Loughton Baptist Church is situated within the beautiful area of Loughton village which retains its picturesque village green, with manor house, cottages and a meandering brook, winding its way from the Tear–Drop Lakes down to Loughton Lodge Lake and on through the Loughton Valley Park. It is difficult to imagine one is near the centre of the vast new town of Milton Keynes.
There has been a community here since Saxon times, (5th-6th century) though artefacts have been found that suggest there was a Roman settlement before this. The name Loughton derives from the old English “Luhingtun” and means “Luha’s Farm”.
Originally there were two communities, separated by the stream. Great Loughton had its own parish church, All Saints; an attractive church built on the hill in the fifteenth century. Between the brook and the Roman road lay Little Loughton. Both communities had their own manor houses, cottages and farms with their own parish churches. The one in Little Loughton was demolished before the amalgamation of the two villages in 1408.
Throughout the years of change the worship and witness of the Christian church has remained constant; first through the life of All Saints Parish Church going back to the thirteenth century (no doubt there was a Christian community before then) and also through Loughton Baptist Church.
The first record we have of a meeting of Baptist Christians in Loughton was in 1816. A few members met in a farmhouse belonging to Mr Jos. Cox. This small group was linked to the Baptist Church at Fenny Stratford, now known as Spurgeon’s Church, Bletchley, a local ecumenical partnership. The baptized members belonged to Fenny Stratford. The Loughton group was to be linked with Fenny as a “Preaching Station” until 1840.
A Particular Baptist church was formed at Fenny Stratford around 1800 and some people from Loughton worshipped there. However, feeling a concern for their immediate locality they began to meet with others in Loughton. Growth must have come from these small beginnings.
A small chapel was built by these folk on the present site for the princely sum of £50.00 and in those days that was a lot of money for local workers.
Trevor Wells, one of our present deacons, remembers his father telling the story that when they decided to build the first chapel they each pledged a certain amount towards the cost of the building. When the time came to collect the money, there was one family who had a halfpenny left after they had given the amount they had pledged; but it was not many hours before someone came and paid a bill which they were not expecting to receive. God was faithful to this family as they willingly sacrificed and committed themselves to the work of Christ’s Kingdom.
The original small chapel was built in 1831, but it soon became too small to cope with the growing congregation, for we read in the Baptist Magazine of August 1832, the following paragraph: - “On Wednesday May 2, the Baptist Chapel at Loughton was re-opened after enlargement.” It deserves to be noticed that it had not been erected 12 months! God’s blessing was poured upon this small group as they faithfully and sacrificially served their Lord. One is reminded of the Master’s words:
”Do not be afraid little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom.”
Luke 12:32.
A great and significant change was beginning to take place within the heart of rural England. These settled communities of villages and towns with their agriculture and local industries were to be radically transformed. Plans evolved to link together the whole area with housing development, rising to a population of more than 200,000. The village of Loughton with its Baptist chapel and schoolroom would be at the heart of this vast conurbation. It was to face the challenge of being a sister church of the larger Stony Stratford church, and now came the transition from village chapel to a strategic Christian community at the centre of a rapidly expanding town. It would not be easy, yet this faithful group of believers would see the guidance of God and respond to the opportunity.
It was felt that the time had come for Loughton to become independent. At this time the Church Secretary, Ron Spark, had a vision that there should be a mission to the village of Loughton. It was agreed to contact Spurgeon’s College about the possibility of students training for the ministry to come and conduct a mission. The College agreed to this and suggested they sent along students to take services prior to the mission.
The first full-time minister, Rev. Alan Pike, was called in 1983. This was a great step of faith for the small church. They were helped financially by the Baptist Union Home Mission Fund. It was in this same year that the Manse was purchased. The property in The Meadway, near to the church, was offered for sale at £42,000 but an offer of £40,000 would be accepted because it was for the church. So the church offered £34,000! After negotiations it was purchased for £34,750 and by December 1986, was paid off in full.
The church has begun to experience a time of renewal and growth, with a large, expanding congregation and membership. The original chapel and schoolroom have been refurbished and paid for, to be used for the many church based community projects that take place: - a thriving Mums and Toddlers, a vibrant Young Peoples’ work, a growing Sunday School, a Lunch Club, a Ladies Group, Home Groups, and plans for future initiatives.
The church is a united, caring community that constantly draws a large number of visitors from many different backgrounds, People are finding faith and purpose for their lives. The church now shares a vision for the future.
From its early inception, when a few Baptist Christians met in a farmhouse in 1816 in the small village of Loughton, with its population of some 300 people; there has been at the heart of its work and witness, a core of dedicated Christian men and women, to whom we pay tribute. These have shown commitment and vision, so that through all the changes, the influence of the church and its work in the community has been sustained. Now it looks to the future, with an unshakeable trust in its Saviour and Lord.
'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart'.
Jeremiah 29:11-13.