Boscombe baptists look to mark milestone (From Bournemouth Echo)

Boscombe baptists look to mark milestone

12:22pm Saturday 13th March 2010 in

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OVER the last 135 years Boscombe Baptist has seen 19 pastors, two World Wars, one World Cup victory for England, the demolition of whole streets of houses to make way for the Sovereign Centre and the arrival of a surfing reef to wow the tourists!

Many things have changed in Boscombe, but the faith of those worshipping in the church remains consistent as they fulfil the Bible verse from Hebrews: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.”

The current pastor, the Rev George Haines, told me that the church was the very first Baptist church in Bournemouth. “A group of Baptists from as far away as St Albans, Weymouth and Harrow had a vision to ‘plant’ two Baptist churches in Bournemouth, the first at Boscombe and the second at Lansdowne,” he told me.

“The cost of the land and building was a staggering £1,200, no small sum in 1875!”

The full history of Boscombe Baptist has been recorded in a book called For Such A Time As This, written by local author Denis Wheadon and available at the church.

A weekend of celebration is planned for the 135th anniversary on March 20 and 21, when the guest preacher will be the Rev Dr Derek Tidball, previously principal of London Bible College.

• Further details can be found at the website, see related links below