Friday 7 August 2015

Some of our forgotten Chorlton people part 2 ............ another story from Tony Goulding

The expansion of Chorlton-cum-Hardy's population during the closing decades of the 19th century saw a proliferation of other denominations this selection of some more stories of Chorlton Clerics reflects this.

REV ABRAHAM DE VLIEGER
(Wilbraham Rd. St.Ninians Presbyterian)

Rev.A.De Vlieger was appointed at a church meeting in the Masonic Hall, Edge Lane, 14/7/1904. He presided over the congregation's move to their own purpose built church, on Wilbraham Rd. in 1908 only to pass away less than 6 months later

Anti-Dutch sentiment, arising out of the perceived support given by The Netherlands to the Boers of South Africa during the war of 1899 -- 1902,was rife in this period.

The hatred was even expressed at a church synod in May 1905  which . Dr. De Vlieger bravely combated head on with an impassioned speech reported in the “Manchester Courier --------" on May 6th.  In view of this hostility, it is remarkable with how much affection and esteem Dr. Abraham was regarded by the members of his church; judging by the wording and grandeur of his memorial tablet

REV. JOHN BEDFORD
(EX-PRESIDENT OF THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE)

This distinguished cleric passed away in the afternoon of November 20 1879 at 18, Whitelow Rd. Born in Wakefield, West Yorkshire on 27th July 1810 and educated there before going to Leeds, where he originally studied for a law career.

Switching to training for the ministry his first appointment was in Glasgow in 1831.For a few years he travelled widely preaching all over England, finally becoming established in Manchester where he held appointments at first the Grosvenor St. then the Irwell St. Chapels as well as acting as secretary of the Chapel Fund from 1860 until 1872 when his active ministry ended .In retirement he still had an active role in both church and community affairs.
 
REV. HUGH BETHEL JONES
(St.Clement’s. High Lane)
I have to include a portrait of this cleric to correct an error in the previous posting RE; Chorlton's clerics --Rev. Ambrose Old was not the first appointed assistant to the Rector. Rev. H.Bethel Jones pre-dates him.

Having been appointed in August 1870 he remained in the parish until being installed as vicar of St John's, Brooklands Rd, Baguley in March 1876; which position he was recommended for by Sir William Cunliffe Brooks the banker, M.P. for East Cheshire, and resident of Barlow Hall (who also later donated to the parish the "lych gate" to the old churchyard).

During his half dozen years in Chorlton Rev Jones obviously made a great impression as on his leaving a handsome presentation was made to him at a meeting in The National School  on Thursday  March 23  and reported extensively in the "Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser" on the 25th.

He was presented with "ornaments", an inscribed clock and a purse of 100 guineas. Among the many tributes perhaps the most welcome (and revealing of general inter-denominational goodwill prevailing) was a sincere and glowing testimonial, accompanying a 1 guinea donation, received from the same Rev. John Bedford portrayed above

Rev.Jones was born in 1838 in Beaumaris, Anglesey, studied for his M.A. at Trinity College, Dublin before taking a Theology degree at University College, Durham. He then spent some time in lesser orders, some of which were at St.Margaret's Whalley Range, before being ordained at Chester during Christmas week 1867.
Before arriving in Chorlton Rev. Jones served as vicar of Appleton-le-Moors Nr Pickering, North Yorkshire. He died aged 88 in 1926 still at St.John's although since 1911 in retirement. Having stepped down at Christmas of that year in favour of his son Cyril who had by then been acting as his curate for some time. Cyril had been baptised by his father at St Clements on September 25 ,1874.

© Tony Goulding 2015

Picture; from the collection of Tony Goulding

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