Barnsley Baptist Church - celebrating our 180th anniversary 

Deacon Rhonda Keay traces the history of the South Yorkshire church 'conscious of God’s goodness and his many blessings'

On 28 March 1846, the Baptist church in Barnsley was formed following the baptism of nine people in a local river. Outreach meetings were initiated the previous year by Mr John Wood, a local glassmaker, who sought the support of the Yorkshire Baptist Association, who then sent two preachers to start the outreach ministry.

Three years later after the formation of the church, the first chapel was built, known as Sheffield Road Baptist Church. The ministry was blessed and grew rapidly with a large Sunday School and the planting of several other Baptist fellowships in the area. In1968-69 a new chapel had to be built when the old building was acquisitioned by the council for the widening of Sheffield Road, a main road in Barnsley.

The church has been served by 21 ministers over the 180 years along with many dedicated and faithful church leaders and workers.

As we celebrate the 180th anniversary of this Baptist fellowship, we are conscious of God’s goodness and His many blessings as we have worshipped our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and have ministered in the community, and encouraged believers in their Christian walk. 

More recently, over the past two years or so the attendance at worship services has more than doubled as we witness God moving in people’s lives as they seek to know the truth of the gospel message, and believers see the power of the gospel through the exposition of the Scriptures.

As we celebrate this 180th year of ministry, we can truly say:
 

‘The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy’ Psalm 126:3 

 

Rhonda Keay is a deacon at Barnsley Baptist Church