Local Baptist History

1753

1792
1804

A small group of Baptists met in a house in the town and seven years later the first pastors for the growing Church appointed.
The first dedicated Church building erected on Wood Gate.
The Sunday School began which for many years provided basic education for the children of the poor. The number of children attending the school quickly rose and by the 1830’s numbered over 800.

1828

1846

1878

New building on Baxter Gate erected which was needed because of the increasing membership and needs of the Sunday School.
A group left the Baxter Gate Church and were allowed to use the old building on Wood Gate.
An imposing Romanesque building erected on Wood Gate next to the 1792 Church building.

(A drawing by George Towers showing the old Wood Gate church building, since demolished. )

1898

1904

1973

1974

The third Baptist Church on King Street opened.
Extensive Sunday School buildings erected over the grave yard of the Wood Gate Church. This also included the demolition of the original 1792 building.
The first united Church Meeting of the three town Baptist Churches.
Regular services in the refurbished Baxter Gate worship room began.

(The King Street worship room, no longer standing, by George Towers.)

Many of the town’s leading citizens including several Mayors, Aldermen and Councillors came from the three Baptist Churches during the period from the mid 19^th century to the mid 20^th century. Learn about the background to these facts from

“Loughborough Baptists and the Town”

price £4.95 (please add 95p for post & packing), from the Church Office