The first Baptist church in Bury St. Edmunds, Ebenezer Chapel, opened in what is now Lower Baxter Street in July 1800. Thomas Ridley, the pastor, baptised 10 people, and they became the founding members of the church. Ebenezer grew slowly over its first two decades, and by 1823, membership had risen to 49.
In May of that year, Cornelius Elven—a 26-year-old leather cutter and tanner—was named the new minister at Ebenezer. He served in this role for 50 years, and the church experienced significant growth throughout his tenure. Membership rose to nearly 650, and more than 1,500 people were baptised.
By 1833, Ebenezer Chapel could no longer accommodate the growing congregation. The church purchased a piece of land in Garland Street for £200 and paid £1,000 for the construction of a new building. The chapel opened 11 May 1834 and originally had seating for 1,200 people.
During Rev. Elven’s ministry, Garland Street was active in taking the gospel to towns and villages throughout East Anglia. Members planted churches and established smaller preaching stations in dozens of locations.
When Charles Haddon Spurgeon became pastor of Waterbeach Baptist Church at the age of 17, Rev. Elven became a friend and mentor to the young minister. Rev. Spurgeon twice spoke at Garland Street, in 1856 and 1859.
Since Rev. Elven’s death, 13 pastors have led the church. Over the years, Garland Street has experienced many highs and lows. Despite the challenges of life in the 21st century, we are committed to helping followers of Christ grow in their faith and to taking the gospel to men, women, and young people in the town, across the country, and around the world. If we are faithful and obedient to what we believe the Lord is calling us to do, and if our hearts’ desire is to allow God to work in and through us in extraordinary ways, we’ll be blessed with an extremely exciting future!
Garland Street and its members over the history of the Church have been responsible for many local Church plants. Churches that Garland Street has either planted or led are as follows....
Great Barton Free Church (Now called Freedom church) [Great Barton]
Bradfield and Rougham Baptist Church [Bradfield St George]
Fornham Chapel [Fornham All Saints, no longer meeting]
Norton Baptist Church [Norton]
Whepstead Baptist Church [Whepstead]
Elmswell Baptist Church [Elmswell]
Southgate Community Church [Bury St Edmunds]
Out Westgate Street Baptist Church [Bury St Edmunds, no longer meeting]
Over the years we have seen many changes and our journey has had many ups and downs, but if we are faithful and obedient to what we believe God is calling us to do, and our hearts are to see our local community thriving with light, then we have an immensely exciting future!
In May of that year, Cornelius Elven—a 26-year-old leather cutter and tanner—was named the new minister at Ebenezer. He served in this role for 50 years, and the church experienced significant growth throughout his tenure. Membership rose to nearly 650, and more than 1,500 people were baptised.
By 1833, Ebenezer Chapel could no longer accommodate the growing congregation. The church purchased a piece of land in Garland Street for £200 and paid £1,000 for the construction of a new building. The chapel opened 11 May 1834 and originally had seating for 1,200 people.
During Rev. Elven’s ministry, Garland Street was active in taking the gospel to towns and villages throughout East Anglia. Members planted churches and established smaller preaching stations in dozens of locations.
When Charles Haddon Spurgeon became pastor of Waterbeach Baptist Church at the age of 17, Rev. Elven became a friend and mentor to the young minister. Rev. Spurgeon twice spoke at Garland Street, in 1856 and 1859.
Since Rev. Elven’s death, 13 pastors have led the church. Over the years, Garland Street has experienced many highs and lows. Despite the challenges of life in the 21st century, we are committed to helping followers of Christ grow in their faith and to taking the gospel to men, women, and young people in the town, across the country, and around the world. If we are faithful and obedient to what we believe the Lord is calling us to do, and if our hearts’ desire is to allow God to work in and through us in extraordinary ways, we’ll be blessed with an extremely exciting future!
Garland Street and its members over the history of the Church have been responsible for many local Church plants. Churches that Garland Street has either planted or led are as follows....
Great Barton Free Church (Now called Freedom church) [Great Barton]
Bradfield and Rougham Baptist Church [Bradfield St George]
Fornham Chapel [Fornham All Saints, no longer meeting]
Norton Baptist Church [Norton]
Whepstead Baptist Church [Whepstead]
Elmswell Baptist Church [Elmswell]
Southgate Community Church [Bury St Edmunds]
Out Westgate Street Baptist Church [Bury St Edmunds, no longer meeting]
Over the years we have seen many changes and our journey has had many ups and downs, but if we are faithful and obedient to what we believe God is calling us to do, and our hearts are to see our local community thriving with light, then we have an immensely exciting future!