By John and Angela Magee. Part of a series of articles on the History of Emmanuel Church in Salisbury.
By the time the next Annual General Meeting took place, the church had continued in many evangelistic endeavours and had seen answer to much prayer. The Lord had added to this group of believers. Nineteen young people had professed faith and in June 1954, eight people had been baptised, and then in August another three. The membership had reached twenty-six. The Young People's Fellowship had begun during that year and was superintended by Alan Lodge (Junior). He also saw much encouragement for his labours.
There was an on-going need for visiting preachers and Pastor Frank Lawes was often called upon to assist in this area. His ministry was greatly appreciated and he also on at least one occasion made use of the appeal system after an evangelistic film was shown.
Missionary support had become an integral part of the church's giving as concern for lost souls spread beyond the boundaries of Salisbury and even England itself. At the Committee Meeting of 5 August 1954, it was decided that money should be given for overseas missions and gifts were made to the China Inland Mission (now the O.M.F.) and to a work in the Congo. Later in the year gifts were made to the European Evangelistic Crusade and to the Qua Iboe Mission. Each organisation received £3.
In 1954 the church was registered as a place of worship and was granted permission to conduct weddings. This was indeed most timely as the first wedding took place at Emmanuel Church in July 1954, when Alan Lodge and Margaret Partridge covenanted together in marriage. They were married by the Rev. Francis Dixon, who was the minister of Lansdowne Baptist Church, Bournemouth.
Other encouragements in that year consisted of the beginning of a Sabbath School, which recorded thirty names on its register in the first year. A youth club had also been successfully started. The financial statement for 1954 reflected an increase of just over 100% on the 1953 givings.
A number of visiting preachers helped during the year, including Mr. Harry Matthews, Mr. Len North, and Mr. Tim Alford.
By 1955 many of these works had become a well established part of the outreach ministry of the church. There was an impressive zeal in the members engaged in evangelism and, as in the time of Nehemiah, "the people had a mind to work."1 The Open Air preaching outside the Guildhall began in the summer of 1955 and was considered, through use of amplification, but especially through the power of the Spirit, to have been truly blessed by God. Door-to-door visitation also commenced that summer. Not all of the evangelism was of this nature; effort was also given at this time to supporting the Billy Graham rallies.
During 1955 there were further professions of faith, and the baptistery at Lavington was used. The Emmanuel Witness team had visited Moordown, Lansdowne, Tilshead, Hurn, Westbury, Cripplestyle, Rossmore, Redlynch, and Damerham. Particular difficulties developed within the membership during 1955, and a special meeting was called to address the disharmony among some over matters relating to the music used in worship. Subsequently, the breached fellowship among the brethren was restored.
An autumn Evangelistic Campaign was considered for 1956 and planning meetings for this began at the end of 1955. There was to be a series of children's rallies followed by an adult mission. The speaker for the children's rallies was Mr. A. W. Grimsay, a minister who came from Crawley, and endeared himself to many during this time of preaching. However, the main speaker for the campaign was to be Mr. Howard Kensit, who had spoken at the Church Anniversary in October 1955. This campaign had originally been designed as a joint outreach among many of the churches in Salisbury. However, at the initial planning meeting, unity among the respective ministers was so far from being obtained that all withdrew their support for it. This left Emmanuel Church with the onerous task of deciding whether to go it alone and undertake the campaign by itself or to shelve the plan for another future occasion. At the next committee meeting it was then agreed that all the resources and energies of the brethren at Emmanuel would be marshalled to lead this campaign in Salisbury. Intense planning and ardent prayer characterised the months leading up to the campaign which became known as the "Emmanuel Crusade".
The outcome of the campaign was one of much spiritual encouragement for the brethren at Emmanuel Church. Each evening the prevailing impression was that "the Holy Ghost searched many hearts as a faithful message was preached."2 Gospel favours had been pleaded for, and answers given, in accordance with the enduring promises of Scripture. The preaching of the Word was accompanied by the assistance of the Spirit and during these two weeks numbers of souls came under conviction of sin and found salvation in Christ alone. There was much rejoicing as the Kingdom of Grace advanced in Salisbury and the powers of darkness were restrained. Attendance was high at these meetings and many visitors from other churches attended. Churches from Moordown, Southbank, Frome, Damerham, Southampton, Bournemouth, Tilshead, Broadchalk, and Downton were represented at the Crusade.
