Rev. Harry Tydeman Chilvers 1937 - 1947

During the preceding interregnum Tydeman Chilvers, having recently retired as Pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle was a regular visiting speaker and though 64 years old accepted the invitation to become the new Pastor at Holland Road.

He came with the reputation of being a great preacher and many came to hear him. One who experienced his ministry remembers that his face would be 'radiant' while he preached. Another tells how a young man came to a service when invited, but with no concern for spiritual things, was brought to tears and conversion by what he heard, and went to repair his relationship with his fiancée as a result.

In 1938 extensive renovations were carried out, for which £2,000 had been raised as a special jubilee effort the previous year. This included renovation of the heating and the organ and joining the cottage at the north end to the church.

Mr. Chilvers ministry spanned the War years, and many first heard that war had been declared when he announced it from the pulpit. As the church could not be blacked out services were restricted to daylight hours and the evening meeting would be held as early as 3.30pm in the winter.

 

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