CHAPTER 2.

A SCHOOLGIRL EVANGELIST

Our earliest information regarding Methodism in Sproxton is gleaned from Rev. Thomas Cocking's "History of Wesleyan Methodism in Grantham" published in 1836. There we are told that a Society was formed here as early as 1802, and that nine members were affiliated to the Grantham Circuit. The pioneer appears to have been a schoolgirl, the daughter of John and Margaret Coy who lived in the farmhouse exactly facing the Buckminster Road. This girl was sent to school at Melton Mowbray where the headmistress was a devout Christian, whose primary concern was to establish in her pupils a sound religious foundation. Doctor Ford, the then Vicar, being a supporter of the Wesley Revival, although still retaining charge over his parish, doubtless added his influence in the school. At any rate, Miss Coy was so deeply impressed that she came home bubbling over excitedly at what she had learned; opened her heart to her mother with such fervour and eloquence that she too caught the infection and desired to hear more. Finding that services were being held regularly at the home of Mr. William Christian at Skillington, mother and daughter walked the three miles to learn what they could of this new presentation of the Gospel message. The father was very angry. He bitterly opposed these frequent journeys. He threatened to burn any books they brought back, and more than once, on their return from worship they found the door locked against them. Eventually their persistence caused him to consider his own condition, and when, one day, a Calvinistic minister, on one of his periodic visits came to hold a service in the "Tythe Barn" (possibly on what is known as "Hillside Farm"). Mr. Coy was persuaded to attend.