Clayton Baptist Ter-Jubillee 1828-1978

CLAYTON BAPTIST TER-JUBILEE 1828-1978

DO YOU REMEMBER? I remember, I remember, the place where I was born; The village where I played with friends, The hills, the brook, the corn;
The spinning mills, the weaving sheds the quarrying for stone; The farms with horses, carts and drays: How the stage coach used to moan.
I remember, I remember, The new Northern Railway Line; The 'tide' which came each August day to give enjoyment fine
And also how the gaslight came to replace oil-lit street; The Brass Band and the village school, advancing needs to meet.
I remember, I remember, The Wells where horses neigh; The Park which opened on the green in Queen Victoria’s day.
But I remember too our Church and those who worshipped there, Who gave themselves in faith and love, God's work on earth to share.

THE PAST

"Claitone" - a small isolated hamlet, purely agrioultura1, given by Wi11iam the Conqueror to his henchman Ilbert de laoey; up to the reign of Henry VIII in the early 1500's a population of less than 200 with only 26 men in the district able to bear arms. During the next 150 years this population only increased to about 350, living in 77 cottages; but in the following 15 years, by 1803, to 1000 - and it continued to increase. This period of growth coincided with the Rise of Methodism, the Evangelican Revival and the Industrial Revolution, and in it the first Church in the village was formed - CLAYTON BAPTIST CHURCH

GEORGE ANDREWS

I have vivid memories of the Evangelical Revival. I well remember that in 1738 a Halifax Evangelicalist, Dan Taylor, had left the Methodists and was baptised in Nottingham. I lived at Al1erton but regularly on Sunday mornings went up the hills to Queenshead to hear Dan Taylor's brother John preach at the new Baptist Chapel there. Several friends made their way up from Clayton too and at times we heard him when he visited surrounding villages on Sunday afternoons and evenings. Those were great days: Eventually I joined with 14 Baptists in Clayton to arrange our own cottage meetings and before long we'd rented the Crown Inn in Deep Lane Top for £4.15.0d. a year. It held 90 persons and I was appointed one of the five Deacons of Clayton's first Church. How excited we were to have our first eleven baptisms in Lidget Beck, witnessing our faith before 2000 people who gathered there from all around the area. It was a. sad day for us when John Tay1or died in 1818. There were 3000 at his funeral. Twelve years after that,• in 1830, we built our first Chapel - only small. We were so enthusiastic that three people were baptised in the unfinished building, after which we celebrated with a dinner for 15 at the Black Bull Inn. I was invited to be Pastor of the new Church - not a paid Pastor, for I continued to earn my own living. Although there was strict and rigid discipline, and although the Lord's Day Services were formidable, we were staunch to our faith and no backsliding was allowed. It gave me great joy to see our Church increase in 2 years by 31 persons and also an undenominational Christian Day and Sunday School commenced in 1819, followed by our own Sunday School with 47 scholars. This is the tablet placed where I was buried in 1831 inside the first Clayton Baptist Chapel at the library end of the present graveyard - the Church which I served with such joy. yes I am GEORGE ANDREWS

JABEZ TUNNICLIFFE

Although I lived in Leeds, the Baptist cause at Clayton was very dear to me for I visited the Church from time to time. One December. I remember we had some wonderful revival meetings. People were moved to tears as we prayed together. I vividly recollect that most delightful Christmas we ever spent in 1843, with special thanksgiving services all day from 8 am till after 8 pm. I'll never forget it - or the following Easter Monday when, as a result of these revival meetings I had the joy of baptising 34 as well as helping many enquirers. Soon after this, in 1845 I received two pieces of news - a new vestry had been added to the Church but also the back of the Chapel had given way. When repairs and redecorations were completed I took part in the re-opening services. Three years later a "Bass" was given bye. friend and it was agreed that no other instrument should be played in the Chapels as long as it stood. An unwise decision, for during the next six Ministries the Chapel was renovated, repewed and redecorated and then, as well as gas lighting, a new harmonium was introduced. At this period Annual Teas provided for 700. They were marvellous times of fellowship. A great struggle ensued, to acquire ground on Job Green. This resulted in building the New General Baptist Sunday School and two adjoining cottages. The Burial ground was also purchased for £190. In 1880, before the Jubilee I was to have read a "Funeral Service" on the burial of all Church debts but was unfortunately prevented by illness. Debts of over £3,000 were still to be cleared on the Sunday School buildings, burial ground and walling off. I felt deeply yet humbly honoured to have shared the achievements of the friends at Clayton over the years. Through 10 Ministries 412 had been received and baptised, bringing the number of Members to 144, with 376 scholars in the Sunday School and 50 Teachers. There was a library with 214 volumes and a Band of Hope with 150 Members. Although I was not able to accept an invitation to the pastorate, I, Jabez Tunnioliffe of Leeds, witnessed much of this truly wonderful record of devoted service and achievement over only 50 years.

