TRBC History
Our First 100 Years — 1869-1969
Historical background
The early years
The 20th Century
Historical background
Map, c1860 (Welchs Road is now Ordnance Road).
To go back to the 1860s is to arrive mid-way through the long reign of Queen Victoria and to enter the period when the office of Prime Minister alternated between Gladstone and Disraeli. The Reform Bill of 1867 encouraged the hopes of working men that their citizenship rights would be properly established, and Nonconformists were at last freed from the heavy disabilities they had endured since the days of Charles II. It was an age of optimism, prosperity and individualism as the middle classes grew in power These factors were seen in the country’s religious life as large chapels were erected by all denominations. Enfield Highway was but little developed, as the first Ordnance Survey Map shows, not yet Metropolitan but a part of ‘Middlesex beyond London’. Yet this neighborhood was served by a Congregational Chapel (now the Co-operative Hall), a Wesleyan Chapel (continuing as the Methodist Church in Ordnance Road) and a Strict Baptist Chapel (now demolished — previously located near the western end of Putney Road). The nearest Baptist Church was that long established at Waltham Abbey.
The early years
From that Church at Waltham Abbey, there came a small group of people who, already working and living in the Enfield Wash area, united to form the Totteridge Road Baptist Church. 
Original Church Building, erected 1868
At first they met in the local Congregational Chapel, but soon, largely through the help of C.H. Spurgeon, they were able to purchase the piece of land in Totteridge Road. At the rear of this, they erected a hall which was opened in October 1868. In the following December, the Church was constituted under the chairmanship of the Baptist minister from Tottenham, who told the little group, “I am sure God will be with you because it is His work. You are twelve men who believe in prayer, and you have strong faith in God, or else you would not do it.” To be exact, this twelve — what an appropriate number ! — included three women. At the first Church Meeting, held on January 15th, 1869, with an attendance of eight, three men were elected to serve as deacons. In 1870, the first Sunday School was started, growing to over 200 strong before 1890. In the next year, the present day chapel building was completed (although, at that time, with only a rear galley). In 1872, the Ladies’ Work Meeting was stated and continued as a Sewing Meeting for several years.
A Trust Deed was drawn up in 1870 and refers to the Church as a ‘Society of Protestant Dissenters called Particular or Calvinistic Baptists’. ‘Open’ Communion is specifically permitted (i.e. all believers are welcome to take Communion), but the Church has always practiced ‘closed’ membership (i.e. members have to be baptised by total immersion). From its earliest days, the Church has belonged to the Baptist Union and the London Baptist Association.
During the Revd. Thorn’s time, 1887 to 1894, the original organ was installed in the rear gallery, the land adjoining the chapel was purchased and the still standing Lecture Hall was erected.
The 20th Century
In 1895, the Revd. Archibald Welch became the Pastor until 1925. The pioneering work was during this time and a period of consolidation was begun. During this period, a number of societies and traditions were established. The Women’s Bible Class, led by Mrs. Welch, the Ladies’ Sewing Meeting, the Christian Endeavour Society were marked features of these years, as was the Young People’s Midsummer Breakfast. With the arrival from Cheshunt College of our fine Bevington Organ, the Choir went from strength to strength, gaining the interest and esteem of local residents by its fine rendering of Cantata and Oratorio.
Harvest Festival, c1911, showing Church before the all-round gallery was erected
In 1904, a Mission was used to convert two hundred. In this and other ways, the Church exerted a considerable influence in the neighbourhood, social concern being expressed through a District Nurse, Sister May, retained by the Church. A soup kitchen was operated in periods of distress.
In 1906, the Boys’ Brigade was introduced to the Church, with the Girls’ Brigade following in 1911.
A few years later, the First World War began, shattering the contemporary optimism and ending an era in history. In this Church, as in every other, the casualty list was a long one, as the Memorial by the pulpit steps testifies. But for this, the Church’s growth might have been even greater.
During 1912, the Sunday School was separated into departments. The Primary and Beginners’ Departments were introduced, followed in a few years by the Junior Department. In 1922, the range of ages catered for was completed by a Young People’s Fellowship.
During his ministry, the Free Church life in this country passed through its peak years and the enlargement of the chapel to accommodate six hundred worshippers by building the complete gallery was quite typical of the times.
Church after the all-round gallery was erected in the 1920s
During Revd. Jones’ ministry, 1927 to 1949, the accommodation for the Sunday School and the Young People’s Fellowship was greatly improved. In 1933, the first chapel building was replaced by a double-storey hall. Electricity was used to light the chapel and worship was no longer interrupted by the lamplighter. Many young people, as well as many older more experienced members of the congregation, were busily engaged in the varied interests and work of the Church. For Totteridge Road, the years between the wars were good years of activity and growth. When the Second World War came, many of our members went to the Forces and the enemy filled the skies, but only one member of the fellowship was killed — when a flying bomb fell on a local school. But the War did have some bad effects upon the Church; and particularly upon the Sunday School, especially evacuation. Before 1939, the Sunday School had over 350 children attending. Very many, in some cases whole families, left the area, some never to return. Mr. & Mrs. Jones remained here during the war and many in the Church and neighbourhood felt the warmth of their friendship in those sad days.
Church interior during a Parade Service in 1968
In 1951, after three years inter-regnum the Revd. James Walker came to the Church. Sadly, ill health meant that his ministry lasted less than a year.
From 1952 to 1963, the Revd. T. Alec Steen was our minister. In his time, more modifications were carried out on the Church buildings, including major improvements to the central heating system and Church vestibule or porch.
The out-reach work of the Church also expanded at this time. The Women’s Own meeting was started, replacing the Mothers’ Meeting. In 1952, the Sunday School was extended to include classes at the near-by Prince of Wales’ School, being pioneered by Mrs. Steen. The Sunday School totalled 225 pupils and 40 teachers. Mr. Steen’s concern for the young people led him to inaugurate the annual Youth Week-End. Also, from 1958 to 1961, members from Totteridge Road assisted the fellowship at Waltham Cross Baptist Church.
Church Exterior in 1968. It hasn't changed much since!
During the ministry of the Revd. Peter Wortley, 1965 to 1975, the Church celebrated its centenary. This included a special church meeting on Wednesday, 15th January 1969 — exactly one hundred years after the Church’s first meeting. It was held in the Primary Hall on the site of the original Chapel.
The work of the Church went forward under his wise and kind guidance with spiritual renewal at the heart of church life. The Church joined with other local Churches in study groups, joined the Enfield District Council of Churches and started its association with Christian Aid.
