Gill

METHODISM IN HARBY

From the book by Josiah Gill published in 1909, A History of Wesleyan Methodism in Melton Mowbray and the Vicinity1769 - 1909, pages 107 -112.

HARBY. Population 652. Sittings 190.

The name has been variously written Hareby, Herdeby, Herdrebye, Hetheby, Hardebye and Herdebi. This transition is perfectly natural and easily to be accounted for, the tendency of popular usuage being to drop what appeared to be superfluous syllables in all such cases. Worsaac derives the first syllable from " hare," as though its name had been suggested by abundance of such game. The terminal " by " of course proves its Danish origin.

An interesting fact relating to pre-methodist days is given by the great historian Nichol. It appears that in the 17th century the Quakers were very strong here; and says he, " There appears a deficiency in the register from the great number of Quakers then in the parish."

This sturdy sect had become almost extinct when the Wesleyan preachers first came to the villages of the Vale with a gospel striking its roots deep in the fruitful soil.

It was William and Ann Orson who first unfurled the Methodist flag, in 1828.' On taking up his residence in the village Mr. Orson fitted up a good-sized carriage house for the purpose of holding public worship. It was properly licensed for that use, the licence reading as follows: -

" This is to certify that on the seventh day of April, 1828, a certain paper writing dated 7th March last, and purporting to be a certificate under the hand of Samuel Palmer (Rev. S. Palmer), certifying that a building belonging to, and in the occupation of, Mr. William Orson situate in the Parish of Harby in the County and Archdeaconry of Leicester, and 1-iocese of Lincoln, is intended forthwith to be used as a place of religious worship by an Assembly or Congregation of Protestants; was registered in the Archdeaconry Court of Leicester according to statute in that case made and provided.

Signed. JOHN STOCKDALE HARDY, Registrar."

The dedicatory sermons were preached by William Orson of Old Dalby, and for 20 years this " Consecrated Coach-house " was employed as a House of Prayer.

The Society appears on the Circuit Books for the first time in December, i829, when the sum of 18/- was contributed is the Quarterage. Mrs. Orson was the Leader and the following were the names of the members. -

William Orson, George Hall, Sarah and Milley Rose, Richard and Sarah Knapp, John Orson, John Richards, Ann Stafford, Sarah Wesson, Mary Starbuck, George Hall, junior, Elizabeth Brian and Mary Hurriman. 15 in all.

Two or three names of this little band are worthy of special mention.
The Leader, Ann Orson, was a most intelligent and devoted worker and stood firm and faithful to her religious profession through much persecution and reproach. Her affectionate regard for the local preachers, who were always welcomed guests, was an outstanding characteristic, and when the calm and beneficent life ended, it was found that she had left £1 to each preacher whose name was on the Circuit Plan.

John Richards entered the Ministry in 1836, and was a Missionary first in South Africa and afterwards in the East Indies.

Sarah Wesson became Mr. Richards' wife and fellow-helper on the Mission field.

John Orson was a steadfast Methodist for nearly 6o years. Soon after coming to the village he took charge of a Class which he led to the end of his life. To the various offices of the Church, especially the Sunday School, he was firmly attached. His liberality was a marked characteristic. It was not confined to his own Circuit, but the institutions of Methodism generally found in him a ready and generous helper. During the Reform Movement, when there was a temporary secession of members and adherents, the retention of the second minister in the Circuit would have been impossible had not Mr. Orson given £20 a year from his private purse towards the stipend. The religious charities of this good man exhibit a striking and exemplary view of the vigour of those evangelistic principles by which he was habitually governed in the distribution of his wealth. A Tablet placed in the Chapel gratefully perpetuates the memory of John Orson, who died in 1874, aged 80 years.

In a comparatively brief period the congregation of worshippers outgrew the limits of the improvised sanctuary, and a Chapel was resolved upon. In a letter of application addressed to Dr. jobson, the Rev. Samuel Allen said: - ', A Chapel has long been very much needed. We have now only an old gig-house and often many people are unable to obtain entrance."

The Foundation Stone of the New Chapel was laid early in 1847 by C. H. Clarke, Esquire, of Nottingham, and a few months later a brilliant series of "opening" services was held when John Rattenbury, Robert Newton and James Everett visited the village.

Mr. Orson gave the land and engaged to make the opening collection £90 if needful. He virtually placed the building out of debt by appropriating the whole proceeds of the pew rents to the benefit of the Quarter Board.

The names of the Trustees of the Chapel suggest to us the active church-workers of 6o years ago. They were:- John Orson, George Hall, H. Bonser, T. Goodson, W. Kemp, T. Baguley, G. Geeson, J. Baguley, W. Waite, E. Hall (all of Harby), R. Bailey and W. Braithwaite. The membership at the time was 54, John Orson and Thomas Baguley being the Leaders.

In 1873 the Chapel underwent a thorough renovation. The expenses of the outlay were defrayed, for the most part, by a Bazaar held under the supervision of Mesdames Lever, Furmidge, Whittle and Miss Glover.

In June, 1897, the Schoolroom was erected and opened by the Rev. Joseph Bush. The Sunday School has since then grown with remarkable rapidity.

The Chapel was again renovated and altered in 1904 at a cost of £150. The chief features of the scheme were the introduction of a rostrum, new pews, an organ, and the insertion of a window. The money to pay for the work was quickly raised. The restoration of a building sometimes means the renovation of the Church and the congregation. This effort put new life and hope into the little Society, and to-day Harby has one of the most flourishing causes in the district.

Many faithful members and effective workers are brought to our notice in connection with the past of Harby Methodism. They were:- William Atkins, a local preacher, William Manchester, a devoted Sunday School worker, Mrs. Hall, a class-leader for nearly 6o years, Mr. Mabbott, Miss Glover (afterwards Mrs. Braithwaite, of Stathern) and Mrs. Hopkins, all known for their many excellencies and their zeal in the cause of Christ.

In March, 1879, a man of sterling worth passed away in the person of Henry Marriott Orson. The Quarterly Meeting resolution speaks of his "uniform kindness, his manly uprightness, his general intelligence, his earnest and consistent piety, his liberality and hospitality and his diligence in the cause of religion as a Class-leader, Steward and Sunday School Superintendent."

The memory of Frank Orson and his sister is cherished by many to this day. Their hospitality was truly remark- able; no guest ever entered their home who was not received with all the warmth of the most generous welcome.

The coming of Mr. Thomas Attewell to reside in the village a few years ago gave an impetus to the work of the Chapel. He is a Local Preacher of 44 years standing, and he at present holds the premier office of Circuit Steward.

The Wesleyan chapel in 1909. Click on it for a larger size view. This postcard was posted from Harby at 5.15 pm on 7 July 1913, to Kettering. From a postcard in the collection of Neil Cunnington.

Inside Harby Chapel

Thomas Attewell