The History of Michael Church
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Chapter 1 - The Early Years
The Dedication Ceremony
Apparently the school building was completed in the summer of 1892 but the official opening was delayed to coincide with the beginning of the new school term. The dedication ceremony on 4th September 1892 took the form of a solemn service of worship led jointly by the Rev. R. J. Tilson as pastor of the congregation and the Rev. E. C. Bostock as the Academy’s appointed headmaster of the school. Their first act was to place beautifully bound copies of "The Word" and "The True Christian Religion" in their original languages on the repository. While excerpts from Psalms set to music by Mr Whittington were sung by the congregation, Mr Tilson left the chancel and returned from the vestry with further copies of the Writings which he handed to Mr Bostock to place in the book case provided behind the altar. There followed a prayer of solemn dedication and as the congregation sang the anthem “Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem”, both priests returned briefly to the vestry. A regular service of worship then followed in the order set out in the Academy’s Liturgy. Mr Bostock preached the sermon on the text of “Holiness to Jehovah” - a translation of the Hebrew letters painted in bright gold letters on the face of the new altar. Another service of worship was held that same evening at which Mr Tilson preached on the subject of “Tarry ye in Jerusalem until ye be endowed with power from on high”. The custom of holding services both morning and evening continued until the second World War.A "Feast of Charity"
The joy and excitement surrounding this new home in which the congregation’s hopes and ideals could be ultimated, was further celebrated the next evening. Upwards of 100 members and visiting friends sat down to a meal termed “a feast of charity” in the church hall. Decorations were lavish and included banners hanging from the ceiling which bore on one side sentences from the Word and on the reverse significant Latin words from the Writings, all executed in white silk on a red backing. Toasts and speeches followed in traditional banquet style. Mr Tilson was heartily cheered as he rose to speak - words reflecting the emotions of the occasion:
Truly we have been led on in a most merciful way; our present position is such as we could never have expected in so short a time.... The past we have left forever.... We are united in the sincere belief that the only foundation upon which the church can properly be built is the acknowledgement of the Lord in the Gospel of His Second Advent - even in the acknowledgement that the Writings of the Church are of Divine Authority....
He then continued with words which all too soon proved to be prophetic:
It will be a mistake to think that the days of combat are over. Combat is the necessary experience for growth. Individually and collectively combats are necessary and will inevitably come.... I trust that sincere confidence will be cherished in each other’s purposes and ends and full respect be given to freedom of thought and opinion so that whatever differences may arise, we shall be sure of an amicable and just settlement.
Mr Whittington was also heartily cheered as he rose to respond to the toast “success to this building and its uses”. Noting that although in a natural sense the building belonged to him, he went on
but in a higher sense this building belongs to the use to which it is devoted and it is indeed a pleasure to us all to see the use provided with a fitting external. Not that we look to externals to effect anything but they do affect.... It is perhaps not quite right to say ‘long may the building remain dedicated to its present use’ for its capacity is but small, and we may well be permitted to hope that the day may come when it will be inadequate to its purpose. But increase in numbers is not what we look for so much as increase in truth and goodness by means of the educational uses we have undertaken. For such internal increase and true success we look to nothing but faithfulness to the Divine Truth.
One hundred years later his hope still remains.
The Opening of the School
The final act of dedication took place on the following day with the opening of the Academy School for its autumn session. Twenty-five scholars and a number of parents and friends attended the opening exercises which took the form of a service of worship in the school hall. Again, they sang music composed by Mr Whittington, including a Hebrew anthem and the 8th Psalm. In his address to the scholars, Rev. Bostock explained the meaning and significance of the various items of chancel furnishing - especially of the altar with the opened Word upon it.
The Burton Road Congregation
And so the happy society began its new life. Many of its families lived near at hand in the relatively new Minet Estate centred around Myatts Field Park or in Brixton, Stockwell and Streatham. The school house was ideally sited. Behind a sheltering garden wall an open space separated it from Longfield community Hall next door and across the road stood the very elegant Minet Library - alas, sadly, destroyed by incendiary bombing during World War II.
Given these circumstances, a true sense of community quickly emerged. For not only was it possible to have a day school and two services each Sunday, but evening meetings, theological classes, socials and even bi-weekly singing practices became regular events. Letters in the Academy Archives in the U.S.A. reflect Mr Whittington’s love and devotion as he composed music for new translations of Biblical passages which they sent to him. Although some of this music is fairly complicated, under his instruction the Burton Road congregation (as it was soon called) set to with a will to learn - even difficult four part harmony which occasionally involved individual rehearsals for tenors and basses only at the pastor’s home in nearby Inglis Street. Within a year or so it was not unknown for two or three of the Psalms to be sung at one festive service accompanied not only by a harmonium and a grand piano but by other instruments played chiefly by the older members of Mr Whittington’s own family.
But it must not be imagined that all was serious study and solemnity. We read of garden parties, yearly outings, Sunday afternoon teas and lively evening socials. An extant diary of G. E. Stebbing written in 1896 indicates that jolly social evenings lasting until 11:45 were common - to quote but one example:
Thur. Sept 24:1A Simple Solitaire Game - As fine a day as yesterday but not so windy. Church social at 8:00 - large attendance. Address from American priests meeting read by Mr Bostock... The National Anthem sung (60th year of reign). The church toasted and Ern replied - refreshments and dancing. I danced Lancers with Grace Williams, Quad. with Miss Dowling, Polka-waltz with Florrie, - Miss Gunton my corner in Lancers - Miss Baker and Miss Gunton in Quadrille - very jolly evening - left at 11:50. E U M and I saw Miss D. to Green (raining) Bed at 1:35.
The happy prosperous sphere was apparently evident to strangers for in a newspaper clipping from the period - one in a series entitled “Byways of Faith” - this “Newest Church” is described. After giving details of some of the distinctive features of its beliefs and rituals, its author notes:
the snug little church, with its bright interior, its hearty well-dressed congregation, its organ and grand piano, its flowers and carpets and cassocks positively refreshed the eye.... And it must be owned that Mr Whittington’s excellent music, without being quite ‘Wagner-like’ is most expressively devotional, and a high spirit of reverence obtained throughout the whole service.