Bethel Chapel, Guildford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bethel Chapel |
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The chapel from the northwest
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| 51°14′18″N 0°34′18″W / 51.2383°N 0.5718°W | |
| Location | The Bars, Guildford, Surrey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Baptist |
| Website | www.bethelchapelguildford.org |
| History | |
| Status | Baptist Church |
| Founded | 14 April 1879 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Style | Vernacular |
| Completed | June 1910 |
Bethel Chapel is a special church in the old town of Guildford, England. It's a Baptist church that started a long time ago in 1879. The building you see today opened its doors in 1910.
Contents
The Story of Bethel Chapel
How It All Began
The church community, called a congregation, started in 1878. A small group of people left another church because they wanted a different kind of worship. They rented a basement hall to hold their services. On April 14, 1879, they officially formed their own church.
The "Tin Chapel"
A few months later, the church found some land nearby. They built a temporary chapel out of corrugated iron. People called it 'the Tin Chapel'. This was the first building to be named 'Bethel'. Many preachers visited the Tin Chapel. But no one became the official pastor yet.
Building the New Chapel
By the early 1900s, the church wanted a stronger, more permanent building. They bought land on The Bars, which was the next road north. A new chapel was built there. It was made of red brick. The windows were round-headed and outlined in grey brick.
The new Bethel Chapel opened in June 1910. Two preachers, Mr. J.K. Popham and Mr. Calcott, spoke at the opening services. The old Tin Chapel was then used by the Railway Mission.
Inside the Chapel
The chapel is built in a way that makes it feel cozy. Most of the light comes from a large window above the front door. The building has a nice arts-and-crafts style. In 1930, an extension was added. It included a schoolroom, a hall, a vestry, and toilets.
The original furniture is still there. This includes the pulpit, where the preacher stands, and the pews, where people sit. Recently, the big window at the front of the chapel was repaired.
Pastors of Bethel Chapel
Jabez Wiltshire: The First Pastor
The first pastor of Bethel Chapel was Jabez Wiltshire. He grew up in a Christian home in Studley, England. He became very interested in his faith early in life. He was baptised in 1914 and started preaching in 1917.
In 1925, Mr. Wiltshire became the pastor at Bethel. He wanted to stay in this role for the rest of his life. He passed away on June 12, 1953, when he was 61 years old. He had four children. There is a small memorial inside the chapel to remember him.
Later Pastors
The second pastor at Bethel was Mr. P. Buss. He served the church from 1981 to 1985.
On January 1, 2018, Mr. James Taylor became the current pastor of Bethel Chapel.
