For more information visit the Nether Heyford Baptist Chapel page.
Category: Baptist Church
Baptist Church Coffee Morning – Saturday 14th March 2020
Nether Heyford Baptist Church – Services – February 2020
The Story of Heyford (Extra): The Baptist Chapel
Nether Heyford Baptist Chapel overlooks the village green, next door to the village hall. It also has an adjoining schoolroom which is used for coffee mornings, community cafes and other many other community events.
In 1799, a small group of Heyford people first met together regularly for worship in a building belonging to Mr Richard Adams and before that time they attended Castle Hill Chapel in Northampton. Later it seems in 1805, when a Baptist Chapel opened at Bugbrooke the Heyford folks walked or rode on horseback to attend services there.
In 1826 however in an era of industrial development in the village between the opening of the canal (1790’s) and the construction of the railway (1830’s) Baptists were able to establish a presence in Heyford and opened the Chapel here although the link with Bugbrooke remained and the Minister there had charge of both Chapels.
By 1839 there were 76 adults in membership. There were also 24 children and therefore a Sunday school was started. The growth continued and when the Jubilee was celebrated in 1876 over 120 children assembled for a hot dinner in Bliss School. Games were organised for the children in Mr Adam’s Orchard at the rear of the School and later an open air service was held on the Green.
In 1922 Mr Oliver Adams was instrumental in the building of the Schoolroom. The Cost was £838 whereas the Chapel in 1826 had cost £178.
Partly with the benefit of a legacy from Mr A T Cosford in 1962 the Heyford Chapel was able to consider a measure of rebuilding and, in calling a part time Minister, became independent.
This was the beginning of the ministry of the Rev Harry Whittaker, better known for his work as the Founder Director of the Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs. Between then and 2003 there have only been three other ministers; Revd. Frank Lawes, Revd. Michael Jones and Revd. Roy Cave.
In 1963 the Methodist Chapel having opened in 1838, was suffering from dwindling numbers and had to close with its remaining few members transferring to the Baptist Chapel. The two stained glass windows which are at the front of our building were also moved from the Methodist Chapel along with a number of the pews and some panelling which was used to create a vestibule.
Serious Dry rot problems were found in 1984 in the Chapel which it seems were simultaneously affecting the Parish Church. This led to a number of united events in money raising activities.
“In the absence of a Minister we are fortunate to have the services of a number of visiting preachers but in particular we are indebted to Mr Martin Buckby for his Ministerial and Pastoral help and his spiritual guidance which has been an inspiration to us all.
We remember with gratitude those who had the faith and vision to build this Chapel and those hundreds of faithful men and women who have kept our doors open for all these years.”
Harvest Festival (Sometime before 1963)
Harvest Festival 2019
Remembrance Day 2018
Vi Wilson
Stained Glass Windows
To read more about Thomas Faulkner and The Methodist Chapel visit the stories below:
For all stories with the Faulkner surname visit:
Jez Wilson
Nether Heyford Baptist Church – Services – January 2020
Cafe on The Green – December 2019
Nether Heyford Baptist Church – Services – December 2019
Community Coffee Morning – Thursday 28th November 2019
Macmillan Coffee Morning – Grand Total
The Café on the Green
Our Macmillan ‘Coffee Morning’ on 27th September raised a fantastic £510
A huge thank you to all those who supported this in any way.
Nether Heyford Baptist Church – November 2019
Hello to all
I enjoy cooking but I am quite boring in my choice of meals and I am most certainly very limited in my options and cooking ability. I also have a go at making marmalade – but some would say that I take the easy way (and I do!) because I make my marmalade from the prepared Seville oranges using a simple to follow recipe on the tin – literally just add water and sugar and when ready just tip into prepared jars.
Why complicate it when complication is not needed – the end product is what really counts. And if I follow the recipe, does as it says and it turns out just fine – just lovely on buttered toast.
My wife Sue enjoys the “specially selected” fruit yogurts from a well-known discount store and the empty jars are used for my marmalade – they are ideal in size and I enjoy giving these jars to friends as I visit them – and I have some for myself – Sue does not eat marmalade! (YES!)
This morning I am going to make marmalade and as I do I will reflect on what I have written above and sending for inclusion in The Prattler.
1. Many of us are limited in what we can do but often we can do something – we can have a go.
2. Like the recipe for my marmalade we have a reliable and trusted recipe for life and the teachings of Jesus are good to us and good for us. His teaching and the journey of faith bring enrichment to life
3. We don’t need to over complicate things.
4. Our empty lives can be filled with the good that faith in God can and will bring – we don’t have to be big, powerful and significant for God to use. Someone rightly said, “God uses our availability as well as our ability”
5. What is on the tin is what I get from the tin and is the end product of my cooking and that is so important – our lives can reflect what is most important in our living, loving and giving.
6. It is good to give something of what we have away – to touch and enrich the lives of others – there is great blessing in giving away as well as getting
The chapel welcomes all – please come along when you can and details of services are provided elsewhere in The Prattler – you will feel welcomed
Thank you
Martin Buckby
on behalf of the fellowship at The Baptist Chapel on the Green
For more information visit the Nether Heyford Baptist Chapel page.
The Nether Heyford Prattler 