Sources
- Family Archivists: see
Baldwin - See also The MacDonald Sisters by [Missing XREF c-baldwin58121] Stourport: At the end of the 18th century Thomas Baldwin left his father's iron foundry in Shropshire to start one of his own in this challenging new town. He and his family put their energies and financial resources wholeheartedly into the work of the Methodists. The little chapel was soon extended and given the sort of style and grandeur befitting a preaching house where local families of the regularly attended and where national figures of the Methodist Connexion were honoured to serve as resident ministers or as guest preachers. In 1812 the chancel and choir stalls were added to one side and a large gallery at the other. The wooden pulpit and the main entrance were changed around to their present positions. In 1824 gas lighting was installed and in 1835 an organ built in the gallery to replace the bass viol and flute accompaniment for the singing. In both cases the chapel, like the town, was one of the first to acquire the latest innovations. The Baldwins were circuit stewards, Sunday School superintendents, organists and general benefactors. Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister, was named after a great grandfather, who was one of three ministers who after serving at Stourport chose to be Presidents of Conference. A second Thomas supervised major chapel improvements including the building of the present schoolroom (1874-75). The most obvious interior feature of the church, the alabaster pulpit, communion area and surrounds were a gift from Thomas Ward. The whole project was completed by 1896.
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