rel 19 The urgent need for new church accommodation at Penkhull and Trent Vale.

It was in 1832, when the first move was made to provide an Anglican Church in Penkhull, a village ion the top of a hill. The parish church of St Peter-ad-Vincula was situated around one mile away in the valley below. It was used weekdays as a school and Sundays for worship and situated in what is now the north side of the present churchyard. In 1842 the present church of St. Thomas was built to accommodate and expanding congregation.
Probably as a direct result and with the predominant number of working people in the village, the first Primitive Chapel was erected within a stone’s throw from the one in the churchyard although many were worshiping in houses by that time. The new chapel was opened in 1836 (still standing) but there were serious financial issues almost from day one to finance the building.
Following the establishment of the church in 1842, by 1844 the church established a National School just across the road. Then in the 1850’s because of the high number of children wishing to attend the Primitive church, an additional separate but attached Sunday School was built.
The story continues to include the parish registers and many different views between the two denominations which went on for years. This twenty-seven-page essay places both church/chapel within the national framework and far much more. This is an important essay for students of religious worship and community relationships of the time.
twenty-seven pages with photos