Eynsford Christian Fellowship (Baptist)
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The History of the Eynsford Christian Fellowship

The history of Eynsford Baptist Church, 1950-1960.
Click to see position on the building 1950, ended with the Church in Interregnum. Stanley Thomas moved on to Pathhead Baptist Church, Kirkcaldy, Fife, where he served until 1956. To replace Pastor Thomas, by February 1951, the Deacons considered three applicants, the Rev'ds; F R Sage, H J Edgler, A Stockwell. One Deacon stated that Edgler had already accepted a post at South Horwood, and the preferred choice was Arthur T. Stockwell (photograph to the right), who was invited to "Preach with a view to the Pastorate". After hearing, Arthur Stockwell on the 29th March 1951, it was agreed that he be invited for an initial period of five years with a stipend of £400 per year, the use of the Manse free of Rates and Taxes, including telephone rental. Arthur's ministry began on the 17th June. In March 1951, to make life more comfortable for those being Baptised, heating coils were fitted to the baptistry. In September 1951, the Ordnance Survey asked permission to put a Bench Mark  on the Church premises, and this was agreed. These were used for the purposes of triangulation and to provide an indication of the distance above sea level. This was carved near a door on the right hand side of the Church, as is illustarted on the photograph of the mark (which links to a fuller photograph). Rev'd Arthur Stockwell In the same month Pastor Stockwell initiated a mid-week meeting on Wednesday at 7.30pm. By October, it was reported that the attendance at the mid-week meeting "was very encouraging". The November meeting provides an insight in to the relationships between the Churches of that period. The "Universal week of Prayer" was discussed. This was to commence on the 6th January 1952. The minutes note: "Mr Stockwell said that he had discussed the matter with the Vicar the Rev Hill, but he was not very co-operative"! In July 1952, the new Pastor began a new initiative to engage young people and began a "Young Worshippers League" (part of a national organisation and once known as the "Worshipping Children's League" ) formed to encourage attendance at the morning service, and this seemed to help. Pastor Stockwell returned to the debate over a burial ground and suggested at the Deacons meeting of 18th November 1952, that the spare ground at the back of the Church which had been the home of a rubbish tip for a number of years, could be used for burials. The Deacons meeting stated the the Ground was reserved for the site of an enlarged schoolroom. By September 1953, the Baptistry had been renovated by the application of 'plastic paint'. In November of 1953, Youth Work was still high on the agenda, with the Pastor asking the Deacons for assistance at the Friday Youth meetings. A Youth Club was to be opened in the Village, and this caused some anxiety amongst the Deacons, but the Pastor was convinced that it would not effect their work with young people. At the start of the following year, 1954, the Deacons agreed to erect a memorial for those of the Church who had lost their lives in the War. The whole project would occupy just short of two years to complete. The Pastor had gained the names from the Paris Church, but other names were needed for those who belonged to Eynsford Baptist Church, but who lived away from the Village, such as those who had lived at Farningham. By April the Deacons' meeting had considered a Brass Tablet upon which to inscribe the names. One Deacon voiced the view  that "he did not think this would serve any purpose" and suggested that something more useful be considered.  This then brought about the proposed purchase of two communion plates which were needed. These would be suitable inscribed. However by October, a Dr Stephen Roger had offered four Communion plates in memory of his father - this offer had been accepted by the Deacons, and instead by the 24th February 1955, it was proposed that the Church buy a "War Memorial Table". This was agreed upon, and the War Memorial Table was commissioned on the 11th November 1955. The discussion concerning the land at the back of the Church was revisited, and it was reported at the Deacons' meeting, 20th July 1954, that a meeting had been held by the Sunday School teachers who had come to the conclusion that they "did not feel there was an immediate need for any large extension". Late 1954, early 1955, the Organ had been overhauled, and at the meeting 18th January, it was reported that this work had been completed. So please had the Church been with the ministry of Pastor Arthur Stockwell , that at the Deacons' meeting 9th November 1955, it was agreed that they ask him to remain "for a further period of 5 years & that his stipend be increased by £50 per annum" providing an annual sum of £450. The Deacons' Minute Books, do not record all of the life of the Church. This is not for the lack of such a life, but that the meetings had to often deal with very mundane but necessary matters. For example membership figures are rarely given, and whilst there is an occasional mention of a Deacon getting the Baptistry ready, no account is given of the number of members baptised. Occasionally there is an insight to the spiritual life, such as that in the winter of 1956/7 a series of special meetings was held to address the question; "what Christ means to me"! The minutes of the 20th November 1956, record that one of the Deacons, Mr Brown, was running a Sunday School at Swanly, in liaison with the nearby Congregational Church. This Church was too far away from where the Children lived, and it was case of taking the Church to them.. The Deacons at Eynsford agreed to support the work with a modest donation of £10 toward some hymnbooks. The minutes also reveal a concern for the work of nearby Baptist Churches. Temple Mill and West Kingsdown Baptist Churches. The beginning years of the continued ministry of Pastor Stockwell were taken up with supporting two other Baptist Church Communities, one at Temple Mill and the other at West Kingsdown. Temple Hill Baptist Church is first mentioned in the minute book, 20th