St Andrews Church Newspapers 1924

Churches - Bevendean History Project

Newspaper Articles for St Andrews Church 1924

PRESENTATION TO REV. AND MRS. BICKFORD HEARD.

At a well attended gathering, held during the week-end, the congregation of St Andrews Moulsecombe, presented the Rev. and Mrs. Bickford Heard with a handsome silver revolving breakfast dish, on the occasion of their departure from Moulsecombe.
The Chairman, Mr L. Walter (the senior warden), expressed the general feeling of sincere regret at the departure of Mr and Mrs Bickford Heard, who, by their sympathy and friendship, had endeared themselves to the people of the district.
The Rev. J. Holroyd, Vicar of Patcham, in presenting the gift, spoke in warm terms of the valuable ministry of Mr Heard, who had so satisfactorily undertaken the “spade work” in an entirely new district, and for two years had laboured, and that not in vain. Mr Heard had firmly planted in Moulsecombe the Church and all that it meant. Mr Holroyd deplored the lack of physical strength which caused Mr Heard to decide to relinquish this great work, in which he had been so ably assisted by Mrs Heard.
The Rev. Bickford Heard, in thanking the congregation, expressed the hope that all would give the Rev. W. H. Carpenter, his successor, the loyal support and cooperation they had extended to him. Both Mrs Bickford Heard and himself were truly sorry to sever themselves from Moulsecombe. Their stay had been marked by many blessings, and he took with him the knowledge that real conversions had taken place during that period – “and that is the sure seal of Divine blessing on the work of a parish priest.”
Mr S. J. Burbidge, the Superintendent of the Sunday School, spoke of the real loss to the parish which the departure of Mr and Mrs Heard would mean. In a new district like Moulsecombe the work of a parson was by no means a sinecure. The speaker voiced the feelings of all present when he said that, for a real parson and friend it would be hard to find one more sympathetic and true than Mr Bickford Heard had proved himself, while the amount of work quietly performed by Mrs Bickford Heard behind the scenes had been incalculable.
A delightful incident was furnished by the presentation to Mrs Heard of a beautiful bouquet of roses and peonies, by little Miss Williams.
Mrs Heard, in responding, tendered her thanks to all for their friendship and help, and said how sorry she was to have to go away.
The high esteem and affection in which Mr and Mrs Heard are held was shown by the spontaneous applause with which each tribute to them was received. “They carry with them” (writes a correspondent), “the earnest good wishes of all who have had the real pleasure and privilege of friendship with two loyal servants of God, who have so well established and consolidated the Church in Moulsecombe.
Brighton & Hove Herald – 21 June 1924

ST ANDREWS CHURCH, MOULSECOMBE

The pretty little church at Moulsecombe was the scene of much activity on Sunday and Monday, on the occasion of the introduction of the new Curate-in-charge, the Rev W. H. Carpenter, B.A.
At the morning service there was an imposing array of Scouts, Guides, etc., who marched to church accompanied by their new minister, who wore his Scoutmaster’s hat and badge. A crowded congregation listened to an impressive sermon based on the text, “As the Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (St. John xx, 21).
At the afternoon service Mr Carpenter addressed a crowded congregation of school children, and proved himself as capable in holding the children’s attention as he had with the adults. He also spoke words of appreciation and thanks to the school officers and teachers.
At the evening service the church was comfortably filled by an adult congregation, who were deeply interested by a very earnest discourse from the text, “My presence shall go with Them” (Exodus xxxiii, 14).
A striking feature of the gatherings was Mr Carpenter’s admirable singing of the service, and the prompt and reverent responses of the congregation.
Mr Carpenter’s tribute to the friends, workers, and congregation whom he had left behind at Partridge Green was most sincere, and the people of Moulsecombe could not help feeling that the loss Partridge Green had sustained was a great gain to their own district.
On the previous Sunday, the congregation at Partridge Green had presented Mr and Mrs Carpenter with an address and a handsome cheque, to which practically everyone associated with the church subscribed. A pocket letter case was presented by the Boy Scouts to their Scoutmaster, while the Mothers’ Union and Girls’ Friendly Society gave a handsome silver hot water jug, suitably inscribed and silver tea knives.
On Monday evening a large congregation gathered in the church to a service of introduction and blessing, conducted by the Archdeacon of Lewes (the Ven. H. M. Hordern). The service was simple and impressive. The address of the Archdeacon was much appreciated, after which the solemn words giving charge of the work were read, and prayers for God’s blessing and guidance were said, while Mr Carpenter knelt at the altar rail.
Immediately after the service, the whole congregation adjourned to the hut, where short addresses were given by the Archdeacon, the Rev J. Holroyde (Vicar of Patcham), and the Rev W. H. and Mrs Carpenter. The addresses were interspersed with music and refreshments.
Mr and Mrs Carpenter expressed appreciation of the splendid start which had been given them, and spoke words of encouragement to all the workers. They appealed for more volunteers to help in the success which they felt must inevitably follow such as auspicious beginning.

Brighton & Hove Herald – 12 July 1924

CHURCH EXTENSION IN BRIGHTON.

Help for St. Wilfred’s and Moulsecombe.

“A definite effort is to be made in the coming year by the Diocese, and more especially the Rural Deanery of Brighton, to make provision for a new church and hall in the parish of St. Wilfred’s, Brighton,” said the Rev. W. Godfrey Bell, M.A., secretary of the Chichester Diocesan Fund (Incorporated) in an interview with a “Herald” representative this week.
For more than ten years, the district in question has been served only by an iron mission church, worked by one clergyman, but the population of the district is now wall over ten thousand, and developments foreshadowed promise a farther great increase in the number of parishioners.
“This is a case where no large portion of the money can possibly be raised within the borders of the parish. For the first time, however, a sum of money has been set aside in the Diocese Budget for 1925 for ‘new church buildings.’
"The Parish of Moulsecombe also urgently requires a permanent church and vicarage to be built on a valuable site which the Diocese has already purchased.
"Moulsecombe people, under the leadership of the Rev. W. H. Carpenter, are making strenuous attempts to play a worthy part in the scheme, but it is obvious that outside support will be necessary if the work it to be carried out in the near future,
“I should like to point out in reference to both these schemes that a Diocesan Loan Fund has been inaugurated, sad those responsible for the administration of the Diocesan Fund are now making an urgent appeal with a view to receiving loans from £25 upwards, upon which three per cent interest will be paid. It is proposed at lend the money thus obtained to such parishes at St. Wilfrid’s, Brighton, and St. Andrew's, Moulsecombe, to enable them to proceed with the work, which should be carried out forthwith.
“The reason for the creation of this Loan Fund is that problems connected with church building in the Diocese are such that unless the present opportunity is seized, it will be lost for all time. In most cases, the parishes concerned are able to make regular annual contributions, but could not possibly face the immediate payment of a heavy sum of money.”

Brighton & Hove Herald – 27 December 1924