THE '' PECULIAR PEOPLE '' 247
completely(8) and no Chapels now remain active in rural
Kent, although there is one still at Gillingham.
In 1890, the regular membership was reckoned at 1,500,
exclusive of the many "occasional attenders".(1 & 8) In
1951, the membership was said again to be about 1,500,
with 26 active chapels in Essex, three in London (Kenning-
ton, Canning Town and Plumstead) and one in Kent
(Gillingham). The chapel at Steeple, being disused, was
closed and sold in September, 1950.(7) A list of all the
Chapels extant and active in June, 1952, is given in an
Appendix hereto. (8)
There is no doubt that the heyday of the Peculiar People
was in the early 1900's and that the first World War
brought about changes which greatly reduced the number
of adherents to the simple faith of the Peculiars. But of
late years there has been a recrudescence, due perhaps to
the considerable increase in spending-power of the con-
gregations and corresponding ability to provide simple
amenities such as heating and lighting in their formerly
austere places of worship. Indeed, the present Witham
Chapel was built in 1932 at a cost of £2,000 and recently
had some £500 expended upon it; nevertheless, the Witham
congregation manage to donate well over £100 yearly to
charities in addition to paying all their own expenses.(7)
This instance of one successful '' cause '' is illustrative of
many today, and the testimony of several Peculiars is
unanimous that membership is growing, particularly among
young people. (2 & 5)
The type of person now to be found in the congregations
of the Peculiars is not significantly different from any other
rather sober individual of today, but the case was otherwise
60 years ago.(1) In 1895, a typical Peculiar People's con-
gregation was described thus : '' The women severely neat
in appearance, modest and sober in dress. The men,
respectful, steady and sober, with a curiously thoughtful
and somewhat sanctimonious expression of face which
stamps them. Cf the character they bear, it is impossible
to speak too highly; faithful in work and reliable, highly
regarded by farmers . . . ". There are many such sturdy
individualists among the Peculiars still to be found in the
remoter villages of South-East Essex, but they are old folk