History
The Story of Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel, Luton 1876 – 2024
“That in all things He might have the preeminence” (Col. 1. 18).
“Though thy beginning was small” (Job 8. 7).
Beginnings
In the year 1873, a few people met for prayer in the cottage of an old lady (Mrs. Parkins), too ill to get to chapel. One of the number, James Newman, who had recently come to Luton and started a shop selling leather goods in Chapel Street, announced the hymn:
“Weary of earth, myself, and sin,
Dear Jesus, set me free.”
Afterwards he made a few comments. Those present so enjoyed what was spoken, and the Lord’s presence was so sweetly felt, that it was agreed this meeting should certainly not be the last. To this humble gathering the beginnings of Bethel Chapel, Luton, can be traced.
For a long time Mr. Newman had been burdened that he must preach. Constantly the words, “Have not I made man’s mouth?” were on his mind. It was through the meetings, held in old Mrs. Parkins’s cottage, that he began. The friends being so satisfied with the first meeting, other similar gatherings were held, James Newman giving out the hymns and reading sermons. One day, however, when reading one of Tiptaft’s sermons, such darkness and confusion overcame him that he was compelled to sit down, the words sounding within, “Who made man’s mouth?” Very concerned what to do when next they met, he prayed that the Lord would clearly show him. He wrote:
“I went to the next meeting intending to speak, if I found my mind led that way.
So it was. I read the 51st of Isaiah, and felt constrained to comment upon it. The Word was sweet to me; matter kept bubbling up in my heart. I felt it like a springing well within me.”
Several said this was a precious time to their souls, and soon Mr. Newman was asked to speak in other places also.
The first meeting room
Soon the cottage was too small for the meetings. The church book puts it bluntly – they were “crowded out.” After much prayer, on June 14th, 1874, “The Particular Baptist Meeting Room” was opened on part of the ground where the chapel now stands. This was made by Mr. Newman converting some of his workrooms. A “public opening” was held in August, when Mr. Henry Fox of Stevenage preached.
Formation of the church
Two years later, on June 18th, 1876, Mr. Fox formed a church after the order of the New Testament on principles of strict communion. The ten original members were:
James Newman
Mrs. Ann Newman
Joseph Fookes
Maria Crawford
Mrs. Sarah Parkins
Mrs. Hannah Allen
James Grey
Thomas Newbury
Mrs. Ann Newbury
Mrs. Elizabeth Hawkes
The first nine were already baptized. Mrs. Hawkes, along with two others, was baptized at Markyate the following month, when these interesting details appear in the church book:
Paid to Mr. Hy. Fox expenses 15s. 0d.
2 Baptizing Dresses 12s. 0d.
Communion Service £1 1s. 0d.
Expenses incurred at Markyate 5s. 0d.
James Newman was “ordained minister,” and Joseph Fookes and James Grey appointed
deacons.
Mr. James Newman
What James Newman’s position was at Bethel is not clear. He is described as the “regular, stated minister” but never appears to have preached as regularly as a pastor. (For instance, in 1880 he preached at Bethel about eighteen Lord’s days in the year.) In June 1881 he became pastor at the Particular Baptist chapel at Redbourn, a few miles away, but maintained a close, loving connection with Bethel till his death – preaching and administering the Lord’s supper when there was a fifth Lord’s day in the month, and preaching Wednesday evenings.
The last time Mr. Newman ever preached at Bethel was a special time, a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Shortly afterwards, on Thursday, December 27th, 1888, he was taken with a fit, became unconscious and died on Saturday, 29th, aged 58. His last words were, “O lift upon me the light of Thy countenance! O wash me, wash me, wash me!” After a service in Bethel, he was buried by Mr. Warburton, who also preached in the evening from: “Be still, and know that 1 am God.” (This sermon was published in the Gospel Standard, September 1889.) It was at this service that John Warburton made the simple, weighty statement, so helpful to some at the time, and so abundantly proved at Bethel since: “Though our dear friend James Newman is dead, God lives still. ”
Early days
The early days at Bethel were not easy. There was much cause for concern – a small, poor church. In fact, as late as the 1890s there was often only a shilling or two in hand at the end of each quarter, and it was not possible to invite week evening ministers because of the expense. But there was much prayer – and prayer was heard and answered, and blessing attended the ministry.
In 1877 it was found necessary to enlarge the meeting room, using four adjoining cottages and thus making a chapel, later called “Bethel.” William Darbyshire, the pastor at Westoning, preached the opening services, Henry Fox giving out the hymns. By 1881 the original number of members had more than doubled.
