Wraysbury Baptist Chapel

Wraysbury Baptist Chapel is situated in the village of Wraysbury, Berkshire, England. The present day building was opened in 1862, but the chapel was first established in 1827.

History

The current chapel was opened in 1862. The Baptist mission in Wraysbury can be traced back over thirty years to the sole efforts of the chapel's first Pastor, William Thomas Buckland.Born and raised in Wraysbury, William Buckland lived for several years in Holborn Bridge and Hammersmith, where he first joined the Baptist Church. On his return to Wraysbury in 1826, he found the moral and spiritual condition of the villagers to be in a deplorable state. The only place of worship was the parish church, the vicar of which resided at a distance."The Baptist Magazine", J. Burditt and W. Button: Baptist Missionary Society, 1862 p.779 [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=POQRAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA2-PA779 Online version at Google Books] ] Extracts from William's diary, reproduced in "The Baptist Magazine", detail how he first rented a house for meetings, and invited local ministers, Mr Hall from Poyle and Mr Hawson from Staines, to preach on alternate Sundays."The Baptist Magazine", J. Burditt and W. Button: Baptist Missionary Society, 1871 p. 32] The first meeting was held on 20 May 1827 and in March, William opened the Sunday school to teach the local children. With ever increasing numbers, a new chapel was built and opening on 23 September 1830.

The Baptist mission continued to flourish, and 'wishing to provide more comodious and beautiful accommodation', the old chapel was knocked down and a new one erected with a convenient schoolroom attached. The work cost £800 and was covered by donations within the year.

Previously, Wraysbury had been regarded as an offshoot from Staines; but in December 1868, it decided that it was to become a station in its own right. Mr Buckland was unanimously chosen to be its first pastor, a role he retained until his death in 1870. Others that became pastors included Arthur Shorrock‎, who married a relative of William Buckland.

Today's Baptists

Wraysbury Baptist Church is one of the churches in "Wraysbury and Horton Churches Together", along with St Andrew's, Wraysbury and St Michael's, Horton. The current minister is the Revd. Carolyn Urwin.cite web | title=Wraysbury Baptist Chapel Website | url=http://www.wraysburybaptist.org.uk/welcome.htm | author=Carolyn Urwin | accessdate=2008-03-07 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.wraysburybaptist.org.uk/welcome.htm Wraysbury Baptist Chapel Website]
* [http://www.british-towns.net/en/level_4_display.asp?GetL3=1059 The Parish of Wraysbury]