"Zion Baptist Church 1837 - 1987, Ter-Jubilee Year Book"

by Sidney A Charge

Introduction by Revd. E. D. Coate

This little publication is to mark the 150 anniversary of Zion Baptist Church, which was founded in 1837. We are remembering with gratitude to God the blessings which His people have received from this centre of work and witness during 150 years. Through six reigns and many changes in the social, economic and religious life of the people who live in our district, the Christian gospel has been proclaimed. In a greatly changed situation, the message which is declared from this church remains untarnished by the ravages of time and able to meet the needs of all people in our modern situation. Neither is the work completed in this generation but we go forward with confidence into the coming year, knowing that no matter how much life may alter in the years that are ahead, God's word abides and His truth remains unchanged and unchanging.

We thank God for the many friends who have served and who continue to serve in this place. We are indebted to our church secretary, Mr. S.A. Charge, whose researches have produced the brief history of the past 150 years, which forms a large part of the content of this booklet, and who also sketched the drawing which appears on the front cover.

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150 Years of Evangelical Christian Witness at Zion

The first one hundred years of Zion was well-recorded by the Rev. W. Vellum Pitts who was the minister of the church 1931-1946 and to whom we are most grateful for providing items of memorabilia to assist in the recording of the ensuing fifty years to bring us to the church's Ter-Jubilee in 1987. At the time of writing, Mr. Pitts has just laid down his duties as a Pastor (July 1986) at the ripe age of ninety years. For the first century of the Church's history I shall use material from his booklet "Zion - One Hundred Years of Baptist Witness 1837-1937". Our founder, the Revd. Henry Battiscombe M.A., was a fellow, of King's College, Cambridge until he seceded from the Church of England in 1837, the University being only open to the Established Church at that time. Following ordination he commenced his ministry at Haslingfield. He then became Curate of St. Giles and St. Peters in Cambridge where he was known as a keen evangelical preacher, with much practical vision evidenced in his work among the homes of the parishioners in visitation, tract distribution and the formation for Plaiting Schools for young girls. He even imported large quantities of straw plait form Tuscany and Leghorn to help forward this new venture of local industry. His ministry was very successful with a large Sunday School and the church was filled at all of it's Services, but Henry Battiscombe became increasingly unhappy about the Baptism of infants and this eventually led to his determination to resign his curacy and become a dissenter. He joined St. Andrew's Street Baptist Church in May 1837, and commenced his work in the area known as Barnwell where there was already a dissenting chapel established in 1825 and known as Eden Chapel. It's second minister the Revd. William Allen resigned in 1832 and formed a separate church called Providence Chapel in 1833. This was situated in East Road and was mortgaged to a Samuel Cook who died in 1834 causing difficulty to the church who needed to find £400. Tye Chapel had to be sold to discharge the mortgage, and Henry Battiscombe, who had become the minister of Providence Chapel in 1837, took up the challenge to shepherd the flock who was soon to become homeless. The building was sold for £577 leaving a balance of £177 in hand, with which to build a new chapel. He had much support from such influential Baptists as Ebenezer Foster (head of Fosters Bank, now Lloyds Bank in Sidney Street/Hobson Street), he at once secured a site on a corner of East Road and Petersfield and there the building of a new church was commenced. The first brick was laid by R. Foster Esq. Junior on the 16th October 1837, and the founder preached from 1 Peter 2:6 "behold I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious; and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded".

The church has been founded and the Chapel (now the school premises) was opened for worship on 6th June 1838 and was called 'Zion'. As well as being an evangelist Henry Battiscombe was an educationalist. He started a non-conformist school in a room below the church, and its Schoolmaster, Francis Gray, was also Superintendent of the Sunday School. All these activities were highly successful and new premises were soon needed for the day school. These were found in Fitzroy Street (only recently demolished on the building of the Grafton Centre). Crowded congregations at the Chapel soon necessitated the addition of galleries. A strong church had been quickly formed under Henry Battiscombe's zeal; it was a Baptist Church and therefore autonomous, all it's main decisions being subject to the approval of the church members. Its founder was trained for the established church where the vicar was at that time a complete autocrat and it is hardly surprising that as the church gathered strength he felt that he did not have the freedom he needed for his ministry and in 1844 he left to join the established church. There was much appreciation of the magnificent courage, vision and enthusiasm of the founder, of his evangelical zeal, and his faithful devotion to his Lord. It left its mark on Zion, which still retains that evangelical note. He was a great founder of whom we are all proud. Henry Battiscombe continued his ministry within the Church of England until his death at Charlton on 13th January 1871 at the age of seventy years.

