About Us

Who are we?

We are Central Baptist Church in the centre of Chelmsford.  Click here for information on how to find us and where to park.

How did we start?

In 1905 a group of 27 people met and founded the church. In 1908 they built a building to seat 600 people.

What one change has had most impact upon our church?

At the end of the last century the church decided to radically remodel its premises with a view to creating a mission facility fit for the 21st century. The experience of having to raise £2 million for this project changed the church and was in fact the catalyst for spiritual renewal. What had previously been a somewhat dysfunctional and inward-looking church, become a united, outward-looking fellowship. As a result we have become a growing church again.

What one change will have a the most impact on our church in the future?
As a result of the proposed redevelopment of the site immediately around our church, we shall become a neighbourhood church, and not just a town-centre church. The current plans project that there will be some 1000 flats between the church and the main railway line – this means that we will have a new community of around 3000 people to serve!

How many people belong to our church today?

We have an official church membership of around 360 people – but the wider church family is much larger and – including children – probably numbers around 1000.

In addition to our many church-sponsored activities, we also let out our premises to such bodies as Essex County Council and Anglia Ruskin University. As a result we to host a wide variety of conferences and meetings, and in any given week we are likely to have 1000 people from the community in our building. Apart from anything else, this raises the profile of the church both in the town as also in the county of Essex.

 

 

Registered Charity number: 1128728