The above Church and Sunday School having completed the first one hundred years of its existence, it has been considered expedient to prepare a brief history of its origin, development, and work.

Such a task presents a certain amount of difficulty owing to the lack of complete records, but we have been greatly assisted in our work by the preservation of the manuscript of a lecture delivered a few years ago by the late Mr. Frederick Barlow, whose father was one of the first Trustees of this Church, and whose own recollections extended as far back as 1844. This history is in the main, a summary of the lecture.

Wesleyan Methodism was introduced into Downley about 1819 or 1820 by Mr. James Treacher, a resident of West Wycombe. This gentleman came alone and held cottage prayer meetings and services. For the benefit of local residents, we may mention that the houses now in the occupation of Mr. D. Gray and Mr. J Bowler were among those used for this purpose. It was not long before Mr. Treacher gained a few adherents, and a Society Class under his leadership was formed, and Downley was put on the Circuit Plan. As time went on it was thought desirable to have a proper place in which to worship, and it was decided to erect a chapel. The money for this purpose was lent by Mr. John Wright, a local preacher of independent means, residing at Flackwell Heath. The first building erected in the year 1824, was very unpretentious, being only 22 feet long by 17 feet wide, and considerably lower than at present. Though small, however, it was quite equal to the need, as at this time Downley consisted of only thirty houses.

The first Trustees were : - Mr. James Treacher, Mr. William Bridgewater, Mr. John Barlow, Mr. John Wright, Mr. John Folley, Mr. George Mead.

It was not long before the members of this Society, like the sons of the prophets, had reason to say "Behold now, the place is too strait for us," for about the year 1838, a revival occurred in which a number of young men and young women became members of the Church. Three of these young converts became our first local preachers. This accession of members rendered enlargement necessary, and the chapel was widened 7 feet, making it 22 feet by 24 feet. The new piece was not so high as the other part of the building, but was a kind of lean-to, and the appearance of the whole was most singular.

It was at this time that the Choir may be said to have had its origin, for in this extended building a special pew was made which was raised slightly from the floor, and had two rows of seats, in each of which four or five persons could sit. This pew was painted white. The seating accommodation of the remainder of the Chapel consisted solely of forms. Candles formed the only means of artificial lighting then, and these were placed in specially constructed tins, and hung round the walls. It was customary during the singing of the hymn before the sermon, for a man to go round with the snuffers, and having snuffed those giving light to the congregation, the snuffers were passed up to the preacher, who attended to the pulpit candles. At this time the pulpit occupied the position where the stove now stands.

About the year 1846 a second revival took place when several more young men and women were brought into the Society, and again three became local preachers.

Of course in these days very few people could read, and as books were expensive as well, not many hymn books would be seen among the congregation. It was the usual practice for the preacher to give out the hymn two or three lines at a time, and often after the singing of part of a verse, he would give a brief address before passing on to the next section. The singing was led by violins.

In 1847 or 1848 a third part was added to the Chapel, by bringing the front out to its present position. These three parts were of different heights, and where the roofs were joined together, the rain often used to come through so badly as to cause people to shift their seats. This was not allowed to continue long, for in 1850, the roofs were taken off the two lower parts, the walls were raised, and the building was made to appear as it does today, with the exception of the schoolroom.

This Chapel was then fitted out with pews (flat seats and upright backs) on which turned wooden uprights were screwed, having brass sockets for the candles. The Choir then occupied two pews at the back of the Chapel.

A further revival occurred in 1858, when nearly a score of young people were added to the Church. Once more, three of the men became local preachers.

In 1860 the late Mr Barlow purchased a small harmonium which he believed to have been the first in the neighbourhood. As soon as he had learned to play it a little, this used to be carried backward and forward to the services, unless the weather was very bad. This continued until one was bought for the Chapel, at a cost of £10.

In 1861, our present Sunday School building was erected as a day school, and it was used for this purpose for a period of twelve years.

The year 1864 saw further alterations to the interior of the Chapel. The present pulpit was then erected, and the gallery was built. The walls were renovated, new pews installed, and small lamps were introduced in place of candles. The Choir then occupied the two front seats of the gallery. This was the arrangement until 1888, when the Chapel was again renovated, the present choir seats were put in, and the harmonium and Choir were brought into the position they occupy today.

The earliest minutes of the Sunday School are those of December, 1866, and some doubt exists as to the actual date of its formation. On the flyleaf of one of the early scholars' rolls, however, appears this note -"William Butler entered this school in the year of our Lord 1826." From this we consider it reasonable to suppose that the School had its inception about the same time as the Chapel.

Sunday School teaching is admittedly a difficult work, but it may help us the better to appreciate the disadvantages under which our forefathers laboured, when it is pointed out, that in the year 1860, before either our present Sunday School or the gallery was erected, twenty-two classes assembled for instruction Sunday by Sunday in the Chapel.

As far as can be ascertained, the largest number of scholars ever on the books was 141 in 1874, and the highest attendance ever recorded was 114 on June 22nd, 1873. It is interesting to note that at the Teachers' Meeting, held on November 9th, 1874, the late Mr. Henry Collins, then Senior Superintendent, remarking on the fact that the Jubilee year was just concluding, said that they had nearly fifty teachers, and one hundred and forty scholars. Truly a splendid testimony to fifty years of Sunday School work.

How do we compare with these records today? (ie 1924) At the present time we have 98 scholars on the books, and an average attendance of 88. The outlook is more hopeful than it has been for a considerable number of years. The most gratifying feature of our work is the large number of young men and young women who are still proud to be retained as scholars, and who are also members of Junior Society Classes; but we want to do better, and it is for this reason, and because we feel that we can commemorate the Centenary in no better way, that we have decided to extend our present Sunday School accommodation.

We have had passed on to us the building as it stands today This we realise is a sacred trust, and we desire to hand on to the next generation such a building as shall be equal to their needs, and in which they, in their turn, may efficiently carry on God's work in this village, maintaining the high tradition which has been our heritage.
 

ROLL OF HONOUR.

 

Members of this Society who have become Local Preachers. James Hussey, John Ball, Jabet Barlow, James Oxlade, Henry Collins, Willoughby Youens, Henry Johnson, James Collins, John Nash, Joseph Woodbridge, Frank Sherwin

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.

John Barlow, Lot Free, Henry Ball, James Oxlade, Henry Collins, George J. Batts, James Goodchild, Frederick Barlow, John Jackson, Frank Sherwin, Willoughby Youens

A FEW ITEMS OF GENERAL INTEREST.


EXTRACTS FROM MINUTES.
 

• Nov. 13th, 1871.-Resolved by six votes to one, " That we assemble the children on every alternate Monday evening when no preaching is appointed, and give them a suitable address or reading."
   
• Nov. 7th, 1881.-" After considerable discussion it was resolved that the next Quarterly Meeting be held on 6th February, 1882, that tea be provided at four, the meeting to be held soon after, and other refreshments (coffee, ham, etc.) to be prepared for half-past eight.
   
• May 4th, 1885.-Resolved that "In future all female teachers shall be exempt from fines for the first half-hour in the morning, provided they have the Secretary's consent, and arrived in time to sit with the scholars during service."
   

NOTE.-It was the rule of this Sunday School to impose fines on teachers; 2d. for absence, and 1d. for late attendance.
 

• It is recorded in the Sunday School Journal that a Children's Service was conducted on Sunday afternoon, September 22nd, 1895, by Mr. H. Godwin, junr., now Superintendent Minister of the Circuit