History of Lynton URC

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH LYNTON

The Parish Church of St Mary's was for centuries the only place of worship serving Lynton and Lynmouth. Not until 1831 was there a Nonconformist presence in the town. In that year a Mr Mortlock, a London china merchant, bought a cottage opposite the parish church (where the Old Bank House now stands) and began holding evangelical meetings there. In 1835 the small group of Nonconformists erected a small chapel on Lydiate Lane (now a house known as Mole End), but this does not seem to have remained open for very long.

In the 1840s the Rev. John O’Neil, an Irish Nonconformist and retired missionary to the Jews, came with his family to live at Gothic Cottage in Lynmouth (the Corner House Restaurant now stands on the site). In or about 1845 he built a wooden church, known locally as ‘The Ark’, in his garden and began conducting services there. It seems that the lords of the manor compelled Mr. O’Neil to dismantle this wooden church.

John O`Neil`s small group were determined not to be beaten. They began holding Christian services at the house of Thomas Geen, a builder living in the hamlet of Middleham, just above Lynmouth (the hamlet was destroyed in the 1952 disaster).

In 1847 this group of Nonconformists decided to build a small church near the bottom of Sinai Hill, close to what was then the centre of Lynton. The devotion and generosity of local residents such as Thomas Geen, Mr Collard, of Combe Park, and Mr Mansell of Rock Lodge, helped to carry this ambitious project to completion. It is interesting to note that listed among the six original trustees of the church were William Day Wills and Henry Overton Wills, proprietors of the famous Bristol firm of tobacco manufacturers.

Lynton was packed for the opening of the new church in August 1850. Visitors came from far and near in carriages and carts to see the Rev. Baptist Noel, a ‘truly apostolic man’, perform the opening service. So many stayed for the luncheon afterwards that it had to be eaten out in the open.

This was a Congregational church, though in its early days it was usually known as the ‘Independent Church’, emphasising the fact that it was an autonomous local church. Its fortunes fluctuated. There were periods of packed congregations, but at other times there was difficulty in providing a minister to fill the pulpit and its future seemed in doubt.

The fortunes of the little church revived in the late 1860s when Isaiah Jupe, a silk mill owner from Mere in Wiltshire arrived in Lynton. This wealthy man met and became engaged to one of Mr Collard`s daughters, a young lady who happened to be a Sunday school teacher at the Sinai Hill church. Isaiah Jupe and his bride were the first couple to be married in the church. Although they subsequently lived in Wiltshire, they gave generous financial support to the Sinai Hill church, enabling a full-time minister to be engaged. The Jupes also founded and funded a British School in Lynton, this Nonconformist day school having close links with the Congregational Church and providing an alternative to the education available at the Church of England School. The British School occupied the little building on Lydiate Lane that had begun life as a Nonconformist church and had afterwards been used as a barn. It sometimes had as many as ninety pupils. Imagine how cramped the schoolroom must have been!

Unfortunately, in 1880 Mr Jupe had to withdraw his support due to financial problems at his mill. The school closed in 1884 due to lack of funds. Church membership began to dwindle and when the Rev. Ingram resigned in 1894 the church closed for a time.

Fortunately there was still at least one dedicated member of the congregation. This lady made a special journey to visit the Secretary of the North Devon Union and plead for help. The Union decided that Lynton was worthy of support and decided to appoint a new minister. The Rev. Frederick Astbury toiled tirelessly to revive the spirits of old members and to win new converts. The Rev. W. Jordan, his successor in 1902, continued the good work.

Lynton in 1859. The first Congregational Church (opened 1850) can be seen to the right and just above the Crown Hotel.

Yet the inconvenient position of the church on Sinai Hill had begun to hamper the work. When first built it had occupied a central position in the old village, but once Lynton began to expand towards the Valley of Rocks, it seemed tucked away in a backwater.

So in 1903 the Congregationalists decided to raise funds to build a new church in a more central position. Bob Jones, a local builder and member of the congregation, offered a small plot of land on Lee Road, which was fast becoming the main axis of the town. Sir George Newnes, the wealthy publisher who had a mansion on Hollerday Hill, was then approached for a donation. Sir George was never a man to do things by halves! He said that he would give the money for a building plot three times larger. His generosity did not stop there, for he also offered to pay for a large church to be built in a continental timbered style, similar to the town hall he had recently given Lynton. It seems he intended this church to be a memorial to his father, who had been a Congregational minister at Matlock Bath in Derbyshire.

The Rev. R. J. Campbell and Sir George Newnes leaving the Congregational Church on Lee Road after the opening service in August 1904.

The new church was opened in August 1904. The Rev. R.J. Campbell of the City Temple, London preached the opening service and Congregationalists from Devon and beyond joined together for the service of thanksgiving and dedication. The church flourished and in 1930 local people raised the funds to enable a schoolroom to be built next to the church. It was opened in January 1931.

There have been some important changes in more recent years. In 1972 the Congregational Church in England and Wales joined with the Presbyterian Church in England to form the United Reformed Church, and in 1981 the Churches of Christ of Great Britain and Ireland also entered into union. So our church is now known as the Lynton United Reformed Church. In 1998 the local Methodist church closed and we have been pleased to welcome Lynton Methodists to our services.

Our church membership is still fairly small in number. We are deeply grateful for any gifts placed in the Joash Chest and the Missionary Box at the rear of the church, and assure you it gives us real encouragement in our labours for our Lord and Master.

We pray for all those who visit our church and trust that you will find a quiet peace and be enriched in soul as you worship with us.

JOHN TRAVIS