After Mr. Battiscombe's resignation the Revd. Thomas Burdett was called and he served from 1845 -1848, during which time he gave the work a firm constitutional basis as a church of "Evangelical Protestant Dissenters of the Particular Baptist Denomination holding the principals of Open Communion". He brought the church into fellowship with the larger body of particular Baptists, but his ministry saw a decline in membership, which dropped from 200 to 74. The church was unsettled but Mr. Burdett had laid a sound foundation before resigning in 1848 on his removal to Saffron Walden.

The Revd. Charles Thomas Keen was called to the ministry in 1848, and under him the membership began to grow. He formed rules for church membership, started the first Church Minute Book and formed a Committee of Management consisting of seven men. Constitutional development began to take place. There was a restive and critical element in the church, and when Mr. Keen undertook some repairs to the building the church was unwilling to shoulder the debt incurred and wished to make the Pastor responsible. He resigned in 1852, and went to Regent's Street, Lambeth. Three years later the church invited him to return to Zion but he refused. When he retired, he returned to Cambridge, where he later died: his grave and memorial is in the Mill Road Cemetery. During Mr. Keen's Ministry, Francis Gray died (1849) after twelve years as Superintendent and Schoolmaster of the British School. A tablet in the Zion School premises (now covered in the kitchen section) bears testimony to the esteem in which he was held.

The Revd. Joseph Burton from Gamlingay, an ex-missionary, became minister in 1852 but stayed for only two years. An interregnum of eighteen months followed, after which came the Revd. Francis Johnson of Edinburgh, who after a short ministry (another eighteen months) returned to Scotland in 1857. Although it had been an unsettled five years it had developed a sense of responsibility in the church members, who had undertaken to guarantee the minister's stipend of £170 per annum by penny a week subscriptions and other means. An interesting fact during the eighteen months interregnum was that Charles Hadden Spurgeon, then only 18 years of age, took the weekly evening lectures and thanks for his services were in the Minute Book. In 1853 Mr. G E Foster bought No. 1 Petersfield for the use of the minister. It was built as a private residence in 1842, and held at a 'peppercorn rent' from 1853 to 1923 when it was given outright to the church under the will of the late Charles Finch Foster.

Then followed the ministry of the Rev. John Keed who was called to Zion in 1857 from Chatteris. He was a man to nurture the growing community. At the church's 21st anniversary an appeal was made which cleared its outstanding debt. Mr. Keed was a kind and sincere man with a particular concern for children and young people. During his ministry the membership doubled, the church rapidly reached a place in the life of the local community and the Denomination. He was a keen administrator, and carefully preserved the minutes of the church, which have been so useful in the recording of its history. He also maintained an interest in the building and organised renovations including the installation of the pews and the proper ventilation of the Chapel. His nine years ministry was a progressive one and a forerunner of the greater enterprise to follow. He moved to Acton in 1866.

A short interregnum of three months was followed by the call to the Revd. John P Campbell who on accepting the call took up what must have been his life's work: he had a large family and a social disposition which stood him in good stead for his work in a church which had developed into a strong and trustworthy body of people. The Sunday School developed under his ministry and in five years numbers increased from 290 to 500 and Bible classes were held in various parts of the town. A separate service for children grew from 60 to 280 and accommodation soon became a problem which was tackled by Mr. Campbell, backed-up by his people. In 1876 the building committee recommended the building of a new chapel and conversion of the existing chapel into schools. Estimates for the work were not to be sought until half the probable amount required was promised; after which things moved quickly. Three houses next to the church were purchased and formed the site for the present church. An appeal was made and there was a quick response, with four gifts of £500 each and others from all over the county and country. The foundation stone was laid by JJ Colman on 2nd October 1877 and the building opened on 1st January 1879. The old chapel was converted into schools and opened in 1881 when a thanksgiving service was held at which one of the speakers was the former pastor, the Revd. Charles T Keen. Mr. Campbell worked ceaselessly for this enterprise, he gave himself so lavishly in his love for the Lord and his church that after seventeen years of ministry he was spent in health and exhausted in spirit which necessitated his retirement in 1883. The tablet erected in the church reflects to this day the esteem in which he was and still is held.

