extracts from The Life and Letters of Rev. William Pennefather, B.A. by Robert Braithwaite

Pennefather arrives in Aylesbury | Pennefather and the local clergy | the canal basin | the death of Spencer Thornton | parish matters 1850 | work on the canal basin

Pennefather arrives in Aylesbury

He found himself in possession of a church which could certainly lay no claim to architectural beauty, in a town, far from picturesque, situated in a wide plain destitute of trees, and to a stranger arriving in the month of March, presenting a prospect of little else than ploughed fields… The congregation of Trinity Church, who seemed to be gathered from all parts of the town, received their new minister kindly but timidly. There was a certain shyness and caution which needed to be overcome, and it was not till loving confidence had taken the place of this reserve, that the cause was explained. Th religious history of Aylesbury was peculiar. For many years the town was simply asleep, as regarded the ministrations of the Church of England. There was only one church in the place, and this was held by a very aged minister, who seemed little alive to the pressing needs of its inhabitants. Some years previous to the time of which we are speaking, it pleased God by a remarkable chain of providential circumstances to rouse the town from its lethargy, by the ministry of two of His faithful servants who succeeded one another as curates in the parish church. The little band of earnest Christians, long scattered and discouraged, was rallied and united, and many sitting in darkness were brought into the light and liberty of the Gospel of Christ. Among the congregation thus gathered, there were some who, feeling a lively interest in the spiritual welfare of their town, were earnestly desirous to secure it against a relapse into the former state of stagnation and indifference. The plan suggested was the building of a second church, the presentation to which should be so vested, as permanently to secure if possible an earnest evangelical ministry.

The plan was warmly seconded by many of the neighbouring clergy, who fully realised its importance. But most of its promoters were poor; party spirit ran high; and there was strong opposition in some influential quarters. The wife of a clergyman in an adjoining parish writes, "When I first went into the neighbourhood in September 1839, I found weekly committees on foot, for the purpose of building the new church in Aylesbury, and it was hard work! No money, no friends! Nothing but persevering effort could have carried it through." Assuredly "the walls were built in troublous times," and more than once, when on the eve of accomplishment, the consecration had to be postponed for various causes. At last, in 1845, all obstacles were overcome, and the little company of persevering labourers were permitted to meet for worship within the new building, to be known henceforth by the name of Trinity Church, Walton. But troubles and disappointments were still to follow; the stipend was very small, the circumstances of the parish (a district just separated from the mother-church) were very difficult, and the first minister appointed failed to make much way among the people. It was when the second incumbent was about to be selected that the anxious friends of the work, aware of surrounding perils, ventured to send in a humble request to the trustees that they would kindly appoint an Englishman and one above fifty years of age! It was, therefore, certainly no marvel that when they saw their new minister arrive, a young man, direct from Ireland, they were startled and not a little alarmed. Hence their timid reception. Mr Pennefather knew little or nothing of the state of parties in the town, but he found himself in the midst of a people greatly needing, and some of them earnestly desiring, the Bread of Life.

He naturally possessed the power of grasping a position at once. The remarkable organ of locality which, to the amusement of his friends, made him at home in the most intricate town, by simply taking the points of the compass, and ascertaining the bearing of the principal thoroughfares, seemed to extend to the moral and physical necessities of a parish. He knew more of his surroundings in a week than many men would learn in a year, and was prepared to grapple with them. In taking up his work at Walton, two special needs immediately presented themselves. The total absence of any provision for the education of the children of the poor could not fail to strike the most casual observer, and to one in whose parochial plans schools always held a very prominent place, the want was painfully apparent. Nothing had hitherto been attempted, except a small Sunday school held in the church, the structure of which was more than usually inconvenient for the purpose. The people were mostly agricultural labourers, while many of the women were engaged in rearing ducks for the London market, others in straw-plaiting and lace-making. All these occupations tended to the same result - untidy homes and neglected children; while education had done nothing to improve the habits of the people.

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Pennefather and the local clergy

It was a source of great thankfulness and much comfort to Mr. Pennefather during his residence at Aylesbury, that he was within reach of so large a number of earnest and faithful clergymen, whose friendship and counsel he greatly valued. The clerical meetings, often held at his own house and elsewhere, were unusually large and harmonious, taking in as they did a wide range of surrounding villages. With the Rev. W. Fremantle of Claydon, the Rev. A. Isham of Weston Turville, and many others, he had happy intercourse; but perhaps the one who was drawn into closest companionship (partly on account of his deep interest in the erection of Trinity Church), was the Rev. Spencer Thornton Vicar of Wendover. Mr. Pennefather never forgot the kindness with which, when finding himself and his wife strangers in a lodging, he invited them to his own house.

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the canal basin

The second peculiar feature which forced itself on Mr. Pennefather's attention in the first survey of his parish, was the basin of the Grand Junction Canal with its many barges. Swarms of men, begrimed with coal-dust, were to be found on the wharf, while the surrounding cottages were inhabited by their wives and children, when not living as they too often did, in the boats. This ignorant and neglected people could not fail to touch the heart of a minister; and while forming in his own mind a plan for their more permanent benefit, he wrote immediately to a dear and zealous friend, much accustomed to out-door preaching, entreating him to come and spend some weeks with him. This he consented to do, employing his time for the benefit of the bargemen, going in and out among them, and preaching on the wharf when any considerable number could be gathered. God marvellously blessed the effort, and when the preacher was compelled to leave them, a number of these poor men, hitherto considered so unapproachable, came forward to present him with a sum of money, collected among themselves, to help "some one to go and do the same for their mates further up the canal."

