The Early Years 1827 - 1889
Our buildings, or rather the oldest part of them
 were erected in 1836, but our fellowship is older, dating back to 1827. The first building forms about half the present chapel, the end nearest the street being the original. It had no schoolrooms attached and no outside porch. The ground behind the chapel was used for a burial ground. The schoolrooms were added in 1850 and the building was re-opened on July 2nd 1851(although plans had been in hand in 1849, the illness of the minister and the death of a strong supporter to the enlargements meant that they were put on hold for a while). The porch was built in 1871.
The church itself has had a fluctuating history, and perhaps one of the key points in its history came with the decision to become a “Union” church taken in 1886. Prior to this there had been considerable difficulties over people of other denominations who were keen workers in the church but unable to become members as the Church was of the “strict” type, its membership and communion table only being open to those who had confessed their faith in-baptism. So in 1886 the great step was taken to open membership to include transfer from other denominations, and the communion table to all believers. (back to top)
1857 to 1889
In 1857 Revd. C.H. Spurgeon conducted the anniversary services in a tent on “Brookes’ Field” at the back of Swan Street where the railway now runs.
The first recorded minister (the first minutes in existence begin in 1848) was the Revd. E.R.Hammond (1848-1858) For several years the church prospered, and numbers were baptised. At that time it was the rule for those applying for baptism to stand up and give their testimony before the church. The church was strictly disciplined, members absenting themselves from communion twice running without adequate cause were visited, and if they did not amend their ways were liable to be excluded from membership. The aim was to preserve the purity and spiritual strength of the church. The church was already showing it's missionary enthusiasm with special sermons for the Baptist Missionary Society and the formation of a Juvenile Missionary Auxiliary. It is at this time that the Sunday School is first mentioned, which has been in existence for "many years." In 1858 he felt it was his duty to resign as the church was losing ground both spiritually and financially. He continued to live in West Malling until his death in 1860 and he was buried in the graveyard behind the chapel.
He was followed by the Revd. T. Field (1861-1864) after almost three years without a minister. During his time the church maintained it's strength and several baptisms were recorded. Next came the Revd. E. Jones (1865-1868) there was then another gap before the Revd. R.J. Beecliffe (1870-1872) became the minister. He was an elder at the Metropolitan Tabernacle and was formally invited to the pastorate. During his tenure the exterior of the building was renovated and a John Fullagar erected the porch in memory of his father. After Mr. Beecliffe moved to Great Storton, Huntingdonshire in November 1872, the church was in an interregnum for over three years, part of which time the pulpit was filled by students of Regent's Park College. Records state that this interregnum was “a time of prosperity for the church.”
 The Revd. A Seddon (1876-1878) broke this long gap but after he moved on there was a nine year gap. He was a goldsmith of Forest Hill and he gave up his business to accept the pastorate. During his time a Loan Tract Society and a Thursday evening Bible Class were formed. “Mr. Seddon found it necessary to resign in 1878” as the church was unable to raise the amount necessary for the minister’s stipend. “Never-the-less the spiritual work of the church prospered” and we read of “numerous baptisms.” The Revd. A.C. Chambers (1887-1889) of Loose ended a nine year interregnum, but the financial burden on the church proved too heavy and a few years later he was forced to resign. It was during his pastorate (in 1887) that the church was first licensed for marriages. The first marriage celebrated was that of Mr. Thomas Thomson. Mr. Payne was treasurer of the church and Mr. John Ennals, another Sunday School worker, was secretary |
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