Our History

The following history of Southill Chapel was written by the late pastor Jabez Buss in 1993 at the chapel's 300th Anniversary. It has been edited and updated by the current pastor.

The history of Southill Baptist Chapel dates back to 1693 when a group of believers at Southill wrote to Pastor Davis and his Church at Rothwell, Northants, together with other churches, asking if they could come over to guide them in the forming of a local church at Southill. The following letter, dated 24th May, 1693, was sent to the Churches at Rothwell, Wellingborough, Kimbolton, Needingworth and Hertford:

"Grace be unto you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Beloved, we a small remnant in and about Bedford, whose names are underwritten, do jointly consent in purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord, and having appointed the 23rd June next to enter into a covenant by giving ourselves unto the Lord and to one another by the will of God, we have this day, after fasting and prayer, agreed to request you in the bowels of the Lord Jesus to give your consent for the beloved Pastor and Elders, with any other brethren amongst you, to come to Bedford on the day appointed to advise and direct us according to the rule of the Gospel. And as witnesses in our so glorious an engagement, and to this request, we have subscribed our hands on a day of fasting and prayer, being the 24th May, 1693." (13 names submitted)

Following this request Pastor Davis, with members of the various Churches, met with the Southill people on 23rd June, 1693. The following minute is written in the original Church Book: 'We, whose names are underwritten, did solemnly enter into covenant one with another by giving up ourselves to the Lord and one another by the will of God, and to walk as a Church of Christ in all is holy ordinances, manner and form as following: We, in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ Sion's crowned King, and in the presence of His holy angels, is people and all here present, do solemnly give up ourselves to the Lord Jesus and to one another by the will of God, solemnly promising to walk in the obervation of all Gospel ordinances and in the discharge of all relative duties as the Lord shall enable us in the House of the Living God.' (13 signatures)

It appears from the Trust Deed of 1714 that the first Meeting House at Southill stood in Chapel Lane; a Mr John Langley converting one of his two cottages for this purpose. This first meeting place was pulled down in 1805 and the present Chapel, Schoolroom and Chapel House were built - the squire, Mr. Samuel Whitbread, having given the piece of land freehold for this purpose.

In September 1693 the Church with "joint consent" requested Mr. Killingworth of Rothwell to become their Pastor. This request was consented to in the November 1693, and Mr Killingworth continued Pastor for over 28 years until he died in January 1721. Much blessing attending his ministry, with over 200 people attending the chapel on the Lord's days. 

Mr. Griffith Rudd, a Welshman, was then made Pastor and continued for 35 years, the Church still prospering with additions almost every year. 

In October 1724 a Mr. William Wells, schoolmaster and native of Southill, joined the Church, and was later sent out by the church to preach in 1755. When Mr. Rudd died in 1757 Mr. William Wells was ordained Pastor in his place. Mr Wells pastorate only lasted 5 years, and he departed this life 12th April, 1762. 

Mr. Henry Field of Saffron Walden was then asked to be Pastor by the Church in November 1762, which he accepted a year later in November 1763. The congregation greatly decreased in Mr. Field's time, and the Church was under the painful necessity of excluding him for misconduct. He lived many years after, and preached at Henlow until his death.

The next Pastor was Mr. Joseph King of Tring. Mr King first came to Southill on 5th June, 1774, and the following minute from the Church Book of 1774 gives a little insight into the leadings of the Church at that time:

"June 5th 1774, Mr. King came to this Church, which was at that time reduced very low; and the congregation was scattered some to one place and some to another, so that there seemed to be great danger of losing the Gospel at this place. But our good and gracious God, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working, was pleased to own and bless his labours for the uniting of the Church and increasing the congregation; that in one and half years' time we were in a hopeful and prosperous state, and our gracious God, who has all hearts in His hand, was pleased to open both hearts and hands to repair the house for the Minister to live in, and the Church received Mr. King as a member and gave him a call which he accepted." 

Mr King was officially ordained Pastor at a Special Service on 11th July, 1776. He was the first Baptist Pastor at Southill, and there were many baptisings in the Clifton and Langford rivers throughout his pastorate. When being ordained Pastor on 11th July, 1776 Mr King solemly stated that the doctrine maintained by the Church was 'truly Calvinistic' but that 'the [communion] Table was to be kept open for all those who appear to have the grace of God in truth, both of the Baptist and Independent judgment.' On the 14th January, 1785, Mr. King departed this life, having been Pastor for 9½ years. 

The minutes in the Church Book are erased until 19th July, 1787, when Mr. John Gamby of Stevington was settled as Pastor. Quite a number of people were received into Church membership during Mr Gamby's pastorate; baptisms being performed in the Stanford river, as well as the Clifton or Langford rivers. Mr. Gamby departed this life 4th September, 1802, having been Pastor 15 years. There is a stone in the porch of the present Chapel that was removed from the old Meeting house, on which are written these verses composed by Mr. Gamby:

"The world that I have known so well,

Hath mocked me with its lies;

How gladly could I leave behind

Its vexing vanities.

"My dearest friends they dwell above,

Them will I go and see;

And all my friends in Christ below

Will soon come after me." 

