ROBERT HALL MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH 1901-1961

SIXTY years ago, the Robert Hall Memorial Baptist Church was formed and buildings were erected on our present site. But, for the beginnings of this Baptist witness, we must go back to 1760 and to the zeal and devotion of a few loyal followers of Jesus Christ. They came to Leicester from Sutton-in-the-Elms and erected a small meeting house in Harvey Lane. William Carey was pastor for four years immediately prior to his departure for India in 1795 and Robert Hall's great preaching during his pastorate (1807-1826) attracted such crowds that the building was twice enlarged.

Towards the end of the nineteenth century, however, the resi­dential area of Leicester was developing in the ‘West End’ and it was decided that the main work of Harvey Lane should be trans­ferred to that district. Thus, a committee was formed, representing the deacons of the Harvey Lane Chapel and friends residing in the West End, the first meeting being held in September, 1899.

By the middle of 1900, competitive designs had been invited from six architects for a building having accommodation for about 900 persons in the chapel and in the School for about 800 scholars. An appeal had been raised to meet the cost, which was estimated at about £9,000 and, by this time, some £2,000 had been promised already through Harvey Lane friends - no mean achievement when the changed value of the pound is considered.

So began our buildings, as a memorial to the great work of Robert Hall and to serve the needs of the rapidly growing Leicester. To quote the Title Deed: “The chapel shall be called the ‘Robert Hall Memorial Chapel’ and shall at all times hereafter be used as a Meeting House or place for Public Worship by a Society of Evan­gelical Protestant Dissenters, commonly known as ‘Baptists’.”

Selection of the final design enabled work to commence and the Stone-Laying Ceremony of the Chapel building took place on October 4th, 1900. Detailed estimates now showed that the total cost, including the site, the buildings and the furnishings would be approximately £12,000 and by the date of the laying of the foundation stone some £4,000 had been raised. Work on the Sunday School buildings proceeded concurrently and the Stone-Laying Ceremony was held on February 28th, 1901.

Rapid progress was made on the building and the Opening Services were on Thursday, November 28th, 1901, the chapel being filled to overflowing to hear a sermon preached by Rev. R. Glover, D.D., of Bristol. Following the service, about 600 friends partook of tea in the Schoolroom.

Although sponsored originally by the Leicester Baptist Church Extension Movement, the outstanding debt was assumed by the church after a very few years. The balance of £8,000 may not seem excessive as a financial responsibility, but it must be remembered that the total cost of £12,000 was equivalent to an amount nearer £100,000 by present day standards. An interesting reflection on this change in values is shown by the advertisements in an early copy of the “Robert Hall Memorial Chapel Magazine”, predecessor of the “Messenger”. Here are offered “spectacles to suit your sight” at 3/6d. per pair; wedding rings from 7/6d; “good coals” from 16/6d. per ton, with “cheaper qualities if desired” and tea at 2/- per pound. Other advertisements suggest that “unemploy­ment may be the result of failing sight” and appeal to purchasers of boots and shoes to ensure that these articles bear the trade union stamp, so helping “the worker to obtain and maintain good wages”. The records also show that the first caretaker was appointed from 236 applicants and was given a weekly wage of 25/-. It is against this background of low wages and fear of unemployment that the finance of the early days of ‘Robert Hall’ must be considered and the debt represented a heavy burden, the liquidation thereof being made possible only by the courage and sacrifice of the officers and mem­bers.

Speakers at the Stone-Laying Ceremony and at the Opening Services commented on the size of the buildings and at the seating accommodation for 900 persons in the chapel. This was planned with a vision of the future expansion of the district and this foresight proved to be thoroughly justified. During the first thirty years in particular, there were occasions when, not only was every seat occu­pied, but chairs were placed in the aisles, and on the rostrum and even the pulpit steps were used. The evangelistic work was pursued with vigour and one church meeting records the names of as many as 27 persons who were candidates for baptism.

