“Imagine laborers gathering. It’s 1800. Two young men preach on Lessness Heath. This marked the start of Free Grace Baptist Church.”
Welcome. Today, we explore Free Grace Baptist Church’s rich history. It began with an open-air meeting. It continues as a beacon of faith in Belvedere.
The story of Free Grace Baptist Church starts with John Chin. He and a companion preached on August 10, 1800. They were on their way to Erith. A scripture inspired them. Isaiah 35:1. It spoke of wilderness and solitary places being glad. Lessness Heath seemed a wilderness then. They saw laborers and invited them to listen. From that day, preaching happened regularly.
John Chin became the church’s first pastor in 1807. He served in Lion Street, Southwark. He remained there until his death in 1839. He rests in Bunhill Fields burial ground. His tomb calls him faithful and zealous. We honor him for planting seeds long ago.
Who was John Chin’s companion? His name is lost. Many unsung heroes exist. They witness for their Master. “You do not know what good may be done” he said.
Benjamin Lloyd took interest in Lessness Heath. He was from Mr. Freeman’s chapel in Woolwich. Mr. Freeman had disagreed with “Enon” chapel’s open membership. He formed a new church in 1786. Interestingly “Enon” soon became strict-communion. Queen Street Church became open-communion.
Benjamin Lloyd faced persecution. Services moved from room to room. For a year, they met in a timber structure. It cost £5 per annum. The landlord sold it. Mr. Lloyd bought it. He built a permanent building with a baptistry. It cost £300. “Enon” chapel collected for them in 1804. The chapel likely still stands from 1805.
The church formed November 8, 1805. Six people joined. Three were converted under Mr. Lloyd. Three joined from elsewhere. B. S. Lloyd became the first pastor December 3, 1805. Napoleon planned to invade England then. Nelson issued his famous message. Pastor Lloyd preached a vital message. In four years, there were forty-nine members.
Mr. Lloyd preached at Kent and Sussex Association meetings. He fell ill in July 1809. He died in September aged thirty-five. William Coleman was one of the last baptised by Mr. Lloyd. He preached on Mark 16:15-16. He spoke about believers’ baptism. This led to severing ties with Mr. Percy’s church.
William Coleman became pastor April 26, 1810. Mr. Culver, Mr. Shenstone and others participated. Nothing is known about Pastor Coleman’s ministry then. Dr. W. T. Whitley noted a new Meeting House in 1810. It likely refers to the chapel built in 1805. Mr. Coleman left for Colnbrook in 1823. He returned to Bexleyheath in 1846.
John Cocks was Pastor from about 1837. He was from Devon. He preached in his native place. He was baptised in a river. He married Mary Pashley in 1807. He erected chapels in Crediton and Periton. In 1840, he settled at Lessness Heath.
C. Hard was Pastor in 1842. Nothing more is known. Mr. J. H. Blake became Pastor in 1848. He started in March and was ordained May 29. He became co-Pastor at Trinity Chapel, Southwark in 1851. A Mr. J. Pearce commenced his ministry in 1852. Recognition services took place August 16, 1852.
Ebenezer Davis became Pastor March 12, 1862. Lessness Heath became Belvedere. It was named after Belvedere Park. Sir Culling Eardley owned Belvedere Park. He built a place of worship in his grounds in 1848.
“All Saints” Church was built as a Free Church with a baptistry. It was consecrated in 1861. There was a Baptist witness in Lessness Heath for fifty years before the Church of England. Our chapel was the sole place of worship for the first half of the nineteenth century.
Free Grace Baptist Church stands as a testament to enduring faith. Its history reflects resilience. It shows dedication to spreading the Gospel. From humble beginnings to its present-day ministry, the church continues to serve its community. It upholds its traditions.