Monday's Memories: Richard Baxter

Our first stop after leaving Wales was made for KJ in the city of Kidderminster, where Puritan pastor and writer, Richard Baxter, lived for many years.  St. Mary's wasn't open at the time we stopped, and they were doing some work in the drive so I took some interesting angles trying to crop out the truck ruining my scenery. :)

If my husband had time for such things I would ask him to write his summary and thoughts on Richard Baxter because I only remember bits and pieces of what he's told me.  Mainly I remember KJ talking about how his pastoring and caring for his flock changed the entire village of Kidderminster.

I know it's hard to read the words on the statue, so I'll translate:

Between the years 1641 and 1660

this town

was the scene of the labours

of

Richard Baxter.

Renowned equally for 

His Christian learning

and his pastoral fidelity.

In a stormy and divided age

he advocated unity and comprehension

pointing the way to

The Everlasting Rest.

Churchmen and nonconformists

united to raise this memorial.

A.D. 1875

My knowledge of nonconformists comes from KJ's history lessons...the nonconformists were those pastors who were kicked out of the Church of England after the Act of Uniformity, which required their complying with a lot of rules that over 2,000 pastors refused to comply with.  I write that because I think it's a testament to Richard Baxter's character and faithfulness as a pastor that caused people in two camps, official churchmen and the nonconformists, to unite in honoring him.  

Whew...history lesson over.  Although I will add that after hearing KJ's explanation of which king issued the Act of Uniformity, I understand his point of view.  It came after the British Civil War when the monarchy was deposed and exiled.  Oliver Cromwell led.  King Charles issued the act when the monarchy resumed power 10 years later.  I can understand why he would have been anxious to re-establish power and uniformity.  Though I think it did the opposite...it caused a lot of problems and unrest...and I can understand why the pastors refused to conform, I think.  Ahh, history.  This made me think how history could have been very different.  What if the monarchy hadn't come back into power?

I hate to jump from church history to our search for a public toilet, but so it was.  It's not as simple as stopping at a gas station; we found their toilets were not for the public, which makes absolutely no sense.  Using our trusty GPS we ended up trying our luck at a hospital, which was completely packed with no parking.  KJ drove around while I most thankfully found success in the dining building.  I was so afraid the entire time I was in there someone would scold me for not being there lawfully.  They're so possessive of their toilets.

Our next stop was about 20 miles further in Bridgnorth where Richard Baxter served as a young curate (kind of a training period where he worked under another vicar). The house where he lived still stands and is quaint as quaint can be.

I just love that epitaph. 

I stayed in the car, fretting about how we were illegally parked, while KJ ran in to the church across the street where Baxter served as curate.  I was seriously afraid of breaking British laws.  Here are KJ's photographs of this lovely old church.

KJ definitely enjoyed standing in every pulpit he could.

Can't you see KJ as a vicar in England?