Original post on mastodon.green

If you have #SalvationArmy members among your ancestors, be sure to check out War Cry from 1879-1985 which has been scanned by the British Newspaper Archive and released today. It contains a lot of local news. blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/2026/04/07/war-cry-salva... […]

This week's moth, Lithophane lamda, AKA "The Nonconformist" is also my 40th BIRTHDAY MOTH, and I tried to do it as some easter eggs for my niece! (paint was tricky on wet humid eggs in the tropics!)

#nonconformist #moth #teamMoth #mothweek2026 #mothweekart26 #mothweek #SciArt #YearOfTheMoth

Nonconformist moth with dark grey, light brown scales and white powdery higlights looking at you with dark compound eyes upon deep fern green backdrop speckled with light grey dust microbubbles.

Since February, took up the #SciArt challenge! In conjunction with #YearOfTheMoth
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Here's the 10th moth. Meet the Nonconformist! Lithophane lamda 💙 #nonconformist #moth #teamMoth #mothweek2026 #mothweekart26 #mothweek mothing with
@dinalab.bsky.social @amnh.org

Richard Davis and Revival in Northamptonshire – a review **Richard Davis and Revival in Northamptonshire** , by Stephen Pickles The James Bourne Society (The Huntingtonian Press), 2015 286 pages, £13.95 (PB) ISBN: 9781901716061 ### A Welcome Contribution to Nonconformist History This book is a welcome addition to the history of nonconformity outside of London in the 17th and early 18th century. In some respects, the county of Northamptonshire has been thinly represented in published histories of notable persons and congregations until the prominence of the Baptist Missionary Society in 1792. Stephen Pickles has drawn on both surviving primary sources relating to Richard Davis and a range of secondary material (local and national) to present a complex yet balanced view of his influence. ### Ministry in Rothwell and Beyond A Welshman by birth and living in London, Davis was called to the pastorate of a Congregational church in Rothwell in 1689. He clearly had an effective ministry—something recorded in an anonymous source written by a member of the Church of England, hardly the most obvious source of support. Yet Davis’s ministry extended far beyond his own congregation, or even the town of Rothwell (or Rowell, as it was commonly known at the time). He emerged as an influential evangelist across a wider region, supported by a network of messengers. He is credited with establishing at least thirteen satellite meetings, many of which later developed into independent congregations. These extended as far as Leicester, Cambridge, Braintree, Hitchin and Wisbech. There were, however, variations in theological position among some of these groups when compared with Davis and the mother church at Rothwell. A notable example is College Lane Baptist (later College Street) in Northampton, which practised both open communion and mixed membership for much of its history. ### Controversy and Writings During his lifetime, Richard Davis was frequently at the centre of controversy—something that has, in turn, enriched the historical record. Alongside his surviving sermons, he authored a number of pamphlets, often defending his views against critics, as well as a substantial collection of hymns. These hymns remained popular long after his death, appearing in eight editions, the last published in 1833. The controversies surrounding Davis involved disagreements with ministers who might otherwise have been expected to be his nonconformist allies. These centred on issues such as his hyper-Calvinist position, the use of lay preachers, and his views on baptism. On the last of these, the evidence is frustratingly incomplete: although Davis indicated that he would document his position, no such account survives, leaving the reader to infer his views indirectly. ### Questions and Connections This absence points to a broader challenge that a work of this nature can face: it risks raising more questions than it answers. For example, the author briefly suggests that the connection between Davis in London and his call to Rothwell may have been through one Thomas Cooper, a London citizen born in Rothwell. This, however, overlooks the significant role of Nathaniel Ponder, the publisher of John Bunyan. While living in London, Ponder appears to have been well connected in Northamptonshire and the surrounding region. He had been a member at Rothwell and was a signatory to at least 67 Meeting House licences in the area, including Rothwell itself. Notably, two of Davis’s publications were issued by Nathaniel Ponder and later by his son, Robert. ### Final Thoughts Whether your interest lies in local or national Congregational or Baptist history, this book serves as a valuable introduction and may well encourage further research—something to be warmly commended. One particularly enlightening chapter, _“Connections and relations with other churches and ministers,”_ effectively sets the historical context for both Richard Davis’s ministry and the life of the church. The book is also attractively produced, right down to its jacket design, which will hopefully help it reach the wide readership it deserves. The book is usually available from The Christian Bookshop, Ossett and The Parsons Pages © Copyright : Graham Ward. All rights reserved.

