st insufferable, the colliers, aided by two or
three neighbouring farmers, offered to build a large room for the better
accommodation of greater numbers. This, for obvious reasons, was
declined; but it led me earnestly to wish that the Foresters might be
more immediately brought within the pale of the Established Church, and,
by regular attendance on a church appropriated to themselves, be made
habitually acquainted with that admirable Liturgy to which too many of
them are now utter strangers." Acting upon these earnest feelings, Mr.
Berkin, with the concurrence of the esteemed Dr. Ryder, the Bishop of
Gloucester, laid a memorial and plan before Government, with an offer, on
his part, that, "if the needful fund for building a church and
parsonage-house could be provided, he would give up his present curacy
and serve the new church without any further emolument than the endowment
necessary for its consecration." In the concluding terms of an admirable
address to the public, dated the 30th April, 1816, which he circulated
with the design of obtaining contributions to the work, he stated--"My
wishes are, that the kind contributors will feel rewarded in the
reflection that thousands yet unborn may have cause to bless them for
thus providing for their spiritual wants, and giving them the knowledge
of those principles which alone can make them worthy members of society
here, or lead them to provide well for their eternal welfare hereafter."

The Crown granted five acres of land for the purpose on Harry Hill, being
a spot situated within a reasonable distance of from 250 to 300 cottages.
To the estimated cost of 2,500 pounds, contributions, amounting in some
cases to 30 pounds each, were given by the Earl of Liverpool, Right Hon.
N. Vansittart, the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort, Sir Thomas Baring, Lord
Calthorpe, Joshua Watson, Esq., Rev. H. H. Norris, W. Wilberforce, Esq.,
M.P., Rev. J. Pratt, &c. The building of the church (the design of which
comprised a chancel 15 feet square, a tower about 60 feet high, and a
body or nave 40 feet by 60 feet, calculated to hold from 400 to 500
adults, and a large children's gallery, for whom a school-room 30 feet by
50 feet was also to be built close adjoining) was begun on the 4th of
June, 1816, and was used for the first time upon the 2nd of February
following, on which occasion the sermon was preached by the Rev. Edward
Bickersteth, from St. Matt. iv. 16. It was consecrated, as the Ch