Chapters include:
In 1901, a small group of Christian
workers, under the leadership of Mr Oatley, conducted evangelical services
on the beach at Clacton-on-Sea. The town was growing rapidly, and several
Free Churches had already formed, including Trinity Methodist Church, and
Christchurch Congregational Chapel.
That autumn, about thirty of these
workers met for prayer and fellowship at the home of Mr Horace Smith in
Pier Avenue. Towards the end of the meeting, someone asked whether they
would be interested in further such gatherings. A lady, (name unknown),
then suggested that perhaps a Baptist Mission might be started in the
town, as several of the group were Baptist by upbringing.
From such small beginnings, history
grows, and the seed of what became Pier Avenue Baptist Church was sown.
The meeting passed a resolution to form a committee to look into the
possibility of starting a new ‘Baptist’ fellowship.
Further meetings were held that
autumn. By the end of 1901, it has been agreed to form a ‘mission’ in the
town. In January 1902, it was decided to establish a ‘Church’, and on 24th
January 1902, four of the Church’s founder members were baptised in
Christchurch’s baptistery (kindly lent for the occasion) by Rev. JE Martin
of Erith. Later that same day, Mr Martin officiated at the formation of
the Church, when seventeen founder members committed themselves to the new
cause.
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Soon, a plot of land in Pier Avenue
was purchased. It was agreed to build a chapel as soon as possible so
that regular worship could commence. This would be a small brick
building, which (it was envisaged) would be replaced by a larger one in
due course.
On 20th March 1902, a
stone-laying ceremony was held at the site, followed by a Public Meeting
at the town hall in the evening. The first chapel, seating 100, was
completed by June. The opening services were held on 4th June
and were conducted by Rev Thomas Spurgeon (son of the famous Baptist
preacher CH Spurgeon of the Metropolitan Tabernacle). This original
building is still in use as our ‘Fellowship Hall’ today.
For several months in the summer of
1902, the Church was served by Percy Clements, a young student minister
from Spurgeon’s College in London. Mr Clements was to become the Church’s
first minister, and was formally inducted to the pastorate on 5th
April 1903.
The Church’s minutes record that the
cost of the building scheme, including the purchase of the site was
£1,830. This represents approximately £100,000 in today’s money – a
tremendous step of faith for such a small fellowship!
Within months, however, the Church
began to grow numerically, and the debt was soon reduced. Baptisms were
held regularly, and the membership grew under the enthusiastic ministry of
Percy Clements. During the summer months, when visitors flocked to the
town, the Chapel was too small for Sunday services, and Evening worship
was held at the Winter Gardens Hall in Wash Lane.
- Telephone the Church Office: 01255 474391 or
email us
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