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 | England |
| 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 Guildford, England. It is a Baptist church, which means it is part of a Christian group called Baptists. This church started in 1879, and the building you see today opened in 1910. It is located in the historic town of Guildford, in Surrey.
Contents
The Story of Bethel Chapel
How Bethel Chapel Began
The church community began in 1878. A few people left another church because they wanted to worship in a different way. They rented a hall in Ward Street to hold their services. On April 14, 1879, they officially formed a church. They based their church on a set of beliefs called the Gospel Standard Articles of Faith.
The First "Tin Chapel"
A few months later, the church got some land on Martyr Road. They built a temporary church there. It was made of corrugated iron and was called 'the Tin Chapel'. This building was given the name 'Bethel'. Many people preached there, but no one became the permanent pastor. So, different preachers visited and led the services.
Building the New Bethel Chapel
By the early 1900s, the church needed a stronger building. They bought land nearby on The Bars. A new chapel was built using red bricks. It had round-headed windows 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 gives it a nice, artistic feel. Most of the light comes in through a large window above the front door. In 1930, an extension was added. This part included a schoolroom, a hall, a vestry, and toilets. The church still uses this building today. The original furniture, like the pulpit and pews, are still there. The large window at the front of the chapel was recently 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 family in Studley, Wiltshire. He became very interested in his faith early in life. After becoming a Christian, he was baptized in April 1914. He started preaching in 1917. In 1925, Mr. Wiltshire became the pastor at Bethel. He wanted to stay in his 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.
Other Pastors
Mr. P. Buss was the second pastor at Bethel. He served the church from 1981 to 1985. The current pastor is Mr. James Taylor. He became the pastor on January 1, 2018.
