Joyce Silk: 1926-2026 

Joyce was associated with Chatsworth Baptist Church, West Norwood, all her life.

Her parents were members of the church when she was born: she grew up in the church and became a church member shortly after she was baptised in 1943. She remained a member until she died just a week after her 100th birthday. We have had other centenarians in our church but no-one else who can say that they were part of the church all their life.

Joyce’s father, Leslie Silk, was a deacon and Sunday School Superintendent for many years. Her mother, Ivy Silk, was active in many different church groups. Together they led Junior Church on Sunday mornings.  

Joyce followed her parents into a life of active service in the church. She taught in Sunday School for a long time: many of our church members, as well as others who have gone on to serve in other churches, can trace their faith back to time spent with Joyce in Sunday School.

She was our church registrar, keeping our membership records up to date. She also took a special interest in the church archives, cataloguing and organising them with great skill and persistence. Right into her 90s she led Bible study groups.

The history of our church, in particular the destruction of the building by a V2 rocket in 1944 and the period while the church met in various locations until the subsequent rebuilding, was Joyce’s specialist subject. She could be relied upon to produce interesting historical exhibitions whenever there was a significant anniversary, and to provide material for sermons and other reflections drawing on the rich history of the church.  

She used her calligraphy skills to prepare a presentation book, which sits in the entrance vestibule, setting out details of all our members who have entered full time Christian service as ministers or missionaries. Many of us have dedication or baptismal certificates in which the same skills were employed.

More important than all of this was Joyce’s faith, which deepened and matured as she grew older. She was a source of wise and supportive counsel for successive pastors and deacons, offered in her typical organised and direct style.  

Her joy in the knowledge of her Lord radiated through all she did, and, although we will miss her, we rejoice that she is now with the Lord she loved throughout her life.

Peter King
Church Secretary, Chatsworth Baptist Church
September 2026