Zoar Strict Baptist Chapel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zoar Strict Baptist Chapel
The chapel from the northwest
50°52′44″N 0°13′37″E / 50.8790°N 0.2270°E / 50.8790; 0.2270
Location	A22, Lower Dicker, near Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 4AT
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Baptist
Tradition	Strict Baptist
History
Former name(s)	The Dicker Chapel
Status	Chapel
Founded	1837
Founder(s)	William Cowper
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Style	Classical/Georgian
Groundbreaking	1837
Completed	1838
Construction cost	£422

The Zoar Strict Baptist Chapel is a special church building in the small area of Lower Dicker, East Sussex, England. It is a place of worship for Strict Baptists, a specific group within the Baptist Christian faith.

This "large and impressive" building was started in 1837. It was first called The Dicker Chapel. The chapel has a classic look, like buildings from ancient Greece or the Georgian period. It stands a bit back from a main road in a countryside area. When it was built, it was big enough for 800 people. It even had a schoolroom and stables for horses.

The chapel was built between 1837 and 1838. It was made much bigger in 1874. It also has its own burial ground, which was made larger in 1880. At first, the chapel tried to welcome different Christian groups. But by 1839, it became only a Strict Baptist church. It is still a Strict Baptist church today. Over the years, six main pastors have led the chapel. One of them served for more than 50 years!

History of the Chapel

The name Dicker once described a large area of land. This land was near the River Cuckmere and the South Downs. Much of it was open land where anyone could use it. A main road (now the A22) crossed through this area.

Lower Dicker is now a village that stretches along the A22 road. In the early 1800s, there was not much there except a place that made bricks. However, many people living on the farms nearby were "Nonconformists." This means they were Christians who did not follow the main Church of England.

New Christian Groups

Over time, rules that limited worship outside the Church of England became less strict. Many new Christian groups appeared. These groups were all called "Nonconformists." They were very popular in the countryside of East Sussex. Many people followed "Calvinistic" beliefs. This is a type of Christian belief that focuses on God's power and plan.

People often met in houses or barns. These groups were usually either "Independent" or a type of "Baptist" with Calvinistic beliefs. The term "Strict Baptist" came about in the 1800s. It helped to organize these Calvinistic Baptist groups.

A round plaque on the front shows when the chapel was built and made bigger.

Small groups of Calvinistic preachers and worshippers met in the Dicker area from the late 1700s. They met in barns, houses, and even above a shop. In 1812, a permanent chapel was started by James Dunk. It was for preachers named Vinall, who were well known in East Sussex.

Dunk's Chapel, later called Golden Cross Chapel, opened in 1813. It was a red-brick building set back from the main road. It was called a "Calvinistic Independent" chapel. Many people came to worship there, even from far away. The building soon became too small.

Building Zoar Chapel

So, in 1837, the people in charge of Dunk's Chapel bought some land. It cost £20 and was next to the brickworks. They spent £422 to build a "large and comfortable" new building. This new chapel could hold 400 worshippers. It opened in 1838. William Cowper, who had hosted worship at his house before, became the first pastor.

The chapel was made larger on the side and back in 1874.

At first, the chapel was meant for both Calvinistic Baptists and Independents. But this did not work well. So, in 1839, it became only a Strict Baptist church. After that, it did very well. In 1851, a survey found that 320 people attended on one Sunday.

In 1864, the chapel joined the "Gospel Standard" tradition. This was a specific movement within Strict Baptist beliefs. Zoar Chapel still follows this tradition today.

The chapel's burial ground was made bigger in 1880.

The chapel was successful and had enough money to grow. To fit all the worshippers, the building was made bigger in 1874. This cost £600. People came from many miles around, which was common in the countryside. The chapel even had stables for 40 horses and carts. These were built before 1875. A row of houses called Chapel Cottages were also built nearby in 1875. The small burial ground next to the chapel was made larger in 1880.

The building was finished in 1838, but it opened on September 22, 1837. Silver Jubilee events were held on September 22, 1887, celebrating 50 years. By then, the building could hold 800 people. Nearly 1,000 people came to the Jubilee service that afternoon. Between 1837 and 1990, the chapel had six main pastors. Some served for many years. John W. Sperling-Tyler was a pastor for 51 years!

The chapel was officially registered for worship a long time ago. It was also registered to hold marriages starting in 1844.

Chapel Design

The front of the chapel has columns and a triangular top part.

Most Strict Baptist chapels are usually small and simple. But Zoar Chapel is unusually "large and impressive." It is set back from the main road in a big graveyard. It has a grand feeling. The building looks like a classical style, similar to old Greek or Roman buildings, with some Georgian features.

The front of the building is covered in a smooth finish. It has a pointed roof with a triangular top part called a "pediment." Inside this pediment is a round plaque. This plaque shows the dates it was built (1837) and enlarged (1874). The front also has tall, flat columns called "pilasters" and an entrance porch. All these parts were added during the 1874 enlargement. The side walls are made of shiny bricks. The building also includes a schoolroom.

The Name Zoar

The name Zoar comes from a city mentioned in the Bible, now called Zoara. This name is also used for other chapels in nearby West Sussex. There were also former chapels with this name in Brighton and Hastings in East Sussex, but they no longer exist.

Connections to Other Chapels

Many people connected to Zoar Chapel have also been linked to other Baptist churches in Sussex. These other churches are still active today.

The Dicker family lived in the area for a long time. Thomas Dicker (born 1723) became a Calvinist in 1773. He held services at his house. Later, he gave land for the Five Ash Down Independent Chapel, which was built in 1784. His son, also named Thomas (born 1753), helped start a Strict Baptist Chapel in Uckfield in 1789. He then became a pastor at a chapel in Hailsham.

William Cowper, the first pastor of Zoar Chapel, lived in Upper Dicker. Documents found at his house showed connections to James Reed, an important Baptist preacher from the late 1700s. William Vine, the third pastor at Zoar Chapel, had also been linked to the Strict Baptist chapel in Hailsham.

Ebenezer Chapel at Bodle Street Green changed from an Independent church to a Strict Baptist church in 1864. This happened because its new pastor was involved with Zoar Chapel. He was an Independent at first, but he joined the Strict Baptist Church at Lower Dicker. He then asked Ebenezer Chapel to become Strict Baptist too before he became their pastor.

See also

• List of current places of worship in Wealden
• List of Strict Baptist churches