The Sunday Schools with accommodation for 800 scholars may seem to make extravagant provision for the work, but the school grew very rapidly and soon became one of the largest in Leicester. In 1906, it was actually found necessary to increase the capacity by renting the lower suite of rooms in the now Westcotes School buildings. In order to increase the space of our own premises, it was decided to build a new room and this was done in 1908 at a cost of about £200. Although this extension is now more than fifty years old and the building is very little newer than the remainder of the premises, the name ‘New Room’ has persisted.

The size of the Sunday School was such that the Anniversary had to be split, the Junior and Senior services being held separately.

With regard to ‘treats’, shortly after 1920 more ambitious outings were arranged, visits being paid to the London Zoo, besides such places as Skegness, Mablethorpe, Sutton-on-Sea and Hunstanton. On some of these, other schools were invited to come, special trains being booked and the commission earned from the sale of the railway tickets often realised sufficient to pay for teas and refreshments on the return journeys.

Originally, open sessions were held in the mornings and classes in the afternoons, but the unfortunate intervention of two world wars finallv influenced the numbers of scholars and teachers and this, coupled with the changing ‘Sunday atmosphere’ has brought about a new organisation. The establishment of the Junior Church and the morning Family Worship is having a satisfying effect. ‘Robert Hall’ has always had an interest in missionary work, partially owing to its connection with William Carey and also from the fact that the first pastor was called from the church to take up organising work with the Baptist Missionary Society, while yet another pastor left our church to join the staff of Serampore College. During the years some thousands of pounds have been subscribed to this Society and the Sunday Schools have made a substantial contribution to this amount.

Fellowships, uniformed organisations, drama and choral societies to retain the interest and encourage the development of young people have existed from time to time, together with Band of Hope and Christian Endeavour meetings, but, owing to changes in personnel and the passing of years, their successes have fluctuated, only to be renewed. At present, meetings are arranged after the evening service and interest in ‘Sunday Night at 8’ is increasing satisfactorily. Throughout the 60 years of our history, the Church has been well represented in local recreational life. In its very early days a cricket team participated in the Sunday School League to be followed by the W.E.M.O. Cricket Club which in its heyday was highly respected and sought after by many of the best local clubs.

In between the two wars, teams of football, cricket, and hockey and an athletic club all carried our Church’s name - not forgetting a table-tennis team which under the auspices of the Men’s society competed in the Leicester Table-Tennis League.

After World War One, land was leased near Westcotes Drive and a Tennis Club was formed. This was in gratitude to, and thanks­giving for, those who had returned from service in the armed forces. Four grass courts were available, with a pavilion and also a field on which football could be played. These activities may seem removed from the main work of a Church, but they all performed a worthwhile function in holding together in a healthy way the interest of many of our younger folk throughout the years.

Undoubtedly, the hub around which the men's efforts turned was the Men’s Bible Class. This commenced in 1902 and continued its weekly meetings on Sunday afternoons until the middle of 1948, reaching such prominence that it came to be recognised as one of the two best such classes in the city. Those who belonged to the class were very appreciative of the fellowship and friendships formed; a number of the members served on the Diaconate and the Church Council, while others have become Local Preachers. Before the first world war, when the ‘Brotherhood Movement’ was in evidence, an additional meeting called the West End Men’s Own was commenced and this met in the church being most popular and well supported. At one stage, the men were called together and united into the Men’s Society, which was an immense success enjoying games, lectures, musical and social events. In addition, fruit and vegetable shows were organised the exhibitors including the members and also the parents of younger people connected with the church and Sunday School.

The women connected with the church have always given valuable assistance. Their organisations - Bible Class, Sisterhood, Women’s Fellowship, Ladies’ Social Circle, Baptist Women’s League and under other names - have been energetic and enthusiastic in using their skill and imagination in the work of the church, whether in the raising of funds for the church or other good causes or in other spheres. It is noteworthy that, while many other organisations have varied in their activity, most of the women’s organisations have been consistent in their vigour and are flourishing today, providing a vital force in church life.

