HISTORY
Tucked away in a quiet little village on the edge of Romney March, between Tenterden and Appledore, is a quaint weather-boarded chapel, which, in 2023 saw its 220th anniversary.
The present chapel was built in 1803 and is called Ebenezer, Baptist Chapel, Stone. Now a days it is often referred to by the locals as the Chapel in Stone. It was originally built on the side of the existing cottage (Chapel Cottage) on land given by Mr Joseph Inkpen by a conveyance dated November 1st 1802. A blocked up window behind the existing pulpit can still be seen in the Chapel Cottage next door.
It was built and endowed with 15 trustees for a congregation of Particular or Calvinistic Baptists. It is interesting to note that it was about this time that the famous Military Canal was in the process of being built in the locality and one wonders whether some of the navvies found their way to the new chapel.
The first pastor was a man named Davey who was a tailor and lived in the house adjoining the chapel. He commenced his pastorate about 1811 and continued to around 1830. Following this Charles Smith of Rye, who preached in the pulpit on a regular basis, was invited to be a pastor at the chapel but he declined and took another pastorate at Salem Chapel in nearby Tenterden.
In 1833 William Burch went out to preach from the congregation at Stone, he along with a James Weller of Robertsbridge, regularly supplied the pulpit. James Weller later baptised William Burch along with one other on Sunday 8th October 1837.
It was quite a day, James Weller preached in the morning, William Burch in the evening and James Weller administered the Lords’ Supper too. It is recorded ‘the church united in that place and upon the whole it appeared a good day to many’
The next pastor in 1844 was a Thomas Stanley. He was pastor until 1854 and then in 1855 came a Mr Hatcher who continued for several years.
It would also appear that about this time a Sunday School was operating. A collection box for it is still seen in the chapel whilst the vestry contains the original scholar’s bench.
Thus, the little chapel continued into the 20th century, although with declining numbers. The church must have ceased to exist, as the people that were baptised there in the early 1900s all became members of Jireh Chapel in Tenterden. Church records shows that a ‘Mr Walter Gibb, who later preached in the local area, was baptised in 1900, Mr Albert Tanton and his sister in 1923 and Mrs Barden in 1926’. Mrs Barden lived in the adjoining cottage and perhaps became annoyed at the singing going on next door. But over time she felt constrained to listen to the service through the cottage wall and then came and joined in the congregation inside the chapel. She was baptised at the age of 72 and stood an honourable member till her death on 9th February 1944. She was buried at Stone by Mr Hickmott, although her grave is unmarked.
During the second world war there were a few services, in fact it may have been closed for a time, but gradually things started up again. We have an advert found in a Gospel magazine stating ‘Stone Baptist Chapel Anniversary Services, Easter Monday, April 18th Mr E S Hickmott afternoon service at 2:45 and the evening at 5:45. Tea provided: Collections. Conveyance leaves Tenterden at 2:15’
Nowadays only some evening services during the summer are held along with 2 special services throughout the year. The Anniversary of the opening of the Chapel is held on Easter Monday and there is a Harvest Thanksgiving Service held late September.
One records, ‘ The chapel is in a little village called Stone, over the years, there have been many hearts made ‘soft’ in Stone, and many can testify to having received a blessing on hearing the gospel preached’.
Long may it continue.
Credit:
William Burch (Kindly supplied by and reproduced with permission of the Gospel Standard Library, Hove)
Credit:
Mr Albert Tanton, the deacon picture at the Chapel, Easter 1984. K (Kindly Supplied by Miss R Tanton)
Services
As is the little chapel, the services are very plain and reverent. The Services on the Lords Day (Sunday) start at 6:30pm.
NEWS
Read our news and stories and occasional anecdotes.
About
We are an independent Chapel associated with the Gospel Standard group of Churches.
Would you like to make a donation to our Chapel?
If you would like to support or donate to the Chapel and it’s upkeep please see below our Bank Details for online giving.
Thank you to all who give in this way.
The totals of collections and gifts are given at our Anniversary services in April each year.
Bank details:
Acc name: Stone Baptist Chapel
Lloyds Bank
Sort Code: 309028
Account No: 00468003
WHAT WE BELIEVE
DON'T BE A STRANGER
“No more a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home”
This beautiful quote is derived from a hymn based on Psalm 23. The original text was paraphrased by the renowned hymn writer Isaac Watts (1674-1748). Some of his hymns are in the Gadsbys Hymnbook used at the chapel.
