Fuller Baptist Church facts for kids
Fuller Baptist Church is a Baptist church located in the town of Kettering in northern Northamptonshire, England. This church started more than 300 years ago. It has helped create many other Baptist churches nearby. The building is also a Grade II listed site, meaning it's an important historical building.
How the Church Started
The story of Fuller Baptist Church goes back to 1666. This was when some Christians in Kettering started meeting in their own way. They were called Nonconformists because they didn't follow the rules of the main Church of England.
One of the first members was Mr. William Wallis. He and six others left the group because they were Anabaptists. This meant they believed people should be baptized as adults, not as babies. In October 1696, these men started their own church. They met in a house in Bayley's Yard, with William Wallis as their leader. This was the first Baptist Church in Kettering.
Around the same time, another Baptist group began. It was led by Mr. Wills. Around 1729, these two Baptist groups joined together. They decided to worship together based on two main ideas:
- Believers baptism: Only adults who choose to be baptized are.
- Open communion: Anyone who believes can take part in communion.
Soon, the church needed its own place for burials. Mr. Beeby Wallis, a relative of William Wallis, helped out. He offered his house and other buildings in Gold Street to the church. The church bought it for a good price.
By 1775, the church had 75 members. Their leader, George Moreton, had to leave due to illness. Then, a young minister named Andrew Fuller was asked to join. Fuller was a minister in another town and didn't want to leave. But after talking with other ministers, he finally agreed. He moved to Kettering with his family in October 1782.
Growing Bigger and Stronger
Andrew Fuller brought new energy to the church. He wrote many books and was a very good speaker. By 1786, the church building needed to be made bigger. It cost £133 to expand it. In the same year, a new church in Gretton started on its own. It had grown from the Kettering church.
In 1792, Fuller helped create the Baptist Missionary Society. This group helped send missionaries to other countries. Sadly, this was also the year Beeby Wallis and Fuller's own wife passed away.
Two years later, Fuller married Ann Coles. He found her to be a perfect partner. By 1805, the church building needed to be rebuilt again. It was made longer and taller. Now, it could hold 900 people! Fuller died on May 7, 1815. About 2,000 people came to his funeral. His assistant, John Keen Hall, took over as minister.
In 1851, the church's Sunday School was very popular. It had 534 children attending in the mornings. In the afternoons, 625 children came! Gas lighting was added to the church in 1846. A new minister, Revd James Mursell, started in 1853. He led an exciting and new ministry. During his time, a brand new church building was constructed. This new building, called the Fuller Chapel, opened on September 24, 1861.
James Mursell served until 1870. By 1884, the church had 410 members. In 1891, a special stone was laid for a new mission hall. This hall is now known as Carey Memorial Chapel. By 1896, Fuller Church had 720 members. Its Sunday School had about 2,000 children! In 1945, another church started by Fuller Church became independent. This was Rockingham Road Baptist Church. In 1956, a church in Corby also became independent.
Fuller Church Today
In 1996, Fuller Baptist Church celebrated its 300th birthday! They had many different events. These included organ concerts, a Sports Day, and community outreach. The church continues to reach out to people today. They do this through church activities and the Fuller Coffee House.