High praise is due to them for their loyalty and generosity and most of the events in the church would have been ‘poor shows’ with­out their help. A branch of the B.W.T.A. has been connected with the church continually and has worked quietly in the cause of Tem­perance. As individuals, too, no effort has been spared and, although the first Lady-Deacon was not elected until 1920, many have served since then in this and in other capacities, giving faithful service. But the activities of ‘Robert Hall’ have never been confined within the four walls of a building. Our church grew from Harvey Lane Chapel and the latter was a branch of and the responsibility of Robert Hall Memorial Church for a number of years. For a considerable period too, the oversight of the church at Huncote was a further responsibility and many members will remember the Huncote pilgrimage each year. As the expansion of Leicester continued, attention was turned in the late ’twenties to the needs of the Braunstone Estate. At first, a Sunday School and Evening Service were arranged, in temporary accommodation. This progress is being continued in the permanent church buildings currently being erected at Braunstone and the union with the Friar Lane Church. More recently, city and county churches have been ‘linked’ and the interests of the Robert Hall Memorial Church have been joined with those of Cosby Baptist Church. Circumstances may change, residential areas may alter, but the activities of the churches move with these changes and the work never ceases.

The influence of the church has been felt also in wider circles of local affairs and the minutes of church meetings record protests to the City Council on such matters as golf, the opening of cinemas and games on parks on Sundays. Not all expressions of opinion were disapproving, however, and, on occasion, letters were sent voicing appreciation to the retiring Lord Mayor and sending good wishes to the incoming Lord Mayor.

National affairs received attention too and practical assistance was rendered, in the late ’twenties, to distressed Durham and Welsh miners and, more particularly, to their children. Belgian refugees, displaced persons and air raid sufferers were other examples of causes where help has been given to those in need. International events, also, have caused the church to raise its voice to express opinion and the files contain letters from the Prime Minister and the President of the United States acknowledging resolutions from the congregation of Robert Hall Memorial Church. Within recent months, the situation in Angola has been the subject of representa­tions to the relevant Governments.

At this time, our thoughts are turned to the Diamond Jubilee of Robert Hall Memorial Church. It must not be forgotten that the word ‘Church’ has two dictionary definitions. A church is a “building for public Christian worship” and ‘Robert Hall’ has been a prominent and well-known landmark in the West End of Leicester for sixty years. But ‘church’ also means “all Christians - all Christians” - no matter whether their part be great or small, whether their influence be good or merely indifferent, the true story of ‘Robert Hall’ is made up of the lives of the Christian men and women of its congregations. Thus, it was written at the passing of one friend who had been a Deacon at Harvey Lane and at ‘Robert Hall’ for 55 years: “right nobly did he rise to all its responsibilities. It was a joy to see him so regular in attendance at all Services, often at great inconvenience to himself, walking in all weathers some eight miles every Sunday and never late . . . . his voice so often raised in prayer and praise . . . . his face lit up with a radiance born of an inward peace . . . . the memory of his saintly and devoted life will abide and we hope may be fruitful in leading many to follow in his footsteps in so far as he followed Christ.”

The reader of this short history may view with disapproval the absence of names, when so many come to mind. But, for this very reason, the account has remained impersonal, the intention being to give a stimulus to the memory, resulting in a flood of one's own recollections of persons and of names. Some will be well­-remembered personalities, with familiar names; others will be but vague memories of faces with forgotten names. All these, however, have played their part and our thoughts can best gain expression in words from the 44th chapter of Ecclesiasticus:

“Let us now praise famous men and our fathers that begat us. The Lord hath wrought great glory by them through his power from the beginning . . . . . Leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their knowledge of learning meet for the people, wise and eloquent in their instructions . . . . .
All these were honoured in their generations and were the glory of their times. There be of them that have left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported.
And some there be that have no memorial ; who are perished as though they had never been and are become as though they had never been born ; and their children after them.
But these were merciful men whose righteousness hath not been forgotten. With their seed shall continually remain a good inheritance . . . . . their seed shall remain for ever . . . .”

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