The building of the church had been a gigantic task, but it had also established a stronger spiritual church which needed good and wise leadership so that the considerable enthusiasm could be directed into useful service. During the interregnum the church rules were revised and it was also decided to limit the period of service on the Diaconate to nine years with an election every three years. The appointment of a Church Secretary and a Church Treasurer was to be their responsibility and the minister and deacons became a stronger governing body.

After an interregnum of over one year, the Revd. H Frank Griffin was called to the pastorate on 6th December 1884. During his ministry the Sunday School increased phenomenally, numbers reaching 680 in the year 1891/92 when Zion Sunday School was considered the premier Sunday School in the town. The membership also exceeded all known records. The Jubilee was celebrated in 1887 and a new pipe organ was installed in the church but only after all the money for the project (£515) had been secured. It was installed by Mr. J Parritt of Leicester. Under Mr. Griffin's wise leadership two new ventures were made. In 1889 a new mission called the Newmarket Road Mission was opened, and in 1891 a Christian Endeavour was commenced, to be followed four years later by a Junior Christian Endeavour. These two developments did much to train a vigorous church for useful service. Mr. Griffin was a consistent, devoted and good organiser who laid a sound foundation for the future Zion. He brought his ministry at Zion to a close after 12 years of ceaseless devotion in 1896.

After a brief interregnum a call was made to the Revd. W Bampton Taylor of Chesham who accepted the call and commenced his ministry in October 1897, a ministry which was to be long remembered. How often one used to hear 'ah, but in Bampton Taylor's time' by people who had been fortunate enough to share his ministry. It was indeed an outstanding ministry. He preached an evangelical gospel, and presented it simply so that people were enabled to retain the message. He was able to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor Revd. H Frank Griffin. Under his ministry young people were encouraged to go out and preach in the villages and the empty seats began to fill, especially at the monthly guest services. It was not unusual, apparently, to find that no further seats were available and people had to sit on the pulpit steps. Mr. Bampton Taylor was gifted both as a preacher and pastor and not unnaturally the membership grew and reached 500; the Newmarket Road Mission also flourished. There were lots of young people who were developing gifts of leadership, but who were not able to take up posts in the church due to the fact that deacons were elected for the long period of nine years. This caused a certain amount of frustration for the younger generation, but Mr. Taylor's ministry continued in strength. His services were much in demand and in 1907 after ten years of ministry he received a call to another church, but had become so endeared to Zion that he declined the invitation. He carried on for another three years and after which he received a call to the church at Worthing, which he accepted and thus finished his most rewarding and fruitful ministry in 1910.

During the interregnum of approximately one year there were signs of division and when the Revd. R. Foster Geoffrey was called in 1911 he had the difficult task of drawing together a divided church. The divergent outlook between the Officers and their critics was noticeable, especially in the Sunday School which contained many potential leaders. The rift widened and finally part of the large church seceded and formed a church in Eden Street called "The Prospect". (The building still exists and is at present occupied by Constables Glassworks). The decision was a grievous blow to the church; the team of Deacons began to break up and the church experienced difficult times. Mr. Geoffrey concluded his ministry in 1915.

There followed an interregnum of 18 months enabling the church to gauge her strength and plan for the future during a time of War, when many of its young men were serving their country. A call was issued to the Revd. Edward Milnes from Victoria Park, East London, an invitation which was accepted in 1916. He faced a difficult task but such was his personality and strength, his ability to make friends and his personal faith, that he was not daunted by the task. After four years of his ministry the group at "The Prospect" were feeling that after seven years absence the old church of Zion was pulling and a reconciliation was accomplished. On 4th July 1920, thirty members were given the right hand of Fellowship at the Lord's Table.

The war was over by this time but many of the young men did not return to the churches. The church began to recover however, under Mr. Milnes' ministry and baptisms were constant and numerous. Much money was raised for renovation work and the church showed much promise. In 1925, after nearly ten years ministry Edward Milnes removed to the church at Rochester.

