1984 Diary

When I first came to Chids Hill there was an arrangement with a firm whereby they would print a pocket diary for free with three pages from us and the costs covered by adverts from local firms. It didn't last long. There is a nice typo in the Hendriksen piece (shouting for showing). I was clearly not confident enough to fill the page with my own work.

Welcome letter from the mid-80s

 

These type written letters would be given to visitors in the mid-eighties

(click to enlarge)

Our Website 2002

I believe we started out website about twenty years ago and this is probaby how it looked.

Church Members c 1985

 

I came across this old list of members from about 1985 typed on card. I have blotted out some details in light of data protection rules. At this point in time there were 31 members. By now only two of us are still in membership here. Some 12 are dead and the other 17 have moved on and ;ive elsewhere. We are in touch with most of these but not all.

The church organ

For the first twenty years of the work a harmonium was used to accompany the singing. Then in 1885 a pipe organ, supplied by London firm J B Cramer, was purchased for £100 (£12,600 today). Cramer's existed from 1861-1921. On October 1, 1885, this organ was used for the first time in a service. Dr Edward B Underhill (1813-1901), secretary of the BMS was the preacher.

In 1908, some money from the legacy of Willesden and Hampstead businessman William Richard Rickett JP (1830-1907),was used to replace the first pipe organ with the one that currently stands defunct in the church today. It cost £250 (nearly £30,000 in today's terms). It was made by Rest Cartwright of Haringey.

The organ was repaired from time to time, a big fuss being made when it was overhauled in 1950, the event subsequently being celebrated with a special organ evening.

Mark Sharman

Mark and his wife Sandy are both originally from London and became Christians while at university where they met one another at a Bible Study in Central London. After university Mark spent time training for ministry at Trinity College, Bristol and Sandy trained to be a science teacher in London.

They have been in pastoral work since 1976; their first church being Childs Hill, where they married in 1977. In 1983 God guided them to the North East of England, which continues to be their home. Over the years they have formed many strong friendships and links with other churches and fellowships in Tyneside and have seen God maintain unity amongst Christian leaders.

Mark and Sandy have three children and six grandchildren that they enjoy seeing regularly. Although both are now retired, Mark still loves preaching, evangelism, riding his electric bike, walking in the Lake District and reading history books. Sandy enjoys playing the piano, walking with the dog, teaching, technical challenges, and leading worship.

Chapel Interior 1927