“Why are we here?” That’s the question Jane Woodfall pondered in 1866. Surbiton was then a leafy suburb. Now we stand before Surbiton Baptist Church, a testament to her vision.
Jane lived near this very site. She regularly traveled to Central London. She went to hear Rev Charles Spurgeon preach. Thousands made that journey. Jane noticed her servants couldn’t easily attend. They lacked time and money. God placed a burden on her heart. She wanted to bring the Gospel to them.
Local records reveal a sale. Two workman’s cottages with land came up for sale. This was the land where Surbiton Baptist Church now stands. Jane Woodfall bought the cottages. She presented them to Spurgeon. Her goal was a Baptist Chapel. Ordinary folk could hear the Gospel there. They could hear it in Jesus’ name.
In 1873, a Sunday School hall opened. In 1874, Surbiton Hill Baptist Church opened. It was later renamed Oaklands Baptist Church. On July 14th, 1874, Spurgeon dedicated the new church. He preached the first sermon. It was titled “By the Grace of God I am what I am”. Surbiton Baptist Church became one of 150 similar churches. They were affectionately called “a barn with a roof on”. These churches stood on lands donated to Spurgeon. Wealthy Christians like Jane Woodfall supported them.
The first pastor was William Bastor. He was one of Spurgeon’s students. He served until the late 1890s. An unfortunate disagreement arose. It concerned doctrine within the membership. A group broke away around 1898. They formed a “strict and particular” fellowship. This became Surbiton Baptist Church on Balaclava Road. Despite the split, the two churches stayed in close contact. Over the years, they collaborated on several projects.
In the late 1960s, the church grew under Pastor Richard Higbed. The church had a strong youth program. Boy’s and Girl’s Brigades flourished. Many young people joined. By the late 1990s, the Balaclava Road church was smaller. Pastor Simon Prout was called to another church. Discussions began. The two churches considered reuniting. Pastor Roger Smith encouraged them. Eddie Mooney preached at Balaclava Road. He convinced members their doctrines were now similar. The Holy Spirit guided them. They decided to explore an amalgamation. They would adopt a new name.
Under Eddie Mooney’s guidance, the two fellowships united. This happened in September 2000. They adopted a rewritten constitution. They became Baptists Together in Surbiton. They sold the Balaclava Manse. The money helped build a purpose-designed premises. It was built on the rear of the Langley Road site. It also helped refurbish the worship area at Balaclava Road.
A long pastoral vacancy followed. God spoke to them. He wanted them to “do something different”. Adam Stacey was called. He had new ideas on outreach. He wanted to use football as an outreach. In 2010, the new church was constituted. It was named Surbiton New Life Baptist Church.
In 2012, Adam left. He headed a Christian youth and family support work in Aldershot. They weren’t sure they could afford a full-time pastor. God provided again. Jacky Bone was a part-time chaplain at the local YMCA. She was an ordained Minister. She became their part-time Minister. She continued Adam’s outreach. She helped at the Well. This was a Sunday afternoon café-church. It helped those in need.
Jacky left in 2018. She took up a pioneering ministry in Witney. They welcomed Rev Richard Asante and family. He became their present Minister in September 2018. Today Surbiton New Life Baptist Church continues to evolve. It seeks to serve its community. It adapts to meet the changing needs of its congregation.