(son of Mr. Richard Gunton of London), who resided at Bunnyfield House,
Hatfield Park, and was for many years private secretary to the late
Marquis of Salisbury. The instrument originally cost 84 pounds. Mr.
William Hall presided at this harmonium from the first.

We have mentioned Dr. Bayley of London as the earliest preacher in the
new chapel; there was no resident minister till 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Hall
entertained during the whole of the first year (1873) the preachers above
named. Others of note who followed were Mr. Layland of Nottingham,
Leader of the Society in 1876; followed, 1877-8, by Mr. J. R. Boyle; to
whom succeeded, 1878-9, Mr. W. A. Bates (afterwards of Brisbane,
Queensland, Australia); Mr. W. J. Adcock, 1879-80; Mr. A. E. Beilby,
1880-1; Mr. W. Hall, 1882; and Mr. William Robinson, October of that
year. At various dates the preachers were Rev. R. Storey of Heywood near
Manchester, Rev. Mr. Wilkins of Nottingham, Mr. Skelton of London, Mr.
Pulsford of Leicester, Mr. Cameron of Edinburgh, Mr. Fairweather of
London, Mr. Ashby of Derby, Mr. Best of Hull, Rev. T. Prestland of
London, Rev. Joseph Deans in 1899, and Rev. J. R. Rendell, President of
the Conference; Rev. Lewis A. Slight of Northampton, 1900; Rev. J. T.
Freeth of Bolton, President, 1901. From time to time preachers were sent
by the New Church Conference, and later by the East Midland and
Lincolnshire Association.

Three marriages were solemnized in the Chapel by Rev. L. A. Slight, viz.,
that of Miss Townell and Mr W. Chapman of Oundle, Dec. 11, 1900; Miss
Elizabeth Hall and Mr. Edwin White, both of Horncastle, May 21, 1901; and
Miss Florence Smith to Mr. Alfred Storton of London, July 9, 1901.

The Rev. Richard Mayes, the first resident Minister, came from Leicester,
first preached here Feb. 23, 1902, and entered on his ministry in October
of that year. Other preachers during that interval were Mr. Fairweather
of Loughborough, Mr. L. A. Slight, Mr. Layland, Mr. W. Hall and Mr. H.
Deans.

A Sunday School was opened with the Chapel in 1873; this was, at a later
date, temporarily closed, but re-opened by Mr. Mayes. Under him, ably
supported as he is by members the Townell and Blyth families, and others,
the services, which are short, bright, and musical, are being attended by
increasing numbers. Mr. Edwin Townell is still Secretary, as he was in
1880; and with Mr. Mayes' ministry Mr. H. Freeman succeeded Mr. W. Hall
as Treasurer.