Further Church History
The Baptist Chapel Princes Risborough c.1900
In the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, failure to conform to the established Church of England was dangerous. Many early dissenters or non-conformists were persecuted or imprisoned. Between 1521-1532 several dissenters were burnt at the stake in Amersham and Chesham.
By the end of the 17th century greater religious tolerance was practiced and by 1688 a Baptist Church existed in the village of Ford, meeting in a private house. By 1700/1701 some members of the Ford Church were meeting in Princes Risborough and, in due course, established a new Church.
Indenture of 1707 granting land for the Meeting House
In 1707, Jane Cork, a widow, and her son, William, gave land on which the first Baptist Meeting House was built in Princes Risborough. The first pastor, Edward Hoare, died of “an epidemic disease” three years later and it seems that for the next 90 years the Church struggled to survive until there were less than ten members left. However, in 1797, those faithful few took a step of extraordinary faith, appointing a new pastor and pledging themselves to perpetuate the Baptist cause in Princes Risborough and to become “a Visible Church . . . until the Earth shall end.” From then onwards, God blessed the work and revival followed.
During the 18th century, Thomas Cartwright had given further land and property to the Church. This enabled the original small Meeting House to be virtually rebuilt in 1805 and this new Chapel was further enlarged, in 1814, to the size and shape that we see today. In the years that followed alterations and refurbishments to the main Church building have taken place.
The Sunday School was established in 1806 and within ten years 162 children were in attendance. By 1851, a Church congregation of 500 was recorded. In 1911, the Lower Hall was built to accommodate the Sunday School.
The pipe organ, originally built circa 1875, was purchased and installed in 1921, as a memorial to those who served and fell in the Great War.
In 1973, the Upper Hall was built. The additional premises enabled the Church to offer facilities to other organisations within the town.
Throughout its 300 years of history the Baptist Church at Princes Risborough, whilst founded on the principles of Baptist non-conformity, has sought to serve those around it; not to be apart from the local community but to be a part of it.
Further Reading
As Part of our Church's Tercentenary a new book of the Church, "As Witness This Day", was produced. This contains a detailed and updated history, together with an account of the Church Today and our vision for the future. Copies are available at £5.75 including P&P. Please click here to request a copy.
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