Welcome to the Baptist Historical Society
What this Society does
We are here to help British Baptists understand their heritage and history.
We provide an appropriate academic opportunity for those who wish to study life of Baptist churches, people and ideas, so that Baptists can "articulate and discover the faith by which we all live" (Brian Haymes). You can discover more on the Baptist Quarterly page.
We are interested in collecting primary Baptist information for the national Baptist collection in Oxford, and finding such resources in local churches, Record offices and any in the possession of private individuals.
Seeking a Baptist relative?
We share the modern concern for family history, although our resources are limited. For Baptists, baptism means total immersion in water of those who are old enough to confess Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Therefore, records of Baptist baptisms will not be found in parish registers, but will probably be recorded in the Minutes of the local Baptist Church.
If your relative was a Baptist minister, information about many, but not all, Baptist ministers, may have been printed in the obituaries published in the Baptist Union annual Handbook and other Baptist journals since 1790. Go to Baptist Family History.
Interested in what some leading Baptists have said?
We have begun an oral history programme, and one such interview is available. You can read a transcript of Revd Dr Leonard Champion, one time minister at Minehead and Rugby, Principal at Bristol Baptist College, and President of the Baptist Union in conversation with Roger Hayden.
Need recent news of the Society?
There is a Newsletter available on line, which is updated regularly, that you could easily receive. Did you know that Strict Baptist churches, at the opening of 20th century took pictures of their chapel and pastor and issued postcards to be used in their village? Have you some material that the Society might be glad to know about? Are you looking for something specific which a Society member might have details about? Initially contact the Secretary with your information or requests.
Looking for books about, or by Baptists?
Consult the wide range of our Society publications, there will probably be something to help you know Baptists better. We publish a modern four volume, century by century, history of English of English Baptists, from 1600 to present day.
If that seems too detailed, try English Baptist History and Heritage, completely revised, extended and illustrated in 2005, which provides a concise overview of Baptist life and thought for the same period. We would suggest you also consult the Paternoster Press specific Baptist series, Studies in Baptist History and Thought, as some of their authors have been or still are members of our Society.
Books can be ordered via the Baptist Union.
Writing a chapel history?
If your church has just discovered it's fifty, hundred or more years old next year, and you have been asked to write the story of God's Baptist people locally, we can offer some practical advice. With the Society's help you can do it!
What do Baptists do worldwide?
English Baptist have been in a worldwide missionary programme since 1792, and the standard history of BMS World mission was written in 1992 by Dr Brian Stanley. The History of Baptist Missionary Society and much modern information can be found on the bmsworldmission website, and the historical archive of the BMS is available in the Angus Library, Oxford.
How can I join the Baptist Historical Society?
Obviously there is strength to be found in a community of people and congregations that have a common background, and wish to understand their origins. It was George Santayana who said 'the fate of those who forget their past is to have to relive it.' Members of the Society in the contemporary discussions of a meaningful denominational future, and the need for self understanding among Baptists can be properly met and invites those who share that concern to join the Society and enable this vital work to continue. Please contact our Membership Secretary