The Middle Ages 1889 - 1954
1889 - 1939
The period in which the Revd. David Mace (1889-1912) served as minister, was a time of considerable evangelistic activity, with cottage preaching taking place at both Ryarsh and Gighill and special missions in 1892 and 1901. During this time a hot water system was installed in the chapel. In 1892 a letter was sent from a special church meeting to Mrs. Spurgeon and to the Metropolitan Tabernacle expressing sympathy on the passing of the Revd. C. H. Spurgeon. A magazine was started in 1896 and a Christian Endeavour formed. A protest was made against the "New Education Bill" of 1896. From 1900 to 1912 no minutes are found. In March 1912, Revd. Mace retired after nearly 22 years of service. He continued to reside in West Malling until 1914 when he and his family moved to Margate.
The pastorate of the Revd. G. E. Prideaux (1912-1921) was characterised by his efforts to cater for the youth of the church with a Young
 People’s Guild. A Temperance Society also started around this time and in 1913 a League of Young Worshippers started. In 1914 a mission was conducted by the Revd. T.E. Soddy from Bristol. The 1914-18 war took a heavy toll and eleven members lost their lives (a memorial service was conducted for them in 1920 when a memorial was unveiled). This, to a church of the size of West Malling, meant almost a whole generation was gone, and the church suffered from this for many years afterwards. In 1916 the schoolroom was opened as a club room for soldiers camped at Leybourne. In 1917 there was a memorable Harvest Festival Service where the preacher was congratulating the congregation on being so far removed from the danger of air-raids, while at the same moment enemy air-craft were dropping bombs as close as West Malling Station!! Mr. Prideaux was seconded in his work by his wife, who worked in the Primary Sunday School. In July 1921 he moved to Gunnersbury.
During the leadership of the Revd. E. Ashford Smith (1921-1934) (of Chesham), the pipe organ was installed. The organ was purchased by voluntary subscription. Also during his time, Victor Smither went to Regent's Park College
 and by 1936 he was in the ministry at Hyson Green, Nottingham. The "Baptist Church Hymnal" was adopted in place of "Psalms and Hymns". The octagonal pulpit (in light oak) was erected to the side of the communion table. The Women’s Own is first mentioned during this period, which was taken over by us when the mission in Swan Street closed down. In June 1928 Charles Thomson had to resign as treasurer (for 30 years) on account of ill-health. (He was a county-councillor and a guardian and was even proposed as a candidate for Parliament, but he declined. In the church he had been Sunday School Superintendant, led the Band of Hope and organised mid week meetings). He passed away in October 1928 and is commemorated by the oak communion table that stands in the church now. In 1931 Henry Collings resigned the secretaryship after 20 years service as he moved to Nottingham. In an attempt to interest the younger people several things were tried... Christian Endeavour, Lantern Services, Scouts and Cubs and a Girl's Guild. (in 1936 the Girl's Guild was still going and in a healty condition). Another feature of these years was the formation of a choir under the leadership of George Griffin.
On Wednesday 3rd January 1934, the church said a sad farewell to mr. Ashford Smith on his retirement from the ministry. He retired to Dunstable and a year later his wife passed away. She had been an invalid for a long time, but as often as her health permitted she led Women's Own and was Missionary Secretary.
 The Revd. Maxwell Berry (1934-1939) was minister at the time of the centenary celebrations in 1936. He helped to deepen and strengthen the spiritual life of the church and prepared it to withstand the hard times that lay ahead during the 1939-1945 war. (back to top)
1939 - 1954
The Revd. Eric James (1939-1945) was minister during the war years. He held the church together during a very difficult time when little outreach, youth work or forward movement was possible.
 The Revd. Harold Clements (1945-1948) came to West Malling at the end of the war years, during a time of shortages, particularly of accommodation, with the result that he and his wife and family had to live on the church premises. A bi-monthly newsletter was started in 1946 and later became monthly in 1951. The first lady deacons were elected in 1946!
The Revd. Kenneth Saville (1949-1954)
 was the first minister to occupy a manse owned by the church (bought for £1,100). The year 1950 was also memorable in that it was decided that the lady deacons should take part in the service of communion. This was four years after ladies were first elected to the diaconate. (back to top) |
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