The Early Years
The origins of Kington Baptist Church (KBC) date from 1805. At first believers met in the home of a gentleman called Mr Scandrett. The historical record of the Church's constitution reads:
'This Church was regularly constituted the Lord's Day, September 1st, 1805. Brothers Evans and Kiplin met (with a number of families from England and Wales) at Brother Scandrett's house where the friends assembled. Suitable exhortations were given, and prayers offered to God upon the occasion. They then went down to the large room at the Bridge End, where they usually met for divine worship.'
The names of Kiplin and Scandrett seem to have disappeared from Kington and district many years ago. It is recorded that the first three baptisms were of William Scandrett, Richard Hebb, and William Bowen.
By 1810 there were 23 members and the Church was about to remove to different meeting place. As the record states:
'On Wednesday January 31st 1810 Brethren Kiplin, Evans and Jones etc. met at the same place to take their public farewell of the old room. Brother Evans began in prayer, Brother James preached from Colossians 1.13: "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated is into the Kingdom of His dear Son", and Brother Kiplin concluded in prayer. Thursday morning assembled at the new chapel*. Brother Kiplin began by reading suitable portions of Scripture, and engaged in prayer, solemnly devoting the place to the worship and honour of the Great Eternal, Everlasting and Ever living Jehovah.'
*This building was located off High Street, and became the private house known as Arrowdale in 1934.
Following C. H Spurgeon's mission in Kington (see article below), a new Baptist Church was constructed, in which the Church continues to meet today. The Trust Deed, dated 11th April 1868, states:
The building '…used occupied and enjoyed as a place of public religious worship according to the usages of the Society of Protestant Dissenters commonly called Particular or Calvinistic Baptists under the direction of the members or persons for the time being continuing or representing the Baptist Church now assembling for worship in the present Baptist Chapel…'
'A settled Pastor of the said church such person or persons of the Protestant Dissenters called Particular or Calvinistic Baptists as the members of the said church shall of two third part of them in number shall from time to time elect'
Admit to the Lord's Supper any person or persons professing faith etc.
Hence KBC by its Trust Deed is a Particular Baptist Church but not a Strict Baptist Church, which is the position the Church holds to and confesses to this day.
The Visit of Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon was born in 1834. Through the equipping grace of the Holy Spirit he was able to fulfil a ministry that was, in some respects, unique in the whole history of the Christian Church. This is no glory to the man but testimony to what God may accomplish through the faithful preaching of a person prepared, equipped and sustained by the Holy Spirit.
The details of Spurgeon's ministry seem too astounding to comprehend. We cannot begin to list them here but I'd point to two biographies, one by Arnold Dallimore and The Forgotten Spurgeon, by Iain Murray.
Spurgeon was not only the best-known preacher in London but perhaps the most widely known preacher in the world. He probably preached to a greater number of people than anyone in history before the arrival of radio. His congregations in his earlier years consistently numbered between 10,000 to 15,000; on occasions as many as 35,000. For 38 years Spurgeon was pastor of New Park Street Chapel, London. The chapel was rebuilt, as the Metropolitan Tabernacle, to accommodate 5,500 people.
It was the largest Nonconformist church building in the world. Yet to find a seat it was necessary to arrive a half-hour before the service. The church membership was about 5,000, all of whom Spurgeon could name from memory.
Spurgeon founded an Almshouse, an Orphanage and a College for Preachers. He encouraged his congregation to support London's poor and was a staunch opponent of slavery in the southern states of American. Spurgeon was a prolific author, publishing about 150 titles. His books have never been out of print and are read today as much as ever. His printed sermons sold in huge numbers, with a circulation of up to 350,000, and were read by people at every level of society and in many countries.
Spurgeon travelled widely, preaching and encouraging smaller, local churches. In 1861, Spurgeon pleaded with his congregation in these words:
Pray for me as an evangelist. I am incessantly itinerating through the cities, towns, and villages of this land. There are few large towns in which I have not uplifted the cross of Christ. There are lifeless churches to be aroused, and careless sinners to be called. Entreat our Heavenly Father that my preaching may have a share of success.
In 1861 the Metropolitan Tabernacle was opened and in the same year the 27 year old Spurgeon visited Kington, for a three-week mission. His preaching left a deep impression on the town. Our present 300 seat building was completed in 1868, to accommodate the greatly enlarged congregation.
Spurgeon preached a Christ-centred gospel, grounded in the infallibility of the Bible and the sovereignty of God in salvation. Times have changed. Congregations are very much smaller and secularism dominates national life. But the gospel has not changed: the Christ-exalting gospel Spurgeon preached, the gospel our building was erected to promote, is the gospel we continue to preach.
(Photo Credit: PrinceofPreachers.Org)