£400 from its funds towards the building of the much needed church.
A local sub-committee was set up under the Chairmanship of Edward Protheroe, M.P. of Newnham, who was a Colliery owner. On the 15th July 1839 the Association resolved to petition Her Majesty's Treasury to undertake the endowment of Cinderford Church. The petition mentioned that "in selecting situations of the most urgent destitution and want of religious instruction the Association have found none more worthy of attention and relief than the particular location of Cinderford, in the Forest of Dean". The Association further begged the Treasury when considering the stipend to take into account "How great are the calls upon the benevolence and charity of a clergyman fixed among a poor labouring population, exposed to distressing accidents".
Meanwhile, despite the lack of co-operation from the Crown, two large donations had been received. Charles Bathurst of Lydney contributed £950. The Revd. Dr Samuel Warneford of Bourton-on-the-Hill, who gave great financial support to the Association, promised magnificent donations towards five churches, of which St. John, Cinderford was one.
Agreement was reached on the site of the church and the local committee was empowered to take measures for the commencement of the work, " upon receiving from the Government a sufficient assurance that it is their intention to bring forward a parliamentary measure at an early period to endow the new church".
A local sub-
Meanwhile, despite the lack of co-
Agreement was reached on the site of the church and the local committee was empowered to take measures for the commencement of the work, " upon receiving from the Government a sufficient assurance that it is their intention to bring forward a parliamentary measure at an early period to endow the new church".
While this struggle to obtain a church for Cinderford was going on, Edward Protheroe had built on Cinderford Tump "where the old holly grew", a large and substantial school buildings (now the Church Hall) for the benefit of the families connected with his Collieries.
In April 1840 Mr Protheroe pointed out that, as his school buildings were approaching completion, and still nothing decided about building a church, a temporary solution could be that the school be used as a chapel for the time being and the clergyman be authorised and licensed.
In April 1840 Mr Protheroe pointed out that, as his school buildings were approaching completion, and still nothing decided about building a church, a temporary solution could be that the school be used as a chapel for the time being and the clergyman be authorised and licensed.
History continued
Index
History continued