the Fosters and other influential people. But for their goodness and generosity it might have been that 'Zion' had gone the way of 'Providence'.

It is interesting to note how the origin of the Church has left its mark for the greater part of these hundred years. The absence of a constitutional Diaconate left the management of affairs almost entirely in the hands of the Minister. The business of the Church was done by the Church meeting. The minister wrote the minutes and conducted the business of the Church. The finances were looked after by a small committee of three, more or less self-appointed, one of whom was not even a member of the Church. The transition to a full Baptist democracy was to be a gradual one. The period of Mr. Burdett's Ministry saw a serious decline and the membership dropped from 200 to 74. There are other hints, which indicate how unsettled the church was. But Mr. Burdett took the long view and laid a sound foundation for the future without binding irksome restrictions upon posterity. It was for others to build upon that foundation. Mr. Burdett resigned in 1848 on his removal to Saffron Walden. The Revd. Charles Thomas Keen (junior) was called to the Ministry of the Church in 1848. He was a son of the Manse and showed all the qualities of a devoted Pastor. The tide began to flow again and the membership steadily increased. His Ministry was chiefly marked by practical constructive effort. The earliest minute book extant was commenced by Mr. Keen. Church Rules were formulated. They were simple but very exacting as to Christian conduct. Those who applied for membership had to give ample evidence of their faith, the men having to testify to the Church meeting, while visitors were appointed to report concerning the women. There were no provisions in the rules for administrative machinery. On October 6, 1849 Mr. Francis Gray died at his home in Victoria Street. For twelve years he had been Superintendent of the British Schools. Up to this time it had been Francis Gray's Sunday School. The following year we read these significant minutes - "the Church resolved to take the Sabbath School under its wing, the Superintendent having been taken away by death". Mr. Keen had seized the opportunity of consolidating another piece of work. The tablet in the present schools room bears testimony to the esteem in which Francis Gray was held.

The same year a committee of Managements was set up which consisted of seven men. These were to be on probation for twelve months to see if they were qualified to become deacons. Thus another stage in the constitutional development took place. The church was developing a sense of responsibility but so far it was badly disciplined. One reads of attacks on the Pastor. There was a restive and critical element and yet, the church, after repeatedly being urged by the Pastor to appoint deacons, refused to do so. In spite of this unsettled state of affairs, Mr. Keen undertook some repairs to the buildings. The church was unwilling to shoulder the debt which was thus incurred and wanted to make Mr. Keen personally responsible, even after he had resigned the Pastorate. In 1852 he removed to Regent Street, Lambeth, after barely four years Ministry, but years packed with real constructive effort. Three years later the church invited him to return to Zion. He refused, but afterwards believed that he ought to have accepted. When he retired it was to Cambridge, where he served the churches and saw the church, which he loved grow from strength to strength.

During the next five years there were two Ministries. The Revd. Joseph Burton, of Great Grimsby, an ex-missionary, became the minister in 1852 and stayed but two years. Then after an interregnum of eighteen months, the Revd. Francis Johnstone of Edinburgh came with great promise, but after eighteen months ministry he returned to Glasgow. During this period several significant things happened. Before Mr. Burton became minister, the long delayed election of Deacons took place and five were elected in 1852. When Mr. Johnstone became Minister the members undertook to guarantee his stipend of £170 by penny a week subscriptions and other means. So, the unsettled period of five years had really developed the sense of responsibility in the church. Two other things happened during this period. In the first interregnum Mr. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, then a lad of eighteen years of age, took the week evening lectures. A minute records the church's thanks. So Zion helped in the apprenticeship of the great preacher. The other event was that Mr. George Ebenezer Foster bought the house next door in 1853 for the use of the Minister. It was built in 1842 as a private residence, but being adjacent to the Chapel, was highly suitable and was adapted as a Minister's residence. It was held by the church at a peppercorn rent until 1923.

