From humble beginnings a congregation thrives

I am sure this is very true of the United Reformed Church in Linden Road.

Its story goes back to November 1812 when a room was used at the home of Thomas Goldring for preaching.

Within three years, a small chapel existed at 30 Chichester Road. This chapel was near Springfield, which became the Bognor hospital.

By 1816 an evangelical magazine had the following recommendation: 'To the friends of religion who leave London for the summer months to enjoy the advantages of a country retreat, Bognor presents many attractions.

'To the most pleasant rural scenery, it unites the finest opportunities of sea bathing and while sufficiently frequented to afford ample society, it avoids the dissipations of places more generally resorted to.'

This is within 17 years of Sir Richard Hotham's death. By 1817 the town map clearly showed the meeting house in Chichester Road.

In 1826 the Rev Matthew Wilks 'conveyed land' in Dorset Gardens, which was then a cul-de-sac, for ten shillings (50p) to the Rev James Edwards for the erection of a chapel, which became known as Hanover chapel in 'deference to the Royal House' of the time.

It was opened on August 31, at a cost of 300 and provided seating for 200 people.

The 1852 town guide mentioned that the 'Hanover Chapel belongs to trusts for the use of Congregational Independents'.

One of the visiting speakers to the hall was Miss Aggie Weston, known as the sailors' friend, and after whom the homes were named.

There were only three burials carried out at the chapel, but they were removed to the new town cemetery in Town Cross Avenue.

Gradually the fortunes of the chapel changed and it was necessary to look for a new site.

A site was finally bought on the junction of London Road and the High Street.

This was an area which had been used by local farmer Mr Munday to keep his cows.

By August 24, 1868, building had started and the memorial stone was laid on November 30.

The building was completed and the first services took place in July 1869.

The early Gothic-style building had cost 2,621 and the Bognor guides felt that it was a 'neat and commodious structure'.

The Hanover chapel was used as a Sunday school and lecture hall. But in 1897 it was renamed The Victoria Theatre and was used by touring companies to entertain Bognor residents. This building was situated opposite St John's Church.

In 1920, the Reynolds family bought the hall and it became an auction room and store.

According to early records of the church, many activities were provided for church members which in 1908 included a picnic to Slindon, socials, choirs and a ladies sewing meeting.

Activities also included a tennis club during the summer. There are numerous records of charabanc trips to villages. The average collections at this time were 1. 9s. 0. about 1.45.

The church and its religious fortunes continued and in 1910 Mr William A Hounson, from Hove, bought a plot of land on the east side of London Road. He was a Congregational benefactor at that time and it is thought that W A Hounson's grandfather was one of the original worshippers in South Bersted.

He then gave this site to the church on condition that a school and institute were built there. By January 11, 1911, the building consisting of two floors with a porch entrance and a small front garden was opened. By 1963 this building, behind the Hansford shop, was used as the town library.

The church at the junction of London Road and the High Street continued to be well used. However in 1929 a number of approaches were made with regard to buying the premises, as it was a prime site for development.

It was decided to sell the site, as the congregations were being disturbed 'by the uproar of traffic'. It was sold to Timothy Whites and Co for 17,000. A clause was inserted stating 'that no building now erected or hereafter to be erected on the land or any part thereof shall at any time hereafter be used as premises licensed for the sale of alcoholic liquor other that medicated or medicinal wines'.

In addition there was a ban on the use of the site as a theatre, cinematograph or dance hall.

This sale was to enable the church to move to new premises. A new site was eventually found in Linden Road, which was part of the kitchen garden of a house called The Hawthorns. The new church was constructed by builders Messrs H W Seymour and Co, of Bognor.

On December 11, 1929, the foundation stone was laid in Linden Road at today's site. In 1930 the institute in London Road was sold to Mr Hansford. By 1930, the new church in Linden Road, which had cost 21,334.8s.7d was opened on Wednesday, October 29, with a dedication service.

One of the newspaper reports commenced with 'the progress of the Congregational movement in Bognor Regis was well illustrated on Wednesday, a great day in the annals of Local Free Church history, when a crowded congregation took part in the opening and dedication of the new church'.

The long report also mentions the 'rich note of joyousness (which) marked the whole days proceedings, joy not only because a dream had been fulfilled, in bricks and mortar, but because they, the Congregationalists in Bognor Regis were entering upon a new era of adventure in spiritual things'.

The church year book for 1930 described the new church as being arranged to 'form a composite building', because the church had its main entrance in Linden Road but was separate from the adjoining hall.

The church was 'cruciform in plan, with chancel 21 feet by 18 feet forming the head of the cross'.

Another feature was that, while the church had its main entrance in Linden Road, there was a small walk way through from Burnham Aven ue, allowing people to enter the church from the north and south with equal ease.

During the second world war, the Sunday school premises was used by the Duppas School from Croydon. Two air raid shelters were also erected to the west side of the church. In 1942 the church was bombed and the north window was damaged. After the war the West Sussex educational authorities took over the school and used the premises for Michael Ayres School pupils until their school was completed.

By 1946 the Manse had been bought in Linden Road, thus completing the journey of this church from its humble beginnings in Chichester Road in 1812.

During the 1980s the church was even seen regularly on national television as Dave Allen, the comedian, used it for his 'confessional scenes' in his television series. The church was paid a nominal 10 towards church funds. The church has grown and is still well used today.

I hope you have purchased your ticket for my talk on Friday at the Recital Hall at 7.30. Tickets from Heygates Paperback Exchange so that we can raise more money for our seafront lights.

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