Church of St Mary the Virgin, Goosnargh

I was pleased to call at the pretty Lancashire village of Goosnargh this spring. I had arranged to visit a minister of the gospel who resides there and was delighted when I discovered that the parish church was left open for I had arrived early and had time to kill. Upon my departure, I phoned one of the churchwardens to commend the practice. It has some impressive, modern stained glass commemorating Her late Majesty as well as the curious ‘Singleton tomb’ from he 1400s with its rich, floreated carved cross. There are also some tangible to links to Colonel Alexander Rigby, Lancashire puritan and Cromwellian judge who worshipped here and led the first siege of the royalist Lathom House. This is an old, English parish church with a thousand years’ worth of heritage.

I always enjoy looking at the list of clergy: how far back it goes, whether anyone has bothered to update it, and whether any incumbents left their post for conscience’s sake in 1534 and 1662. Minister at Goosnargh from 1648-1671 was the Revd Mr William Ingham. Appointed during the time of Parliamentary power, he was either a strict presbyterian or was at least willing to operate under the hot Lancastrian presbytery of that year. He remained in post during the Commonwealth years and also retained his position at St Bartholomew’s day 1662 when he was required to repudiate his previous commitments and to conform to the Restoration's Common Prayer Book. A man for all seasons, it would seem. And then a record exists from that very year when it is alleged that:

‘the Minister at Goosnargh doth not preach, neither read official sermons, but he doth sell ale, and drink it too’

Despite his appointment at a time of puritan triumph, he was later revealed to be a wastrel and a profligate, failing to meet even the low expectations of the post-puritan era.

How many churches have suffered for appointing someone to the pastorate who started well but after a few years played the heretic? Or turned to the pursuit of money, or drink (or both in the case of Ingham)? While retaining their salaries and stipends, they ruin the churches over which they were given charge, in good faith. From such men, Lord deliver us!

This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 King James Version