The History of God's Church here

1818 - 2012

 

From about August 1720 to 1890 Baptists as a percentage of the population exceeded 10% in this part of Hertfordshire England, according to “A history of the Hertfordshire Baptists” by DR Watts (1978). From about 1800 the population in the Two Waters, Frogmore and Apsley area was increasing due in part to the expanding production of the mechanised paper mills in Nash Mill (see picture below).

This was probably why two Baptist Chapels were founded in the Boxmoor area in the first quarter of the nineteenth century. One of these was on the London Road (between Stratford way and Russell Place), built in 1825 and closely associated with the family of the famous Missionary, William Carey, after whom the Baptist Church in the Marlowes is now named.

The other Baptist Church was formed in 1817 and the building was erected in Featherbed Lane. In 1818 it became known as Salem Baptist Church and was associated with the Strict and Particular Baptist Churches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above is the 1894  Sunday School register. We have many register records containing the names of attendees through the many years. Which makes for an interesting

study.

 

The earliest record of Salem Baptist Church is the piece of Land on which Salem stands, this was bought from Mr Henry Gold on June 24th 1818. This was to permit the meeting house and adjoining vestry  to be used as a place of public religious service and worship by the Protestant Dissenters at Two Waters, Hemel Hempstead, belonging to the denomination called Particular Baptists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A mortgage of 10th February 1836 was for Land, Chapel and premises in the name of J Waller. In 1850 a trust was founded for the meeting place with integral vestry.

By 1851 Census figures, as quoted in the History of Hemel Hempstead, show the local Baptist Churches attendance figures as:

 

Church	Sittings AM	PM	Evenings
Hemel Hempstead R&C Yard	680	351	487
Water End	90	-	90
Boxmoor	340	150	300
Salem Baptist Church	140	65	72
Leverstock Green	162	-	-

 

William Upton Survey 1847/1848

Salem Baptist Church: Accommodation 150, 3 Sunday Services, Attendance 100

Wm. Foxell, Minister, officers Jas Tolley, William Budd, John Powling, William Frances, G Gristwood. JNO Waller Deacon William Ewer, Boxmoor.

The picture below is the centenary service with special services on Wednesday August 28th, 1918, and a report from Charles Reynolds, (Deacon) appeared in the “Christian Pathway”. Mr J Booth of Bradford preached sermons in the morning, afternoon and evening. “Many friends from surrounding causes were present Including Mr Beasley of Gower Street London and the Chapel was packed to overflowing. Luncheon and tea were provided”.

Church Officers

Salem Baptist Chapel – Two Waters - Centenary Services August 28th 1918, Ministers and Officers of the Church: Mr Gilbert, Mr Reynolds (Deacon), Mr Osbourn, Mr Batchelor, Mr Christmas (Sunday School Superintendent) Mr Hawkins, Mr Beasley, Mr Booth (Officiating Minister), Mr Burrage, Mr Pearce, Mr Creasley (Senior Deacon)

 

Pastor John Saunderson was connected to the Church for over 55 years. He was 12 years old when he joined the Church in 1932, at which time attendance was quite good at Sunday Services and weeknight prayer meetings. He worshiped there with his parents and was baptised in 1939, the year the Second World War began. After serving in the 2nd Beds and Herts Regiment he returned and was for many years a Sunday school teacher.

The 1950s were very encouraging years numerically, with 50-60 children attending Sunday school. In June 1956 Mr Boxal, a lay preacher, became Pastor and served for 7 years. Prior to that deacons had led the work and were supported by visiting Preachers.

In 1963 John Saunderson became pastor. Under his ministry the church flourished. June 15th 1968 marked 150 years of the work and its witness. The guest speaker was The General Secretary of the Association of the Strict Baptist Churches. Pastor Saunderson's ministry continued until his health no longer enabled him. Numbers fell and he retired in 1987.

Tim Curnow, a much younger man who had just completed his studies and had recently assisted in a London church, began to lead the work on 24th September 1988. Also a number of Christians from surrounding Grace Baptist Churches came to assist with the work.
Despite a local campaign numbers did not increase. Tim Curnow continued to lead the work at Featherbed Lane for a further two years until November 25th 1990 when the final service took place that Sunday morning, ending the 172 years of evangelical witness in that area.

The building was sold, however the fellowship along with the Grace Baptist Trust Corporation and the Grace Baptist Association saw opportunity elsewhere.  At around the same time further trust funds became available from the closed Bethel Baptist Church, in St Albans.

The combined capital of the two sales was granted to the new work, known as the “Belswains Evangelical Fellowship”. Meetings were held for a while in homes in the neighbourhood of Hemel Hempstead known as Bennetts End, and then the fellowship moved its meetings to Belswains Primary School and later moved again to Bennetts End Community Centre where we have since met.

In June 1994 the Church formed as "Bennetts End Evangelical Baptist Church". There were some encouragements initially but, membership sadly decreased in four years to just a few people. Soon after, Tim Curnow laid down the pastorate after ten years of faithful ministry, ending in August 1998.

After Tim's departure and at the Church's request Chalan Hetherington agreed to accept the responsibility to lead the work until the Church called a full time pastor.

In the year 2000 the Church began holding evening services at the Community Centre which were once held in homes. Later a new afternoon Sunday School commenced and much later weekly Open Air Gospel preaching in the town centre was started.

Gradually a few things have changed, the Bible Version the Church used changed from the NIV to the Authorised Version and the Church also replaced its chorus book with "Psalms and Hymns of Reformed Worship" hymn book, which is now used in conjunction with "Christian Hymns".

On March 16th 2003 the Church recognised the Lord's equipping and gifting Chalan Hetherington as an elder. Then on January 20th 2009 the Church unanimously called him to be the Minister.  

Now in the year 2012, through God’s goodness and His provision the Church by His grace continues worshipping and witnessing. The Church members remain very committed to the work. We would like to know the Lords will concerning a permanent building of our own where we can worship and be more available to serve the community through various activities.  In the meantime, we have much to be thankful for in God preserving us during some difficult times and we praise God, the Church is of one heart and mind.

We can also draw great encouragement from the things that the Lord is presently doing amongst us. The Lord has saved people and added them to His church here. We are seeing Christians grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, and in love for one another. We pray that the Lord will continue to raise men up here or send men in to assist our pastor in the leadership. 

Through all the various trials, ups and downs, by grace we continue to serve an Almighty and Gracious God who will carry out His Sovereign plan to save His people, and Glorify His Son Jesus Christ, who said "I will build my church".

Please pray for those with whom we share the Good News of the Gospel. Please especially pray for the weekly Open Air preaching in Hemel Hempstead Town Centre, that the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ will go forth in great power, and that God will grant repentance and faith to sinners.

Please pray that in all things we will bring glory to God.

Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen"