Welcome to
Haywards Heath United Reformed Church

HANDS ON!

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Our predecessors in Congregational churches were nothing if
not committed and hands on. Here’s a story from Felsted
Essex, (near Stansted).

In 1832-3 the Chapel Book recorded that Mr Robert Dixon had been to Witham to complete the legalities of the site purchase for £300 and Mr Fenton, surveyor from Chelmsford, had been engaged to prepare plans. An account had been opened in Braintree at the bank of Sparrow & Co.

At the practical end, a decision was made to cart 50,000 bricks
from the brickyard at Leighs. Several persons, both
Churchmen ie Anglicans and Dissenters ie Congregationalists,
had expressed their willingness to undertake the carting free
of expense. Thus between 30 TH MARCH and 6 TH APRIL the bricks were transported in loads of 500, 1,000, 2,000 and
sometimes greater numbers.

Mr Dixon also carted stone lime from Mr Wells at Chelmsford
and 1,000 white bricks from Springfield.

Mr Snow and Mr Bentnall carted wagonloads of sand.

I am sure similar hands on things were happening in Sussex!