In 1926 the Revd. James McCleery was called to the Pastorate at Zion. He was within three years of his retirement when he accepted the call. His gracious personality endeared him to the people. Some people still recall his personal charm and it was not surprising that both he and his wife had captured the hearts of all during his four years of ministry. He retired in 1929 after forty years service as a minister. In his four years he had healed many wounds in the church. It was a great joy when, during the two years interregnum which followed, he returned to Baptize the writer together with five other young people, one of whom was to become President of the Baptist Union.

In 1931 a call was issued to the Revd. W. Vellam Pitts from Retford who entered into the task before him with enthusiasm and vision. He organised the young peoples' work encouraging them to serve the village churches, he formed a Young Peoples' Fellowship and was an energetic worker with vision which he implemented to good effect. But despite good congregations, finances were causing some concern and an emergency fund was launched in 1933 seeking to raise £150 in a period of six months. The caretaker kindly agreed to a reduction of one shilling per week in his salary and the Pastor agreed to a five percent reduction in his stipend. Various money-raising efforts were held such as Christmas Markets, but still the finances were lacking. A new boiler was required for the Sunday School premises at a cost of £50; this caused considerable concern. The Centenary of Zion (1937) was approaching, and, despite this financial difficulties it was agreed to have a Centenary Fund and aim to raise £1,000, but there were further difficulties particularly financial ones. The Annual Meeting Statement showed a deficit and the Pastor suggested a reduction in his salary of £25 per annum, but despite these setbacks the Centenary was celebrated in 1937. New leaded-light memorial windows were fitted in the ground floor of the church by special subscription. A grand pageant of 'Zion's first one hundred years', written by Mr. G W Hayden and performed by members, was held in Barton Road. The members, especially the young people, were very enthusiastic but low finances and debts dogged the work and the elderly Diaconate was not particularly supportive of the ministry. Events lead to the resignation of the Treasurer and finally to the retirement of the Church Secretary and elderly Deacons and in April 1939 an almost new Diaconate was elected of younger men with a vision which showed much promise. Sadly hostilities were declared in September 1939, many of the young men including those on the Diaconate were called to the services. The Sunday School premises were taken over by the First Battalion of the Cambridgeshire Regiment for cooking and feeding purposes and the church basement was converted into an Air Raid Shelter. This occupation of part of the premises opened up new possibilities quickly taken up by the Pastor who started a 'Soldiers Fellowship', and a special Services Canteen was run by the church, using the upper floor of the Sunday School premises. These services were much appreciated by military personnel as witnessed by their many donations made to church funds after the soldiers had moved.

Later in the year 1952 saw another setback. The Cambridge Development Plan suggested that the church, school and manse be demolished to make way for the Technical College extensions. It was decided to be represented at the enquiry, which was held on 17th October 1952, and at which it was decided that Zion Chapel and Manse be removed from "Development Plans" and be classified as an "Ecclesiastical Zone".

In 1953 it was decided to start a "Coronation Fund" for the redecoration and repairs to the Sunday School premises. This was indicative of the condition of the building, and we read that the next year 1954 the Building Committee presented a five year plan for building repairs with special concern for the roof of the chapel and school. The Pastor had accepted an appointment as Director of Baptist Advance for the County. He and his team were well received by the village churches, and the fellowship deepened in the church. The contact with the students continued and a guest roll was formed for those who did not wish to transfer from their home churches.

In April 1955 the Pastor intimated his intention to terminate his Ministry at Zion at the end of August 1955, having received a call to the Church at Wisbech, and a Farewell Service was held on 7th September 1955. The Deacons were once again faced with an interregnum, but it was in the October that Dr. Beasley-Murray recommended one of his students, Mr. Raymond Brown as a prospective Minister, and having heard him preach twice the Church and Deacons issued a unanimous invitation to him to be the Minister on the completion of his studies. This was accepted by Mr. Brown and his ministry commenced in September 1956. He was a bachelor and settled in a flat at 1 Petersfield. His six year ministry was very eventful and the church awoke to new life, with monthly Guest Services, for which cards were distributed to the whole neighbourhood, with increasing congregation and lots of students. The new Pastor also undertook studies at the University "meeting the Baptist Unions requirement during his probationary period". His scholarship was greatly appreciated, and a children's Easter Mission was commenced at which between 150-250 attended each day. A visitation mission to the whole area surrounding the church was held during 1959/60, a most successful and rewarding venture both to the workers and to the visited. An Annual Church Luncheon was also instituted to give the Church members an opportunity at the end of the academic year to farewell students and nurses. C.I.C.C.U. speakers from the free churches were also invited to preach at morning worship. The church was uplifted both at Sunday Worship and at meetings during the week with series of sermons and special Bible Study being enjoyed by many people.