The first growing pains of the church were passed, and God sent to Zion a man who could nurture the growing community in the Revd. John Keed, who came from Chatteris in 1857. The following year the 21st anniversary of the church was celebrated. Charles Haddon Spurgeon came and preached one sermon at St. Andrew's Street Baptist Chapel when a collection was made for the debt, which was cleared off in this majority year. Mr. Keed was kind and sincere with a particular liking for children and a distinct ability for preaching to young people. He is the earliest Minister whom those alive in 1937 can remember. During the period of his Ministry the membership steadily climbed until it was actually doubled. This was the beginning of a period of steadily increasing prosperity, which lasted for 50 years. The church was rapidly reaching a place in the life of the denomination and the town. Distinguished preachers were secured for the anniversaries - the Revd. Baptist Noel, another convert from the Established Church, Lord Teynham and others. Mr. Keed was obviously an organizer. He got a Visitation Committee appointed. Finances were better organized. Instead of the quarterly collection, weekly collections were started for the first time. He was dissatisfied with the condition of the church records, and started a new book in which he carefully collected the information extant concerning the history of the church. Unfortunately documents referred to in Mr. Keed's preamble cannot now be traced. The minutes of the church were written by Mr. Keed in writing, which was at the same time beautiful, stylish and legible. In all the records of the church there are no minutes before or since which are so rich in interest and so informative as those of Mr. Keed. They reveal the deep devotion and spirituality of the Minister. He was equally concerned for the condition of the premises. Renovations and repairs were carried out including the re-pewing and ventilation of the Chapel. This was a progressive Ministry and during the nine years of his leadership the church had learnt to step out. Mr. Keed was the forerunner for the greater enterprise which was to follow. He received and accepted a call to Acton in 1886.

The interregnum was not long, for in three months a call was sent to the Rev. John P Campbell, who was Minister of Portmahon, Sheffield. He accepted and commenced in Cambridge what must have been his life work. He was a man with a large family and a social disposition which stood him in good stead for the work he had to do. By this time there had developed in the Church a strong and trustworthy body of people. The principle feature of his Ministry was the phenomenal development of the Sunday School. After his first five years the numbers crept up from 290 to 500. The afternoon service had been abolished during Mr. Keed's Ministry and the Bible Classes took their place. There was no dearth of leaders and these classes so increased that they had to be held in different parts of the town. A separate service for children was started and the numbers quickly rose from 60 to 280. Expansion became a pressing problem and demanded resolute handling. In 1867 the Cottage No.1 East Road, was bought and converted into classrooms. This was soon inadequate and the Sunday School began to press for bolder measures. Zion was faced with a great opportunity, and Campbell was the man to seize it, and he had the people behind him to back him up. At last in 1876 the Building Committee recommended the building of a new Chapel and converting the existing chapel into Schools. The Church accepted the recommendation and pledged their support, but estimates were not to be sought until half the probable amount required was promised. Things began to move very rapidly now. Numbers 2 and 3 East Road were purchased and later number 4. A magnificent site was thus secured in the more residential part of Barnwell. Much of the land around was being developed for building, and it seemed that Zion would soon be in the midst of a growing neighbourhood. A bold scheme was demanded and the Church did not fail on this day of opportunity. When the appeal was made the response in the Town was immediate. There were four gifts of £500 each, and from all over the County and Country subscriptions came in for the unique venture of building a new Chapel to make room for the Sunday School. The architect was Mr. W Peachey of York, and the builders were Messrs. Thoday & Son, of Cambridge. The stone was laid on October 2nd, 1877, by J J Colman Esq. MP. Finally the great building was opened on January 1st 1879, by the Rev. Hugh Stowell Brown, President of the Baptist Union. The old Chapel was then converted into Schools. This was completed in 1881 when a Thanksgiving Service was held. Among those who spoke at that service was the Rev. CT Keen. How great his joy to see his earlier labours so crowned. The total amount raised and spent was £7,139. One significant item reveals the part played by the Minister, Mr. Campbell. In travelling expenses no less than £21 was spent by him. It represents the indefatigable energy and love which he gave so lavishly for this child of his dreams. The Chapel remains a monument of his industry, for it was indeed a life work, and left him spent in health and exhausted in spirit. Like so many who have accomplished a super-human effort he became unable to enter into its fruits. It was a cruel necessity that he should have to lay down the reins, and if he felt it keenly at the time, having passed to his reward, he just now know how wise it was. He resigned in 1883.

If the gigantic task of building the new Chapel had left Mr. Campbell a spent man, it had given stature and virility to the Church. Influential persons were being attracted to her membership. The Bible Classes under saintly leaders of distinct personality, were bringing forward young men and women of energy and enterprise. The class for young women led by Ald. E C young, was an outstanding feature of this work among young people. A Church of such vigour had great possibilities, but it needed strong and wise leadership to direct the uprising enthusiasm into useful service. During the interregnum there were significant developments. The first revision of Rules of the Church since 1859 took place. The first rules were more of a covenant of membership and expressed the true Baptist position that God directed His church best when the spiritual life was at its maximum. Now we find that the Rules begin to contain elements which were designed to govern the administrative life of the Church. Since 1867 there had been no election of Deacons and the office was regarded as a permanency. Now a limit of 9 years service was fixed, with an election every three years. The Minister and Deacons became a much stronger governing body and the appointment of Secretary and Treasurer was made their responsibility. The first Church Secretary was Mr. E Pink, who as a young man figured with his father on a Committee in 1850. Mr. Campbell was the last Minister to write the Church minutes, hereafter the Secretary was to write them.