The office of deacon was honourably filled for towards 40 years (from the formation of the church) by Joseph Fookes, the father of Mr. J. C. Fookes. On his death in 1914 the church gratefully recorded “his many years of faithfulness in the church, his honourable and upright life, and his earnest and loving contention for the truth during the lengthy period he held office.”
Plans for a new chapel
Because of the unsuitability of the old chapel (part of it of corrugated iron, and approached by steps at the front), the possibility of a new chapel was mooted as far back as 1888. In that year a committee was formed to set up a fund for “the purpose of purchasing property for the use of the church and congregation.”
From time to time the matter was raised and by 1901 there was £75 6s. 11d. in the fund. From then on plans proceeded apace. There were various suggestions. First, it was desired to alter and improve the existing chapel. Then, as this proved impossible, a site was sought on which to build a new chapel. However, as no suitable site was forthcoming, it was agreed to purchase from Mrs. Newman the land and buildings at present used and to build an entirely new chapel. This was completed in 1906 at a cost of about £1,250. It was put in trust for the public worship of God according to the doctrines set forth in the Gospel Standard Articles of Faith.
Opening services were held on Monday, November 26th, 1906, it being arranged for the aged deacon, Mr. Joseph Fookes, formally to open the doors at the commencement. Mr. J. Oldfield of Godmanchester preached in the morning, Mr. A. White of Abingdon in the afternoon, and Mr. J. K. Popham of Brighton in the evening.
Mr. John Crawford Fookes
How sacred to the memory of many is the memory of John Crawford Fookes, the honoured pastor at Bethel from 1918 to 1944!
Born in 1880, son of the old deacon (Joseph Fookes), John was taken as a baby to Bethel in its very early days. At the age of 17 he was convicted of sin through reading a letter from a friend. The words, “Thou art the man!” kept ringing in his ears, and his prayer was, “God be merciful to me a sinner.”
At the age of 19 he was baptized by his father, and the night after was most favoured in his soul with a sight by faith of Jesus bleeding on the cross for him.
In 1908 he was chosen deacon, and three years later, having been much laid on the minds of the members, and himself encouraged by Ezekiel 2. 7, 8, he went out to preach with the unanimous sanction of the church. He was afterwards called to the pastorate, commencing in January 1918. He passed away on 16th November 1944 at the age of 64.
Building of a schoolroom
From its earliest days Bethel has always had a Sunday school. This was begun on the first Lord’s day of 1875 with 8 scholars and 3 teachers – Mr. Joseph Fookes (superintendent), Mrs. Newman and Miss Greenhill. Less than ten years later there were 94 scholars and 9 teachers, school being held morning and afternoon.
In the year 1928 the building of a schoolroom at the back of the chapel was commenced. Special opening services were held on Wednesday, April 17th, 1929, when Mr. White was invited to preach along with the pastor. The total cost exceeded £1,200, which was finally paid off after the November services in 1938.
The Sunday school still continues, and the great day alone will declare what real blessing has resulted from the teaching of God’s Word. Mention must be made of Mr. Frederick Gurney who was superintendent of the Sunday School from 1935-1977. Mr. John Gudgeon was then appointed superintendent (having been a teacher since 1959) and continued until 1987, following which Mr. David Christian was appointed.
Mr Christian retired as superintendent in 2024, and Mr Daniel Sayers was appointed in his place.
Deacons
Throughout its history Bethel has been favoured with some godly deacons. During the early years of Mr. Fookes’s pastorate Daniel Dean was deacon. Mr. Dean, a bricklayer’s labourer, had been baptized at the same time as his pastor and was highly esteemed by him. He is remembered as a humble, godly man who often would say, “If the Lord gives peace, none can give unpeace.”
Walter George Heley was deacon along with Mr. Dean, later in 1936 removing to Brighton.
Deacons who have served at Bethel (possibly an incomplete list) are:
Joseph Fookes
John Crawford Fookes (appointed 1908. Pastor 1918-1944.)
Daniel Dean
Walter George Heley
Calvin Douglas Timpson (appointed 1928. Died 1978.)
Joseph Rollings
Albert John Watts (1939-1969)
Frederick George Gurney (1939-1979)
Arthur James Pearce (1959-1977)
John Albert Watts (1970-2011)
Bernard Parish (1977-1980)
David Starkey (1980-1987)
David Christian (appointed 1980)
Trevor Scott (appointed 1991)
Timothy Ramsbottom (2009-2021. Sent into the ministry 2021.)
