Christ Church URC history (part 1): Zion Chapel

Matthias Peter Dupont, a retired innkeeper from Aldersgate in the City of London, opened his home in Chase Side for worship in 1778. At this time there were only two other places of worship in the Enfield Town area - St Andrew's Parish Church and Baker Street Chapel.

Zion Chapel was opened opposite Matthias Dupont's house in 1780. Among the costs of the opening service were a bible, Watts' "Psalms and Hymns" and the expenses of a coach and lodgings at the George Inn for the preachers. Zion was a plain rectangular building with high backed pews, a curtained-off pew for the minister and a narrow gallery. It was originally lit by a chandelier which the attendant would pull down during evening service to snuff the candles. Later Zion was the first church in Enfield to adopt gas lighting. Account books showed that the most frequent entries for expenses were rum, brandy and wine 'for vestry use' - perhaps the ministers needed alcohol to sustain them through the long sermons! The congregation stood for the reading of the Church of England prayers but sat down to sing the hymns. Singing was accompanied by a small band led by a bass-viol player, before an organ, played by the ministers' wife, was installed and a choir started. At the back of the chapel was a small school room where the Sunday School Superintendent ruled through the cane, and spelling books were used more than the Bible as few of the children had learned to read.

Next page: Ministers of Zion and Chase Side Chapels
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