A call was given to the Rec. H Frank Griffin of Crewe. He accepted and commenced his Ministry on December 6th, 1884. Is was a very different Church to that left by Mr. Campbell. The wise and strong leadership needed at this time was given by Mr. Griffin. He was alert and straight forward, and if his directness of speech hit hard, it was blended with a good heart and a ready service which endeared him to many. During his Ministry the Sunday School went forward by leaps and bounds. The members mounted up to 680 in 1891 and 1892, the peak years for the whole of its history. Zion Sunday School was considered the premier Sunday School in the town. Every Easter the nonconformist Sunday Schools met in the Guildhall and the premier School occupied the orchestra. This was Zion's privilege, and from this position of vantage they led the singing. The membership of the Church was also exceeding all known records. One of the first tasks which fell to the new Minister was the organisation of the Jubilee of the Church in 1887. The occasion was fittingly celebrated by the installation of a new pipe organ. It was in the tradition of Zion that the whole of the money was to be secured before the organ was put in. The Borough organist, Mr. F Deberry, advised the committee and superintended the erection of the organ, which was built by Mt. J Parritt of Leicester, at a cost of £515. At the opening Mr. Dewberry gave the first recital. At the evening meeting Mr. W Bond J.P. presided and the speakers were the Revs. JT Wigner, J Aldis, and JH Shakespeare M.A. The Sunday School took part in the Jubilee celebrations, by organising an Industrial Exhibition. No Church and Sunday School could have achieved more in fifty years. It had been a difficult task but Zion had won through.

It was essential that the young life should be used and under the wise leadership of Mr. Griffin two ventures were made. In 1880 a Mission Room was bought in the Newmarket Road, which was to become the Newmarket Road Mission. In 1891 a Christian Endeavour was commenced, and four years later a Junior Christian Endeavour. The C.E. movement was then ten years old and was spreading rapidly. These two developments did much to direct the energy of a vigorous Church into channels of useful service. Mr. Griffin was consistent, devoted and a good organiser, and there is every evidence that he established the Church on the firm foundation which was needed. After twelve year Ministry he brought his pastorate to a close in June 1896. A review of the years reveals that the decision was God's will, for there was to open up a period of amazing prosperity and God had his man ready for the task.

the man of God's choice was the Rev. W Bampton Taylor, of Chesham, who accepted the invitation of the Church in October 1897. Although a good foundation had been laid, there was not much outward evidence of spiritual power. But Mr. Taylor had received God's call and judged not by outward appearances. God knew best what Zion needed, and had set His seal on the heart of this man, and a brilliant Ministry was ushered in. Mr. Taylor preached an evangelical message and had the happy gift of presenting the Truth of God simply. he always got his message home, and the people remembered what he said. The monthly Evangelistic Services were started with immediate results. We must remember that Mr. Taylor came to Zion at the crest of the Victorian era. It was a prosperous period and Cambridge had a goodly share of that prosperity. The Church was the people's chief interest, and for most people there was no alternative. The foundation laid by Mr. Griffin began to bear fruit. He had trained young people for service and young men went out into the villages as a preaching band. The village anniversaries were always well supported by the young people from Zion. It was natural therefore that the large number who came to work in Cambridge should come to Zion. The empty seats began to fill and the Monthly Services became one of the features of Cambridge. One can imagine the spectacle of a Church disgorging nearly a thousand people on a Sunday evening. A Minister with such popular gifts could hardly escape such phenomenal success under such favourable circumstances.

