The Union Chapel

An Extract from Lavendon Life of March 1983 – Issue 23
 
Newcomers to the village might be a little puzzled by the appellation “Union” given to the Nonconformist place of worship.

Throughout the past two centuries a happily united body of Baptists and Congregationalists have worshiped in Lavendon. For the greater part of the nineteenth century the chapel, then called the ‘Meeting’, was the building now part of No 1 Olney Road. It stands on the corner and the Bus Shelter is built on its north wall. There was a wall pulpit on the east wall. Entry was from Olney Road, and just inside the door stairs wound up to a commodious gallery.

In 1894 the members purchased adjoining waste ground and erected the present building. Schoolroom and Vestry were added in the following year. Grand opening services were held on the 25^th June 1895.

A small group of Methodists were also worshipping at that time in their chapel in the Olney Road. At the opening of the New Union Chapel the Methodists closed their place of worship and united themselves in fellowship with the Baptists and Congregationalists. For many years the old Methodists building served the village well. It became the Headquarters of a very fine Division of the St John’s Ambulance Brigade. Eventually it was taken down and No 33 Olney Road was erected on the site.
On the 16^th July 1914, 19 days before the outbreak of World War One, a beautiful 2 Manual Pipe Organ was installed in the chapel by Rest Cartwright Ltd* of London. Incidentally this organ was completely overhauled several years ago and is indeed a lovely instrument.

In view of the total independent nature of the Chapel, a new Trust Deed for the order of Church government was established in the year 1927. Incorporated with the new Trust Deed was a Declaration of Faith setting forth the Biblical Doctrines basic to the Worship. A copy of this Declaration can be seen in the Vestry along with two very interesting old posters.

Residents and visitors are warmly welcomed at the services, which continue afternoon and evening each Sunday, as they have throughout the past two centuries. Union Chapel is in very truth an evangelical, independent and united fellowship.


*According to current research (NBS:June 2010), Rest Cartwright was an organ builder based at Park Road Works, West Green, London.  Seemingly Cartwright was christened 'Rest-in-the-Lord’, in the family's Puritan Baptist tradition but shortened the name to 'Rest' for business purposes.