THE PAST

After the Jubilee, during the Ministry of four more Pastors, the present Church building was built in 1890 and opened the following year with a procession and tea for 750. A new organ was given in 1892 by benefactors of the Church, who later also stood the cost of rebuilding and enlarging the organ and paid all expenses connected with it for many years. A monument to these benefactors is opposite the front entrance. At the re-opening and rededication of the organ there was a special recital, whilst a bazaar and other special efforts helped to reduce the remaining debts as the service and witness of the Church continued

REV. & MRS. KINSEY

When we came to take up the Pastorate at Clayton in 1913 we had a long journey from Aberdare by Great Western Railway with the help of a pantechnican for our removal. Since accepting the invitation, we had been in a cab accident. I was suffering from severe bruises while both of us still suffered from shock, so the journey was not an easy one. However we came feeling there were great opportunities to carry on a great witness and we grew to love our flock who bore us up in their prayers as we shared our joys and sorrows with them. Sorrows - yes, for it was not an easy Ministry. We deeply felt the loss of so many faithful and devoted servants with long records of sacrificial service. There was a Trustee who bad been Voluntary Choirmaster for 30 years; the former Secretary who in 50 years' service only missed one meeting; the Treasurer too, who, when given these 8 chairs on his resignation after 36 years, presented them back to the Church: we missed one who had been a faithful Trustee and Deacon over 57 years and an organist who served for 27 years. These were not all for the Great European War claimed several more. But there were joys too. Others came forward and before ill health compelled my husband to resign he had held 31 baptisms. We treasured and valued the help of all the faith:'u1 servants in the Church, Sunday School and various meetings who helped us to carry on as long as my health permitted. As 1 said in my letter of acceptance to the Church "1 was deeply desirous of following the Divine Leading. whatever the Lord said to me that I wished to do. I earnestly entreat now, as I did then, that the Ministry of future pastors may be "cradled in prayer and nourished by Communion" for the Master, In His Glad Service".

MEMORY OF THE PAST

My mother, now 93, celebrates with you today and sends her memories of those first 100 years: - "Memories of the original Chapel are not personal for I was too young. I do remember the faith and joy at the opening of the present building and the new organ during Rev. Hambley's Ministry. I also remember Rev. James Horn, Rev. Anwyl Arthur and Rev. T.B. Field, and along with others hold a special memory and regard for Mr. & Mrs. Kinsey. It will perhaps surprise many to know that even in the early days of this Century the Sunday School had 200 including large senior classes of men and women. There was a Girls Brigade, a School Orchestra. Christian Endeavour Societies and we supported the Bradford Baptist Council and the Baptist Missionary Society. The choir led the singing and had rambles and trips. Demonstrations were given by the children at Anniversaries and concerts were given on the small new stage in the school. We had an active women’s meeting and ladies Sewing Class working for the Church and Bazaars whilst the men formed an Institute in the old Chapel with gymnas¬tics (for boys and girls,) Billiards a Reading Room and a Smoke Room. Then there was too the Cricket Club and Tennis Club and weekly Socials. At our Annual Teas a meal would be provided far anywhere up to 300 people. Christmas Day and Boxing Day were spent, not in families at home but with the Church's family at a Concert where we took our own furniture to accommodate everyone. We paid pew rents for our family pews in Church, practically all of which were occu¬pied, and an envelope giving system was introduced. They were busy days but happy days. Our lives, our friendships and all our activities cantered around the Church and as our families came along they joined us there. Clayton Baptist Church brings happy memories for me and through my daughter I send warmest greetings."
SECOND MEMORY OF THE PAST My auntie too, now aged over 80, remembers some of those days and one or two interesting details from them, including the time when she was dared to kiss Mr. Kinsey under the mistle¬toe - one. detail she doesn’t recount! She remembers the framed address with the picture of the Churoh and School upon it, which was presented to :the longest serving Secretary. It said "We admire you for your firmness to principal, devotion to duty and persistence in effort, believing that you have largely contributed to the success of God’s work in being our Secretary for the unpreceden¬ted period of over half a Century. We rejoice to know we still have your guidance and prayers". So many other names come to mind too, whose devotion and service were a magnificent example and strength to others:- Although Rev. James Brown had to resign from ill health after only two years, yet he had 32 baptisms in that time as well as the honour of celebrating the Church's Jubilee, and through his instigation the idea of Clayton Victoria Park materialised. Later , during 16 years Ministry Rev. J. Wondon Hambley had 165 baptisms. The Rainbow Bazaar in Rev. Maobeth Pa.tersons day was a great effort by everyone as the interesting programme says: "This world may be divided into two groups those who go ahead and do something and those who sit still and ask why it was not done the other way". Can we find today a Church Secret¬ary only missing one meeting in over 50 years, can we imagine the truly sacrificial giving and work to reduce the debts in difficult times to bring about improvements and progress? Yet in these first 100 years we find examples of the Church’s advancement and of those to whom we owe so much as we celebrate today. May we continue to be Members of' the same caliber. Greetings to you all. By 1926 the Membership of the Church had further increased to 200. At the Lords Supper there would be an average of 82 present. So, as we pass on to more recent times, these first hundred years leave a great heritage of wonder¬ful examples we could well emulate.

