Members of Upwey Junior Congregational Church who received awards at the Sunday School prize-giving last week. The prizes were presented by Mr E Vaux, president of Weymouth Sunday School Union (seated right). The Minister (Rev G H Peters) is also in the picture.

Pupils of Upwey Congregational Church Sunday School and Junior Church who were presented with prizes by Mr P W Jevons (president of the Weymouth Sunday School Union), at their church last week. The Minister (the Rev G W Peters), Mr David Hansford (superintendent) and Miss Mary Trask (leader) are also in the picture.

Youth Club on Overcombe Beach c1944 with war defences behind

From left: Joyce Windsor; Norman Strange; Jeff Strange; Kath White; Evacuee; Bernard Fooks; Peggy Howell; Bob Fox; Eric Guppy; Phyl Goodchild

1960 Junior Church Stall, Mary Crumpler, Glenis Hart and Mrs Trask

Gypsy Queen Mary Trask and Attendants Sylvia Hart and Josephine Grey

August 1960 – Crowning the Gypsy Queen

From left standing: Sylvia Hart; Mary Trask Josephine Grey; Mrs Peters

Front: Mary Crumpler: just visible John Biddlecombe; Robert Crumpler; Glenis Hart; Ian Lee; PeterLee; Alan Dowell

Churches

Upwey Congregational Church

(locally known as The Chapel)

Home

In a commanding position the Upwey Congregational Church and schoolroom was built in 1881. There was a very loyal congregation who worked hard to maintain the building and the small graveyard. Rev John Grey came to the Congregational Church in 1918. In the mid 1950's a link began with Radipole Congregational Church under the pastorage of Rev George Peters. Rev W Charles Stacey and his wife took up residence in the autumn of 1958, saving the church from closure. Reverend Maliphant and his wife arrived in 1966 and were the last to occupy The Manse. In 1972 the church became the Upwey United Reformed Church and The Manse was sold. In February 1990 a storm damaged the west facing façade and once again local people helped to repair and make the building safe. The last service at the church was held in July 1992, and the building sold.

Extracts from The Plunge and The Outlook -

Upwey Congregational Church Youth Magazines 1961 to 1991

Nov 1960	Bonfire Party held in Mr Pashen’s field Christmas Eve Youth Club members sang at the Diamond Wedding Party of Mr & Mrs Lillywhite, who were shortly to move to Portland
Jan 1961	Youth Club Leader was Mrs Trowbridge. Two new members – Susan Swannie and Alan Baker. Mr Grey became Church Secretary
June 1963	Youth Club had two sessions – Sunday at 11am for Worship and then happy thinking; Friday 7.30pm for Social activities eg table-tennis, record playing. Club is for young people aged 12 plus.
Aug 1963	Purpose of the Club. To foster good comradeship between young people themselves and to create a spirit of understanding between young and old. Any by all things wholesome, to help the church to become a good influence in the neighbourhood.
Dec 1963	Glenis Hart won the Frederic David Matthew Prize for Bible Knowledge at the Ordinary Level (open to all England) for the summer 1963 General Certificate of Education Examination. Glenis is a pupil of Weymouth Grammar School. Mary Crumpler also of Weymouth Grammar School was awarded the Form Prize. Club member Stephen Roles wrote an article about the Beatles and Beatlemania.
July 1964	Magazine now called 'The Outlook'. Greater links developed between Radipole and Upwey Congregational Churches.
Sept 1966	Rev GH Peters leaves for a new ministry in Dudley. Rev RH Maliphant takes up ministry.
Feb 1968	Children taken to Bournemouth to see Pantomime ‘Beauty and the Beast’, arrangements made by Susan Toop. Mrs Robinson provided sweets for all.
Jan 1969	Mr Grey thanked for providing the Christmas Tree, which he had done for a number of years You may borrow helpful and interesting books from our book-stall. A recent book you may have missed is 'The Cliff Richard Story' written by David Winter. It is a revealing record of the 'Pop' world generally, its pitfalls and excitement, miserable failures and valiant successes, particularly as they affected a young teenager Harry Webb (alias Cliff Richard).
April 1969	Miss Mary Trask has resigned as Junior Church Treasurer after 9 years of loyal service. Mrs Ward has taken on the role. Mary Crumpler is the magazine secretary
May 1969	Shocked by the death of secretary and friend John Grey. He was a most colourful character in our midst, always happy in the service of the church and ready to help in any way. He was keen on music and always made a very healthy contribution to the music of the church. RG Diffey
June 1969	Pipe Organ installed. The organ had been donated from Sturminster Marshall, however the cost of dismantling, overhauling, transporting and erecting at Upwey amounted to £400 - much fund raising required. Mrs Dominey of St Lawrence Road was Church Organist
Dec 1969	The Dedication of the Cross in Memory of John Grey At a Communion Service on 19 October 1969 a Cross to the glory of God and the memory of John Grey, a worthy secretary and well loved Deacon of our church, was dedicated by the Rev Maliphant. John Grey was a friend to everyone and when he occupied our pulpit his preaching was an inspiration to all present. We shall miss him. It was good to see so many of his family present to pay tribute to him and the Church Service was well attended.
Mar 1972	The scheduled power cut came on Sunday evening at 6pm so our service was held by candlelight and with oil stoves to keep us warm.
Aug 1972	The church doors have been completely restored - paint burnt off, painted and re-grained. The entrance porch also redecorated - as a gift to the church by Mr Hampton.
Apr 1979	Thanks to Mr Hampton for his gift of a fine new gate for the front of the church premises.
May 1981	Rev and Mrs Maliphant celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.
Sept 1981	Mrs Fooks celebrates her 90th birthday on the 4th
Feb 1990	Devastating storm damage
June 1990	The storm damage repairs to the Church are now completed and also repairs to the large windows over the front door. We are back in our Church again despite the fact that there was considerable dirt and disorder which was cleaned up by many willing helpers. All the long and hard work put in by Mr John Hampton and Mr Harry Isaacs is acknowledged.