Mr. Joseph Patrick, a member of Mr. Andrew Fuller's Church at Kettering, succeeded Mr. Gamby. He ministered as a Supply before the Church gave him a call to the Pastorate on Lord's day, April 29th, 1804, which he accepted. Mr. John Warburton writes in his 'Memorials' concerning Mr. Patrick: "He was ordained on 20th September, 1804. How long Mr. Patrick continued with the Church, when he removed, and where he went, there is no account. When I first came to Southill (1844), members that were then very old men and women told me that in the time of Mr. Patrick there was great disturbance among the people. It was considered by the major part of the people that Mr. Patrick had swerved from the principles he professed when he first came among them. Some took part with Mr. Patrick, thus causing disquiet among them. Two deacons, I have been well informed, one Sunday afternoon, stood at the bottom of the pulpit stairs to prevent Mr. Patrick going up, telling him he had departed from the truth, and that he should not enter the pulpit. This caused an uproar."

Further members were added to the church during Mr Patrick's pastorate, and the new Chapel, Schoolroom, and Chapel House were built in 1805. 

After Mr Patrick, a Mr. Edward Burton of Warwick was Pastor for four years. The following account of him is given in the Church Book:

"On Lord's day, January 19th, 1817, about 11 o'clock in the morning, Mr. E. Burton, Pastor of this Church, after a long illness, borne with great resignation, fell asleep in the Lord, in sure and certain hope of a resurrection unto eternal life. As was his life, so his death. In life he walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. During his labours among us he was highly esteemed and eminently useful. Indefatigable in his exertions to promote peace, secure love, and win souls to Christ, whose glory was his sole aim in preaching and conversation. As his introduction amongst us was a peculiar coincidence of Providence, so the result of his ministry proved to be of God... On the following Lord's day Mr. Chapman preached to a very crowded congregation from: Psalm 116 v. 7, words chosen by the deceased."

On May 11th, 1817, Mr. Thomas Tay first visited the Church at Southill, and his labours were wonderfully blessed; and the Church seeing the kind hand of the Lord and Master in it, he being a loving and affectionate preacher of the truth, they desired him to stay with them a year, with a view to the Pastorate. But it was not till May 6th, 1819, that he was ordained Pastor.

The Church in the meantime was properly organised, and by the exertions of the people an old debt of £14 was cleared before that date. Through the Lord's blessing on his ministry, the Church was built up once again; many members were baptised and some transferred from other Causes. The Church Book records his labours and death as follows:

"Our much respected Pastor, Mr. T. Tay, fell asleep in the arms of Christ on Monday 21st February, 1842, after having been permitted by his heavenly Master to go in and out and feed the flock of Christ here with wholesome truths for the space of about 25 years - during which period many were added to the Church - but he being partially laid aside from his labours for the space of about a year and a half, many became dissatisfied and began to wander from us, so that we as a Church are brought like the Church in some senses in the days of Isaiah and Jeremiah, and are ready to say at times: Is His mercy clean gone for ever? Will He be favourable no more?" We have lost our Pastor, and a great many of our members and friends have forsaken us, and our hopes are brought very low, but may the Lord our God again appear for us, and pour down a spirit of prayer and supplication in our hearts and quicken us, for His promises are the same as of old when He said: 'When Zion travailed, she brought forth'."

An interesting account is given in Mr. Septimus Sears' Memoir, that appears to throw some light upon the trying time that the Church passed through at Southill, that eventually in Mr. Warburton's day led to two large Chapels being filled on the Lord's Day, situated within two miles of each other. What a harvest was reaped through this travail of soul! Truly, "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform." The account of Mr. Sears reads as follows:

"In November 1840, Mr. Sears was invited to preach at Southill, Mr. Tay, the Pastor, being at that time almost past preaching by reason of age and infirmity. The preaching of Mr. Sears was greatly blessed to several who heard him there, so that when his services were no longer required at Southill, many who resided in the neighbourhood of Clifton felt anxious that he would come and settle among them (there being no Baptist Chapel at Clifton at that time) and promised to turn some cottages into a Chapel if he would consent to come and preach the Word of life therein. Being greatly exercised in his mind as to the Lord's will in the matter, he sought earnestly for direction. The Lord kindly set his mind at rest with this portion of His Word: "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.' (Psalm 37 v. 3)." On the strength of that word he ventured to settle at Clifton; the old Chapel was built, and a Church formed about 1844. So we see how the separation with Mr. Sears' ministry at that time started the Baptist church at Clifton, which has continued until this day.

Following Mr. Tay's death at Southill, a Mr. Cooper was invited to preach, and was appointed Pastor in 1843; but his ministry was not acceptable, and the Church terminated his very short Pastorate, giving him the sum of £25.