Richard Davis and Revival in Northamptonshire – a review edintone.com/richard-davis-nonconform... Stephen Pickles’s Richard Davis and Revival in Northamptonshire offers a valuable explorat

Church or Chapel? ## A Question That Once Defined England — and Still Matters Today “Are you church or chapel?” It sounds like a small question today. But well into the twentieth century in England, it revealed a great deal about a person — their beliefs, their community, even their social identity. At a time when most people considered themselves Christian and many attended worship regularly, everyone knew who went to the parish church of the Church of England and who attended one of the many nonconformist chapels. The distinction shaped neighbourhoods, schools, and everyday life. Today we usually think of a _church_ as simply a building for worship. But historically — and for many believers still — the word means something much deeper. It refers to a community of people who gather together in shared faith. That idea goes back to the seventeenth century, when groups separated from the Church of England and formed independent congregations. These were often known as the “gathered church” — defined not by walls or architecture, but by shared belief. And that raises a question that still matters: **is a church a building, or is it the people inside it?** St Romwold, Strixton, Northamptonshire Clipston Baptist chapel, Northamptonshire For centuries, the distinction between parish church and chapel shaped English religious life. This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 ## **“Chapel Folk”: What the Difference Meant in Everyday Life** In the 19th century, society was split between the **Anglican parish church** (the Church of England) and the various **nonconformist chapels**. To be “church” often meant sticking to tradition, while “chapel” implied a “gathered church”—a body of people who consciously chose to separate and worship together. Thomas Hardy captured this beautifully in _Far from the Madding Crowd_. His characters joked that while a Churchman could “bide in his cheerful old inn” without worrying about complex doctrines, a “meetinger” had to go to chapel in “all winds and weathers”. There was a sense that chapel-folk were “hand-in-glove with them above,” praying “out of their own heads” rather than following the printed scripts used by the Church of England. In other words, choosing “church” or “chapel” was never just about theology. It was about identity, culture, and belonging. ## **Church and Chapel in the Classroom** Religious differences shaped nineteenth-century education as much as worship1 This religious divide was not limited to worship — it shaped education as well. During the nineteenth century, England developed two main types of elementary school, reflecting the same religious distinctions seen in church life. **National Schools — Church of England Education** National Schools were founded to educate poor children according to Church of England teaching. Many later became today’s Voluntary Aided or Voluntary Controlled schools after the 1944 Education Act. **British Schools — Nonconformist Education** British Schools grew out of nonconformist traditions and aimed to provide independent, non-denominational education. In the late eighteenth century, Joseph Lancaster pioneered a system of low-cost schooling for poor children. His work later continued through the British and Foreign School Society. After the 1870 Education Act, many of these schools became known as Board Schools. Religion, education, and community life were deeply intertwined. ## Church and Chapel in death Religious tensions in the graveyard2 At the point when all people were equal in death, those who remained perpetuated the divisions in society to the grave. As ancient parish graveyards became overcrowded, the solution was found in the private sector. New green-field public cemeteries were opened in most towns, and London and other cities had many of these, some often well outside the existing built-up area. What characterised them was that one burial ground would have several chapels, usually at least two, one each for Anglicans and another for Nonconformists. Some cemeteries also had provision for Roman Catholics. The burials themselves were segregated into areas set aside for each denomination and extended to Quakers, Jews and Muslims. Read more on this topic ## **So Where Is the Church Heading Today?