Mr. Taylor was essentially a Preacher and a Pastor. The problems of administration in such a large Church weighed heavily on his gentle and sensitive spirit. But had had a body of Deacons possessing considerable ability, many holding positions of influence n the Town, and he left the management of affairs in their hands. The membership at this time was mounting up to 500. In such a large Church there were many men of ability and ideas. The Church had become an active democracy whose voice had become vigorously articulate. The spirit of youth struggling to life, making demands, seeking to guide the destiny of the Church. The Newmarket Road Mission had become a flourishing unit with a distinctive character. There terminated during Mr. Talyor's Ministry a remarkable partnership in Sunday School work. Mr. Frank Ward and Mr. Walter Giles were in harness as Superintendent and Secretary for 20 years. The partnership was broken in 1904 with the resignation of Mr. Ward, and the following year of Mr. Giles. It must be remembered that a Deacon was elected for the long period of nine years, and with an election only every three years there was very little opportunity for younger men to hold office. Instead of the business being done by the Church meeting as in former days, it was now mostly dealt with by the Diaconate. It was almost inevitable that young enthusiasts had much to say at Church meetings, and equally inevitable that the Deacons, who had long experience, should sometimes reject the counsel of younger members of the Church. A frustrated enthusiasm can become criticism. Almost imperceptibly there developed a critical element in the Church. While Mr. Taylor gathered the material for a powerful Church there seemed to grow a rift which made it difficult to harness the leaders and the members together in the service of the kingdom of God.

Nothing could detract from the splendour of Mr. Taylor's work. His services were sought far and wide, and it is not surprising to find he received a call to another Church in 1907. Zion had endeared herself to him, however, and he declined the invitation. The remaining years, however, had several difficulties. There was lack of understanding between the Church and the Newmarket Road Mission, and that fine piece of pioneer work passed out of the Church's hands. Then there was an error of nearly 150 in the membership roll which Mr. Taylor took to heart. It occurred before he commenced his Ministry and it was a grief to him that it should be corrected while he was still at Zion, since the membership would then show a decline instead of in reality a marked increase. When the call came from Worthing in 1910, he accepted and a great Ministry was brought to a close.

It needed a closely knit unity at the heart of the Church to consolidate the rapid development of the last 10 years. But that inward strength was impaired by threatened divisions and it seemed that the Church had outgrown its strength. When the Rev. R Foster Jeffrey accepted the call in 1911 he had the difficult task of drawing together divergent elements and at the same time consolidating a large Church. One of the permanent features which arose from his Ministry was the Women's meeting which was started by his daughter Sister Violet. It was just that sort of work which was needed to consolidate the people gathered by Mr. Taylor. The other aspect of Mr. Jeffrey's task presented greater difficulties. The divergence of outlook between the Officers and the critical element in the Church was now much more marked. It happened that the Sunday School was the organisation where many of the potential leaders of the Church were working. At last the growing rift became crystallised in one particular issue. It seemed that neither side were able to bridge the gulf and find common ground of agreement. Finally vital decisions were made which resulted in a break and part of the Church seceded. Such a thing ought not to have happened in a Baptist Church, for one of the Principles of our order is that the authority of the Church is the Will of Christ made manifest in the Church meeting. There is a meeting place for all diverse opinions in the mind of Christ, but it needs humble and selfless souls to come and kneel at His feet. Unity in Church life is only gained by humble obedience to Jesus Christ, the One Head of the Church.

It seemed that the conflict in Zion was the prelude to the terrible conflict of the Great War of 1914. But for that international disaster, Zion might have recovered herself and built afresh. The promising manhood nurtured under Mr. Griffin and Mr. Taylor were drawn to the battle fields from whence so few returned. Of those who did return it was to the memory of a troubled Church and many of those were lost to Zion. The team of Deacons which had held together for so long now began to break up. An attenuated Church had a very difficult future to face. Mr. Jeffrey concluded his Ministry in 1915.

There was an interregnum of eighteen months which enabled the Church to recover from the double shock, gauge her strength and see more clearly for the future. In 1916 the Church called the Rev. Edward Milnes, from Victoria Park, East London. The task was not an easy one, but Mr. Milnes had had experience in Lancashire and London and there is no doubt that he was God's man for the task. He was a strong personality with an energetic way of handling whatever he put his hands to. He had also a personal touch and his ability to make friends served him in the delicate task which lay before him. A tribute should be paid to this Minister, who with a war in progress, undertook such a task. He was not daunted, however, for he had faith in God which his past experience had proved would not fail.

The people who had left Zion formed themselves into a Church in Eden Street called "The Prospect". It did not however become affiliated to either the Cambs. Baptist Association or to the Baptist Union. After seven years the first enthusiasm had found its level and it became difficult to maintain the work. moreover the old Church pulled, and the memory of golden days began to break through the clouds. There was a new spirit and none gave expression to that spirit better than the Minister of Zion, Mr. Milnes. After four years Ministry his brotherliness had in itself become an open door. The re-union became an accomplished fact on July 4th 1920, when thirty members were given the Right Hand of Fellowship around the Lord's Table. A spokesman of those who returned said, "we have come home, and we are glad to come home." The appropriate words of Philip James Bailey were recorded in the minutes:
We love in deeds, no years; in thoughts, not breaths; in feelings, not in figures on a dial. We should count time by heart throbs. He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best. Life's but a means to an end; that end beginning, mean, and end of all things - GOD."