Mr. John Warburton Junr. was the next Pastor at Southill and held this office for 47 years. Mr Warburton recalls that he first preached at Southill in July 1884, at which time he travelled to Shefford to stay with his friend, Mr. Fane, overnight on the Saturday. He awoke on the Lord's Day morning feeling exceedingly troubled and dark within, and he wished he had never agreed to come or even ever gone out to preach at all. He then felt his friends at home, who had discouraged him from preaching, were his best and true friends, and their prophecy that his preaching would soon come to an end and was about to be proved true. However, he says a "Who can tell?" came into his heart when it was time to travel to Southill. As they rode along his countenance was so sad that his friend, Mr. Fane, said to him: "Come, cheer up! The Lord will appear." Something echoed in his heart, "Yes, that He will." When they arrived the Chapel was crowded with people. The Service commenced, and as he was reading and in prayer he says he felt his very soul engaged; he felt an internal wrestling for a blessing. The words laid on his mind to speak from were: "Upon this Rock I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16 v. 18). He stood for a few moments to consider what to say, when all at once such a light shone on the Word that words and ideas came into his mind just as fast as he could utter them. ('Memorials' p. 46 & 47).

During Spring 1847 the Chapel and House were put in a thorough state of repair at considerable cost. The Chapel was closed for  three Lord's days, and opened again on Lord's Day May 6th. Mr. Warburton Senr. preached morning and evening, from Psalm 126 v. 3, and Mr. Warburton Junr. in the afternoon, from Zechariah 4 v. 6. It is noted that "it was a soul-reviving day; the Lord blessed the Word of His grace, and we rejoiced together for the goodness of the Lord."

Mr. Warburton was favoured with many tokens of the Lord's blessing throughout his Pastorate, and as he came to his end in January 1892, was able to say, "I can die upon the truths I have preached." 

In 1898, Mr. John Parish of Abingdon was invited to supply for six months with a view to the Pastorate, should it be the Lord's will. He began his probation period in January 1899, and when April arrived the Church decided to give him a final call to the office. This he accepted, but on account of ill-health he resigned on April 25th 1905, his ministry having been used of the Lord to gather in a few more into the Church. It was with regret the people at Southill had to accept his resignation.

During the year 1906 Mr. Samuel Curtis of Leatherhead was considered as one who would be a suitable Pastor, and in December the church wrote to Mr. Curtis regarding this matter. Mr Curtis responded by suggesting that he should preach for two Lord's days each month during the year of 1908. This arrangement was agreed to, and on March 15th1908 the church resolved with one mind to ask Mr Curtis to settle with them as Pastor. Mr Curtis accepted the invitation, moving into the house during June 1908, and commencing his pastorate in January 1909.

After the death of Mr. Curtis the Church Book was handed over to Mr. W. Camp who had been sent out into the ministry by the Church in June 1926. Mr. W. Camp was requested to take the oversight of the Cause and to preach at Southill for eighteen Lord's days during 1927. Although called to be Pastor at Swavesey Chapel in 1928, Mr. W. Camp continued to have the oversight of the chapel until he resigned in June 1931. Mr. Eayrs of Baldock then accepted the oversight of the chapel for one year.

After consideration for some time regarding a future Pastor, it was unanimously decided to ask Mr. Bennett of Peterborough to preach on all the dates possible during 1936, with a view to the Pastorate. He replied favourably, and agreed to minister 25 Lord's Days in 1936. Mr. Bennett  took on the oversight of the chapel from Mr Eayer's, and continued ministering until the end of 1938, when he resigned the oversight and stated that he had received no Word from the Lord to accept the Pastorate. His ministry, however, did bear some fruit during that short time. Mr. Eben Clark of Barton Chapel then took on the oversight of the chapel, and continued with the oversight of the chapel until 1972. 

From 1938 it appears that there was mainly an afternoon ministry at the chapel, with a number of blank Sundays. By the early 1960's the place had become very diminished; with the congregation reduced to single figures. It was debated at the Meeting of the Trustees whether the chapel should be closed. However, Mr. John Saunderson who attended with his wife and two children asked permission of the Trustees to try to find someone willing to occupy the Chapel House, and subsequently put an advertisement in the August 1962 'Gospel Standard'. One reply recieved was from Mr Jabez Buss, a young member of the Church at Bethersden, under Mr. H. Dawson's Pastorate.

Coming with a family of eight children did brighten the prospect for the friends at Southill, who were very kind to us, and liberty was felt when the time came to minister to them. There being no Church then at Southill, the Church at Clifton kindly allowed us to sit down [to communion] with them. A Church was re-formed at Southill on Friday 3rd September 1965 when about 100 friends gathered with us...Numbers increased around that time, the congregation sometimes being over 30 people'.  

In 1990 the Church asked Mr Jabez Buss to become their Pastor. Mr Buss willingly accepted the church's request and faithfully fulfilled the office of Pastor until he resigned it in1999, and was appointed an Elder of the church instead. Despite resigning the pastorate Mr Buss continued to preach regularly at the chapel over the next decade until poor health prevented him from attending the chapel any more. He peacefully passed away to be with Jesus on 2nd January 2015.

In June 2012 Mr Tim Barker was sent forth by the church to preach the gospel. The church wrote to Mr Tim Barker in 2020 inviting him to take on the pastorate of the chapel. Mr Tim Barker agreed and commenced his pastorate at Southill Chapel in January 2021.