Our current building at its opening in 1908
‘Winchmore Hill Baptist’ was the name chosen by the members of our church, unsurprisingly, when they arrived in Winchmore Hill in 1907 and built the church in which we worship today. However the true history of the church goes back another 250 years to 17th century London, probably only about forty years after the very first Baptist congregation set up a meeting in White’s Alley, Moorfields, in 1612.
The journey from there has been a truly amazing one. In fact this church being one of a very few London churches who can claim an unbroken line to the present day, a journey in which they have retained their unique identity, having worked and worshipped alongside, but never having actually joined with any other church along the way. That road officially began in a new little chapel built almost in secret in 1654 in Glasshouse Yard, just by Charterhouse, which gave it its original name of ‘Glasshouse Yard Church’. After almost a hundred years there (with a few changes) another new building was erected in Worship Street, where the church struggled on for another hundred years until the building itself had to be demolished to make way for new developments. These years tell of persecution, division and total loss of spiritual direction from which survival, from a human point of view, seemed quite improbable; yet through it all we see the faithfulness of a God who never gave up on His children. Another new building – and new spiritual life – then came to fruition in Bethnal Green for a few years, followed by the final move out to Winchmore Hill.
This amazing story, with much fascinating contemporary background, has now been researched and recorded in a new book entitled, "A Wilderness Journey" (see sidebar). It begins with the arrival of the very first Baptists in this country, followed by the story of the leader of the little group that became the Glasshouse Yard Church, within the turmoil of the 17th century. It then recounts the struggles of the church through the next 200 years, including much background information about the denomination itself, since the Baptist church in general also had many problems to face. The second part of the book follows the ups and downs of settling in the new situation in Winchmore Hill until, after the trauma of two World Wars, the church can be said to have finally discovered its true identity. The book concludes in the 1970s when the activities and worship of the church had assumed a pattern that is still largely familiar today.
Obviously the last forty years since then have brought a number of changes, both organisational and practical, especially with all the new electronic ‘aids to ministry’. The number of meetings has diminished since the early days, but all ages are still being catered for in varying ways, from babies and toddlers to a ‘Thursday Club’ for those nearer the other end of the age spectrum. If one group has needed to close for whatever reason, another has often replaced it, in tune with current needs. However some organisations have continued throughout the years, particularly the Brigades; the Boy’s Brigade having recently celebrated its 90th Anniversary and the Girls Brigade their 50th. Although membership numbers are now somewhat less than in the 1970s, the church is still welcoming new people to the services and enthusiasm for the Lord’s work has certainly not diminished, as was demonstrated when we joyfully celebrated our Centenary only a few years ago. A succession of much loved pastors have brought their own unique blessings to the fellowship and we trust we shall enjoy many more years of worship in this place, still thankful for the perseverance of our forefathers, which is still bearing fruit after 350 years.
The journey from there has been a truly amazing one. In fact this church being one of a very few London churches who can claim an unbroken line to the present day, a journey in which they have retained their unique identity, having worked and worshipped alongside, but never having actually joined with any other church along the way. That road officially began in a new little chapel built almost in secret in 1654 in Glasshouse Yard, just by Charterhouse, which gave it its original name of ‘Glasshouse Yard Church’. After almost a hundred years there (with a few changes) another new building was erected in Worship Street, where the church struggled on for another hundred years until the building itself had to be demolished to make way for new developments. These years tell of persecution, division and total loss of spiritual direction from which survival, from a human point of view, seemed quite improbable; yet through it all we see the faithfulness of a God who never gave up on His children. Another new building – and new spiritual life – then came to fruition in Bethnal Green for a few years, followed by the final move out to Winchmore Hill.
This amazing story, with much fascinating contemporary background, has now been researched and recorded in a new book entitled, "A Wilderness Journey" (see sidebar). It begins with the arrival of the very first Baptists in this country, followed by the story of the leader of the little group that became the Glasshouse Yard Church, within the turmoil of the 17th century. It then recounts the struggles of the church through the next 200 years, including much background information about the denomination itself, since the Baptist church in general also had many problems to face. The second part of the book follows the ups and downs of settling in the new situation in Winchmore Hill until, after the trauma of two World Wars, the church can be said to have finally discovered its true identity. The book concludes in the 1970s when the activities and worship of the church had assumed a pattern that is still largely familiar today.
Obviously the last forty years since then have brought a number of changes, both organisational and practical, especially with all the new electronic ‘aids to ministry’. The number of meetings has diminished since the early days, but all ages are still being catered for in varying ways, from babies and toddlers to a ‘Thursday Club’ for those nearer the other end of the age spectrum. If one group has needed to close for whatever reason, another has often replaced it, in tune with current needs. However some organisations have continued throughout the years, particularly the Brigades; the Boy’s Brigade having recently celebrated its 90th Anniversary and the Girls Brigade their 50th. Although membership numbers are now somewhat less than in the 1970s, the church is still welcoming new people to the services and enthusiasm for the Lord’s work has certainly not diminished, as was demonstrated when we joyfully celebrated our Centenary only a few years ago. A succession of much loved pastors have brought their own unique blessings to the fellowship and we trust we shall enjoy many more years of worship in this place, still thankful for the perseverance of our forefathers, which is still bearing fruit after 350 years.