ALVECHURCH. 15

The Baptists had a footing here in the seventeenth century, for in 16S9, John Giles, "for asking a priest at Alvechnrch to prove infant baptism, was set in the stocks for seven hours." There is now a small Baptist Chapel here, and a Methodist Chapel at Rowney Green. The revived zeal of the members of the Church has been recently displayed in the erection of chapels of ease, or mission chapels, at Rowney Green and Hopwood, both of which are well attended, so that there are now four services in the parish every Sunday according to the forms of the Church of England. A new National School and master's house have likewise been built at great cost during the present incumbency. The advent of the railway and the erection of several new houses have contributed to the improvement of the parish. A Free Grammar School, of an ancient foundation, exists here, of which Mr. W. Partridge is master; and one Nicholas Lewkner founded here, in 1580, a hospital for twelve poor persons. There are now seven men and two women in these alms-houses, but the payment is inadequate, being only 1s. 6d.

a week per head.

The following old names of places occur in this parish: Impey, Icknield Street, Will Fields, Cob's Meadow, Pennils, Bottle Field, Long Cross Himpey, Robin's Hill, Long Himpey Street, &c.

The living is valued at £1,000; rector, the Yen. Archdeacon Sandford. It is in the Bishop's gift, but the Ecclesiastical Commissioners now hold all the Bishop's estate here.