History
In 1812, Henry Howlett of Longstowe came to live in Yelling. He was a committed Christian and Baptist and before long
opened a cottage in the centre of the village for the worship of God. The cottage was originally at the southern end of a row
of cottages (127 to 129 High Street) which was later converted into one large house. Mr Howlett was appointed the first deacon
of the Baptist family and for about 20 years the people worshipped in the cottage without a minister. However, in 1832,
Henry Bottle of Pertenhall near Kimbolton was invited to become the first Pastor of Yelling Baptist church. He came to live
in Offord Darcy, where he also founded a Baptist Chapel and acted as the minister for both churches for 25 years. During
his ministry, the Yelling church grew and, by the time of his death, the church had a baptised membership of about 50.
The increasing congregation and lack of accommodation in the cottage meant that a new site had to be obtained, and through
the untiring labours of Mary Mavis Ashcroft (later Mrs David Ellwood), the new Baptist Chapel came into being in 1850. In 1857,
Henry Bottle resigned due to ill health and two years later died at the age of 72. He is buried in the graveyard of the chapel
in perhaps its most elaborate grave. The church’s first deacon, Henry Howlett had died on October 6th in 1845 and was buried
in the grounds of the old cottage chapel but when the new chapel was built; his remains were removed and laid to rest
in the graveyard there.
After the death of Mr Bottle, Mr Barnett became the minister for a short time and, in 1860; Josiah Palmer of Downham became
the Pastor and lived in the village for several years. The next minister was another Mr. Palmer who came from Beverley in
Yorkshire. In 1901, Sidney Scott Sarson was appointed and Yelling was once again linked with the chapel in Offord Darcy.
Mr Sarson was minister for 10 years. After 1910, the church had no settled minister although Mr Palmer of Beverley returned
to live in Offord and, up to the time of his death at the age of 91, took some responsibility for the work in Yelling. The
oversight of the church was then taken over by Mr Savage of Huntingdon, later by William Giddings of Offord and
subsequently by Robert Cater of Huntingdon who took responsibility for the chapel up to his death in 1917.
One of the best remembered local figures was Arthur (Arty) Meeks. He devoted his life to the Chapel which he joined in 1914.
He became Superintendent of the Sunday school in 1915. He was secretary and trustee for over 50 years and was the senior
deacon of the chapel. He died on July 26th in 1984, aged 88 years.
Between 1910 and 1933, the chapel did not have any minister. In April 1933, however, Harold Rodwell of Harston took on the
responsibility of leading the congregation. Although it was only for three years in the first instance, the chapel experienced
considerable growth with many people coming to faith and joining the church. He resigned in 1936 but returned as minister in
1941 for another 5 years.
In 1950, the chapel building was 100 years old. Mr. Meeks spoke at the celebrations and this was reported in the local papers.
He began his speech by stating: “As I have been preparing this report, my mind has gone back to the time when, as a child, I came
to this place over fifty years ago and I have thought of those Godly men and women whom I have known during that period
and who have now gone to be with Him who loved them and gave Himself for them.”
One of the men who worked closely with Mr. Meeks was Christopher Jude. He became a member of the Chapel in December
1935 during the time of Mr. Rodwell. He became a deacon and trustee and when Mr. Meeks became blind in his old age,
Chris Jude took over the responsibility of the chapel.
After Mr Rodwell left, in the mid 1940s, the chapel was not to have another full-time minister. Nevertheless, for just
over a year (1961-1962), Flight Lieutenant Collard offered his services to the chapel. This did not last long as he was
transferred abroad. By the mid-sixties, however, the Datchett Fellowship (now known as Rural Ministries) had financed
the building of Maisonettes next door to the Chapel. Originally, these were for retired Missionaries and there was a
special service of dedication held on April 16th 1966. There was now a steady influx of mainly older people attending
in the late 60s through the 1970s and it was a time of renewed activity in the life of the chapel.
Probably the most significant development in the early 1970s was the building of the hall at the back of the chapel. It is
interesting to note that the fund that would finance this project was actually begun in 1943 with the proceeds of the
offering taken at the Anniversary service that year. This was during the second period that Mr. Rodwell was the minister.
In the minutes of the church meeting held on April 17th 1943, we read: “The Pastor said he felt that the time had come
when the church should consider a building or schoolroom at the back of the chapel in which teas and various meetings
could be held. The members felt that this was long overdue and although it might be some years before such plans
could materialise especially under present day conditions.” It was to take until 1971 before the church was in a position
to proceed with the building and a contract was signed with Mills Ltd of Eversden on 24th November of that year. The
building work was completed in June 1972 and the school room was officially opened by Mr. Meeks at the Anniversary
service that summer.
Andrew and Judith Single joined the chapel in the early 1980s and before long Andrew was made a deacon, treasurer
and trustee. During the 1980s, Andrew and Judith together with Mary Howlett established a monthly Friday
night children’s club called the Adventurers which continued for many years. By the early 1990s, however, the membership
of the chapel had declined to four active members, all of whom did not live in Yelling. The next few years were characterised
by some uncertainty as to whether the chapel could continue. However, in October 1998, David and Anne Stearn joined the
chapel. Furthermore, in faith, it was decided to replace the baptistry and the windows. In addition, in 1999, a momentous
decision was taken to transfer the trust deed of the chapel to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches
(FIEC). For one hundred and fifty years, the trustees of the chapel had mainly come from members or from willing men in
the area. However, it was no longer possible to find the seven required and a new chapter in the chapel’s history began.
The new millennium saw many changes in the life of the membership. Sadly, Andrew Single died in June 2001. He had been
a member with Judith his wife for 20 years. It was a tragic loss for his family and for the chapel. David and Anne began to take
increasing responsibility as Mr. and Mrs Jude were now in the mid-80s. Mr Jude died in February 2003. He had served at the
chapel with Christine his wife for nearly seventy years. Mrs. Jude is now living in a retirement home in Southampton.
Geoff and Caryl joined the chapel in 2002 and took over the main responsibility for the chapel when David and Anne went to
Redcliffe Bible College in Gloucester. The Stearn family are now working in South Africa in communities devastated by AIDS.
At the Anniversary Service of 2005, Audrey Long and Mary Howlett were baptised. These were the first baptisms at the
chapel for 31 years although Mary had been attending the chapel for nearly all that time. We believe we have turned a corner.
We are seeing an increasing attendance and membership. We are supported by several local churches. For example,
Godmanchester Baptist regularly lead our family services. Faith Mission workers, Paul and Amy Adcock and now Mark
and Beth Watts have led our Friday night Young people’s group, Yell. We have also become Partner Church of Rural
Ministries (formerly the Datchett Fellowship) and are building a partnership with St. Neots Evangelical Church. The
most exciting thing is we are seeing people come to faith. There was another baptismal service at the end of December
2007 and we look forward to the future with renewed hope and optimism.