Our History
Colchester Baptist Church has a rich and interesting history.
read on to find out more!
CBC celebrates its 333rd Anniversary!
November, 2022
I am delighted that our Church Anniversary will be marked this year. We commemorate events of 1689. In that year the deeply unpopular Catholic James II was deposed in favour of the joint monarchy of Anglicans William III and Mary II in the so-called 'Glorious Revolution'.
At that time Baptists and other Dissenters were banned from worshipping so met in secret, if at all. The Anglicans realised there was a threat that Catholics and Dissenters could join together, so they made Dissenters tolerated. They could worship as they wished provided they registered their places of worship and their ministers with the authorities. Baptists were more than happy with that and what became Eld Lane came into existence.
I assumed that there would be many Baptist churches with foundation dates around 1689. However, research shows that we are only one of four modern churches that trace their beginnings to around then.
On the other hand about 75 churches claim much earlier foundation. Some are right but I suspect some claim dates based on the fact that there were known Baptists in that area much earlier. On that basis Eld Lane could claim a date in the 1630s. What is missing is a church membership or a paid minister.
Let us celebrate our spiritual ancestors who worshipped secretly and took the opportunity to come out into the open when they had the chance.
Henry Spyvee - Church Historian
1612
Thomas Helwys established the first Baptist church in England in London. He died in Newgate Prison after being imprisoned for advocating universal religious tolerance and the independence of the church from state control just 4 years later in 1616.
1630
The first Baptists arrived in Colchester. The church of England was supreme and those with other views had to worship underground.
1690
Colchester Baptist Church meeting house first registered n East Stockwell Street. Its first minister was John Hammond,
1711
The Church moved to Eld Lane, on part of its present site. The minister was John Rootsey who built up the church membership and made contacts leading to Baptist churches in Ipswich,
1774
Thomas Stephens became minister. He founded the Essex Baptist Association and was an early supporter of overseas missions. He added a baptistry in 1795. Earlier baptisms has taken place at Rootseys Mill (distillery pond).
1815
George Francis began his ministry at the church, serving until 1836. The church grew under his leadership. In 1838 there are 165 members recorded. In 1832 the church premises increased fourfold and the current church was built in 1834 mostly funded by Benjamin Nice, a church deacon and farmer living in Ardleigh.
1850
A young Charles Spurgeon became a Christian at the Primitive Methodist Church in Arltiiery Street and worshiped at Eld Lane in the evening. He was baptised within four months and preached his first sermon that same year aged just 16 years old. He founded Spurgeons College in 1856 . During his lifetime nearly 900 pastors trained at the college and almost 200 new church were planted in Britain alone.
1866
Edward Spurrier became assistant minister at the church and Charles Spurgeon agreed to preach twice a year to help cover church costs. The church grew healthily and, with a gift and loan from Spurgeon, a school hall was added to the church building. Spurrier led at Eld Lane for over 40 years. During his service, out-stations were built at Parsons Heath and Blackheath, both of which are now independent churches.
1944
Warwick Bailey became minister, serving until 1972. He spent 9 years as a borough councillor and was mayor of Colchester in 1949/50.
1991
A wing was added to the the left side of the church which now houses the Open Door charity. Founded in 1986, it provides a safe, welcoming environment and a listening ear to anyone who needs it.