For over twenty years Len and Joy Channing travelled the length and breadth of the country researching the history of the church in Britain. This publication is the result of their labours. It is not a history book in the normal sense of the word, but a copy of the minute book of one congregation in the north of England.
As we read from its pages it will seem as though we are sharing in their activities, sympathising with their problems and rejoicing in their triumphs. One fact that leaps at us over the centuries is the knowledge that many of the problems that the church faces today are similar to the ones faced by those seeking to follow scripture in the 17th - 19th centuries.
The publication of this book has been a ‘labour of love’ in the hope that as we see how those who have gone before have sought to apply scripture to their lives, we will be encouraged and strengthened to do the same.
Thanks are due to Sue Whitehead of Aylesbury for undertaking the daunting task of typing out all the stencils, and to the brethren at Wembley for printing and producing this book. But most of all, thanks are due to our late brother Len Channing and his wife Joy, for their enthusiasm in seeking the information contained within.
Peter Hodge, Wembley - 1985.
Please note that the original pages are separated by a short line, and some numbers were removed. The spelling remains unchanged from the copy typed by Sue Whitehead. Some formatting, such as columns and spaces between items, has been changed for ease of reading and web accessibility.
This booke is for the use off that Church of Christ in Broughton Ffurnessfells and Cartmel whereof Mr. Gabrill Camelford is teaching elder. 18th day of the sixth month called August 1669. A Church of Christ was founded in order and faith drawn together in the fellowship and order of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All the house of William Rawlinge off Tottlebank in Doulton in Furness there weare present, and assisted Mr. George Lurkham pastor off a Church of Christ in Cumberland and Mr. Roger Sawrey of Broughton Tower, a member of Christ and off that particular Church in London of which Mr. George Coackine is teachinge elder. The persons joyninge themselves at this tyme
| Gabrill Camelford | Hugh Toweres |
| William Toweres | James Ffisher |
| Joseph Toweres | James Toweres |
|
Gabrill Camelford Hugh Toweres William Toweres James Toweres Joseph Toweres James Ffisher Henery Jackson William Bands Myles Harrison William Braithwhit Mrs. Eliza Sawrey John Parker Thomas Skeldings John Pennington Ann Walker Mary Camelford Hester Sandes William Rawlinson |
Dead Dead Dead Dead his funr. from Ps. 49.14 by I. S. Dead Dead Dead the 8th day of the 7th month. Dead Dead 1730 funr. from 1 Cor. 13.l. by I.S. Dead the 5th day of the 9th month. Dead The 10th day of the 11th month. Dead Dead the 23rd day. Dyed July 7 1734 Dead Dead Dead Dead |
| This 19 day of the third month 1672 __________ | Matthew Dawson John Poslwhat | dead dead |
| the 24th of the sixth month (73) __________ | George Braithwhit William Robinson | departed dead |
| the 4th day of the third month (74) __________ | Richard Skelding | dead |
| the 26th of the 5th month (74) __________ | Robart Lawson at London buried Dec. the 25/97 | dead |
| the 16th day of the third month (75) __________ | Agnes Towers | |
| the 11th day of the fifth month in the same yeare. __________ | Ellin Wilson | |
| October fourth In the same yeare. | Elizabeth Askew Jane Penington Margret Atkinson | dead dead dead |
| The 12th day of the third month (76) |
John Atkinson Rowland Atkinson Leonard Park Myles Addison William Wilson John Swainson Alexander Tubman Margritt Nealson John Atkinson Sen. Jenett Swaynson Stephen Swaynson John Towers |
dead dead in Ireland withdrawn dead dead dead Dyed April 17 - funeral sermon preached May 8 1726 from 2 Sam. 23,5. dead dead dead |
| July 29 1691 | John Nunns Thom. Sceldrige |
dead dead |
| Jun 3 1695 | Geo. Taylor funr. preached from 1 Cor. 15 by I. S. James Strickland Isabell Dodgson Hanah Holme nee Towers +(Issabel)+ Adison | |
| June the 26, 95. | Mr. Roger Sawray gave himself up a member to this church (and departed this life to be forever with his Lord)+ August the 6th 1699. |
| 26th of April 1696 | William Woll | dead |
| 28th | John Wilson (dead) Agnes Denny (at London) | |
| 21st June 1696 | Steven Pirt John Wilson at London James Taylor Elline Wild Smith |
dead dead dead Withdrawn |
| 23 of August 1696 | Robert Hartley Robert Carter James Pirt John Towers |
dead funr. serm. upon Ps. 115,16. funr. preached upon Isa. 51,5. buried at Hawkshead Hill 1742. |