Once a place for tap-dancing evacuees, this is South Oxford Christian Centre. Built in 1938, the South Oxford Christian Centre began as the South Oxford Baptist Church. It replaced a Baptist church in Commercial Road after it closed. That original church and Commercial Road itself no longer exist.
Initially, a Deaconess named Sister Enid Clark oversaw the South Oxford Baptist Church. In 1939, Reverend Harold Bates Roberts became the first minister. He lived nearby at 34 Wytham Street with his family.
Look closely at the eastern wall of South Oxford Christian Centre. You can see three inscribed foundation stones. Cecil Viva Wilkins was a prominent Baptist layman. He served as Secretary of the Oxfordshire and East Gloucestershire Baptist Association. Mrs Fotheringham was a benefactor. She was the widow of John Knight Fotheringham. He was a Reader in ancient astronomy at the University of Oxford. The Reverend Oliver Percy John Smith was the last minister of the Commercial Road Baptist Church.
Imagine Mrs Fotheringham laying one of the foundation stones. To her right stood George Surman. He was the 18-year-old bricklayer. He worked for builder Charles Wesley Harris of Horspath.
Step inside South Oxford Christian Centre in your mind. David Roberts, son of Revd HB Roberts, remembered the pulpit, communion rail and panel. They seemed too large for the modern building. These likely came from the Commercial Road church.
During World War II, the building served the community. The small brick building behind the church became the Air Raid Wardens’ post. In 1940, the church welcomed evacuees from London. Local Cubs and Scouts acted as messengers. Wendy Rich lived nearby. She remembered Reverend Roberts announcing the declaration of war to the congregation. Wendy was part of a tap-dancing troupe. They entertained recuperating troops and American soldiers.
The South Oxford Christian Centre hosted many community events. Today, it is home to the Oxford Corps of the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army has been in Oxford since 1881. Before moving here in 2008, they had smaller premises in St Ebbes.
South Oxford Christian Centre is now used by different groups. These include the South Oxford Baptist Church, The Salvation Army and the United Asian Baptist Church.
Think of the history held within these walls. From its beginnings as a Baptist church to its role during wartime. From tap-dancing troupes to the modern-day Salvation Army. This building has served the South Oxford community for decades.