This site is under construction & will be used for information about the history of Reeth Congregational Church & some of the families connected with it.
The original church was built by the Rev David Bradberry in approximately 1783 as a place of worship for a congregation of 'Protestant Dissenters called Independents'; according to some sources on the site of an older foundation although there is no proof of this. Eleven years later Bradberry handed the building over to the congregation as a virtual gift, on payment of the nominal sum of 'five shillings of lawful money of Great Britain'. It is possible that, rather than clear the site and construct a new building, Bradberry had simply partly demolished and adapted a large house which was already there. This might account for the fact that less than 70 years later it was near to collapse!
The second minister, George Cooke was so much associated with the church that for many years after his departure it was still known as 'Cooke's chapel'. During his ministry the first recorded baptism took place; that of James, son of Edward and Isable Cleasby on 12th November 1787.
Between 1826 and 1840 both church and village were in decline due to an unprecedented drop in the price of lead, disease amongst the cattle and seething unrest over the cost of food. Thomas Colledge, appointed minister in 1835, reported "the whole district for many miles round being in an awful state of spiritual and moral wretchedness". Nevertheless, under his leadership the church, which had fallen into decay, was reorganised, the congregation increased and a Sunday School work begun.
The second minister, George Cooke was so much associated with the church that for many years after his departure it was still known as 'Cooke's chapel'. During his ministry the first recorded baptism took place; that of James, son of Edward and Isable Cleasby on 12th November 1787.
Between 1826 and 1840 both church and village were in decline due to an unprecedented drop in the price of lead, disease amongst the cattle and seething unrest over the cost of food. Thomas Colledge, appointed minister in 1835, reported "the whole district for many miles round being in an awful state of spiritual and moral wretchedness". Nevertheless, under his leadership the church, which had fallen into decay, was reorganised, the congregation increased and a Sunday School work begun.
“The old Chapel, plain and unattractive outside, hideous and revolting within, threatens speedily to intimate, by self-immolation, that it has lived its day, and done its work. With dry rot in its timbers, and the want of uprightness in its walls, it is either a question of speedy removal, or natural collapse.” 1861 Congregational Year Book
By 1866 the original building was in a state of near collapse and was demolished. The present church was designed by a Darlington architect and opened in 1868 at a cost of £990, rather more than originally estimated. The building originally had a stone cross on the point of the roof above the entrance, but this fell during a great storm of 1893.
Further improvements were carried out in the early twentieth century and in 1912 the Sunday School was enlarged to almost twice its original size.
The external clock was installed in 1903, paid for by public subscription as it was to be of benefit to the whole village.
Enquiries about the history of the church or families connected to it should be directed to Tracy Little.
Further improvements were carried out in the early twentieth century and in 1912 the Sunday School was enlarged to almost twice its original size.
The external clock was installed in 1903, paid for by public subscription as it was to be of benefit to the whole village.
Enquiries about the history of the church or families connected to it should be directed to Tracy Little.