At the Committee Meeting held on 25 April 1956, a Covenant of Membership was prepared to which everyone applying for church membership would have to subscribe. This Covenant of Membership read as follows:
As the 1950's drew towards an end it was evident that in many respects the Lord had not only owned the work done at Emmanuel church but had marvellously favoured that work with a number of professed conversions. The church had become established within the city of Salisbury.
1959 proved to be a year of particular significance. One of the founding members, Mr. Lance Partridge, had been compelled, through a job transfer, to leave Salisbury and Emmanuel Church. His absence was keenly felt and the need for leadership among the brethren grew in intensity. The church meeting of January 28, 1960 records:
One of the most eventful highlights in the life of our church was the agreement reached to invite the Rev. Duncan Leighton of Andover to become the part-time Pastor and [E]vangelist of Emmanuel which [invitation] he accepted. On June 27th [1959], we celebrated his induction Service with a tea and a word given by Rev. James Kerr and Mr P. King.4
This was considered not only a very happy occasion but also a very solemn one as duties and exhortations were impressed upon the congregation regarding their responsibilities to Mr Leighton.
Although at the time he was referred to as "Pastor", Mr Leighton appears to have been viewed simply in the capacity of a "full-time worker". A flat had been organised for Mr Leighton in 146A Fisherton Street, and it soon became a focal point for Bible studies and planning for outreach activities. In the leasing arrangement it was stipulated that one room of the flat had to be given over to some business enterprise. In order to meet this requirement it was decided that the Emmanuel Book Room was to be created in the flat. Access to these books was given to church members to use for evangelistic purposes. In September of 1959, Mr Leighton was invited to North Wales to undertake a series of preaching engagements. He was accompanied by Cliff Lodge. What is most remarkable to note is that during the time Mr Leighton was away, the church at Salisbury gathered together each evening in Emmanuel Hall, where earnest recourse was made to God for the success of his preaching. Their desire for labouring in prayer was "that through his [s]ervants [s]ouls would find the Saviour".5 At home and away the Lord was pleased to hear the cry of his people and many appeared to have been blessed.
Mr Leighton also engaged in regular home visitation in Salisbury, especially within the vicinity of the Hall. He had also hoped to start a Children's Service on the children's ward at Odstock Hospital but an opening here did not arise.
Disunity once again entered in among the brethren at Emmanuel church and they failed to be of one accord in the re-appointment of Mr. Leighton to the work in the church. When the matter was brought to a members' vote, nine members voted for him to be re-invited and ten voted against. This left Mr. Leighton with no choice but to terminate his service at Emmanuel church.
While many felt greatly discouraged by the events surrounding Mr Leighton's departure, and feared that such circumstances might hinder the work of the Gospel, the Lord was pleased, in His eternal wisdom and mercy, to preserve His work.
Record is made at the Annual General Meeting held on 5 February 1962 of the Covenant of Membership being read. This practice eventually became an important part of all the church's Annual General Meetings. A dedication service conducted by Mr. Frank Lawes was held for the safe arrival of baby Sally Ann Lodge, and later in the year another service was held for Deborah Ruth Buckley, who was born to our friends the late Mr. Bob Buckley and his wife Janet. Rev. Stanley Fitzsimmons conducted this service of thanksgiving.
As the church was still without a pastor there was an ongoing need to invite visiting speakers. In the Secretary's report blessings were recorded from the ministry of Com. Stileman, of Fact and Faith Films; Rev. Glyndur Davies; Mr. T. G. Mount, of Caravan Mission; Dr. Lavener from Southampton; Rev. Peter Culver, from Lansdowne Baptist Church, Bournemouth; Mr. Helyer, Secretary of the Railway Mission; Mr. A. Dashfield; Mr. Frank Farley, a N.Y.L.C. evangelist; Mr. Michael Flemming, a Christian journalist; and Rev. A. W. Grimsey.
On Wilton Road, just minutes' walk from Emmanuel Hall, was a Methodist church building which had been built in 1860 to accommodate those who had lost their place of worship to the Railway Company, which had taken the land to expand the railway services. The building was called the Wesley Church. "In December, 1860, the building was registered for public worship, a certificate to that effect being signed by the Rev. James Sutch, [S]uperintendent [M]inister of the Salisbury Circuit. The church was registered for marriages in 1868."6
It appears that the Wesley Church had maintained a distinctive "evangelical" testimony. 1960 marked the Centenary Celebrations of this Church, and, while an occasion for rejoicing and thankfulness, it was also a time when many were becoming aware of the declension in church attendance, not only in Salisbury but on a national level too, due to the extensive influences of ungodliness and unbelief.
