Cam Congregational Church facts for kids

Cam Congregational Church

The Cam Congregational Church is an old and important church in the village of Upper Cam. This village is close to the town of Dursley in Gloucestershire, England. It started in 1662 and was first known as Cam Independent Meeting. It was the very first Nonconformist chapel in this area. A Nonconformist chapel is a place of worship for Protestants who are not part of the official Church of England. This historic building is a Grade II Listed Building, meaning it is protected because of its special history and architecture.

History of the Church

The Cam Independent Chapel building was constructed in 1702. The land for it was given by a cloth maker named William Hicks.

Many old records about the church are kept safe at Gloucestershire Archives. These records include details about church meetings, money, and even Sunday School classes from long ago. They also have notes and a photo of the church's organ.

In June 2008, members of another church, Cotswold Community Church, joined with Cam Congregational Church. Because of this, the chapel was later renamed the 3C Community Church.

Ministers Who Led the Church

From 1662 to 2008, twenty-two ordained ministers served at Cam Congregational Church. These are the people who led the church services and guided the community.

The first minister was Joseph Twemlow, who started in 1702. He was born in Cheshire in 1673. Joseph Twemlow also opened a school in his own house in 1715. This school taught poor children of Protestant Dissenters in the Dursley area. It provided education for local children for 172 years. After the school closed, it became the Twemlow Trust. This trust still helps children and young people with their education and training today. Joseph Twemlow retired in 1738 and passed away in 1740. He is buried in the churchyard.

Many other ministers followed Joseph Twemlow. Nicholas Martyn became the pastor in 1738. Later, Rev John Thomas served for forty years, starting in 1776. In 1818, Rev Thomas Griffiths oversaw big changes and updates to the chapel building.

In 1842, Andrew Gazard joined as a pastor. He bought land and helped build the Quarry Independent Chapel, which opened in 1852. In 1881, during the time of Rev James Williams, a new organ was installed. It cost £200, which was a lot of money back then!

Rev David Truss became pastor in 1894. He helped start new church classrooms, which opened in 1895. Owen Griffiths, who became pastor in 1907, encouraged church members to sign the Temperance Book. This meant they promised to avoid all alcoholic drinks.

Later ministers included Rev Charles Llewellyn Allen, who was the first to live in the new Manse (the minister's house) next to the chapel. After him, J. R. Davison and Rev Hugh Towl served the church, even through the Second World War. In 1975, the church joined the Congregational Federation of Churches. Brian Stamps, a schoolmaster, became pastor in 1978.

In 2008, Baptist Evangelist Noel Fellowes became the minister of the newly formed 3C Community Church. Phil Greenow became the minister in 2018.

Architecture and Building Changes

The church building has two floors and a tiled roof. Inside, it has wooden panels and a U-shaped balcony. This balcony is held up by strong cast-iron pillars. There is also a central pulpit, which is a raised stand where the minister speaks. You can reach it by climbing steps.

The main church building was built around 1702. A new section was added in 1895. The church was also changed a lot in 1818. Sunday-school rooms and a hall were added in 1895. The top floor of these new rooms was later turned into a three-bedroom apartment. This apartment could be used by future ministers.

In 1995, a car park and driveway were added. New kitchen and toilet areas were also built. The church made sure the building was easy for everyone to access. In 1999, the inside of the chapel was completely updated.

The old pews, which are long wooden benches, were installed in 1818. People used to pay a fee to reserve a pew, and a card with their name would be placed on it. In 1998, the church decided to make the inside more modern. They replaced the old pews with comfortable chairs in 1999. However, they kept the U-shaped balcony and the central pulpit. They also kept an old Parliament clock from the 1700s. The Sweetland organ, which was installed in 1881, is still there too. It is a special organ from Bath.

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  Renovation work from 1993 to 1995

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  Extension work in 1995

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  Pews (installed in 1818)

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  Chairs that replaced the pews in 1999 and Parliament clock (installed in 1818)

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  Central pulpit reached via steps (installed in 1818)

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  Sweetland organ (installed in 1881)