The Baptist Church in Bewdley is generally accepted as being one of the earliest Baptist churches, having been founded in 1650 following a boisterous debate between John Tombes and Richard Baxter at St Anne’s church. The debate began at 9.00am and continued until 5.30pm, with the magistrates eventually having to restore order.
Although the church was not built until 1764 when this site was purchased, the church members met, like many of the early Christians, in people’s homes nearby. This was made possible by bequest made by a Mrs. Sheward who left £50 to the minister and £100 to assist in the building of a church.
The building has gone through many renovations, extensions and modernisations as the needs of the church and community have changed over the centuries.
