Stratton Methodist Church

People in Stratton until 1941


NameApprox. year(s)Role / involvement
Mr Habgood1826Hosted the first Methodist meetings in his carpenter’s and wheelwright’s shop at Stratton Crossroads.
Brother R Juke1830Lay preacher at the opening of the first chapel.
Sister Margaret Cutler1830Lay preacher at the opening of the first chapel.
Mr W Pinegar1830Laid the foundation stone of the first chapel on 31 May.
Mr Barrett (of Swindon)1856Builder for the chapel enlargement, cost £170.
R White1856Named donor to the chapel enlargement.
Mr C Morse (Charles Morse)1856–1865Named donor, long-serving leader, chaired anniversary tea in 1865, early family benefactor.
W Collett1856Named donor to the enlargement.
S Davies1856Named donor to the enlargement.
D Trotman1856Named donor to the enlargement.
R Wilkins1856Named donor to the enlargement.
Misses White, Collett, Morse1856Named donors to the enlargement.
Mr R Kemble (Nythe)1865Provided fields for Sabbath-school celebrations at the 35th anniversary.
Mr King1878Presided over an entertainment by the Primitive Methodist Choir and Stratton Brass Band.
Thomas Hyde1879Fined for disturbing a minister and assaulting congregants at Stratton.
Thomas Colborne1883Builder of the present church building.
W Drew1883Architect of the present church building.
Colbourne (builder)1891Built the schoolroom addition.
Beswick (architect)1891Architect for the schoolroom addition.
H Watkins (of Swindon)1901, 1928Preacher at Harvest Thanksgiving and anniversary services.
S Dutton (of Gloucester)1901Spoke at children’s temperance meeting and services over the anniversary weekend.
L L Morse (Mayor)1902Chaired the Monday meeting after anniversary services, funds reported.
W Weaver (of Faringdon)1903Harvest Festival preacher.
A Wentworth1902Conductor at a Musical Evening for the church choir fund.
Mrs Shute1902Pianist at the Musical Evening.
Mr J Cook1902–1903Organist at Musical Evening, later gave an organ recital; also listed among musicians.
H Pinnock, J Powell, Clarke1902Instrumentalists at the Musical Evening.
Singers: Miss S Herring, Mrs Wentworth, Mrs E Cook, Messrs Iles, Clarke, Osbourne, Willis1902Singers at the Musical Evening in aid of the choir fund.
J G Wise (of Rodbourne)1905Presided at a Band of Hope entertainment.
F Penfold1905“Well-known singing evangelist,” gave a concert.
Welsh Male Voice Choir1917Gave a sacred concert in the schoolroom.
J G Stanger (London Evangelism Society)1923Visited the church school.
A J Fish (of Faringdon)1923Preacher, born at Rose Cottage, Stratton.
W G Miller1923–1937Sunday School superintendent, organiser and speaker at multiple events, Women’s Own supporter, led music for Railway Mission, frequent organiser.
C J Iles (of Purton, J.P.)1923–1936Frequent anniversary preacher and speaker; long-standing lay leader.
Miss Alice Woodman1924Secretary of the Christian Endeavour anniversary.
Alfred Manners1924Provided grounds at Stratton Hall for the Sunday school treat.
T H Minchin1924–1928Preacher at Harvest Festival and anniversary services.
G W King (of Lechlade)1924Gave a lecture on “Palestine.”
W Cooper, Mrs T Cloborne, Mrs J Loveday, W Mason1925Named on the “long service list,” recognised local veterans of service.
J Haydon (of Swindon)1925Led a Sunday service.
Mrs H Franklin1925–1928Conductor and performer, led social and musical services.
Harold Gardener (of Swindon)1925–1927Preacher at anniversary and Choir Sunday.
W H Iles1925–1938Chaired meetings, oversaw 1938 lighting upgrade, long-time trustee and organiser.
Oliver Kimber (of Wanborough)1925–1928Chaired or preached at Harvest Festival and meetings.
W R Robins1925Preacher at missionary round.
R Bowles1925Conducted the Christmas morning service.
W H & H Hill1926Provided cars for the Old Folks’ New Year’s Party.