Rev. W.G. Brown

Clayton has grown and advanced. The population now nears 5,000. But still the Baptist, Methodist and Anglican Churches, later joined by the Gospel Hall and Roman Catholics, play an important part in the life of the inhabitants of the ever-growing communality in the village of the West Riding County Council. The books from the Sunday School library have been passed over to the public library. As the second Century of Clayton Baptist Chapel commences there is electric lighting in the building and an electric blower for the organ. In 1927 a new property in Oa.k1eigh Terrace has been purchased. for the ooming of the new Minister, his wife and baby son from Co1eford, Gloucestershire. Rev. W.G. Brown was recording a message for us, but sadly passed away before this was completed. The message comes therefore from his elder son David. To Clayton Baptist Church on the occasion of its Ter Jubilee 1978. I bring the greetings of the Brown family in place of my father, your Minister from 1927 to 1937, who died in April of this year. Some of my earliest memories are of trotting to Chapel at his side, and waiting in the porch with Mr. Foster the caretaker, until he opened the doors: of the Primary Department under Mrs Beatie Robinson, Marjorie Rawns1ey and my mother; of Fred Robinson and Wallter Bu11ey taking school in the old buildings and of those, to me, venerable deacons, Arnold Kingdom, so tregica1ly to die at 46, Fred Heaton, Tom Craven, Herbert Mitchell and Frank Shepherd. There was the Whitsun procession round the village, led by the gleaming instruments of the Band, the children high on a horse drawn wagon, with those hymn singing stops at the Park, Lane Ends and the Wells. And the Anni¬versary days; Church packed to the back of the gallery to hear Dr. Underwood or D. J . Hiley; with the rostrum gaily decorated for the children’s demonstration, "The Glory of the Garden", or "Faith, Hope and Love" • The people make the Church - and it was the example of these teachers and deacons, led by the Minister, whoso son I was so proud to be, which gave Malcolm and me that grounding in the things of Christ, which was to lead us, later, to decision for Him.
MEMORIES OF REV. W.G. BROWN'S MINlSTRY (1927 - 1937)
My first memory of Mr Brown's Ministry is the Recognition Tea and Meeting in 1927 when 200 were present. This was followed in 1928 by ,the Centenary Celebrations when 450 attended the reunion tea and meeting, which included an 'Organ Recital. Letters were read from former Ministers, Hambley, Field, Kinsey and Paterson and greetings arrived from friends as far away as New Zealand, Australia, Canada and U.S.A. There was a display of special articles used in the Church’s history - The Bible, Dictionary and Spectacles of our first Minister, the Bass Fiddle used in the original Chapel, the first Communion Cup, The Accordian and the Trowel and Mallet used to lay the foundation stone of the present building - some of which we have here today. By this time all debts were cleared, which was a good beginning to the second Century. Many who are here today will remember the ten years under Mr. Brown's pastorship as I do. Many names come to mind, continuing the Master's work with the zeal of those who had gone before. Along with many more I was baptised by Mr. Brown after which I held the offices of Missionary Secretary, District President of the Girls Auxiliary, Sunday School Teacher, Member of the Christian Endeavour and Choir, and consequently was well acquainted with the devotion and hard work of our Pastor and of many members. Our average attendance at this time was 140 in the morning and 110 in the evening with 60 or more at Communion. There was a nucleus of 60 women in the Church able to take part in The Pageant of Noble Womanhood. During the first three years the Church Roll was revised, the Church and Sunday School finances were ama1gamated and in 1935 the first Lady Deacons were appointed. Then in 1929 after three years , service there was a unanimous vote of 84 for the renewal of the pastorate without time limit, during which period David and Malcolm grew up in our Sunday School. There were many YOUNG people actively connected with the Church whilst Mr. Brown was here, and most of them, like myself, were baptized members. The Men’s Class and Institute, Christian Endeavour and Sunday School activities along with the choir filled every need for young people those days and life was very full. One of the events we looked forward to was the annual choir trip. At that time it was an achievement to be adopted in the choir after a voice test. It was a versatile and active choir, well able to give good renderings of the Messiah with its own soloists. Once the 1arger permanent platform was erected in the school we also aspired to musical productions on the stage, which drew full audiences each night. It would have been good to have the actual artists taking part tonight but as this is not possible, perhaps one of the solos will refresh memories of "A Nautical Knot".

