Handbook contents
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Who we are today
What we believe
How we operate
What we expect
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Who was the Countess of Huntingdon?
This church owes its existence to the Countess of Huntingdon - the inscription is still visible today and it can be seen high on the front wall below the bell turret.
Selina Shirely was born on the 24th August 1707, later receiving the title when she married the ninth Earl of Huntingdon in 1728. During her long life she used her huge fortune to found and support establish many churches. She died on the 17th June 1791.
The Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion
The Countess of Huntingdon Connexion was formed as a result forced dissension from The established church day. Its adherents were influenced by preaching George Whitfield Gloucester friend and co-worker John Wesley. Demands for meeting places came all parts country took deep interest in each request. It had never been her intention to secede church. Initially these congregations described secession patronised Lady later also provided funds college train men ministry dissenting (non-conformist) churches.
The Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion in Woodmancote
Non-conformism in Woodmancote begins in 1811, when a group of Calvinist Methodists began to worship in the village. At first they met in cottages. In 1825 the group built a place of worship at the bottom of Chapel Lane between the lane and the stream. It was about this time they affiliated themselves to the Countess of Huntingdon Connexion. Until 1920, the congregation came under the oversight of Countess Church in North Place, Cheltenham (now the Rock Gym).
In 1854 when the congregation numbered around 50 they moved to new premises in Stockwell Lane. The chapel became a domestic dwelling and at one time a school. The new Church was officially opened on Tuesday June 6th 1854. The interior measures 30 by 20 feet. Its exterior contained some special features a bell turret, surmounted by a weather vane (replaced by a cross in 1954) and carved stonework with the Countess of Huntingdon crest and two attractive heads. The total cost of construction came to £300, of which £245 had already been raised when the church opened.
In 1906 it was discovered that in 1854 the deeds of the new Church had been entrusted to eight individual trustees who had not been replaced. In 1911, after detailed enquiries, the Countess of Huntingdon Trustees once again became responsible for the Woodmancote Church. In 1920 a local committee took over the running and oversight of the Church from the North Place Church.
In 1926 the Rev. Arthur Kew who had served as a missionary in Sierra Leone was appointed the Church's Honorary Minister, a position he held until 1950 The attempts in 1959 to appoint the Rev. R. Wesley Hemming as the next minister was not supported by the Connexional Trustees and the congregation was split in two with some members following Mr. Hemming when he left the church after a two year dispute.
It was not until 1973 that another a retired missionary the Rev. Ted Long was inducted as Minister. He served until 1982 The next Minister was Douglas Bell who served from 1988 until 1998, like the existing Minister Keith Linzner who was appointed in 1999, they both entered the ministry after taking early retirement.
Note: A more comprehensive history can be found at: http://www.freechurch.freeserve.co.uk/wfc_history.html
Please note that the entire handbook is currently under review and will be re-published when the review is completed. If you have any questions about the current content please contact the pastor. [posted September 2007]