Formation and Early History
“This section was largely written from the information in a small document entitled, ‘History of Charlesworth’ from the safe in the building. It is undated and unsigned.”
Christian worship in Charlesworth stretches back into the Middles Ages. In the seventeenth century the area benefited from the labours of “the apostle of the High Peak”, William Bagshawe. Top Chapel has been a non-conformist work for over 350 years.
The Baptist witness in Charlesworth began when four men were baptised at Moorside Farm, in a barn, by William Gadsby in October 1816. The early years of the fledgeling church were unsteady and difficult. Eventually, under the pastoral leadership of George Beard, the work became more established, and the Particular Baptist Chapel was built in 1835. They were able to build the Chapel because of a growth in numbers two years previously; in 1833, the membership went from 11 to 17. This came from a number leaving Top Chapel (the congregational church 500 yards up the hill) because the pastor of that place who was originally a “Calvinist of the old narrow type” had “lost much of that harsh, narrow exclusiveness” (From ‘Memorials of Charlesworth’ quoted in the document above mentioned). This led some of the members of that church to leave and join the Particular Baptists. At the end of George Beard’s pastorate, in 1853, the registry shows the membership to be at 25.
In January 1857, George Drake became the pastor of the church, and he remained until February 1863. It appears that he established better order in the church by having articles of faith printed and supplied to members, and also by ensuring measures were taken to guard the table. In 1862, the membership was at 33. In October 1868, a new pastor is appointed. His name was James Hand. In that year, the membership increased from 21 to 27, but by 1873, it was down to 25.
What happened in the following years is poorly documented. By August 1893, there were only 3 members, presumably with no pastor. Some were added in the following years, and a new pastor, Mr Merrett, was appointed in November 1913. Of the following years, up till 1983, there is little known by this author.
Declension
The challenges seemed to have continued through the latter half of the 20th Century. In 1983, the church had 14 members and an acting minister. They met twice on a Sunday and no other time. They did no outreach. The church dwindled in the next 7 or 8 years down to 8 members, and the minister was one of those who left. Soon, the church had a visiting preacher schedule, and one particular minister who led a mid-week Bible study and engaged in some outreach activities. Attendance rose, but soon it declined again to between 4 and 9. At this point, in 2004, Martin Grubb took up the pastorate.
Rejuvenation
Under the oversight of Grace Baptist Church, Stockport, Martin Grubb was called in 2004 to engage in evangelistic work in the area. This included leafletting the area regularly, door-to-door visitation, a variety of evangelistic meetings including men’s breakfasts, BBQ’s, lectures and presentations on historical or topical themes, and regular input into the village school.
Over the years a very large number of people had been contacted, significant numbers had attended events, and there had been a small but encouraging harvest of local convert. It was considered right, in 2011, for a new church to be constituted in Charlesworth with twelve members. Two new members were quickly added through baptism, with a family from Grace Baptist Church, Stockport, joining the church soon after, taking the membership to nineteen.
Frustration
Sadly, it was at this time in 2011 that the church began to experience a period of significant trial with the departure of 3 couples over a period of 3 years. Martin Grubb resigned from his office as elder.
Revitalization
Under the circumstances, the church deemed it unwise to continue as a self-governing congregation and accepted Trinity Grace Church, Ramsbottom’s offer of coming under their wing of support. This entailed the membership of Trinity Baptist Church (TBC) being subsumed into that of TGC. It was understood that this situation was less than ideal, but the alternative appeared bleak. At this time, TGC set aside one of their elders, Rob Stredder, to work full-time. Rob was commissioned by TGC to spend half his working hours in Charlesworth, ministering to the church and evangelising the community, and TBC paid half his salary. Under his ministry, four more were added to the church, yet sadly one has fallen away. A few years after Rob started, Brett Shaw came over from America for a short-term placement in the UK (3 years), and he was situated in TBC with his family where he preached and served. Rob and Brett ministered in the church until the summer of 2023.
Reconstitution
In the autumn of that same year, Benedict Allmand-Smith was proposed by TGC to be trainee minister in TBC, under their oversight. TBC voted to appoint him as such for two years. The church had been well-established in good doctrinal truth as well as united in Christian love under the ministry of Rob and Brett. Consequently, it was not long until the congregation was in a position to reconstitute as an independent church. On 20th September 2023, TGC formally voted to commend TBC for independence, and on 3rd October 2023, TBC voted to once more become an independent church.
On the 3rd March, Martin Allmand-Smith and Samuel Grubb were voted by the church to take office as deacons. This marked a seminal moment in the church’s recent history, as it has been over twenty years since it had more than one officer. On 11th May 2024, the church held a special meeting of thanksgiving in celebration of God’s merciful protection over difficult years and providential nurturing unto re-establishing as independent. On 18th November 2024, hands were laid on the deacons in formal commemoration of their being set aside to office.
Association
It was Martin Grubb who first invited Dr. James Renihan to the UK in 2011 to give a series of lectures on Baptist symbolics. These lectures took place in the chapel building. Due to the difficulties which arose in the church, Martin was unable to superintend to fruition what he had started. Nevertheless, this intention was led forward by others, and on 7th March 2023, an inaugural assembly took place where an Association of Confessional Baptist Churches was established. On 11th May 2024, TBC was pleased to join this Association. The members have been thoroughly involved in the meetings of the Association and have been encouraged with the inter-church fellowship unto mutual edification.