William Jay
Encyclopedia
The Rev. William Jay was an English nonconformist
divine who preached for sixty years at Argyle Chapel in Bath. He is considered to be one of the most eminent English Congregationalist preachers of Regency England; one of the first Independents or Congregationalists to articulate the Great Awakening
or Religious Revival championed by George Whitfield and John Wesley
.
in Wiltshire
. He adopted his father's trade of stonemason and worked with him on alterations to Fonthill House, but gave it up in 1785 in order to enter the Rev. Cornelius Winter's school at Marlborough. During the three years that Jay spent there, his preaching powers were rapidly developed. Before he was twenty-one he had preached nearly a thousand times, and in 1788 he had for a while occupied Rowland Hill
's pulpit at the Surrey Chapel
in London. Wishing to have time for self-education or scholarly interests, he accepted the humble pastorate of Christian Malford
near Chippenham
where he remained about two years. This was followed by one year at the more demanding Hope Chapel, Clifton
.
praised his oratorical skills. Wiliam Jay's long and honorable connection with Argyle Chapel came to an end in January 1853, and he died on the 27th of December following.
Amongst the best-known of his works are his Morning and Evening Exercises; The Christian Contemplated; The Domestic Ministers Assistant; and his Discourses. He also wrote a Life of Rev. Cornelius Winter, Memoirs of Rev. John Clarke and Female Scripture Characters, along with Jay's Works (first published in the early 1840s, and again in 1856, followed by a new edition in 1876).
Almshouses were exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1814, and he designed Dr. Fletcher's
Albion Chapel in London, laying the foundation stone the following year. He moved to the United States for four years where became a noted architect in Savannah. William Jay's daughter, Anne, married Robert Bolton and, among their children was William Jay Bolton, who became an early artisan of stained glass in America.
Nonconformism
Nonconformity is the refusal to "conform" to, or follow, the governance and usages of the Church of England by the Protestant Christians of England and Wales.- Origins and use:...
divine who preached for sixty years at Argyle Chapel in Bath. He is considered to be one of the most eminent English Congregationalist preachers of Regency England; one of the first Independents or Congregationalists to articulate the Great Awakening
Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening was a Christian revival movement during the early 19th century in the United States. The movement began around 1800, had begun to gain momentum by 1820, and was in decline by 1870. The Second Great Awakening expressed Arminian theology, by which every person could be...
or Religious Revival championed by George Whitfield and John Wesley
John Wesley
John Wesley was a Church of England cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, as founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield...
.
Early life
William Jay was born at TisburyTisbury, Wiltshire
The large village of Tisbury lies approximately west of Salisbury in the English county of Wiltshire.With a population at the 2001 census of 2,056 it is an important local centre for communities around the upper River Nadder and Vale of Wardour...
in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
. He adopted his father's trade of stonemason and worked with him on alterations to Fonthill House, but gave it up in 1785 in order to enter the Rev. Cornelius Winter's school at Marlborough. During the three years that Jay spent there, his preaching powers were rapidly developed. Before he was twenty-one he had preached nearly a thousand times, and in 1788 he had for a while occupied Rowland Hill
Rowland Hill (preacher)
Rowland Hill A.M. , was a popular English preacher, enthusiastic evangelical and an influential advocate of small-pox vaccination. He was founder and resident pastor of a wholly independent chapel, the Surrey Chapel, London; chairman of the Religious Tract Society; and a keen supporter of the...
's pulpit at the Surrey Chapel
Surrey Chapel
The Surrey Chapel was an independent Methodist and Congregational church established in Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London on 8 June 1783 by the Rev. Rowland Hill. His work was continued in 1833 by the Congregational pastor Rev. James Sherman, and in 1854 by Rev. Newman Hall. The chapel's design...
in London. Wishing to have time for self-education or scholarly interests, he accepted the humble pastorate of Christian Malford
Christian Malford
Christian Malford is a small village in the county of Wiltshire in England. The unusual name is evidently a corruption of Christ mal Ford, Old English moel, mal being a mark: "Christ’s mal" is Christ’s mark or sign, the cross. The name signified "Cross Ford". Deeds from Glastonbury Abbey cartulary...
near Chippenham
Chippenham, Wiltshire
Chippenham is a market town in Wiltshire, England, located east of Bath and west of London. In the 2001 census the population of the town was recorded as 28,065....
where he remained about two years. This was followed by one year at the more demanding Hope Chapel, Clifton
Clifton, Bristol
Clifton is a suburb of the City of Bristol in England, and the name of both one of the city's thirty-five council wards. The Clifton ward also includes the areas of Cliftonwood and Hotwells...
.
Life as a preacher and writer
On 30 January 1791 Rev. Jay was called to the ministry of the Independent or Congregationalist chapel with which he became most firmly connected, Argyle Chapel in Bath. Here he followed revivalist principles by preaching to all people willing to listen, regardless of religious denomination or social rank; attracting note as a populist pulpit orator, religious author and scholar, and a friendly counsellor. SheridanRichard Brinsley Sheridan
Richard Brinsley Butler Sheridan was an Irish-born playwright and poet and long-term owner of the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. For thirty-two years he was also a Whig Member of the British House of Commons for Stafford , Westminster and Ilchester...
praised his oratorical skills. Wiliam Jay's long and honorable connection with Argyle Chapel came to an end in January 1853, and he died on the 27th of December following.
Amongst the best-known of his works are his Morning and Evening Exercises; The Christian Contemplated; The Domestic Ministers Assistant; and his Discourses. He also wrote a Life of Rev. Cornelius Winter, Memoirs of Rev. John Clarke and Female Scripture Characters, along with Jay's Works (first published in the early 1840s, and again in 1856, followed by a new edition in 1876).
Family
One of William Jay's sons, William Jay (1792/3-1837), became a noted architect, continuing the family's interest in stonemasonry and building design. His designs for Surrey ChapelSurrey Chapel
The Surrey Chapel was an independent Methodist and Congregational church established in Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London on 8 June 1783 by the Rev. Rowland Hill. His work was continued in 1833 by the Congregational pastor Rev. James Sherman, and in 1854 by Rev. Newman Hall. The chapel's design...
Almshouses were exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1814, and he designed Dr. Fletcher's
Alexander Fletcher (minister)
The Rev. Dr. Alexander Fletcher , the Children's Friend, was a Scottish Presbyterian, and later an Independent divine in England...
Albion Chapel in London, laying the foundation stone the following year. He moved to the United States for four years where became a noted architect in Savannah. William Jay's daughter, Anne, married Robert Bolton and, among their children was William Jay Bolton, who became an early artisan of stained glass in America.