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the death of Spencer Thornton

The first month of that new year brought with it a great sorrow to him as well as to many others. On January 12th, 1850, the beloved and honoured Spencer Thornton, vicar of Wendover, was suddenly called to his heavenly home. Mr. Pennefather had met with him and others after the opening of the year, to consult about plans for promoting zeal and efficiency in the cause of foreign missions among their congregations. Mr. Thornton, long known and loved in the neighbourhood, was the one to whom all looked for counsel and encouragement, little aware that he was even then standing on the threshold of eternity. The sad news reached Mr. Pennefather immediately after morning service, on Sunday, January 13th. He was not well at the time, and increased illness prevented his attendance at the funeral service on the 19th. His intercourse with this dear servant of God had been short, but very cheering to both. Mrs. Thornton, in looking back upon those happy days, writes -

"The coming of dear Mr. Pennefather to Walton in the spring of 1848 was indeed a source of rejoicing to us. How well I remember the day when we drove over to Aylesbury to pay him our first visit! He and his wife were in a little lodging, taken for a time, as they were unable to procure a house. The sweet, holy calm of his spirit, his happy way of looking forward to his ministry at Walton, and the beauty of his earnest prayer, particularly struck us. We returned home overflowing with gratitude to God that we had been permitted to welcome such a minister for that church. Ever since the plan was first made for its erection it had been to the managing committee a source of great difficulty and anxiety, and the prospect of Mr. Pennefather being the permanent incumbent seemed too good to be true. We felt that God was now answering the many prayers of His people by giving them a faithful pastor and friend. From that day the closest intimacy existed between my husband and Mr. Pennefather. They often met, and as time passed on, everything we heard and saw at Walton impressed us more with wonder at the great power of his ministry, in softening prejudice, and bringing souls to the knowledge of the preciousness of the Saviour; so many, hitherto hard and careless, were melted under the genial warmth of his loving persuasiveness. My husband would often say on returning home, 'It is marvellous what a work is going on at Walton; it is not only the crowds of hearers that dear Mr. Pennefather brings round him, but the many conversions, and the drawing together of God's children from every part of the town.' With regard to ourselves, we ever felt that our intercourse with him had opened out of us a great spiritual enjoyment. When in his society, the unconscious influence of a holy life, united to wonderful sweetness, was most reviving to our spirits. The last time the two friends met was at the baptism of our child, the Sunday previous to my husband's death. They met no more on earth, but together they are now present with the Lord, waiting for his glorious coming."

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parish matters, 1850

The expenses of the past year called for much effort during 1850 to meet the outstanding liabilities, especially those connected with the school-buildings. This led to the consideration of sales of work as a means of raising money for charitable purposes. Two sales were held very successfully, while Mr. Pennefather remained at Walton, and as he frequently encouraged similar efforts in after years, we insert a letter written at this time, expressing his views on the subject. After speaking of the renewed illness of his sister, which was causing him much anxiety, he says -

"I believe I have not yet touched upon the subject of our proposed sale. While I quite agree with Mr. ____ in thinking that bazaars, as generally carried on, are not desirable, yet I must think it lawful for Christians to contribute to the Lord's work in kind as well as in money. Many cannot give much money, who yet feel they can employ their talents in procuring money. We find that when the Tabernacle was to be set up, some gave the gold and silver, some gave the labour of their hands, while others contributed materials, and surely now for such purposes of school-building etc, the many may contribute what they have, to procure the means which they have not, at their own disposal. I trust our arrangements will be such that no wrong means shall be resorted to for obtaining money, and we are praying earnestly for God's ordering and blessing. In reading Mrs. Fry's Life, I find she speaks of bazaars very much as I have now done, and she did encourage them under proper control … I have borrowed £350, for which I am responsible, and must of course pay the interest. I am so thankful to have obtained it without difficulty that I do not regret any personal inconvenience, but I cannot rest until the whole is paid off. Our schools are flourishing. Day schools 120 in attendance, Sunday school about 150, night school for men and women 110. We have a prayer meeting in the rooms on Friday evening, generally attended by about 80 people. We have also Sunday classes for men and women, and a Young Men's Association for religious and mental improvement. So you see the buildings which have cost me so much anxiety were not erected for ornament, but are, I trust, already a rich blessing to the neighbourhood."

We gather from this letter that a considerable parochial organisation was now fairly at work. A diligent band of district visitors were going from house to house, under constant supervision, while Bible readings were held for the more educated, and cottage meetings in different localities for the poor.

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work on the canal basin

The work amongst the bargemen and those employed at the wharf was most encouraging. Mr. Pennefather had succeeded in obtaining an old boat, which was converted into a sort of floating chapel, fitted up with desk and benches, and capable of holding about 100 persons. It was opened in April of this year, and here a simple service was held on Sunday evening and also during the week. It was a touching sight to see the men who had just turned in from their rough work among the rubbish heaps and coal-dust, so melted under the power of God's truth and prayers were often responded to by sobs, and big tears left white furrows on blackened faces. Many of these men had seldom, if ever, entered a place of worship, but what was begun in the boat was carried on in the church, and many bargemen might have been seen among that earnest congregation, who had found their way from the little floating "Bethel", as they often called it, to the service of the sanctuary. Every week the numbers attending all the various meeting were registered, and we find it noted that on one Sunday evening seventeen boatmen walked with Mr. Pennefather to attend Trinity Church for the first time. Those who know the habits of this peculiar class of people can best appreciate how much this implied. An earnest Scripture reader, who was a faithful helper in the work, went in and out continually among the boats and the surrounding cottages, and a young man who had been long employed as toll-clerk entered with heart and soul into all that concerned the spiritual welfare of the men. Mr. Pennefather was still without a curate, and all his happy work was making great demands upon his strength.