1950 - 1959

With a  new Congregational Church recently opened on the first of March 1949, and initially led by Rev Sidney Morgan,  the Rev H M Springbett was called to the church and inducted to the pastorate in 1950. When Mr Springbett wrote on the occasion of our 50th anniversary, he said in his letter,   

" My stipend was less than £7 per week, with no allowance for expenses or telephone, and, of course,  no car. All my visiting was done on foot, by bicycle or on public transport. There was no washing machine of freezer, no television and no colour photography.  Times have changed and the minister here at my church in Aberdaron rejoices in his word-processor.

I was inducted on 9th February 1950.  The Manse was at 19 Brook Barn Way, and I soon aquired an allotment between it and the sea to help feed the family. I was the first full time minister of the Congregational Church which had previously been overseen by a retired Baptist Minister, the Rev F J H Humphrey who had died some time before I came. His widow, with her sister, Miss Green, were members of the congregation.  When I arrived there were some 90 members on the Church Roll, that number rising to some 135 by the time I left in the summer of 1953.     I also note from my diaries that as early as the spring of 1951 there was a Building Committee to give preliminary thought to the erection of a Church building proper." 

 

Opening of the new dual purpose building,  on 1st March 1949.

On 13th May of that year the Church Management Committee gave way to the first Deacon’s Meeting; in November Rev S O Morgan moved away, and Church Meeting recommended that Rev H M Springbett be called to the pastorate.

 

The Rostrum of the new Church. 

( now the stage )

New Hall opens

It wasn’t long before a separate hall was needed for the children of the ‘Sunday School’, and this was opened in November 1950. Mr Springbett can be seen to the right of the picture.

In the 50th issue of The CHRONICLE July-August 1952 it was written - ‘In these past eight years since May 1944, when the first Chronicle appeared, there have been crowded varied experiences for us as a growing Church, and this 50th issue may well serve to remind us how much we owe to some of those who have now passed on. To be able to look back and trace God’s guiding hand is never wasted time. From the pulpit at Elm Grove in the earlier days, it was once suggested that each one of us might do worse that sit down quietly and make a list of all those to whom we owe so much in our personal lives. None of us would find this an easy task, for it would be found extremely difficult to know when to stop, and what order to place the names in.’

At a well attended Special Church Meeting held on 17th December 1953, and presided over by Rev S O Morgan, (who had again consented to help while the Church was without a minister) it was decided to give a very cordial call to the Rev Charles Cyril Franks of Garn Congregational Church, Abercarn to the ministry at Goring.

Mr & Mrs Franks were to come to a church which was ripe for expansion and which was full of opportunity for a man in the prime of his life. He came with his wife, Joan in March 1954.

By 1958, Joan & Cyril had a family of four and a new Manse was required. The Brook Barn Way Manse was sold for £2820 and the 140 George V Avenue Manse was purchased for £4500.

Rev Cyril Franks, Minister of Goring Congregational Church 1954-1963.

1960 - 1969

It is probably true to say that without exception, everybody who attended Goring Congregational Church in 1960 and 1961 was getting very excited about the new church building that was being erected at the junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and Barrington Road. A monthly progress was being reported in the Church magazine, The Chronicle :—
December 1960

The skeleton pre-cast concrete framework of the central area of the church and the trancepts is completely up and looking very impressive and stately ……...

 January 1961

Concrete foundations 90% complete. Oversite hardcore 90% complete. The north wall has reached eaves level. The east wall with its echelon windows are showing shape.

 March 1961

The appearance of the south brickwork, including the vestibule entrance is nearing completion.

Date for opening fixed
May 1961

Work is now being concentrated on the inside of the building.

Boarding of the suspended ceiling in progress. Plasterers now covering the large surfaces of the north and south walls also between the echelon windows.

Glaziers are putting the glass in.

 July 1961

Church members were able to have a peep at the inside of the church during gift day and most were surprised at the expanse of the building.

This month the floors are being laid and decorating under way. A start will be made this month on the installation of the organ.

 August 1961

Electrical lighting is now under test.

Now we are taking over the new building, may I suggest that we forget such questions as … it is a pity this wasn’t done, or that wasn’t larger, or whether something would have been better. What matters now is the spiritual devotion within the church. … and so we come to the consecration of our new church, to the work and glory of God.