** If the church is the community of believers who gather to worship — usually in a dedicated building — how is that picture changing today? The numbers tell an interesting story. Between 2012 and 2022: * The number of churches in England grew slightly from 38,685 to 40,043. * But membership fell from 3.714 million to 3.352 million. * About 16,600 of these buildings belong to the Church of England. * Around 21,000 church buildings are listed for their historic importance. In short, there are slightly more buildings — but fewer people attending them. More church buildings exist today — but fewer people attend them regularly. Interior of Castle Hill URC, Northampton © 2026 by Graham Ward is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 ## What Are Church Buildings For? Tesco Express convenience store located in Westbourne, Bournemouth, which was converted from the former Westbourne Methodist Church.3 Recently (February 2026) a UK political party suggested listing all churches to prevent their conversion into mosques. But the reality of church closures is more complex. When churches close, their buildings are often repurposed rather than demolished. Many now serve communities in new ways: * libraries * post offices * childcare centres * shops * pubs * community facilities Sometimes they remain places of worship, used by different congregations. Only a very small number — perhaps two dozen — have become mosques. The real issue is usually financial. With declining attendance, trustees must decide whether to maintain, sell, or repurpose buildings. Even selling can be difficult if legal restrictions limit how a building may be used. This raises a practical question: if the state restricts what owners can do, should it also help pay for maintenance? ## **Sacred Space — or Meeting Place?** Different Christian traditions also understand church buildings differently. For Anglicans, Roman Catholics, and Orthodox Christians, churches are consecrated sacred spaces. For others, they are simply meeting places — important for gathering believers but not inherently holy. This helps explain why some denominations are willing to sell buildings for almost any purpose, while the Church of England maintains strict rules about how closed churches can be used. ## **A Difficult Inheritance** All Christian denominations in Britain have closed churches in the past fifty years — in some cases, thousands. This is not just because attendance has declined. Many churches were built for reasons that had little to do with practical need: * Medieval churches often reflected the wealth of their patrons and were larger than local populations required. * Victorian towns saw a surge in chapel building due to denominational divisions. * Some buildings were constructed in the hope that impressive architecture would attract worshippers — a hope that was not always realised. Today’s Christians inherit this vast and complex legacy. They are responsible for about 60% of all listed buildings in the UK, as well as many other properties that still require maintenance. ## **The Real Problem: Paying for the Buildings** In the end, the biggest challenge is financial. Church communities need support to maintain historic buildings — not simply more restrictions on how they may use or dispose of them. At the same time, government funding for listed places of worship has been reduced. The support fund for 2025–26 fell to £23 million (down from £42 million the previous year), with a cap of £25,000 per building. Spread across potentially 21,000 listed churches, the money can only go so far. This is the real issue facing many churches today: how to sustain historic buildings while continuing to serve living communities. ## **So — Church or Chapel?** The old question still points to a deeper issue. Is the church the building, or the people who gather inside it? The answer may shape not only how we understand the past — but also how we care for these historic places in the future. 1. The First Class in English Spelling and Philosophy from the eighth chapter of the novel in the Household Edition, illustrated by Fred Barnard. https://victorianweb.org/art/illustration/barnard/nn/8.html 2. Hathi Digital Library Trust and the Princeton University library https://victorianweb.org/periodicals/fun/religion/6.html 3. alexliivet, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons © Copyright : Graham Ward. All rights reserved.

Church or Chapel? https://edintone.com/church-or-chapel/ “Are you church or chapel?”

It sounds like a small question today. But well into the twe

America is divided between #conformist #authoritarians who require and insist by force and #nonconformist #thinkers happy to live freely and let others do the same. Mind and earth shudder when these two clash as should be the case.

Life advice that goes against the norm, and can even be considered controversial.

[Video Title: Life advice society doesn't want you to hear...]
YouTube video in 4k: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DYu...

#einzelgänger #dailyquotes #thoughts #thoughtoftheday #childfree #loner #nonconformist

My Semester With Frank Gehry In a profession that claims to celebrate nonconformity, he was a true iconoclast.

