70th Anniversary

In 1992, on our 50th Anniversary we published a booklet called "The Vision of a Faithful Few", a history of the BBC we know and love.

We didn't have the web page back then, most of us didn't even have computers! 

Articles

"The Baptist witness commenced in Billingham on the 16th January 1942, when a number of friends interested in the formation of a church met together. Why did this happen? The war certainly had something to do with it for when September 1939 came it brought a lot of changes to the people of Billingham. Before this Baptists in the town went to Stockton or West Hartlepool to worship, but after this date it was not easy. The black-out came, transport was more difficult, work was harder with longer hours, and most important of all the Lord planted within the hearts of certain people the desire to worship in Billingham, in their own church. So it was on Friday, 16th January 1942, 11 people met in the home of Mr and Mrs Howells to “wait on the Lord”. They were received into membership by Rev Ralph Mitchell."    From  The Vision of a Faithful Few - March 1992

"An emergency supply of wooden forms and chairs had to be rushed into the Billingham Baptist Church in Cheviot Crescent on Saturday to cater for the congregation which packed the building to witness the Induction Service of the church's first ordained minister, the Rev Frank Winstanley.  Even after the extra seating had been provided, a number of the 220 strong congregation had to stand at the back during what was described as 'one of the most joyous moments' in the history of the church."  Local press article - March 1959

"Mens Meeting - The first meeting of this new venture took place on September 11th, with 17 present.  Led by Mr Knott, the meeting was a successful one, making plans for future meetings."    From BBC Magazine - October 1962

"From our 50th Anniversary milestone we look forward to what God is going to do in our midst and through our work in Jesus' name.  How faithful will we be? In measure the answer to that question is determined by the answer to another question - how faithful are we now to Christ and His church?  Faithful in our giving, our praying, our coming together for worship, our outreach to the community?  Let there be no mistake!  God has committed His work into our hands!  If we fail, what hope will there be for the future of our Church?"   From Pastor Ken Denman's letter in the Church Magazine - March 1992

It was on a Sunday morning at BBC.  The date was 31 July 1960.  Annabel Hopkins was the first person I ever saw being baptised.  The minister, Frank Winstanley, (Mr Win), was dressed in a pair of huge waders which came up to his shoulders.  Annabel was dressed in a white robe and having publicly confessed Christ as her Saviour, she was duly baptised by immersion.  The next up was me.  We had been told what to do but I thought I would help Mr Win out.  Having answered the question, "Have you accepted Jesus as your own personal Saviour?" with "Yes" it was time to go under - so I did a bit of a backwards somersault.  Mr Win lost me and being anxious to get me back up he bent down further to reach me.  The water ran into his waders getting him thoroughly wet.  I sprang up from the bottom creating a wave which spilled over the edge of the baptismal pool soaking the floor - and for good measure I shook my head a couple of times, sprinkling the front rows - just in case they wanted to be included.  I expect Mr Win was glad that not all baptisms were as 'eventful' as mine.  (As would be those who had to clear up!)  Jim Bell - from an earlier issue of the Church Magazine

Weddings over the years

      Norman & Jennifer - 1963

          Gav & Julia - 1997

                                  Lee & Rachel - 1998              

    Bruce & Kelly - 2001

                        Jonathan & Eileen - 2010


If you have any more weddings that took place at BBC, and you would like them featured, send me an email!  Contact

Church Holidays at "The Gaines"

          

Michaela                                                                     John S

     

Sue S      -          Dave                       Sonia                                  Linda M -  Jean D - Steph Steel (nee) Baker


Watch this space for some more old photos and old articles about BBC and get ready for some nostalgia!  If you have any contributions email us and we'll try to include them.