GEORGE STREET

The Particular Baptist church now meeting for worship in George street is one of the oldest, if not the most ancient, of the nonconformist bodies in the town. The date of its foundation is unknown.

It is much to the credit of this church that during the lengthened period of nearly a hundred years, it has only had three pastors, viz., the Rev. R. HOPPER, the Rev. J. JARMAN, and the Rev. J. EDWARDS, the last named became pastor of the church in 1830. Under the ministry of Mr. JARMAN the church then meeting in Park street chapel, their original place of assembling, increased to such an extent that a larger building became requisite. Accordingly, in 1815, the George street chapel was built.

It was designed by the late Mr. STAVELEY, and erected by Messrs. PARROTT and SMITH, and Mr. BARTRAM, the latter executing the wood work. Including a suit of rooms it cost £6,000, which amount has long ago been paid by the congregation. The edifice is built of brick, has a commodious gallery, and can seat altogether 950 persons. In a large vestry at the rear of the chapel the week-day lectures and church meetings are held. In 1847 an excellent organ by the Messrs. BEVINGTON and Sons, London, was erected in the front gallery, at a cost of £220, the whole of which was defrayed the same year. The burial ground belonging to this chapel is the ancient one in Mount street.

According to the last return of the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Baptist Association the number of church members is 337. There are two Sabbath schools - one in George street, the other on Independent hill. The number of scholars in both schools is 500; of teachers, 55. There is also an infant day school at Independent hill, and an evening school in George street, for teaching writing and arithmetic, the average attendance being 50 females and 45 males. In connexion with the congregation there is a tract society, a benevolent society, and a circulating book society, also two Dorcas societies, one being for the benefit of the Sunday scholars. Divine service is celebrated twice on Sunday; there is also a prayer meeting on the Monday evening and preaching on Wednesday evening.

The Rev. James EDWARDS, the present pastor, is son-in-law of the celebrated Dr. STEADMAN, and is not less distinguished for his power in the pulpit than for his effective and eloquent appearances on the platform.