Herne Hill Baptist Church

History of HHBC:

The Story of Herne Hill Baptist

It is always interesting to trace origins and thus to assess the value of the foundations laid.

In early 1897 services commenced in a railway arch near Loughborough Juction Station which was the nearest available accommodation. Here a congregation was gathered, souls were saved and the nucleus of a Church formed. At the same time very determined efforts were made to secure a site at Herne Hill.

In the spring of 1898 a circular with a sketch of the proposed Herne Hill Tabernacle was issued, stating that the Hall was to be built at once - followed in due course by the main building.

On October 18th 1898, the Foundation Stones of the Hall were laid and a further £325 contributed. On Sunday evening January 1st 1899, at the railway arch Loughborough Junction, the Rev A.G. Short and thirty friends formed themselves into a Baptist Church.
On May 2nd 1899 the Church Hall was opened and at the same time Memorial Stones were inset above the Foundation Stones.

In 1902 preparations were made for building the Church and Building Committee was elected.

In 1904 the building of the Church commenced and a provisional date in May was fixed for the stone laying. On the advice of the architect, the concrete foundation was put in under a separate contract.

On June 9th, 1904, the foundation stones of the church were laid.

During the 1970s a floor was placed through the centre of the building making the building versatile and practical. Now, the church has its main meetings on the first floor in an open, bright and modern setting with smaller meeting rooms and kitchens down stairs. Looking at the building from outside most could not imagine the inside!!