Talk On History Of The Baptist Chapel

An appreciative audience listened to Alan Patterson and Bill Cowen talk to the History Society on Thursday evening.

Minute books exist recording the very beginning of the church in Audlem in 1812 up to 1912 (they have been digitised and are available at Chester Record Office).

Each person baptized is listed and many names still in the district feature. When someone transferred to or from the church because of relocation their destination or last residence is also included, showing that there was quite a lot of movement among this congregation.

Quarterly tea meetings were very popular. Up to 400 people would attend – approximately a quarter of the population – is ASET continuing the tradition?

Enough money could be raised from teas and bazaars to pay for new buildings. If a member of the congregation transgressed they were expelled but most of the stories had a happy ending as they reformed and were welcomed back!

Alan has patiently listed all the names occurring and any details about them. Bill then spoke about the influence the people from the Audlem church had had throughout the world by those who went abroad on Missions to places like the Congo and Sri Lanka.

A hospital in Africa built by the Sutton-Smiths of Audlem was the location for filming 'The Nun's Story'.

Thanks again to the speakers for their hard work and success in preserving the records.

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