In addition to the rebuilding of the spiritual church there was renovation to the church building undertaken by a keen band of workers inspired by the Pastor's plans. First, the redecoration of the church. Falling plaster was repaired, the walls washed by the members and students and windows etc. repainted by a large team of volunteers. A ladies cloakroom was built in the School premises the cracked and broken opaque windows in the gallery were replaced with the presented leaded windows, which were offered for subscription as either memorial windows or as a gift to the church, costing £4 per window. Then came preparation for the 125th Anniversary of the Church when a "125 scheme" was launched to raise £20 for each year for church restoration. The money was also used at the Pastor's suggestion for the removal of pews at the rear of the church and erection of a screen to form a Vestibule which could be used for weeknight meetings. This scheme which was first mooted and received with mixed feelings one year before being accepted, was completed in time for the 125th Anniversary in 1962, much of the work once again being done by volunteers and by various contractors. This venture has proved to be a great benefit to the church. The Anniversary and Reunion were very successful but tinged with sadness for it also marked the end of Mr. Brown's ministry, who had felt it right to undertake research at the University which demanded full-time study and would not allow him to continue as Pastor of a church whilst attached to the University. His research led to a Ph.D degree in Theology, after which he spent six years as minister of Upton Vale Baptist Church, Torquay before following in the steps of his predecessor Dr. Beasley-Murray, and going to Spurgeon's College, first as Tutor and then as Principal. He left a very live church and buildings in considerably better condition than when he arrived, but little had been done to the Manse. When Mr. Brown left in July 1962 fresh stock was taken of this building and enquiries were instituted concerning repairs or sale of the house and purchase of a more modern one.

During the fifteen months interregnum the church was ably led by the Revd. A.K.Bryan as Moderator. His wise counsel was so much appreciated and the church members developed a great affection for the man who directed them in seeking God's will, encouraged the full maintenance of the work, and led to an invitation to the Pastorate being extended to the Revd. W. G. Channon, then Pastor of Purley Baptist Church (and formerly of the Metropolitan Tabernacle) where he exercised a very successful and rewarding ministry for fifteen years. The invitation was accepted and the ministry commenced in October 1962.

Mr and Mrs Channon felt that the Petersfield Manse was too large for their purposes and this helped the church to decide to sell it and purchase a new Manse. A survey valued the Manse at £2,700, permission for sale was granted by the Trustees and the Charity Commissioners, who insisted on ten days advertisement asking for offers which eventually resulted at the end of the period in an offer of £4,000 being accepted. Meanwhile search had led to a modern detached four-bedroom house at a price of £4,550, which was considered to be very suitable. A special fund was opened to provide £1,000 for the difference in price and to cover the conveyancing etc, a sum which was very soon raised and Mr. and Mrs. Channon were able to move in at the start of a very uplifting four-years ministry.

Mr. Channon proved to be the right man to carry on the Ministry to the people and students of Cambridge, where the Church was taking a lead in non-conformist circles. His was a wonderful preaching ministry attracting many newcomers. The membership numbers necessitated an increase in the Diaconate from nine deacons to twelve to carry out the necessary duties. Services and Bible Study were well attended, the visitation of the area continued, and open-air services were held with special singing at the new Maisonettes. In addition the church took a major part in the arrangements for the Billy Graham television crusade in 1967, the Pastor being the Chairman of the Steering Committee. Plans were also formed to provide a new kitchen on the ground floor of the school premises, which pleased the ladies of the catering committee. The work among the Ladies' Fellowship grew under the guidance of Mrs. Channon who was very experienced in Women's Work, being a past National President of the Baptist Women's League.

