Henry Newcome facts for kids

Henry Newcome (born November 1627 – died 17 September 1695) was an English Nonconformist preacher and activist. Nonconformists were Protestants who did not agree with or follow the rules of the Church of England. Newcome was an important religious leader during a time of big changes in England.

Henry Newcome's Life Story

Henry Newcome was born in November 1627 in a place called Caldecote, Huntingdonshire. He was the fourth son of Stephen Newcome, who was a church leader there. Henry's parents sadly passed away when he was a teenager, both buried on the same day in 1642.

His older brother, Robert, helped educate him. In 1644, Henry started studying at St. John's College, Cambridge. However, his studies were stopped by the English Civil War, a big conflict in England. He went back to college in 1645 and earned his first degree in 1648.

In 1647, Henry became a school teacher in Congleton, Cheshire, and soon started preaching. He got married and then, in 1648, he was officially ordained as a Presbyterian minister. This meant he was recognized as a church leader in the Presbyterian style, which was a different way of organizing the church than the official Church of England.

He moved to different churches, including St Luke's Church, Goostrey and Gawsworth, Cheshire. In 1651, he visited Manchester and found some of his mother's relatives there. Even though he was loyal to the King (a "royalist"), he signed a promise to support the government at the time, which was difficult for him. He also took the Solemn League and Covenant, a promise to support the Presbyterian church and the Parliament during the Civil War.

Henry Newcome worked closely with other religious leaders. In 1653, he helped set up a group for church leaders in Cheshire to work together.

Preaching in Manchester

In 1656, after a preacher named Richard Hollinworth died, Henry Newcome was chosen to be one of the preachers at the collegiate church of Manchester. He moved to Manchester in 1657, and his sermons became very popular. He joined the first Presbyterian group in Lancashire and attended their meetings. He was a moderate Presbyterian, meaning he was open to working with other Protestant groups.

Newcome was involved in plans for a royalist uprising in 1659, trying to bring the King back to power. After the uprising failed, he expected to lose his position, but he only missed one Sunday of preaching. When King Charles II was finally restored to the throne in 1660, Newcome publicly prayed for him and led a special service to celebrate the King's return in Manchester. His sermon, called Usurpation Defeated and David Restored, made a big impression.

Challenges and Continued Ministry

Even though he was popular, the return of the King meant changes for the church. The old rules for Manchester's collegiate church were brought back, and new leaders were put in place. People tried hard to keep Newcome, and even King Charles II added his name to a list of possible leaders. However, it was too late. Newcome continued to preach as a deputy for a while. His last sermon at the collegiate church was on 31 August 1662. This was just after the Act of Uniformity came into effect. This law required all ministers to follow the Church of England's rules strictly, which Newcome could not do. He refused to be ordained again by bishops, which was a key requirement.

Because of the new laws, Henry Newcome had to leave Manchester in 1666 when the Five Mile Act came into force. This law stopped Nonconformist ministers from living within five miles of any town or church where they used to preach. He moved to Ellenbrook, Lancashire, and traveled a lot, even visiting London and Dublin.

In 1670, he returned to Manchester and continued to preach in private homes, even though it was against the law and he was fined for it. In 1672, a new law called the Indulgence of 1672 allowed Nonconformists to preach publicly if they had a license. Newcome got a license and preached in his own house, and later in a barn. These services were sometimes stopped, but he stayed in Manchester, doing what private ministry he could.

Building Cross Street Chapel

In 1687, King James II issued a declaration for religious freedom. This allowed Newcome to preach publicly again. He started in a vacant house, then moved to Thomas Stockton's barn, which was quickly made bigger. This barn opened for public worship in July 1687.

In 1693, plans began for a new meeting-house. Land was bought in June, and building started in July. This new building, which opened in June 1694, eventually became the famous Cross Street Chapel. Sadly, it was damaged by a mob in 1715 but was rebuilt and enlarged. Much of the original structure lasted until it was destroyed in World War II.

By this time, Newcome had moved away from strict Presbyterianism. He joined a group of ministers who worked together, dropping the specific terms "Presbyterian" and "Congregational." He was a leader in these meetings. He preached less often at his new chapel, giving his last sermon there in June 1695.

Henry Newcome died in Manchester on 17 September 1695. He was buried three days later near the pulpit in his chapel. His tombstone is still there today.

Henry Newcome's Family

Henry Newcome married Elizabeth Manwaring in 1648. They had five children:

• Rose (1649–1719), who never married.
• Henry (see below)
• Daniel (1652–1684), who married twice and had children.
• Elizabeth (born 1655), who never married.
• Peter (see below)

Henry Newcome (son)

Henry Newcome's oldest son, also named Henry (1650–1713), was born in Gawsworth in 1650. He studied at Oxford University and became a church leader himself. He served as a curate and then as a rector in different places in England. He died in 1713 and had a son and three daughters. He also published some sermons.

Peter Newcome

Henry Newcome's third son, Peter (1656–1738), was born in Gawsworth in 1656. He studied at Cambridge and Oxford Universities. He became a vicar in different towns, including Aldenham and Hackney. He died in 1738. Peter married Ann Hook and they had twelve children, though only six lived longer than him. He published a book of sermons and other single sermons.

Henry Newcome's Writings

Henry Newcome kept a detailed Diary from 1646. Parts of it have been published, giving us a look into his life and thoughts. He also wrote an Autobiography, which is like a summary of his diary. These writings help us understand what life was like for him and other Nonconformists during his time. He was known for being honest about his feelings and his simple Puritan lifestyle. He also wrote about local history and was good at naming people, which is helpful for historians.

Some of his other works include:

• The Censures of the Church Revived, published in 1659.
• Faithful Narration about the life of John Machin, published in 1671.
• He helped revise the Narrative about the life of John Angier in 1685.
• The Sinner's Hope, 1660.
• Usurpation Defeated, 1660.
• An Help to the Duty in ... Sickness, 1685.
• A Plain Discourse about ... Anger, 1693.
• He also wrote sermons, including one on The Covenant of Grace.