MEMORIES OF REV.J. TINKER'S MINISTRY (1938 - 1954)

Clayton is now part of the City of Bradford; in 1937 the Manse has been sold and an older type terrace house purchased in Pasture Lane for the arrival of Rev. &: Mrs. J. Tinker. The next 16 years are eventful. Mr. &: Mrs. Tinker energetically fulfil their roll both in Clayton and the surrounding district and after three years are invited to stay without time limit resulting in an unbroken Ministry of 16 years.
Although Mr. &: Mrs. Tinker were not young when they came from Earby, they spared no effort. There was a Sunday School of 118 scholars and 20 Teachers , attendance at Church was encouraged through the formation of The League of Young Worshippers and Order of the Morning Star. This increased attendance led to baptismal classes and to many giving long membership and service up to the present day. The Choir and Young Peoples' Institute were active and well attended, organising Social Hours after evening worship. Cricket and Badminton Clubs played Sunday School League matches acquitting themselves well whilst Billiards, Table Tennis and even 21st birthday parties were enjoyed .in the downstairs rooms of the Church. Mrs. Tinker worked hard amongst the women and was remembered for never failing to stand at the door to welcome everyone to Church. In addition our Minister fulfilled many local duties being Chaplain of Thornton View Hospital, President of the Baptist Free Church Federal Council, The Bradford and District Baptist Council and the Baptist Missionary Society as well as Editor of the. Bradford Baptist Magazine. In spite of all this he found time for his own hobbies for relaxation - painting pictures and designing and making rugs. In fact he was a firm believer in the Church using every legitimate method for its teaching. This belief came most to light through his successes as a dramatist for this could be called the Church's period of Dramatisation - not only for religious plays since Clayton Baptists became known for successes in dramatic competition, religious plays, Sunday School Tableaux and musical plays, many of which were written and produced by our Minister. In this way and many others he worked amongst the Young People. It is impossible to even give extracts from plays tonight though some may remember this item from Variety Shows. One of the highlights of this period was when we shared the honour given to our Secretary and long ¬service Deacon in 1953 when he was appointed Lord Mayor of Bradford. Our Minister as Lord Mayor's Chaplain had a busy year. His sermon at the Civic Service held in this Church, based on the text "I am Citizen of no mean City" was one remembered to this day and one of his last functions was the presentation of a Token from the Church to the Lord Mayor. The best way I can sum up Mr. Tinker's Ministry was as I summed it up in one of my annual reports as I paid tribute, to his high standard of Ministry to the Baptist Denomination and to the Church in particular which was largely conducted during difficult war years. Yes, all was not easy and straightforward throughout his ministry, for in addition to the heavy snowstorm. in 1939 'there came the Second World War with the school blacked out, rationing preventing Annual Teas, activities our tailed because the School was taken over by the Military Authorities, causing a loss of revenue. The younger men were called to the forces while those remaining at home worked on war comforts, munitions, in the YMCA Canteen or on Fire Watchers. Correspondence was kept up with those scattered abroad and eventually there was a formal welcome on their return in 1946 ¬though not all returned. The School was put into use in 1947 but there was resultant dry rot - ¬renovations were required and heating repairs, to meet the costs of which Annual Teas functioned once more -and a Garden Fayre in 1950 •• but not for long. Further disruption occurred when the Education Committee used the rooms for the increased bulge in schoolchildren. Consequently the Institute Rooms below the Chapel were put to mare and more use. We could not end Mr. Tinker's Ministry without reference to his further witness during his semi-retirement at Blackpool from 1954. Six years later he returned to Clayton to take the tunera1service of the former Lard Mayor and that same year lost his wife in a tragic accident one• Sunday as he fulfilled a preaching engagement. After that he lived alone in C1eveleys until his 9lst year, The Christmas Cards he sent at this time bring his message to us today:- "Look backward with gratitude, Look forward with hope, Look upward with confidence”