October 1955; "Temple Hill. Mr Thorn spoke regarding the stone laying ceremony to be held saturday 12th Nov. at 3 P.M. He said that six stones would be laid Including one by our pastor in recognition of help & interest of our church, & he himself would be laying one as president of the Dartford & District Free Church Federal Council" At the Eynsford Deacons' meeting, 5th June 1956, Deacon Thorn tended his resignation to support fully the Church at Temple Mill. He mentioned that "one of their communion chairs has been inscribed in the name of Eynsford Baptist Church in recognition of the support that has been given to the Church at Temple Hill." The Minutes of 19th February 1957, note that there was to be a Foundation Service on the 23rd February 1957. The Church must have progressed well, as it was reported that an Induction Service was being held on the 28th August 1957. West Kingsdown Baptist Church - There is a note in the census of 1851 of a Baptist Church at West Kingsdown. On the 11th December 1861 a new Chapel was opened on Fawkham Lane. It is clear that by the mid 1950s, the fortunes of the Church were at an all time low. In the minutes of the Eynsford Deacons' meeting of the 20th November 1956, it was reported that the Church at Kingsdown had requested help from Eynsford. Eynsford sought, with the help of the remaining members at Kingsdown, to find new leadership. On the 19th February 1957, it was reported that Pastor Stockwell would undertake to provided a quarterly Communion Service for the Church. The minutes make clear that the Eynsford Church had continued a responsibility for the oversight of the Kingsdown Church, having been instrumental in its foundation back in the 1850s [see Chapter 1]. On the 17th May 1957, in the Eynsford Minutes it was noted that a Mr Devin was acting as a Lay Pastor. The following month on the 18th June, it was reported that the "the work appeared to be going steadily forward & the spirit in the church had greatly improved under Mr Devin's leadership". It appears from the Eynsford Minutes, that Kingsdown may well have only had an Evening Service - probably to enable support from Eynsford - as it is reported on the 22nd April 1958, that the Lay Pastor, Mr Devin hoped to begin a morning Service. In the Eynsford Minutes, 15th January 1960, it is reported that the Lay Pastor would be unable to carry on as he was finding it too much, and although he did not resign, the uncertainties may not have help, as by the 27th May of that year it was reported that the "church was experiencing some difficulties", never-the-less, the support from Eynsford continued. West Kingsdown (Old Building) 1960s The domestic agenda. The purchase of a Dustbin, had not proved the end of the rubbish issue, and it still continued to collect at the back of the Church, and the Dart ford Rural District Council had been asked to clear the rubbish, but had not done so. The Church then asked a private contractor to move it. This was cleared at the cost of £2-10/- (Two Pounds, ten shillings - £2½). By May 1958, a decline was reported in the Sunday School. It was reported that the new Vicar of the Parish Church had been successful in young people's work, and had gained a number of former pupils. The lack of Sunday School teachers did not help, and the Church blamed the indifference of the Parents. Within the minutes, discussions on how to address the problem occupied the next three months, with a respite until late 1959. It was reported on the 18th June 1958, that the; "Evening Service was usually poorly attended. It was generally felt that if the choir resumed its place on the platform it would add to the service, & perhaps be a means of increasing the attendance". However the decline continued. The international contacts of the Baptist Church were revealed in a note of the 23rd September 1958, when it was reported that "a silver trowel used in the stonelaying of the Church [chapter 2] was being sent back to us by the Baptists in Australia". One name that had been prominent throughout the minutes of the 1950s was that of Deacon David Salmon, who had served as the Treasurer. At the meeting of the 29th August 1959, it was reported that Mr Salmon had been very ill, and his Doctor had ordered him to spend the next six months by the sea, and thus he was reluctantly forced to resign this post. On the 27th September 1959, the Sunday School was back on the Agenda. The Sunday School was held in the afternoon, and attendance suffered as some Parents took their children out in the afternoon. A move to Sunday morning before Church was considered. However at the next meeting, 3rd November, "it was considered that it would not be satisfactory to make such a move yet". 1960. There was an ominous note sounded at the meeting on the 8th March 1960, when the Pastor warned the Deacons of ; "his intention to make a change". He stated that he had been with them for "9 years & felt it would be in the interest of the Church and his own to do so". He said that "no definite plans had been made" and he hoped the Deacons would not break the confidentiality. Just over a month later, the Pastor called the Deacons together before the Morning Service and informed them that he had accepted a call to the Church at Whitsable. He then went on to tell the Church following the end of the Service. The last Deacons' meeting he attended was on the 24th June, and the Church held a farewell meeting Monday 4th July at 7.30 pm. ending another chapter in the history of the Church. Compiler The Rev'd Dr Michael Foster
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History of the Church Chapter 1-1: 1775-1905  
History of the Church Chapter 1-2: 1775-1905  
History of the Church Chapter    2: 1905-1906  
History of the Church Chapter    3: 1905-1938  
History of the Church Chapter    4: 1938-1940  
History of the Church Chapter    5: 1940-1950  
History of the Church Chapter    7: 1960-1969  
History of the Church Chapter    8: 1969-1980  
History of the Church Chapter    9: 1981-1989  
History of the Church Chapter  10: 1990-1999  
History of the Church Chapter  11: 2000-2009  

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Eynsford Christian Fellowship (Baptist)