Because the Spirit was lacking the Church was rent, but because the Spirit had come back again the Church was healed. Surely history is worthwhile if was can learn that a Church is vitally dependent upon the high quality of her spiritual life.

Although by this time the war had ended Zion, like many another Church, found that the men did not return to the Churches. Maybe many did not know of the new beginning and remembered only too vividly the jagged ends of 1913. It was a plain fact that the Church had lost irretrievably, much of her strength. Those that remained, were determined to work together. If Mr. Milnes had had to face the depressed years of the War, he was able to enjoy the prosperous years which followed. It seemed that Zion was going to recover herself. Baptisms were constant and numerous. Considerable sums of money were being raised for renovation work. In 1928 No.1 Petersfield was given outright to the Church under the Will of the late Mr. Charles Finch Foster. It had been used by the Minister at a peppercorn rent for 70 years. in 1925 Mr. Milnes bought almost a decade of fine constructive work to an end and he removed to Rochester at the call of the Church there.

Looking back we find that in national life the prosperity was short-lived. it was likewise so in Zion. The tide was running out and the last decade of the Church's century was to encounter unprecedented difficulties in Church life. The Rev. J McCleery received the call in 1926 to leave the Church at Hitchin and become Minister of Zion. He was within three years of his retirement and from the commencement it was to be a short Ministry, although the Church hoped that it would be longer. Mr. McCleery was a man of great charm and his gracious personality endeared him to a great host of people. Nobody could have captured the heart of Zion in so short a time as he did. Two important events happened at Zion during Mr. McCleery's Ministry. The Jubilee of the Cambs. Baptist Association was held at Zion in 1928. Then in 1929 came the Jubilee of building the New Chapel. The preacher was the Rev. Evan Williams, who was supported by the Rev. E Milnes.

These were changing years. The war had shaken the foundations of life and almost everything was passing through the travail of re-birth. Forces were being released which were no longer anchored to the pre-war religious beliefs of the Church. Depression and unemployment had shaken men's faith in Christian brotherhood. Modern thought had undermined faith in God for a host of people. The post-war generation were in their teens and thinking for themselves, and thinking differently. Zion was about to enter the biggest test of her history. The that lay before her was to reshape herself so that by the vigour of her faith and the sincerity of her life, she could take part in guiding the destinies of a new world. For just on four years a good Man of God had healed the wounds of the Church by his gracious sincerity. But he knew, and God knew, that another was to face the task of the future. In 1929 came Mr. McCleery's retirement after ten years service as a Minister of God. He received the home call in 1932 but his name will live on for ever in the Churches he has served and in the men and women he has blest.

There followed a long interregnum of two years. A period of uncertainty which the Church could ill afford. At last God called the present Minister, the 13th in succession of the Ministers of the Word. The Rev. Vellum Pitts came from Retford and commenced his Ministry in 1931. It is impossible to write the history of the present and no more can be done than to conclude this story of a hundred years with an impression.

Zion has a twofold legacy, the memory of a glorious epoch and a great building. And yet both of these things can be either a liability or a challenge. Zion no longer stands in the residential part of Barnwell. The expansion of the town has created new areas of residence in what were the fields and by-paths of years ago. The district of East Road has been cleared of its large families which have been settled in housing estates especially provided. The Sunday School has shown a steady decline for lack of children in the district. The congregation is drawn from every part and every boundary of the Borough. We believe, however, there is a future for Zion. not the replica of the past epoch, but a glory hammered out of the present. we believe this because we believe in God and all things are possible to Him. The evangelical witness has never deserted this Church and that is her strength. Her Ministers have never failed to confront people with their need of God's redeeming Grace. A the future begins to be clarified, we see the infinite possibilities of the power of God working through a people who are knit together in whole-hearted service for the kingdom of God, and whose lives are guided and energised by Him. While we pay our tribute to the past, we remember that a Centenary commences the future. In 1937 we enter our 101st year. We record this story as faithfully as we can, in order that we may remind ourselves of our inheritance. Humbly we take up the torch of our forebears that we, in God's Name and by His power, may use it to light the way for the world in which we live. The task is a great one but it can be accomplished. God has called us to the Kingdom for such a time as this. "In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, let not thine hands be slack. The Lord Thy God in he midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing." (Zephaniah 3:16-17)