In addition to his Pastoral work Mr Channon also undertook additional study at the University obtaining a B.A. degree at the age of 59 years. He was popular among students and young people with whom he was able to mix so easily both in ministering to them and sharing in their recreation. It was not surprising to see the church grow, but after just over four years of ministry he received a call from London Road Baptist Church, Portsmouth which he felt was the will of God for him to accept and it was with much sadness that the church said farewell to the family in February 1968. Our loss was nevertheless the gain of our friends at Portsmouth, but there the pastorate was not due to be for very long, for sadly and quite suddenly he passed to be with his lord after only two years, thus ending a memorable life of ministry both to his churches and to the whole denomination.

Thus followed another interregnum for Zion during which time the witness was well maintained. The senior deacon Mr. G. W. Hayden acted as Moderator and it was not long before a call was issued to the Revd. Paul Harrison, at that time the minister of Poverest Road Baptist Church, Orpington. Mr. Harrison was the son of an Australian Baptist Minister who had trained at Spurgeon's College. He followed in his father's footsteps and was trained at the same College before having pastorates at Southampton and Petts Wood. He accepted the call in August 1968 and commenced his ministry in January 1969. His ministry was in so many ways a rewarding one, marked by evangelistic outreach with the visitation of the area. He had come to a church which at that time was highly regarded for its evangelical witness and he sought to maintain its reputation. The congregation included many visitors from overseas, especially American families who greatly appreciated the preaching ministry.

At this time we saw an upsurge in the Charismatic Movement especially in our Parish Church of St. Mathew to whom a number of students were attracted and also a new evangelical outreach by our neighbours at Eden Baptist Church, so the student attendance was now shared by three churches with the same interests. House Groups were instituted and monthly Guest Services. The choral services at Easter and Christmas were much appreciated and well attended, the musical items being of a high standard. The Evening Worship on Sunday 9th May 1971 was broadcast on the B.B.C.'s Overseas Service for all the world to hear and letters of appreciation were received from many different countries. The buildings still gave cause for concern, aging nails holding slates on the roof were relinquishing their hold, letting in water, causing damage to the fabric and costing considerable sums to repair. These costs were far more than the members seemed able or willing to find but the Lord is ever faithful as it had been proved in all the church's history and He opens doors. The Technical College next door was growing and needed more accommodation, so in 1969 they approached the church with a view to hiring some of the rooms during term time for use of their music department. This resulted in a licence being granted to them for 7 years use as from September 1969 at an annual rent of £825, the college to provide new street lighting and night storage heating for the premises at their own expense. It was agreed by the church that the rental should be used only for building maintenance and any such extraordinary requirements which might arise. This amount was increased in 1971 to £1,000 per annum due to additional use. In this way the financial burden was lifted and the church was enabled to have the School Hall completely redecorated and re-floored in 1974, followed very soon by the complete re-roofing of the School Premises. Much thought was given to building matters. A conference was arranged in 1974 to talk about the possible use of the Church site (the School Premises being a protected building) for College and Church use or whether it was best to rebuild on a new site. As a result of this conference, discussions took place between the Church and the Cambridgeshire County Council with a view to purchase by the Council of part of the church site for College use and some rebuilding of part of the site incorporating the School Building interior for a church and meeting rooms. However, due to setbacks in government grants the City Council were compelled to withdraw from the discussions when they were well advanced and after a feasibility study had been obtained.

In February 1975 the Pastor informed the church that he had received and accepted a call to the Baptist Church at Dandenong, Melbourne, Australia and hoped to start his ministry there in July. The family left at that time after 6½ years of faithful witness and ministry exercised by both the Pastor and his wife Audrey, who led the Women's Work so well. They were sadly missed by both young and old, as witnessed by the large number attending their farewell gathering.

A short interregnum followed which was ably led by the Moderator, Revd. J. H. G. Adam formerly Superintendent of the Eastern Area of the Baptist Union. He was able to give sound guidance and advice, which resulted in a call being extended to the Revd. Howard H Gordon in September 1975. This was accepted and the Induction Service was arranged for January 1976.

Meanwhile, trouble was still being experienced with the fabric of the church, necessitating large expenditure in replacing the church solid fuel boiler with a new gas fired boiler, and there was also the cost of installing central heating at the Manse, but as ever the Lord was faithful in making provision for these very essential works.

