Colchester Baptist Church

Colchester, Baptist Church – Rev. Thomas Steevens was a native of Northampton, was set aside for the ministry at Devonshire Square in London in 1773, and in late 1773 began preaching at Eld Lane in Colchester, where he was ordained as pastor in August 1774 (26). He remained at Colchester until his death in 1802 (Memorials 49).  The church at that time and over the next several years absorbed the General Baptists and the Sabbatarians in the area (27).  Some other preachers in the area in the 1780s were a Mr. Pudney and a Mr. Hitchcock (27).  In September 1791 there were about 112 members of the Colchester church (28).  Part 2 of Memorials of the Baptist Church, worshipping in Eld Land Chapel, Colchester contains excerpts from the church records.  For 19 April 1793, we find: “We have been keeping a national fast.  The service began at half-past ten, concluded quarter-past two.  Some churches, on account of the nature of the times, had only a short service by the minister alone, but our friends were enabled so to pray as that, had Informers been there, they must have gone away without their errands” (38-39).  For 6 June 1793, we find: “Our brethren prayed fervently for this church and for the nation, now in a very alarming state in various respects” (39).  Another fast day is noted for 8 March 1797.  The records note that only Isaac Taylor’s meeting and the Methodists had lectures on that day.  “O that this may be the last fast in which the Lord’s people shall be divided as they are now.  Our people were pretty unanimous on the occasion” (39).  For 7 March 1798, we find another fast day.  “Our congregations were tolerably large when the dislike of many to the day is considered.  May we have no more occasion for such fasts” (39).  And again, on 27 February 1799: “Alas for the nation!  Our fast days are days of division and of sinning” (39).  By 13 February 1801, however, attitudes toward fast days had clearly changed: “Neither of the opportunities was well attended.  Fasting is become either a bugbear or a jest.  The times are awful beyond expression; yet but few lay them to heart.  A sad omen! . . . Among Dissenters the few who attended were like speckled birds.  As a specimen of the times I note that we are all obliged to eat brown bread, and fro that we pay 18 3/4 d. the quartern loaf; and every necessary of life is dear in proportion.  A scarcity, which is said not to be, is by Government assigned as the reason.  Perhaps many of our friends kept at home, fearing to mock or belie the Deity; but our business was of a very different kind, and the brethren who prayed seemed to understand it” (39). An entry for 30 October 1801 is more jubilant after the peace (39).  At one point a Mr. Hobbs, the Independent minister, joined with Steevens for various services, being like-minded, the records state (40).  In December 1795 both congregations raised money for their respective Missionary Societies (41-42).  The entry for 7 February 1790 tells us that Mr. Hobbs, being sick, the two congregations met for worhip together at the Independent meeting, with Steevens preaching (46). Steevens preached and published the Circular Letter for the newly formed Essex association in August 1796, entitled The Knowledge of God Increased and His Church Enlarged (42). References above taken from Memorials of the Baptist Church, worshipping in Eld Land Chapel, Colchester (Colchester, 1889), which includes The History of the Baptist Church at Colchester, Essex, compiled by Joshua Thomas (Leominster, 1791).