All Places

A Pilgrim’s Coffer: Joseph Passmore was the grandson of Mary Rippon, sister of Rev. John Rippon—who opened and presided over the congregation at New Park Street Chapel several decades before C.H. Spurgeon arrived. Shortly after Spurgeon’s arrival, he and Passmore struck up a friendship and, in January of 1855, Passmore & Alabaster began printing every original sermon and direct work Read more...

A Sunday School is still operated by Metropolitan Tabernacle in the neighborhood. Wikipedia: The famous Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon held religious services at the Music Hall in weekends because the New Park Street Chapel could not contain his audiences. The first service was held on the evening of Sunday 19 October 1856, with an audience of 10,000 inside and as many outside unable to enter. Read more...

A Pilgrims Coffer: In 1857, Charles and Susannah left New Kent Road and moved down to 99 Nightingale Lane, in the Clapham area, West of Brixton. The house they moved into afforded for much more room than they previously had in Newington, while also offering the rural feel and slower pace they desired. Autobiography Image Credit: vtOqTcjoJj. “AUTOBIOGRAPHY, DIARY, LETTERS, Read more...

Wikipedia: In 1868, the world’s first aeronautical exhibition was held in the Crystal Palace. In 1871, the world’s first cat show, organised by Harrison Weir, was held there. Other shows, such as dog shows, pigeon shows, honey shows and flower shows, as well as the first national motor show were also held at the Palace.[44] The match which later has been dubbed the world’s first bandy match was Read more...

Wikipedia: Spurgeons was founded in 1867 by Charles Haddon Spurgeon.[3] as Stockwell Orphanage – due to its location. The inspiration for starting an orphanage came from a visit with George Muller.[4][5][6] and then spurred on by a donation of £20,000 by Anne Hillyard.[7][8][9] However, it wasn’t this £20,000 that was used to fund the beginning of the orphanage. Spurgeon records in the 1876 publicationThe Metropolitan Tabernacle. Read more...

Way of Life: Samuel Medley (1738-1799) was a Baptist pastor and author of 230 hymns. In his wayward youth, he was seriously wounded in the British navy at the Battle of Lagos. The surgeon told him that amputation was the only thing that would save his life and that a decision would have to be made the next day. Though Medley Read more...

From Wikipedia: The Lewes Martyrs were 17 Protestants who were burned at the stake in Lewes, Sussex, England, between 1555 and 1557. These executions were part of the Marian persecutions of Protestants during the reign of Mary I. On 6 June 1556, Thomas Harland of Woodmancote, near Henfield, Sussex, carpenter, John Oswald (or Oseward) of Woodmancote, husbandman, Thomas Reed of Ardingly, Sussex, and Thomas Avington (or Euington) of Ardingly, Sussex, turner, were burnt. [1][2][3] Richard Woodman and Read more...

Beyond this site the following were martyred for their faith Henry Filmer Anthony Pierson Robert Testwood Burnt at the stake 28th July 1543 Read more about them at Foxes Book of Martyrs Photographed by Stephen Palmer, March 5, 2023, HMDB.org Read more...

Inscription: In the vaults beneath this building were imprisoned ten of the seventeen Protestant martyrs who were burned at the stake within a few yards of this site 1555 – 1557. Their names are recorded on the memorial to be seen on Cliffe Hill. Photographed by Michael Herrick, September 12, 2018, HMDB.org Read more...

Author of: Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me; Still all my song shall be nearer, my God, to Thee, Chorus: Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! From Wikipedia: “Nearer, My God, to Thee” is a 19th-century Christian hymn by Sarah Flower Adams, which retells the story of Jacob’s dream. Genesis 28:11–12 can be translated Read more...

John Newton was the pastor here from 1780-1807. William Wilberforce was part of the congregation during that time. Even though he was originally buried here, around 1900 the City & South London Railroad was going to demolish the church for an Underground (subway) stop. The church remained due to public outcry, but the vault/crypt/cemetery was removed, and Newton’s body was Read more...

From Wikipedia: The Cowper and Newton Museum is a museum in Olney, north Buckinghamshire, England, around 8 miles (13 km) north-east of Central Milton Keynes. Celebrating the work and lives of two famous local residents: William Cowper (1731–1800), a celebrated 18th-century poet; and John Newton (1725–1807), a slave trader and subsequently a prominent abolitionist, who was curate in the local church.[1] Together, Cowper and Newton wrote the Olney Hymns, including one of the world’s Read more...

From Broadbent Studio: The aim was to create a memorial sculpture, inspired by the life of the former slave ship captain and Liverpool Harbour Master – John Newton, for the new Mersey Ferry Terminal building, at Liverpool’s Pier Head…. John Newton, following a religious conversion in 1748, an event which is believed to have inspired the writing of ‘Amazing Grace’, Read more...

The Doxology is a simple but beautiful hymn of praise, fitting because Doxa (glory), logo (saying) is literally “saying glory.” It calls for universal praise – from those below, and those above, to Him “from Whom all blessings flow.” And finally – it recognizes the Triune nature of Him Who is worthy of Praise. Praise God, from Whom all blessings Read more...

The author of “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” – commonly considered a Christmas carol, and yet it follows the whole life of Jesus from His birth thru the Second Coming (albeit in a much less upbeat tune than J. Wilbur Chapman’s “One Day.”) 1 Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown, When Thou camest to earth for me; Read more...

A past vicar, Rev. E.B. Elliott, was the father of Emily Elizabeth Steele Elliott. Emily wrote the popular Christmas hymn “Thou didst leave Thy throne” for the use of the church. Wikipedia: Among Christmas hymns designed for children, two popular ones were written by Elliott. One begins with the line, “There came a little child to earth,” which was popular Read more...

From Wikipedia: Watts was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England, in 1674 and was brought up in the home of a committed religious nonconformist; his father, also Isaac Watts, had been incarcerated twice for his views. Watts had a classical education at King Edward VI School, Southampton, learning Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. BBC: A statue has been given new fingers to mark the 350th birthday of one of Read more...

Abney Park: Dr Watts is a famous nonconformist English Christian minister, theologian and wit. He was prolific hymn writer, poet, and notable man of logic with many quotes attributed to him. He is credited with writing some 750 psalms alone, the most famous still in use today, which has earned him the title “The Father of English Hymnody”. His hymns Read more...

Southampton: Isaac Watts is one of Southampton’s most famous sons. He was famous as an author, educator, philosopher and hymn writer. Born in 1674, he lived at 41 French Street and was educated at the nearby King Edward VI grammar school. Isaac Watts was one of the leading nonconformists in the town and is mainly remembered for his hymns which Read more...

DailyEcho: The family lived at 41 French Street where Isaac’s father ran a boarding school but the persecution of his father for his religious views forced its closure. Isaac was taught by his father until he was six then he attended the “Free School”, later known as King Edward VI Grammar School. His teacher there, John Pinhorne, recognised Isaac’s ability and saw Read more...