Title:
TIPTREE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Level: Category
Congregational (later United Reformed) Church records
Level: Fonds
TIPTREE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Admin History:
Little is known of the early history of the congregation although tradition claims that it originated in ejected clergy meeting on Tiptree Heath to avoid the restrictions of the Five Mile Act of 1665. The earliest document among the church records is a conveyance of 1693 of land on Tiptree Heath, although a schedule also deposited with the church records lists earlier deeds from 1665 and 1679. The old meeting house and manse were built by John Goodman in 1750, three years before Goodman's daughter, Mary, married John Wilkin, whose family later became so involved in the history and development of Tiptree. In 1783 Mr. John Wood left £100 to be invested for the use of the church. Later sums were added and, in 1844, the proceeds were used to purchase a piece of land and three cottages from the executors of Mr. Peter Moss for the erection of a schoolroom. The old chapel was enlarged several times and then completely rebuilt in 1864 at a cost of £2,000, paid for by public subscriptions. This achievement was largely due to the efforts of the minister, Rev. Thomas Souter. An organ was installed in 1888, during the ministry of the Rev. Henry Lovell, and an addition made to the burial ground in 1895. A mission was established at Endway, Inworth; the mission hall was sold in 1966. A new manse for the minister was purchased in 1969.
From Tiptree in History, ed. B.S. Smith, 1960 (see E.R.O. pamphlet box T3) and records of Tiptree Congregational Church