Kyle Barker (appointed 2016)
Thomas Green (appointed 2024)
Pastorate of Mr. Benjamin Ashworth Ramsbottom
Following the death of Mr. Fookes in 1944, for twenty-two years Bethel remained without a pastor, relying instead on “supplies” for the ministry. During this period many prayers were made for a pastor, and different names were mentioned. However, there was no clear leading until in the early 1960s the name of Benjamin Ashworth Ramsbottom, of Haslingden in Lancashire, was laid upon the hearts of a few of the members, and this was mentioned at several church meetings.
Mr. Ramsbottom’s first visit to Bethel was on Easter Sunday, 1964, following which an invitation was sent for him to come for the first three months of the next year with a view to the pastorate. This he did, but at the end of the three months, not feeling he could give an answer to the invitation to come as pastor, he agreed to preach a further three months in 1966, afterwards accepting the invitation, and commencing his labours as pastor at the beginning of 1967.
The years of Mr. Ramsbottom’s pastorate were a time of a growing church and congregation, the services being marked by the presence of many young families and children. One special feature was a Young People’s Meeting, held once a month on Saturday evening at 7 o’clock. The schoolroom was often full on these occasions, occasionally up to a hundred young people being present. Addresses were given on a variety of subjects, but especially those connected with present day problems and the difficulties experienced by young people. A Bible Class was also established meeting on Lord’s day afternoons, once a month, in the Pastor’s home. In 2011 the Bible class was taken over by Dr. Timothy Ramsbottom and continues to be well attended.
In the 1990s, how to seat the growing number attending the services became an urgent problem. In 1993 it was decided to extend the gallery forwards, which provided a considerable number of extra seats. The work was carried out by two members of the congregation – the brothers Alan and John Parish.
Another interesting development was the setting up of Bethel Pulpit in 1985, consisting of one of our Pastor’s sermons published each month, and sent out throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Many have been the testimonies received of the Lord’s blessing resting on these printed sermons. This work would hardly have been possible without the help of Mrs. Alison Kingham whose shorthand skills enabled nearly all the sermons he preached at Bethel for the last forty years to be taken down. Others from the congregation help in the printing and stapling the booklets each month.
Mr. Ramsbottom resigned his pastorate at the end of 2021 after a period of 55 years. He continued regularly to preach at Bethel right up to the time of his death at the age of 93 on 14th January 2023, leaving behind his dear wife Jean (whom he married in 1967), and his six children, Rachel, Timothy, Ruth, Stephen, Paul and Rebecca, all of whom are now married with families of their own. His wife had been a constant and loyal helper to him, and one who watched over the flock with prayerful and careful concern. For many years she taught in the Sunday School, mainly the younger children.
The last two years of the pastorate were greatly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic that swept the world. In March 2020 all places of worship were closed by Government order. For seventeen weeks we were unable to meet, finally returning on Lord’s day, 12th July 2020 practising strict 2m social distancing. The pandemic changed many things for ever, and was a time when many churches and chapels set up websites so that services could be relayed via platforms such as Zoom and Mixlr. It was about this time that Bethel began to make the services available online, and sermons preached could later be downloaded from the website. At his advanced age, Mr. Ramsbottom adapted remarkably well to the new technology and was able to conduct services and prayer meetings from his own home (with the help of his wife).
Ministers sent out from Bethel to preach the Gospel
During Mr. Ramsbottom’s pastorate, four ministers were sent out into the ministry from Bethel. They are:
Mr. Joseph Rutt (1979. Now pastor at Ebenezer Chapel, Matfield.)
Mr. Timothy Parish (2012, Now pastor at Zion, Grand Rapids, USA)
Mr. Timothy Kingham (2020)
Dr. Timothy Ramsbottom (2021. Now pastor at Jireh, Attleborough)
Timothy Parish began his Pastorate at Zion Chapel, Grand Rapids, USA from the beginning of 2025, although the formalities were not quite finalised in time for him and his family to travel to America for a few more weeks.
Timothy Ramsbottom began his Pastorate at Jireh Chapel, Attleborough from the beginning of 2025.
The future
The church and congregation deeply feel the loss of such a faithful pastor and under-shepherd. Our desire is that, in His own time and way, the Lord might graciously provide another pastor to feed us and care for our souls. In the meantime our prayer is expressed in the words of the hymn:
“Here manifest Thyself in peace;
Thy tender mercies here make known;
O breathe on us a gale of grace,
And send the cheering blessing down.”