T R Barnes1935–1936Speaker and soloist at CE and services, organiser and leader in multiple meetings.
C E Freeth (Elborough House)1926Sold land to the church, enabling bowling green and tennis court.
Mrs W Cook (Brewery Farm)1926Opened the Garden Party in newly acquired grounds.
Ernest Cook, Fred Barrett, Margaret Stratford1926Winners of baby show classes at the Garden Party.
Sidney Payne (Swindon)1927Opened the Garden Party to reduce land-purchase debt.
Mrs C R Palmer (Wanborough)1924–1927Distributed Sunday School prizes; co-opened Garden Party.
Miss Phillips (of Marlow)1927–1928Speaker at Women’s meetings and CE anniversaries.
Frank Barnes (of Purton)1926–1940Frequent anniversary preacher, lecturer, and service leader across many years.
Mrs H Franklin & party1928Gave a special performance; active in music.
W Bramwell Hill (William Bramwell Hill)1928–1963Long-serving local Methodist lay preacher and leader, Christmas service 1928, funeral widely attended in 1963.
Clifford Eatwell (quartet)1929Led a concert.
E J Johnson (Western Temperance League)1929Preacher focusing on temperance.
William Roberts (trustee)Mid-1920s–1930sNegotiated purchase of land, led creation of bowling green and tennis courts.
J W Roberts1920sVolunteer leader for bowling green construction.
F G Ockwell1920s–1936Volunteer leader for bowling green, later recognised at leaders’ meeting; also soloist (Francis Ockwell).
Mr Wells1920sGroundsman for tennis and bowls clubs.
Miss Frances Hill1920sTennis club secretary and treasurer.
H Martin, J.P.1932–1934Lecturer (“Wonderful Wessex”), Harvest Festival morning service; civic lay leader.
Ernest Austin (National Town Criers champion)1932Gave a demonstration at the Annual Garden Party.
John Carey1932Gave a lantern lecture on Guernsey.
Alec King1934Eleven-year-old soprano, soloist at New Year services.
Mrs Hancock (Wroughton)1934Speaker at Women’s Own meeting.
Edgar Peyton1934–1936Speaker at CE on “Consecration” and “Service.”
Mrs J Whale1935–1936Presented Sunday School prizes and sponsored race prizes.
H Jacobs1935–1936Senior teacher, chaired Harvest Home and meetings; reported finances.
W Conway1935Soloist at Overseas Missionary Anniversary.
Mrs Davis (Salvation Army)1935Speaker at Women’s Own meeting.
Pinehurst Methodist Concert Party1935–1936Provided concerts in aid of Sunday School and Christmas funds.
Ewart Hill1936Gave an address at CE on “Some little-known aspects of Holy Writ.”
S G Tooth (of Didcot)1936Preacher at the Annual Trust meeting.
Mr Brittell (of Swindon)1936CE address on “Vision, the wrong response.”
Stella Smith1935–1937Duet singer at Prize Giving, presided at Young People’s Own meeting.
Daisy Cook1935–1936Duet singer; sang solo at CE anniversary.
Denis Hunt (Master, aged 14)1939Blind boy organist who gave a recital and accompanied evening hymns.
Cecil S J H Haskins (Hartley College, Manchester)1928Special preacher at Egg & Flower service, oversaw donation of 15½ dozen eggs.
Percy Viner (of Whitney/Witney)1928Led anniversary services and concert.
W J Reade1928Conducted Sunday morning service.
A E Stocking (Swindon Central Mission)1928Led evening service.
A T Wilson1927Conductor of the GWR Male Voice Choir in concert at the schoolroom.
J C Greenwood; G A Woodfield1941Conducted carol services, morning and evening respectively.
Pte R Parkhouse; Pte H J Lawrence; Pte A Beadell; Pte R Hewitson; Pte G Chesney; Pte Edwin Roberts; Pte Lesley Tillyer; Pte John Slavem; Pte R Martin1941Local soldiers who presided, read lessons, played organ, sang solos, and addressed War-Time Guild or CE meetings.
Mr Ball (Army Scripture Readers)1941Conducted a morning service, active with the troops.
Mrs Regan (of Harrow)1941Soloist at War-Time Guild.
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