History of God's Work here

1818 - 2008

 

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 about1800 the population in the Two Waters, Frogmore and Apsley area was increasing due in part to the expanding production of the now mechanised paper mills.

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.

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 Vestry adjoining 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”.

 

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 attendence was quite good at Sunday Services and weeknight prayer meeting. 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 1950's 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 lead the work and were supported by visiting Preachers.

In 1963 John Saunderson became pastor. Under his ministry the church flourished. And on 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.
His service and 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 the 25th 1990 when the final service took place that Sunday morning, ending the 172 years of existence and evangelical witness in the area.

The building was sold. 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”. The meetings moved from the closed Salem Baptist Church in Two Waters to homes in a neighbourhood of Hemel Hempstead called Bennetts End. Then again moved to Belswains Primary School and then later again to the Bennetts End Community Centre.

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.

We thank and praise God for a number of faithful preachers from nearby reformed churches who have assisted with the ministry on Sundays since Tim Curnow's departure in 1998. After Tim's departure and at the churches request Chalan Hetherington agreed to accept the responsibility to lead the work, and chair the church meetings as well as teach at the midweek meetings until the church called a pastor.

In the year 2000 the church began holding evening services at the centre which was once held in homes. The regular Bible study and prayer evenings continue and are now held on Wednesdays. In the year 2003 the church unanimously recognised the Lord's equipping and gifting Chalan Hetherington as an elder and agreed to set him apart for the ministry of preaching and teaching, which he too accepted as the Lord's calling. 

We have much to be thankful to God for in the last few years and which we can draw great encouragement from as a church. Firstly, as a token of God's assurance to us that He has been pleased to use the Church here as an instrument in not only bringing lost sinners to Himself, but also adding them to His church here, as members. Yet all the while His Word  constantly reminds us of the unfettered freedom of His grace and mercy in saving lost sinners, and how humbling this is to us all!

Secondly we have seen Christians grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, and in love for one another. So now in the year 2008, through God’s goodness and His provision the church by His grace continues witnessing for Him and praising Him.

The church has not yet made a call to a particular man to be pastor, or felt led to make that  call yet. However in saying this the church trusts that God will provide the man that He has already marked out and purposed for the work. Please pray that the church will remain both active yet patient in this whole matter as it seeks God's will in faith.

Above all, through ups, downs and change we continue to serve an Almighty and Gracious God who will carry out His Sovereign plan to save His people.

Please pray for those whom we share the Good News of the Gospel with. Moreover as we all seek to work and witness to God's glory in the community around. Please also pray for Chalan as he preaches regularly on the Lord's Days' along with the visiting speakers. Also as he speaks frequently in the open air on Saturdays at the local shopping area.

Please pray that in in all things we will bring glory to God, and that we might be living solely for the Glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) “Soli Deo Gloria!”

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 works in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."