MEMORIES OF M.F. WILLIAMS MINISTRY

Throughout his five years' ministry Mr. Williams often used to quote Wm. Temples phrase:- "The function of the Church is to make Christians of those who are not, and to make better Christians of those who are". His eloquence and new innovations in our services attracted many, particularly the younger generation of that time, bringing an increase through the Youth Fellowship who attended evening service and were afterwards invited to Members homes. Mrs. Williams used her musical talents re¬organising the choir to greater interest and service. Due to the gradual loss of Trustees a decision was made to appoint The Yorkshire Association our future Trustees. Communion services were increased to two a month giving opportunity for both morning and evening worshippers to attend. A mid week service was commenced and a Church Magazine. There were dry rot problems in the Church which led to services in the School, also School and constructional problems to solve which took up much time and thought, especially in the long Deacons Meetings hampered by financial problems. Regular yearly fabrio inspections in the future became a necessity with a special book to record Joiners and Plumbers findings, and constant repair work brought difficulties. However, a Men's Meeting was established whilst the Sunday School, Choir, ladies Class, Women's League, Youth Fellowship, Cricket Club and Junior Christian Endeavour continued to function. A highlight of this period, to assist financial difficulties was the Mock Auction, Baby Show and Fancy Dress Competition so well organised in 1957. When Mr. &: Mrs. Williams left for Exeter in 1960 there were 90 Scholars in the School and a Young Peoples' Fellowship of 40. His Ministry had brought life and individuality to the Church.

MEMORY OF STUDENT PASTORATE. 1960 - 1962

It was almost two years before there was another resident Minister but during that time Mr. Brian Chal1is, then . student at Manchester, became student pastor during the summer vacation. The Education Committee left the Sunday School premises and during this vacant pastorate the Deacons' vestry. was redecorated as well as the downstairs rooms, which were fitted with new lighting. The Sunday School premises were vacated by the Education Department but preparations for their sale resulted in discontinued Annual Teas being replaced by a Gift Day on the Church Anniver¬sary. Mr. Challis worked hard and held 9 Young Peoples' Baptisms but without continued leadership and oversight numbers fell in the Sunday School to 39 during the vacant pastorate.

MEMORY OF REV. J.P. WILLIAMS’ MINISTRY 1960 - 1965

At last the Manse at Larchmont was redecorated for our next Minister and his wife - Mr. J .P. Williams from Manchester College, who, upon his own declaration, had an unshakable faith in the power of prayer. Several beneficial additions were instigated to the Church's programme, such as The Women's Hour and the Crèche, which are still functioning today. The Clayton Council of Churches was formed at this time and our own Men's Meetings recommenced. The Gas Boiler Heating for the Church and the overhead heaters for the downstairs rooms were installed. The Church forecourt was repaired through an anonymous donation and the gardens were tidied in front of the Church. Liquid flooring and new toilets made improvements down¬stairs followed by redecorations both downstairs and in the Church itself after the Sunday School premises had been sold in 1962. Through many baptisms the membership rose rapidly to 122 with 51 scholars and 45 in the Young Peoples Fellowship, of whom 31 were regular attenders forming a Young Peoples Christian Endeavour and visiting the elderly. In 1965 Mr. Williams resigned the Pastorate feeling his useful term of Ministry was drawing to a close.

MEMORY OF REV. W. M. NELSON'S MINISTRY

MEMORY OF REV. W. M. NELSON'S MINISTRY BY HIS DAUGHTER 1966 -1978
Our first contact with Clayton was when my father met the Church in 1966. At this time there were 145 members on the roll - not a very realistic figure. Decorations and renovations were carried out in the Manse and soon after our arrival we had a Manse "At Home" day with a Bring and Buy Sale towards Manse Funds. This was followed by the Induotion Tea and Service. As a teenager I was able to assist my parents in their work amongst the young people. At our first Holiday Club we had up to 140 children through which 13 or more attended morning service. The increase in numbers encouraged the commencement of a Junior Youth Club and eventually a. Boys Brigade and a Girls Brigade. To present a more realistic picture the Church Roll was divided into an A and B Roll with an agreement to annual review, whilst Time and Talents forms were sent out in an effort to include more helpers and more involvement by everyone. Speoia1 services were arranged periodica1~ to encourage attendance at evening worship - All Present Services, Guest Services, Favourite Hymn Services played their part and, my father gave unstinting service as he worked for Christian Aid and Church Unity in the area as well as taking an active part in District Meetings and as Chaplain of Thornton View Hospital. Perhaps the most noticeable improvement was the effort to conserve heat, save expense, and enhance the atmosphere of worship by means of the False Roof erected in the Church, with perimeter lighting and new carpeting for the aisles and rostrum. After the grand re¬opening in 1968 it is believed that other Churches have benefited from the experience of this experiment. On the social side, Birthday Groups arranged their own efforts. Perhaps my father's Ministry could almost be compared to that of Mr. Kinsey previously mentioned in that during a very short space of time after both my parents bad undergone operations, the Church lost a life-deacon who had for many years had oversight of the property, graveyard and fabric, the Church Secretary who at 49 years of age had also served as Sunday School Secretary, Deacon, Pew Rent Secretary, Property Steward and deputy organist and the Church Treasurer who during long service in the Church and Sunday School was hardly known to miss a service or meeting. These were missed but others came forward to carry on the work.

Rev. D. Richardson

In 1974 Clayton Baptists along with Buttershaw, Denholme and Queensbury Churches had discussions regarding the future and the possibility of' forming a fellowship scheme. It was suggested that two Ministers would be required to cover the four Churches and that Clayton would puts its Manse at the disposal of' the new group whilst the second Minister might be based at Queensbury (but retaining the title deeds). This scheme would be financed by the four Churches with the assistance of' the Home Work Fund. Eventually, although not an ideal solution, the second Manse was planned at Buttershaw and Mr. Michael Hawdon, who had been a student pastor at both Queensbury and Denholme agreed to commence his duties along with Rev. Wm. Nelson in the joint pastorate of' the South West Bradford Baptist Fellowship, commencing July, 1975. Under this Joint Pastorate the Church has continued to fulfil its roll in the district. Choruses have become a part of' the morning service; the Boys Brigade has been replaced by a Boys Hobby Club; a Coffee Shop has opened providing a local social meeting place on Saturday mornings and efforts are going forward to commence an old peoples luncheon club; Members of the Church assist in the Good Neighbour Scheme in the area by the name of Link. But once again changes have taken place for two months ago Mr. and Mrs. Nelson retired to their native Lancashire. Rev. D. Richardson is our new Minister and his family have come to join Rev. and Mrs. M. Bawdon in the Ministry of' the four Churches and with them we commence our new era. There was a. past life St. Paul often thought about. A very different life - yet the memories of' it did him a world of good. So we too have looked back into the past, with thankfulness, in the hope that it has done us good - not to bask in past achievements but to gain strength and courage to look forward. to the future with its vast opportunities. The Future What does it hold? Clayton, no longer a village but part of the busy Bradford Metropolitan Council which has a population of 500,000. There are houses on the filled in railway line; new properties link with Lidget Green and the City and are gradually extending towards Queensbury. Yes, Clayton is still growing, extending its contacts through the media of Telephone, Radio and Television. The new Metro Terminal hints at even wider contacts by road, rail, to air and space. Can we grow with it? Can we take our part in this expansion and outreach? We have reached 1978 and our Ter Jubilee, yet our story is not finished. As we go forward into the next 50 years to complete our second Century, what will they hold? Will these children - Clayton Baptists future generation, when they look back as we have done today, be able to say with joy and thankfulness for their past ''remember''? What will they remember? ''By their fruits we shall know them" As we have looked backwards to the past we have seen the seed sown - the Clayton Baptist Tree took root and began to grow. Looking outward to the present, the branches spread. There were dormant periods in wild and unfavourable weather when the leaves fell and the branches were bare but even in these times the tree was nourished and at the right time burst forth again even into blossom. The growth must continue upwards and outwards, ever stronger and firmer, through the nourishment of God's word, withstanding all storms and remaining a. symbol of faithful and devoted service and obedience to God's glory and power through the Centuries. This is the trust placed upon Clayton Baptist Church as we look back and remember.

I remember

I remember, I remember, The village which has grown From that quiet little hamlet which stood aloof, alone. The trolley bus which runs there; Two schools, a library too - Providing education for more than just a few.
I remember, I remember, How old and young would go to films and local music shows, At Clayton's Rialto; The fun on recreation ground at Whit and Gala days, How the three Churches joined together to demonstrate God's praise.