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Though not involved in the secular ruling of the village, as the Vestry was headed by the Church,
the General Baptist movement, nevertheless held great sway over the moral welfare of a large section
of the community. The Smalley branch was founded in the 1770s and rules were strict. The deacons were vigilant in chasing up non-attenders and reports of misconduct. Each case, whether it was improper conduct, drunkenness, a criminal offence, fornication, absence from chapel, or staying too late in the 'Bell', was brought before the committee. A suitable member was sent to visit the offender, talk over the problem, and persuade him to repent. This member would report back to the committee which, after due consideration of the miscreant's attitude, would decide whether he should be admonished or excluded. |
 Smalley Baptist Chapel |
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Minute books, dating from 1786 have faithfully recorded every main event in the history of the Baptist
Chapel in Smalley. Two rather telling entries read; 1853: Grace Parkin disobeyed the call of the church (chapel) She was excluded for disorderly conduct and going to worship with the Weslians when her own doors were open. 1870: Christopher Shaw to be visited for coming to the chapel gates at service time and then going off to the church. Compassion and concern for Smalley's poor children during the Framework Knitting era, prompted the Baptist deacons to start a Sunday School, which by the mid 1800s had 80 children on roll. A day school was also started in 1827 by John Dunn, who hired the Baptist Vestry for the purpose. To village residents living in those ecumenical times, it seems strange, and sad, that although the moral and Christian aims were parallel, the antipathy between Church and Chapel lasted for almost a century. The following are recorded Pastors of Smalley Baptist Chapel. 1785-1822 Mr John Goddard ---- Mr Pickering 1822-1830 Mr G W Purcell 1831 Mr Fogg (from Ashbourne) 1839 Mr John Wilders (from Kegworth) 1844-1846 Mr J Felkins (from Sevenoaks, Kent) 1849 Mr Ebenezer Syme 1851 Mr Springthorpe (from Ilkeston. Part time.) 1856-1858 Mr Gray (from Ripley. Salary £8 p.a. part time) 1859-1861 Mr Towend 1867-1868 Revd. John Stevenson 1882-1884 Reverend E Hilton (from Heanor. Part time) 1884-1922 Reverend E Hilton (Full time) |
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Smalley village
Smalley OPS Home |
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Sources: This account was written using material from the publication 'Footsteps through Smalley' (1994) Thanks and acknowledgements go to Joyce Crofts and Joseph Read. |