Memorial to James Cartledge & Others

Blackley Baptist Church

IN GRATEFUL APPRECIATION OF THE SERVICES AND GIFTS OF JAMES CARTLEDGE, ESQ., WHO FOUNDED THIS CHURCH 1789, AND PREACHED FOR A FEW YEARS UNTIL A PASTOR WAS APPOINTED; WHO ALSO BUILT, AT HIS OWN EXPENSE, THE ADJOINING CHAPEL AND SCHOOL, AND PRESENTED THE SAME, WITH BURIAL GROUND, TO THE CHURCH AND CONGREGATION. DIED JUNE 18TH 1793.     ALSO OF REV. JOHN RIGBY, WHOSE WISE LEADERSHIP, CHRISTIAN COUNSEL, AND FAITHFUL PREACHING, WERE LARGELY OWNED BY GOD DURING HIS PASTORATE OF THIS CHURCH, EXTENDING FROM MAY, 1798, TO DEC., 1839.     ALSO OF REV. JOSEPH HIRST, WHOSE EARNEST PREACHING, FAITHFULNESS TO HIS MASTER, TENDERNESS TOWARDS THE ERRING, WIDE SYMPATHY WITH SUFFERING, WON FOR HIM A WARM PLACE IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE, AND WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ADDING LARGELY TO THIS CHURCH DURING HIS PASTORATE, EXTENDING FROM APRIL, 1842, TO APRIL, 1870.     "OTHER MEN LABOURED, AND YE ARE ENTERED INTO THEIR LABOURS" ST. JOHN, IV.38.