Our Story
Over 300 years ago, 2 leaders from the Baptist Church at Hexham in the north east of England moved to the Coniston and Torver area where they were involved in mining.
Chapel Family and Friends at Spring Harvest
Chapel 300th Birthday Celebrations in Hawkshead
They called together a fellowship of Christians who wanted to worship in a freer way than was possible at that time in the established church.
In 1678, in Torver, they made a covenant together. Then in 1709 they started meeting at the present location, which at that time was simply a cottage registered as a meeting place.
The Chapel has some interesting historical associations. Wordsworth refers to the Chapel, baptistry and graveyard in his unpublished journals of 1807 -1809.
The Chapel also has significant historical interest as it is one of the earliest Baptist meeting places.
In 1876 the building was renovated, and the present windows date from that time.
The Chapel community has died out several times over the centuries, but each time Baptist Home Mission has stepped in by sending someone to revive the work. By the mid 20th century there were only occasional services in the Chapel, so Home Mission sent Geoff King to the Chapel, and regular worship recommenced in 1977.
In 1992, Andrew and Kath Dodd arrived to continue the ministry. Since 2005 we have been receiving Home Mission support, for which we are very grateful.
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