Chief Engineer of the railway in Hitchin Richard Johnson founded the Walsworth Baptist Mission Hall in 1867 and later replaced it with this gothic looking church in 1875 seating 500 people. It cost ?3,863. The organ was installed 1889 and a pulpit in 1903. A new Sunday School next door was built 1915.

Walsworth Baptist Church Photos

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About Walsworth Baptist Church

The construction of the great Northern Railway through Hitchin in 1850 led to an extension of the town in the direction of the railway station.

Mr Richard Johnson, a keen general Baptist, was appointed Chief Engineer to that railway in 1861 and came to live at Codicote House, Highbury Road.

There was no general Baptist cause in Hitchin so Mr Johnson settle with his wife at Tilehouse Street particular Baptist Church. He was concerned for the spiritual welfare of the railway men and others living in the Walsworth Road area and called the attention of his fellow members in 1867 to the need for a mission hall in this area.

This preaching platform in front of the organ is removed for formal occasions when new members are baptised and welcomed into the church.

On June 18th 1869 at a meeting at the Tilehouse Street Manse attended among others by Dr John Clifford, Revs J Aldice and J H Atkinson, a Messrs R Johson and J Perry, it was decided to constitute a general Baptist Church at Walsworth Road.

Following a successful tender by Mr G Jeeves, a Hitchin builder, the new gothic center began to rise in 1875, opening in 1876 for 500 worshippers. The beauty of this distinctive building unspoiled by a flanking gallery is enhanced by its spacious loftiness and by its attractive windows especially the splendid window at the north west end. A total expenditure of ₤3,863 was completely met by 1886 – a remarkable achievement for a community consisting largely of railway men and their families.

When an organ was obtained in 1889 it occupied the place where the preaching place had been and a desk was provided for the minster in the middle of the platform rail. The choir now sat at each side of this platform. A pulpit erected in front of the platform in 1903 was moved to the side of the church in 1912.

1912 saw it move towards another building project, the replacement of the old mission hall by a new Sunday School structure. This new building which with equipment costing £2, 320 was opened in 1915. It’s presently undergoing renovation work.

External Links

http://www.wrbchitchin.org.uk/