Joseph Swain

Joseph Swain (1761-1796) was originally from Birmingham. He came to London as an apprentice to his brother, an engraver. He was baptized by John Rippon at Carter Lane on 11 May 1783, and shortly thereafter called to the ministry, organizing the Baptist meeting at Walworth in late 1791.  He was ordained there on 8 February 1792. The church grew considerably and the chapel was enlarged three times during his short tenure, increasing from 27 to over 200 members.  He was the author of several works, including Experimental Essays on Divine Subjects, in Verse and Prose, and Hymns for Social Worship (1791); Walworth Hymns (1792); and Redemption:  A Poem (1797).