Our

History

Strict Baptist churches trace their origins in England to about the year 1633. In Bedfordshire they were influenced by the life and work of John Bunyan. They are often called “Particular Baptists”, meaning they believe that the salvation of the Lord Jesus was for a particular or distinct people, and not general for all mankind. “Strict”, a constriction of “restricted”, means that the Lord’s Supper is restricted to those who have been baptised by immersion and united in church membership.

East Peckham Chapel is a small building situated in a street of cottage homes known as the Freehold. Land was purchased in 1853 and the Chapel was built in 1855 with a vestry being added in 1862. A Strict Baptist Church was formed by Mr Mockford and Mr Allard. It appears to have originated from the preaching of Mr Burch in Mr Johnson’s room. Depending for ministry upon the causes in the vicinity it was not until 1900 that a pastor was chosen. See below for a list of pastors.

After the end of Mr Baldwin’s pastorship the Church gradually declined and the Chapel was closed in 1938. Two years later Mr Ernest Roe and some of his flock left Matfield Green and re-opened East Peckham Chapel, giving the cause a new lease of life.

Former pastors:

J Field 1900-1906

G Baldwin 1910-1928

Ernest Roe 1940-1953

Mr T Farley 1957-1967

Mr J C Mercer January 1974-April 1980

Mr John Ashby 1990- 2023

Mr Mark Seymour 2024-present