Wesley Church received a visitation of the Commission (a district planning committee for the Methodist churches in this area) and, as a result of this visitation, it was decided that the church should amalgamate with the Methodist Church in Dews Road, Salisbury, and that in consequence Wesley Church should close. This recommendation was put forward at the Trustees' Meeting on April 30, 1962, and the proposal was "endorsed with much regret."7
The closure had been "leaked" to one of the local papers and the facts were so misrepresented that it provoked Mr R. Clements, the Superintendent Minister of the Salisbury Circuit, to write a very strong letter of protest. His high value of this particular Christian work in Salisbury was clearly evidenced in his words:
If services do cease on the Wilton Road premises, even those who may applaud the decision will feel regret at the passing of an influential centre of Christian worship and fellowship and service; but no one should think that this represents a retreat by the Church.8
By May 2, 1963, not only had the Wesley Church building closed, but the property had also been sold.
Dr Raymond Trueman, one of the founding members of Emmanuel Church, was not just an outstanding medical professional, but, more importantly, a Christian man of honourable and noble character. His involvement at the inception of Emmanuel Church proved to be of profound value.
Towards the end of his career he settled in Amesbury where he worked as an assessor in disputatious medical claims for benefits. During this time he set up the Salisbury Plain Christian Fellowship to act as a focal point for Christians serving in the armed forces in the various establishments on the plain. This was in the time of National Service and the monthly meetings in Amesbury Methodist Church were well attended. They and the fellowship were a great blessing to many.9
His premature death was keenly felt by many, and his loss to the work of the Kingdom was palpable. The meetings of the Salisbury Plain Christian Fellowship came to an end some years after his death. While many may have felt despondent over such events, the Lord was yet to bring much good out of this time of trial in a most unexpected manner.
Dr. Trueman's mother who lived in London died and it transpired that she had asked in her will that a memorial should be set up on Salisbury Plain to her late husband, who was also a medical man, and to Raymond.... The sole executor was Mr. Stunt, a Christian solicitor and Mrs. Trueman nominated a small group of trustees to oversee the project; Mr. J. Alford, Mr. A. Dixon, Mr. J. Kyte and Mr. D. Luke.10
In July 1962, Mr. Alford, who was chairman of the Salisbury Plain Christian Fellowship, approached Mr. P. King and Mr. A. W. Lodge regarding the intentions of the Trueman Trust. It was suggested that a fitting memorial for the Truemans might be to consider buying the now-vacant Wesley church building on Wilton Road and renting it to Emmanuel Church.
There was no great enthusiasm at first and considerable doubt was cast on the ability of such a small congregation to maintain such a large property. Eventually, however, it was agreed to move forward in faith, purchasing the building and letting it to Emmanuel Church at a peppercorn rent on condition that it would be properly cared for. Despite the fact that the building was not strictly 'on the plain' the solicitor agreed and he also accepted some modifications to the plaque which now hangs at the back of the church.11
The sale of Wesley Methodist Chapel was ratified on May 2, 1963, and it became the property of the Trueman Trustees. There was a sense of rejoicing and thankfulness among the members of Emmanuel Church as they undertook the arduous task of not only improving the dilapidated chapel, but of also moving from one place of worship to another.
After much discussion and planning, the move was completed, and an opening service was held on Saturday 21 September, 1963. The main speaker for the service was Mr. Frank Lawes. Other ministers who participated in the services that day were Arthur Gove (Pastor of Maswell Free Evangelical Church, Hounslow), Arthur Dixon (Pastor of Durrington Congregational Church), and John Cook (Pastor of Gillingham Baptist Church). The Sabbath services were taken by Mr. Peter Elford of Reading.
The Lord had blessed his new work in Salisbury with a building.
1 Neh. 4: 6 KJV.
2 Emmanuel Church, Minutes of Report on Emmanuel Crusade, 1955-1956.
3 Emmanuel Church, Salisbury: Doctrinal Basis, Constitution, and Covenant of Membership, (Salisbury, England: 1958).
4 Emmanuel Church, Minutes of Secretary's Report, 28 January 1960.
5 Ibid.
6 E.T.W., "Wesley Church".
7 Minutes of a Trustees' Meeting of Wesley Methodist Church, 30 April 1962.
8 R. R. Clements, Letter to Salisbury Times and South Wilts Gazette, 17 April 1962.
9 Luke, 2.
10 Ibid.
11 Ibid., 3.