Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel, Luton
| Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | 45 Chapel St, Chapel Langley, Luton, LU1 5DA |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Strict Baptist |
| Churchmanship | Gospel Standard |
| History | |
| Status | Chapel |
| Founder(s) | James Newman |
| Clergy | |
| Pastor(s) | Vacant |
Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel is a Gospel Standard Strict Baptist Chapel in the town of Luton, Bedfordshire built in 1906, with a group meeting on the site since 1873, who first organised as a Church in 1876.[1][2]
History
Origins
The Chapel was originally founded by ten members who had left the nearby Gospel Standard Strict Baptist "Ebenezer Chapel" (now Ebenezer Reformed Chapel, owned by the International Presbyterian Church since 2024)[3][4] including James Newman, who was the Chapel's "ordained minister" from 1876, though he was never designated as its Pastor.[1]
Following Newman's untimely death in 1888, his deacon, Joseph Fookes, was the regular minister, though it was his son, John Crawford Fookes, who was officially consecrated as Pastor in 1918.[2] Fookes would go on to minister the Chapel throughout World War 2, and died in his sleep in 1944, aged 64. His funeral was conducted by Caleb Sawyer, Pastor of Mayfield Baptist Chapel, on 20th November 1944. [2][5]
In 1928, a schoolroom began construction for the Chapel's Sunday School. The construction was finished in the spring of 1929.[1][2] The Sunday School's first known superintendent was Fred Gurney from 1935, followed by John Gudgeon from 1977, David Christian from 1987, and Daniel Sayers from 2024.[1] The current superintendent has been Richard Kingham since Daniel Sayers' calling to the ministry in 2026. [2][6]
The Pastorate of B.A. Ramsbottom
The Chapel was without a Pastor for over 20 years following Fookes' death, until the appointment of Benjamin Ashworth Ramsbottom, a university-educated historian from Lancashire, in 1967.[2][7] Pastor Ramsbottom would go on to serve as editor of the Gospel Standard magazine from 1971, taking over from Sydney Frank Paul. [8] During his editorship, he published many books, including histories of Strict Baptist interest, such as a biography for the Gospel Standard's founder, William Gadsby, or 14 children's books telling stories from the life of Jesus Christ and other biblical figures.[9]
During his pastorate, which lasted from his consecration in 1967 to his retirement in 2021, he baptised 61 members into the Church, solemnized 57 marriages, appointed 8 deacons and sent out 4 ministers to preach.[2][10] One of these ministers was his son, Timothy Ramsbottom, who is now Pastor of Jireh Particular Baptist Chapel in Attleborough.[2][7][11]
Following his retirement in late 2021, he continued to preach regularly until his death in early 2023. His funeral was conducted by Gerald Buss, Pastor of Chippenham Old Baptist Chapel. [7][12] In April 2025, Graham Cottingham, a minister from Eastbourne, was asked to become the Chapel's Pastor. He is due to begin his Pastorate in 2027.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "History | Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel, Luton". Retrieved 2026-06-26.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Scott, T (18 June 2026). History of Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel, Luton - 150th Anniversary version (1876 - 2026). Luton: Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel.CS1 maint: Date and year (link) Search this book on
- ↑ "New church open in old chapel". Luton Today. 2024-09-20. Retrieved 2026-06-26.
- ↑ "Beliefs". www.ebenezerluton.org. Retrieved 2026-06-26.
- ↑ Sawyer, C (1978). Caleb Sawyer, Life & Sermons. Harpenden: Gospel Standard Publications. ISBN 0903556596. Search this book on
- ↑ "Church Officers | Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel, Luton". Retrieved 2026-06-26.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Ramsbottom, Paul (2025). Preaching Christ: The Life of B.A. Ramsbottom. Ossett: Gospel Standard Publications. ISBN 9781911466420.CS1 maint: Date and year (link) Search this book on
- ↑ Ramsbottom, B.A. (2010). The History of the Gospel Standard Magazine (2nd ed.). Gospel Standard. Search this book on
- ↑ "The Life And Witness Of Benjamin Ashworth Ramsbottom". The Baptist Particular. Retrieved 2026-06-26.
- ↑ "Service of Thanksgiving and Epilogue at the Retirement of our Pastor, Mr B.A. Ramsbottom" (PDF). 31 December 2021.
- ↑ "Church Officials". Jireh Particular Baptist Chapel, Attleborough. Retrieved 2026-06-26.
- ↑ "Pastor". Old Baptist Chapel. Retrieved 2026-06-26.
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