DUDLEY BREAD AND SOUP KITCHEN.
1842. This very valuable and highly acceptable institution, to the distressed poor especially, was established by a number of benevolent ladies and gentlemen in the town, during one of those cycles of hard times and bad trade to which this town and district is periodically subject. Messrs. Thomas and Isaac Badger, Mr. Wm. Barrows, Mr. Cornelius Cartwright, Messrs. Bourne and Wainwright, the Rev. W. H. Cartwright, M.A., Vicar, &c., Miss Banks, Mrs. H. M. Wainwright, Mrs. Wm. Barrows, Mrs. Dr. Roberts, and other ladies and townsmen, lent a most willing hand to this work of charity. From that period, until now, this deserving institution yearly distributes its weekly bounty to thousands of distressed families, in our bleak and dreary winter months. Its income is about £300 a year.
THE METHODIST WESLEYAN CHAPEL.
1842. This fine brick edifice, forming a centre with two projecting wings, situated in King Street, was erected in 1790, and had considerable additions and alterations made in 1810 and 1825. It contains about 850 sittings, of which 190 are free. The Wesleyan Members in this town and neighbourhood are a highly respectable and liberal communion of Evangelical people, having during the last hundred years exercised a most Christian and beneficial effect upon this town and locality. In the earlier days of Methodist troubles and internal contentions, this good old Chapel had its share of them; for there are some alive amongst us who can recollect the painful disruptions some 50 years ago, when pulling recusant and unpopular parsons out of the pulpit by main force, portrayed too painfully the dissensions which then reigned in the midst of the Methodist community. The Ministers in this chapel are appointed at the Annual Wesleyan Conference. There is an excellent Sunday-school at the rear of the Chapel, where 300 children receive a careful scriptural training. A few years ago a very handsome New Wesleyan Chapel was erected at Dixon’s Green, which is a great boon to the numerous Wesleyans residing in that increasing locality.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH,
ST. MARY AND ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY.
1842. This modern Gothic Church was opened on March 7th, 1842, by his eminence Cardinal Wiseman. Previous to the erection of this sacred edifice the Roman Catholics in Dudley worshipped in a small Chapel in King Street, or were necessitated to travel to Sedgley. The Catholic Church was founded and built at the sole cost of the Honourable Rev. George Spencer, better known afterwards as “Father Ignatius.” The land was given by Mr. William Fletcher, nail master, of Dudley. In 1875, this Church was altered and restored at a cost of upwards of £1,000. The Rev. J. I. Bond, M.R., being the resident priest.
1843. April 12th, died Mr. Wm. Maurice, Bookseller and Printer, Market Place, an energetic adherent to the Unitarian cause in this town, and much respected by a large circle of friends. Aged 70 years.
Died, December 23rd, 1843, the Rev. James Dawson, Pastor of the Independent Chapel, King Street. In penning a few remarks upon the lamented death of this venerable and pious Christian Minister, who for the long period of 40 years conducted his valuable ministerial duties in the Congregational Chapel in King Street, I have to acknowledge the kindness and courtesy of his son, Mr. John Dawson, Chemist of the Town, who has furnished me with a perusal of the inner life (a diary) of his lamented father’s serious inspirations often offered up to the Throne of Mercy on behalf of his attached flock. “In 1801, Mr. Dawson came as a Minister on Probation to King Street Chapel, and on June 1st, 1803, he was ordained to the Pastoral Office over the Church of Christ at Dudley.” The following is a copy of his certificate of office and authority.
“This is to certify that our Brother the Revd. James Dawson was regularly set apart to the Pastoral Office in the Church of Christ, meeting in King Street, Dudley, in the County of Worcester, on the first of June, 1803.