WHERE DID WE COME FROM?

In 1962 a bright-faced young schoolmaster came from Portland Bill to teach agriculture and horticulture at Tavistock College. Among extra-curricular activities of photography, sports and charitable events (like 'It's A Knock-Out') he threw his efforts into the school's Christian Union. Later another bright-faced young school-master, Arthur Cornell, joined and the CU became very popular. Later it became quite prominent and we were asked to stop. In a remarkable answer to prayer an offer was made by the County Youth Officer, Bill Ames, to use his Court Gate room and thus 'The Upper Room' was birthed in Tavistock. This drew artists and speakers from Plymouth and many young people too. House parties and youth camps came and many Tavistock citizens have happy memories of their friendships and activities there. Hundreds of the middle-aged will remember 'Dartmoor Youth Challenge Week'.

By 1972 parents and children had begun to meet on Sundays as well as week nights. Sundays saw a meeting in the mornings for families in worship and teaching, lunch together, afternoons in recreation on the moor often followed by taking services in other churches. Numbers grew so accommodation was found at the Molly Owen Centre and it was from there that expeditions began into communist countries to help the Christians and the poor. Gary Cox pioneered missions into Hungary, Romania and Poland. The group became known as 'Tavistock Community Church'. Many members visited those countries and still have exciting stories to tell of dodging secret police, of little widows embracing them with tears of gladness, of digestive challenges and of miraculous provisions. An active social life showed itself in parties, pantos and picnics on Dartmoor. Water began to play an important in church life, sometimes for baptisms in the Tavy and sometimes fishing from Teignmouth.

'King's 1' became an exciting venue in 1987 when the Church hired and renovated the old Parish Hall in West Street. Trips to Eastern Europe had ceased but Bible Weeks and conferences played an important part in our growth and maturity. With our own building, playgroups and Christmas parties became a joyful anticipation for the little ones. By 1990 the church had bought 'King's 2' in Pixon Lane. This can be found at the top of the cattle market car park. There's a warm welcome for you here!

Look out for an update in the next installment of Past Present & Future in the next issue of King's News (no. 20)!