STREET (2)
For some years numbers were few and there was a struggle for existence, when there appeared to be a possibility that the services would be discontinued, so strong was the feeling of the small congregation against closure, that Farmer Voakes attended the quarterly meeting to beg that the preaching might be continued. His pleas were heard and the services continued.
In 1831 a British School was established in Street, an event - which had an important bearing upon the future of Methodism in Street. Mr. Sylvester was appointed its first headmaster and being a Wesleyan, he began making enquiries as to the existence of any Methodist Society. He learned that there was a Society but that it consisted of two members. He worked hard to increase the numbers and strengthen the influence of Methodism in the area. His efforts were successful, and numbers so increased that it became desirable to provide a chapel for their meetings. This was eventually made possible through the generosity of Cyrus Clark, who gave them the piece of land upon which the first Methodist Chapel was built. In 1839 the Chapel, which had seating for 160, was built in Silver Lane, now Goswell Road, on the site now occupied by the Salvation Army Hall.
With these larger premises now available, an important work of the church, the Sunday School, was commenced At this time Mr. Samuel Hodges came to live in Street. He was a very active member, rendering valuable help and inspiring the young Society. In 1840 Mr. Thomas Parker Gallop came to the village. He was superintendent of the Sunday School for over 20 years and a local preacher in the circuit for over 40 years.
It is recorded that the singing in church at this time was perhaps more enthusiastic than musical. "It was music 'tis true although some voices were that, some a little too high. While one was a little too hasty inclined, another persisted in lagging behind".
It was about 1842 that Mr. Edwin Dodge came from East Coker as factory foreman in C. & J. Clark's to instruct workmen how to utilise waste pieces of skin by making them up into sheepskin slippers. He was thus responsible for some of the first pairs of shoes made by C. & J. Clarks!! He worked enthusiastically in every department of the church becoming superintendent of the Sunday School and leader of the singing, which in consequence improved. He also worked to raise funds for an organ and helped in the enlargement of the chapel, which the enlarged congregation demanded and this was carried out at a cost of f80. He and his wife were active in combating a violent outbreak of Typhoid Fever which broke out in Street in 1852. He went among the sick and dying to help and eventually caught the disease and died himself at the early age of 32.
Matters changed with the appointment of Reverend William Proctor Ellis in 1891. He was the catalyst needed to link words with deeds. With the generous gift from Alderman W. S. Clark of a piece of land, being part of Middle House Orchard, plans were made to build a new church and schoolrooms. The estimated cost of £2,700 was such that it was resolved to build the church first and add the schoolrooms and vestries as soon as finances allowed. By hard work and sacrificial giving the new church was opened on Tuesday l2th December 1893, followed two years later by the Sunday School and classrooms.
