e years, and again 1884 for four
years, leaving for Market Rasen in 1888. During the ministry of Rev. J.
Haigh in Horncastle, several chapels were built in the neighbourhood.

Horncastle was at first included in the Lincoln Circuit, but in 1837, at
the building of the second chapel it was constituted a separate circuit,
and when the third chapel was erected, in 1853, Coningsby was made a
branch of Horncastle.

The first preacher who visited Horncastle was a female, Jane Brown by
name, who is said to have walked from Lincoln to Horncastle on a Sunday
morning, giving an address in the Market Place in the afternoon, and in
the evening holding a service in a house, now forming part of the back
premises of the Red Lion Hotel. The first local preachers were also
females, Mary Allen and Mary Clarke. The first two female members were
Mary Elwin and Martha Belton.

Mr. Butcher having been the first resident minister, was succeeded by the
Rev. C. Smith, who worked here and in various other places during 50
years, and then retired to York as supernumerary. The Rev. William Rose,
who had been Second Minister in 1850, was appointed Superintendent in
1875, and remained two years. A few years later the Rev. J. Pickwell
(1888-90) was Superintendent, with Rev. W. Whitaker as Second Minister;
the former first joined the society as a scholar in 1849, being numbered
among the local members, he afterwards removed to Lincoln, and acted as
Itinerant Minister for 33 years before returning to Horncastle in 1888.
Mr. Pickwell was succeeded by Rev. William Kitson as Superintendent, with
Rev. R. H. Auty as Second Minister. Mr. Kitson retained his post during
four years, when he left for Market Rasen. Mr. Auty was followed, as
Second Minister, by Rev. John Bowness, and he, in turn, by Rev. Thomas
Stones.

In 1894 the Rev. John Featherstone succeeded to the ministry, with Rev.
W. J. Leadbetter as Second Minister, both these stayed to their second
year, Mr. Featherstone dying in 1896. In that year the Rev. John Worsnop
was appointed, with Rev. A. W. Bagnall as Second Minister; the former
retained his post during five years; Mr. Bagnall two years, being
succeeded in 1898 by Rev. Walter Tunley, and he, in 1899, by the Rev.
George H. Howgate, who stayed two years. In 1900 Rev. J. Worsnop retired
to Newcastle-on-Tyne, and died there in Dec., 1904.

In 1901 the Rev. Matthew H. Chapman became Superintendent Minister, with
Rev. J. A. Kershaw a