For some years prior to the building of the chapel 50 or 60 people would also hold Cottage Meetings on Sunday Evenings at different homes . These meetings would take the form of a prayer meeting and an occasional address.
On Wednesday evenings a prayer meeting was held in different cottages.
The chapel before surrounding houses were built
The time came when it was felt there was a need for a permanent place of worship. Many visits were made to Howbury Hall requesting a piece of land from Captain Polhill Turner who owned practically the whole of the village.
At first there was some opposition from the vicar of the Anglican Church and the Captain, who was a loyal churchman and didn’t want to cause any ill-feeling. However, the opposition was soon overcome and the Captain promised the present site for the building of the chapel. In the summer of 1873 the chapel was built.
The opening services were held on Sunday 16th. September. There was a Sunday school in the morning followed by a prayer meeting, then afternoon and evening services.
Sunday school tea party
The first secretary was George Laughton who was also the Sunday School Superintendant. After a few years he moved to Canada and George Harlow took over these posts and held them for many years.
In the early days the singing was sung one verse at a time, after which the following verse was separately read out. There was no organ but one of the friends, with the aid of a tuning fork would obtain the proper pitch. An organ was purchased some time later.
When the chapel was first built there were windows on one side only but in later years three were put in on the road side also making it much lighter and brighter.
On December 29th of that year, the chapel held its first meeting for the transaction of business.
The following is an article from The Bedfordshire Times, 18th May 1917:
RENHOLD
Sergt. A. Duncombe Killed
Mrs. Duncombe last week received from the War Office the sad news of the death in action of her son, Sergt. Alfred Duncombe. In Sept. 1914, when still two months short of 18, he enlisted, one of the many Renhold lads who, nobly answered the call of King and country. It was not long before he gained his first stripe, and his promotion to Sergeant was achieved some time before he left for France. His rapid promotion was undoubtedly an outcome of his training as a Boy Scout, in having been leading Patrol Leader in the Howbury Troop from its inception early in 1911.He was noted for his unswerving loyalty to his Scoutmaster and those in authority. Before enlistment he was under-gardener at Howbury gardens, in the employ of Mr. C. H. Polhill, for nearly 3½ years, and left behind him a perfect record as a trustworthy, conscientious and devoted employee. His father, Amos Duncombe, Postmaster of Renhold, died in 1906. It is as a Sunday school teacher, a helper in the Band of Hope, and the Christian Endeavour Band, and as one of the organists at Renhold Chapel, that his loss will be keenly felt in the days to come. He was a devoted Christian, and in his last letter to his mother he expressed his joy that the village prayer meeting of the United Church and Chapel members was so well attended, and told of the strength given to the lads on the battlefield, when they know that they were being upheld by the prayers of those in the homeland. A letter from the Captain of his Company reads as follows: - “Dear Mrs. Duncombe, - You will have heard by now of the terrible news about your son. I cannot say how sorry I was when he was killed. He was far and away the best N.C.O. in the company, and did a Sergeant’s work all through, but because we were over strength in Sergeants he had to revert to Lance-Corporal. He took part in four attacks, and set a wonderful example of courage and coolness, for which he has since been awarded the Military Medal. I only wish he were here to receive it. He was sniped through the head a few hours before we were relieved, and died instantly. I am glad he suffered no pain. Every officer and man in the Company send their deepest sympathy. He was loved by everyone.” A memorial service was held at Renhold Chapel on Sunday evening, when Mr. W. Glassby preached to a large congregation from the text “The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord.” The hymns, all of which told of the joy and victory, had been selected from the favourite hymns of the deceased. Sister Mobbs and a number of wounded soldiers from Howbury V.A.D. Hospital were present as a mark of respect.
Note: See also Bedford & County Record 22 May 1917
Sergt. A. Duncombe Killed
Mrs. Duncombe last week received from the War Office the sad news of the death in action of her son, Sergt. Alfred Duncombe. In Sept. 1914, when still two months short of 18, he enlisted, one of the many Renhold lads who, nobly answered the call of King and country. It was not long before he gained his first stripe, and his promotion to Sergeant was achieved some time before he left for France. His rapid promotion was undoubtedly an outcome of his training as a Boy Scout, in having been leading Patrol Leader in the Howbury Troop from its inception early in 1911.He was noted for his unswerving loyalty to his Scoutmaster and those in authority. Before enlistment he was under-gardener at Howbury gardens, in the employ of Mr. C. H. Polhill, for nearly 3½ years, and left behind him a perfect record as a trustworthy, conscientious and devoted employee. His father, Amos Duncombe, Postmaster of Renhold, died in 1906. It is as a Sunday school teacher, a helper in the Band of Hope, and the Christian Endeavour Band, and as one of the organists at Renhold Chapel, that his loss will be keenly felt in the days to come. He was a devoted Christian, and in his last letter to his mother he expressed his joy that the village prayer meeting of the United Church and Chapel members was so well attended, and told of the strength given to the lads on the battlefield, when they know that they were being upheld by the prayers of those in the homeland. A letter from the Captain of his Company reads as follows: - “Dear Mrs. Duncombe, - You will have heard by now of the terrible news about your son. I cannot say how sorry I was when he was killed. He was far and away the best N.C.O. in the company, and did a Sergeant’s work all through, but because we were over strength in Sergeants he had to revert to Lance-Corporal. He took part in four attacks, and set a wonderful example of courage and coolness, for which he has since been awarded the Military Medal. I only wish he were here to receive it. He was sniped through the head a few hours before we were relieved, and died instantly. I am glad he suffered no pain. Every officer and man in the Company send their deepest sympathy. He was loved by everyone.” A memorial service was held at Renhold Chapel on Sunday evening, when Mr. W. Glassby preached to a large congregation from the text “The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord.” The hymns, all of which told of the joy and victory, had been selected from the favourite hymns of the deceased. Sister Mobbs and a number of wounded soldiers from Howbury V.A.D. Hospital were present as a mark of respect.
Note: See also Bedford & County Record 22 May 1917