My semester with #FrankGehry. A great tribute to the ultimate #NonConformist #UCLASchoolOfArchitecture bit.ly/3XH85Nl

The lectern in Albion United Reformed Church Ashton under Lyne. #Lectern
#Churches #NonConformist

#Nonconformist #Disobedience #FreeThinker #Thanksgiving #PumpkinPie #Humor #Memes

To be honest: I ignore the rules. Coffee with non dairy creamer and artificial sweetener. Rules be damned!! Then stop an hour or so before appointment. #Radical #Nonconformist #LongTimeDiabetic 🤭

#photography
#Tulips
#Nonconformist
#Mt. Vernon WA

Rebels! 😍🥰😆

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

#HumansOfBlueSky #UrbanGaze #MobilePhotography #StreetPhotography #Rebel #TakeeOneToKnowOne #Humour #Humor #Banter #RiseUp #Independent #Nonconformist

Just finished Pee-Wee As Himself (doc on HBO MAX). I watched his show back in the day & thought it was brilliant. I loved #peeweeherman but now I know I loved #paulreubens too. As a #nonconformist who never fits in I'm glad there are people like him to make this world a bit less awkward.
RIP Paul♥

#Haiku purity....?!
Snow flakes and summer sunsets....
#Conformity irks....

Cyclops Pickle
Museum of Glass:
Tacoma Washington
Picture by Kevin Clarence-Nelson.
#Haiku #NonConformist.

I could ♥ this a million times. #introvert #infj #nonconformist #peaceofmissingout

Born To Create ~ Not Conform!
Wear it loud — because creativity is your revolution.
#Create #Original #Artist #POD #Rebel #Nonconformist #FELON47 #Inspire #Visionary #Innovate #Expression #Freedom #Bold #Unique #Authentic #Dreamer
Act Out Tees ~ www.actouttees.com

A little unorthodox, then again, in real life Jesus/Yeshua has always been a bit unorthodox.
Can you guess the reference? Hint: High Ground.
#guessthereference #outsidethebox #theway #earlychristianity #masterandstudent #Nonconformist #Outsidethebox

Now watch the original Friday the 13th. On a Saturday.

#Nonconformist

Head in the Gutter Punk has many layers. One is a layer of grime.

Have you ever met a crust punk? @crastinaterpro.bsky.social

#punk #crustpunk #fuckthesystem #nonconformist #writing #substack #personalessay

open.substack.com/pub/nowitspe...

#nonconformist #unique #fucktheheard #lioness #individual

🔥✊🏾 #resistance #rebellion #nonconformist #burnitdown #ageofaquarius #powertothepeople

Nonconformist And more conformity.

Nonconformist And more conformity.

Nonconformist And more conformity.

Nicky Crane- (May 1958 – December 1993) was an English neo-Nazi activist. He came out as gay before dying from an AIDS-related illness in 1993.

Title:Nicky Crane-The Hate of 1992, Neo Nazi-Gay Pornstar-Oct. 16,17, 2016
#scandal #punkworld #outspoken #hidden #inplainsight #undetected #graphiteonpaper #colorpencil #inthepast #queerhistory #nobodytalksabout #trash #sick #photoshop #rendering #nickycrane #nonconformist

#luigi #freeluigi #resistance #nonconformist #rebel #ageofaquarius #revolution

Baptist Handbooks 1832-1955 have arrived on #FindMyPast #search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-records/bri... #£ #Baptist #nonconformist genchat @genealogy @geneadons #genealogy

self.

Title:Irrational Aversion (Morons VS Idiots)-Feb. 11, 2015
#battle #arena #rebel #stubborn #irrational #confrontational #closeminded #weak #stupidity #dumb #scumbag #colorpencil #graphiteonpaper #freehand #original #spartan #warrior #gaypride #gladiator #champion #fearless #bravery #nonconformist