Sunday 5th February
After 180 years, outreach is still the key
Thursday, 11 December 2008 00:00

THE LAST weekend in November was a special one for Hereford Baptist Church, as it celebrated its 180th anniversary.


Although Baptist history in Hereford goes back more than 300 years, the first definite records of a Baptist church in the town begin in 1828. The present church building was opened on Good Friday, April 13, 1838, at the top of Commercial Road.

Since the church opened it has seen many changes, both in its structure and programme, spokesman Juergen Koenigsbeck told The Baptist Times. ‘A succession of ministers and members have constantly adapted to the demands and needs of their times and built a church that has steadily grown in number during the years,’ he said. ‘Outreach into the community is a very strong factor and the church has a very wide range of weekly activities, catering for all age groups – from the very young to the very old.’ These include Night Shift, when the front of the church is opened to people coming out of the surrounding pubs and clubs on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Work among young people and children has built up and strengthened over the years, offering many activities, Mr Koenigsbeck said. He added while it is with ‘great excitement’ that a new church has been planted at The Rose Garden, an apartment complex for people over 55 (The Baptist Times, November 13).

A short service is held there every Sunday afternoon, led by members of the church. The anniversary celebrations included a number of special events, services and a celebration meal.

The church also cut up a birthday cake into 180 pieces, which were delivered by members. They took them ‘to the shops and homes in the immediate area of Hereford Baptist as a sign of the church’s interest in the community’ Mr Koenigsbeck explained.

By PAUL HOBSON

(Article courtesy of THE BAPTIST TIMES. Click here for so much more!)