Elland

ELLAND:
Elland Congregational Church History up to 1868.

This congregation was originally united to Lidget, though when they were separated does not appear. Before 1700 a meeting-house was erected, chiefly through the agency of the Brooksbanks, one of whom, Joseph, then a citizen of London, endowed the chapel and a school for poor children. A funeral sermon for him was published by Rev. T. Dickenson, with a preface by Rev. N. Priestley. An ancestor, apparently, of Brooks bank, published "The Well-tuned Organ; or, a Discussion of the Question whether or no Instrumental or Organic Music be lawful in Holy Publick Assemblies ?" Folio. London. 1660. The ministers have been:-

• 1691. Rev. JOHN LISTER.
• 1699. Rev. JEREMIAH BAIRSTOW. In 1717 he had 240 hearers. Ob. 1731, after thirty years' ministry; buried in the churchyard.
• Rev. HANANIAH ELSTON, SOD Of minister of Topcliffe. Ob. 1738. Buried near his predecessor. His tomb has a Latin inscription, by Crowther, a native of Elland, who afterwards conformed, and became vicar of Otley.
• 1742. Rev. THOMAS FARRAR (from Eastwood). A member of the family of Farrars, Elland Park. Ob. 1745.
• 1745. Rev. WILLIAM EDEN. He preached alternately at Elland and Eastwood. The death of his son led to his resignation 1770. Ob. 1775.
• 1771. Rev. JOHN HOUGHTON (Doddridge's Acy., from Nantwich). He remained till 1782, and died 1800. He published an English Grammar, &c.
• The congregation at length became Unitarian. In 1685 the old meeting-house was sold, and a new chapel (Gothic) was erected.