The witness had continued well during the interregnum. The Induction of the new Minister had a memorable prelude. Storms and gales on the previous night had removed part of the church roof and the Fire Service were fixing tarpaulins as people arrived for the Service at which Zion 's former Pastor Dr. Raymond Brown was the Preacher. Howard Gordon had been trained at Spurgeon's College after obtaining a Classics degree at Cambridge University. He commenced his ministry as assistant at Queen Road, Coventry with special responsibility for the church at Lawrence Saunders Road, Coventry, followed by a three-year ministry at Yardley Baptist Church, Birmingham where he was serving when he received the call to Zion. His ministry at Zion was to last 4½ years in which time we saw the interior completely redecorated and carpeted with new lighting installed, a new agreement with the Technical College for a further seven years at an increased rental making these works possible. A highlight of 1977 was to see a church member, Mrs. Nell Alexander, elected as Vice-President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the very first lady to hold the position of President in 1978.

Mr. Gordon introduced many new ideas, Bi-monthly Family Services were popular and very successful, and United Services were held with other churches locally. House Group were instituted with groups for evangelism. A visitation campaign was arranged and carried out in 1978, that year also was a change of church secretary and also of church treasurer, but these vacancies were quickly filled.

Mr. Gordon's ministry at Zion came to an end on 30th June 1980; also at the same time saw the resignation of the comparatively new church secretary and church organist. There followed a period of uncertainty during which time some members questioned whether the church should seek to call another Pastor, and whether the church building was in a fit state to carry one, but resulting from a survey carried out by specialist London Surveyors, the building was given a clean bill of health structurally with attention needed on to the roof. A Church Conference was held in the autumn of 1980 to discuss the future of the church. The Chairman was the Revd. W. G. Quicke who had agreed to act as Moderator for the interregnum and the conference concluded there was a future for Zion. It was this decided to seek to fill the Pastorate, but the future seemed very uncertain as the interregnum continued and the Moderator moved away from Cambridge. The Church again was most fortunate and in the will of God was able to invite the Revd. Graham T Corderoy to act as Moderator. His wise counsel and willing services encouraged the Officers and members and a number of names were considered for the pastorate.

Meanwhile the roof, which was costing considerable sums of money to repair, was causing further concern and it was found that it would cost approximately £14,000 to re-roof and insulate. Once again it was questioned by some members whether it was worth having this work completed or whether to close the church and unite with other churches in the locality. In March 1983 a "Crisis Meeting" of church members and congregation was held to decide the future of Zion as a church, and once again it was decided there was a definite future, the majority of church members remaining firm in their conviction that it was the Lord's will that they should carry on. The decision resulted in the request by some members that they be transferred to other churches of their choice. This caused a considerable decline in the membership, but it was decided to carry on with the re-roofing, and this was completed without incurring any debt. The church having cleared these obstacles, the remaining members went forward with fresh zeal which very soon resulted in the call being issued to the Revd. E. D. Coate, then minister at Andover Baptist Church. The call was accepted and the ministry was commenced in February 1984.

Mr. Coate was a mature minister with much experience and ready to undertake the difficult task of re-building the church spiritually. Very soon the church began to feel more secure after its longest ever period of interregnum (4½ years). Attendance slowly but surely increased, and the baptistery was also opened. There were increasing signs of new life especially among the children, and a Pensioners' Fellowship was formed, and all this gave hope as the church approached the Ter Jubilee in the year 1987.

Thus we can see many changes during the past fifty years with the 'ups and downs', but assuredly the Lord has always been ready to lift the church and make provision for the continuance of its work. One of the biggest changes is probably that of the area surrounding the church. Where it was once surrounded by streets of terraced cottages from which came the children for the large Sunday School and also members of the congregation, these have now been completely demolished to make was for the large Technical College [now the Anglia Polytechnic University -ed] which adjoins the church building. Fortunately the advent of the motor car makes it easier for the congregation to attend from a wider field and the church is able to minister to this field. It is felt among many that new horizons are opening with the large numbers of students at the College, who are away from home and need spiritual help. This is surely a great potential for the Lord's work if the church is able and willing to accept the challenge in the ensuing 50 years.

We give heartfelt thanks for the evidence of our Lord's favour in the past and pray that we may ever prove worthy of continuing blessings in the future.

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