Harvest Festivals at Denaby

October 1886

Mexborough and Swinton Times October 29, 1886

Harvest Festivals at Denaby

on Wednesday evening the harvest festival at Denaby Main St John mission church was celebrated, when in keeping with former years, the church was most tastefully decorated by the members of the congregation.

One of the chief features of the decoration was the altar, which was the work of Miss Revel, and it was evidence that no pains have been spared to make the appearance very pleasing. Miss Revel had also worked a new frontal for the altar, which was now used for the first time.

Miss Emerton and Mrs Sylvester were responsible for the decking of the altar rails with corn and flowers. The Pradesh was attended to by Mrs Joshua Wall, and Miss Sarah Jane Wall, whilst the windows presented a nice appearance, the work being done at the hands of Mrs Hughes, Miss Braithwaite, and the Misses Cranidge.

The sermon was preached by the Reverent E Spooner, vicar of Bolton on Dearne, and the first lesson read by Dr Smith, of Denaby, and the second lesson by Mr W Cordeaux, of Hooton Roberts.

The Anderson, “Seek ye the Lord while he He may be found,” was sung by the reverent T Horsfall, curate in charge.

The harvest festival at the church in Denaby village took place last night, when the pretty little building was filled. The service throughout was of the most hearty description, and the decoration by members of the congregation had been made a special feature, the effect been especially pleasing. Evidences of the greatest taste were observable at almost every point of the work, and those who took part in it can be congratulated on the success of their labours.

The altar and receive special attention at the answer miss Emerton, were also contrived to lend a charming appearance to the candelabras which flanked it on either side. On the altar itself were displayed some beautiful hothouse flowers, and these together as others arrange at the base of the reading this and pulpit were kindly given by Mrs Fullerton, of Thrybergh Hall.

The reading desk and pulpit certainly presented a very attractive site, and here Miss Braithwaite and Miss Cranidge, whose names are associated with this part of the work, achieved a design which was alike noted for its neatness and beauty.

Cereals of various kinds were used to drape the top of each direction, and some beautiful specimens of fern were tastefully arranged in the centre, whilst at the base of fine collection of fruit was shown. Mrs Braithwaite also assisted here.

The schoolchildren connected with the church, were responsible for a considerable portion of the decorations. A neatly made design of cereals and evergreens, the labour of Miss Ada Williams, was hung over the entrance porch, whilst the lamp pendant in the centre of the building was tastefully decorated at the hands of Mr H Stead. The cereals used in the work was kindly supplied by the farms of the neighbourhood and Miss Cordeaux, of Hooton Roberts.

The choir was considerably augmented by some gentleman from Hooton Roberts and Mr W Cordeaux also of Hooton Roberts, officiated at the harmonium and read the first lesson.

The reverent JW Kerr, B.air.com of St Marys, Barnsley, read the second lesson. The curate in charge, the reverent T Horsfull, conducted the service, and also finally rendered the solo in the Anderson “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found.”

A most impressive and eloquent sermon was preached by the reverent JM Kirk, reminded his heroes that being connected with a mission church himself, even knew of the money which was required to carry one on, and urgently appealed to all present to let their thanks for God’s bountiful harvest take a substantial form. The text was taken from the 20th chapter of Jeremiah, the eighth verse.

The collection realised £1 8s.