St Stephens Church,Rochdale

ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, ROCHDALE, ENGLAND

This church, in the connexion of the late Countess of Huntingdon, was erected in 1811. Externally of substantial though unattractive appearance, it is, nevertheless, a very commodious place of worship, and is calculated to seat a thousand persons.

Previously to the opening of this church, services had been held in the old Theatre, conducted by the Rev. J. Nelson, who died in Rochdale before the building was completed.

The Rev. J. K. Foster was the first minister, and continued so for several years, when he became President of Lady Huntingdon's College, at Cheshunt. After his removal the congregation rapidly declined. He was followed by the Rev. S. T. Gibbs, who laboured here about three years. The Rev. E. C. Lewis became the minister in 1839, and has continued to the present time. Under his ministry the attendance gradually increased, and has maintained its efficiency for many years. In 1865 Mr. Lewis was unanimously elected the President of the Conference of the Countess's Connexion, and at the close of its sittings received high commendation for the ability displayed in conducting its business.

The prayers of the Church of England are required to be read, according to the discretion of the minister, as is the case in all the late Countess's chapels, necessity, not choice, having compelled her Ladyship to secede from the Establishment, while she continued attached to its services, its articles of faith, and its evangelical ministrations.

The organ of St. Stephen's is one of the finest in the town, and was erected upwards of twenty years ago, at a cost of about £500.

Mr. Lewis, now that the Rev. John Kershaw, late of Hope-street Chapel is dead, is the oldest Dissenting minister in the town. In disposition he is kind, affable, and genial, and has friends amongst every religious denomination in the parish. As a preacher he is extremely popular, and his sermons, which are preached extempore, are models of excellence, and are clear, forcible, and convincing. He illustrates his texts in the most vivid manner, and his style is captivating and impressive. The entire service at St. Stephen's is beautifully rendered ; and the congregations are frequently full and sometimes overflowing. On special occasions numbers of persons from other places come to hear Mr. Lewis preach. The ordinary congregation is highly respectable and intelligent.

(From Rochdale Past and Present, A History and Guide bu William Robertson)