History
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Our story is part of a bigger story. We are first and foremost Christians who trace our roots to the preaching of the apostles on the Day of Pentecost.
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As Baptists our particular convictions on the practice of believers baptism and church government can be traced locally back to the early seventeenth centuries, those early Baptists who first met together in private homes were building on some of the thought and influences from around the time of the Reformation.
1967
The story of Trinity Baptist Church itself begins with its first Pastor Bernard Honeysett who had been pastor of another church in the town for six and half years, but whose own convictions had shifted.
Bernard had been particularly influenced by the Ministers’ Fellowship held at Westminster Chapel, London and started by Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones and also the writings of the ninenteenth century Baptist minister, Charles Spurgeon. Under the influence of these and others Bernard embraced a more expansive view of the design and purpose of Christian ministry than had been the norm within his denominational background.
Together with Bernard, a number left their historic denomination in 1967 and began meeting in the Scout Hut.
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They held a service for the formation of the new church on the 1st September 1967 at one of the oldest Baptist churches in the local area - Tilden Baptist Church, Smarden.
1969
After prayer and much perseverance the church were able to rent the old Free Church of England on Ashford Road which had been built in 1928 before being used as a school canteen. After much renovation, the church held opening services on the 9th August 1969.
Over 300 hundred attended and there was a marquee on the Homewood School recreation ground which at that time was next to the church.
1970
1970 was a time of prayer and unity and growth in the church. Alterations and expansion to the building continued over the intervening years. A baptistery for the practice of believer’s baptism was added in 1973 and the first person to be baptised in the pool was still a faithful member of the church fifty years later in 2023!
1984
In 1984, Bernard retired and a new minister was appointed; Peter Sanderson from Sheffield. This was a long and fruitful time with various initiatives especially amongst the younger people bearing fruit. Norman Hopkins, who later went into full time ministry and John McDonald who served as Grace Baptist Mission director for __ years both served as elders throughout this time. Peter became seriously ill in ___ and subsequently died at a relatively young age. Montaz Ali and Peter Mawson subsequently served consecutive pastorates continuing the church’s strong emphasis on evangelical preaching.
1984
In 1984, Bernard retired and a new minister was appointed; Peter Sanderson from Sheffield. This was a long and fruitful time with various initiatives especially amongst the younger people bearing fruit. Norman Hopkins, who later went into full time ministry and John McDonald who served as Grace Baptist Mission director for __ years both served as elders throughout this time. Peter became seriously ill in ___ and subsequently died at a relatively young age. Montaz Ali and Peter Mawson subsequently served consecutive pastorates continuing the church’s strong emphasis on evangelical preaching.