History

Crosslanes Chapel was built in 1851, 'at the sole expense of the first Minister, Rev. Arthur Mist'. For some time Mr Mist (who lived at Ibsley House), was discontent with the way things were going in the Anglican Church i.e.; the leaning to the Roman Catholic faith, especially the Tractarian movement under John Henry Newman and others. The reason for this discontentment was that Mr Mist had attended a non-conformist meeting place in Ebenezer Lane in Ringwood, and he, being a staunch Anglican country gentleman, was converted by the grace of God which for him brought about a strict adherence to the word of God. This is why he had Crosslanes Chapel built, calling it 'An Independent Congregation of Protestant Dissenters'. Independent because it would be non-denominational, Protestant because it would stand against the errors in the established Church of England.

Seven people, including the Minister and his wife, a shepherd and his wife, a shop keeper and his wife, and a gardener, met together for worship and some months later formed themselves into a church membership. The Rev. Mist ran a school for some time in which he among other subjects taught the word of God according to Protestant principles. He died in 1876 after pastoring the flock for twenty-five years. The testimony over the years has been maintained to the present day. Today the worship is being brought back to Scriptural standards, such as the singing of the Lords psalms, hymns and songs, and the Gospel is preached by our present Minister, Rev. Aaron J. Lewis.