Harry Huyton went to be with the Lord on 03rd August 2020.
In a sense, we have been blessed as a local church by so much already through the passionate messages of encouragement, gentle words of correction and the prods to heed the gospel message that came through Harry – and we are truly grateful to God for this.
On this page, we want to reflect one more time on recorded messages and admonishment that came through the lips of Harry Huyton as he spoke about Christ and his love for sinners who come humbly in repentance to the cross where there is forgiveness.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Tim 4: 7- 8)
Easter Sunday 2015 was an encouragement at Fryerns Baptist Church as the believers focused on the power of the cross and Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. The family service was led by Ian Jemmett and focused on the resurrection of Christ and the new life we have in Christ.
The Sunday school and children’s department which currently consists of children under the age of 12 years were enthusiastic in joining in the family service. They sang hymns (click on link) in praise to God and recited memory verses they had learnt. Benie (8 years) recited Psalm 121:1-8; Shauna (7 years) recited 1 John 5:18 and Galatians 3:9 and Chaelle (8 years) 1 Cor 10:13 and John 3:36. This was capped with a group recitation of PSALM 23 including Toluwalase (8years) plus the youngest member of the children’s ministry Hephzibah (4 years). This Easter all members of the children’s Sunday school department each received a Bible as a gift. We pray and hope that they will continue to know God’s blessing as they continue to read and listen to the preaching of the word of God. (Listen to children’s session here).
God has faithfully added to the church membership at Fryerns Baptist Church. Fryerns Baptist Church by the grace of God has become a multi ethnic church with people who love the Lord from all the four corners of the earth. We got to hear some encouraging testimonies of what God has done in the lives of three church members.
Prabhakar was born in India into a Roman Catholic family. Much of the traditions in the church didn’t mean make sense to him till a lady who was once a Hindu and had become a Christian encouraged him to read the Bible for himself. He testifies of his gratitude to God in leading him to realize his helpless state as a sinner and the need for salvation through repentance and faith in Christ. (Listen to Prabhakar’s testimony here)
Francis was born in a Christian Nigerian home and grew up doing things like devotions and going to church as routine but he had never come to know the Lord as his saviour. It wasn’t until his teenage that he heard a preacher talk about his own need of a personal saviour – that was when he came to have an inner peace at knowing that his sins were forgiven. (Listen to Francis’ tesimony here)
Barbara was born in South Wales and her first Christian influence was through her godly Christian grand mother who was the church organist. She encouraged her during visits to go along with her to church. Her father was not christian but allowed her to attend Sunday school. Barbara came to know the Lord as she continued to be involved in Christian youth work during her teenage and when she reached college was baptized by immersion with encouragement from a good friend (who has remained a life long friend called Glenys). Barbara also testifies of God’s answers to her prayers and faithfulness during numerous trials in her life. (Listen to Barbara’s testimony here)
All seems to be almost set for Resurrection Sunday. Posters and leaflets will soon be proclaiming the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour.
As the seasons change and Spring slowly creeps in with warm lovely sunshine and milder temperatures so will the enthusiasm to glorify God for isn’t man’s primary purpose is to glorify God and enjoy him for ever?
If you are wondering what Resurrection Sunday or Easter is all about – why don’t you come along and find out!
Welcome to a bit of history. As you enter the front doors of Fryerns Baptist Church you will be greeted by an exquisitely beautiful painting. This mural or work of art which was actually made in 1954 is a special one – It’s a piece of eye catching beauty that tells a story reminding people of events of historical importance to Christians in England.
[Read more below and get a FREE Download at the bottom of the page ]
Fryerns Baptist Church Entrance
Let’s start at the beginning – Fryerns Baptist Church was opened on the 21st November 1953.
First pastor: The very first and founding minister was Pastor Charles B. Phillimore. The church was founded by The Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches (later named renamed Association of Grace Churches South EastA.S.B.C.S.E) and the National Federation of Strict Baptist Churches. Interestingly the land purchase to erect a church in Basildon district was after two churches in London were burnt down. To begin with, a bungalow was erected initially as the first building which was later then followed by a church building. With renewed zeal for evangelism and a desire to reach the people of Basildon with the gospel there were persistent gospel mission outreaches into the community.
Summary of faith: As a reformed baptist church Fryerns is first and foremost a bible centred Christian church. It preaches the doctrines of grace – that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. And as a grace baptist church Fryerns adopts as a general summary of faith the Strict Baptist Affirmation of faith 1689/ 1966. (See copy here).
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Let’s go back to the Mural – You see, the mural illustrates a few men and women who stand in a long line of godly Christian men who have gone before us.
This mural, was painted in 1954 by Lewis Lupton, and it depicts the birth and growth of the Strict Baptist or Reformed Baptist denomination or sometimes simply nowadays referred to as Grace Baptist Churches. The denomination is depicted as a central tree, its knarled old trunk indicating trials and difficulties during its growth. The tree has its roots firmly placed in the Bible, one root in the pages of the Old Testament and the other in the pages of the New Testament.
At the top of the painting is a sketch of John Bunyan baptising Agnes Beaufort by immersion in a mill stream.
The communion table with linked hands represents fellowship and unity of East and West in Christ and above is a dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit.
The Center:
The central figure represents a portrait shown to the pilgrim in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress at the house of the interpreter “ a man with eyes lifted up to heaven, the book of books in his hand, the law of truth written upon his lips standing before the world as if pleading with men”.
He symbolises the preacher who tells of the love of God and proclaims the Good News. As a result of the work of the preacher the tree grew and so has branches.
Area I
Hymns – Hymns were introduced in 1691 by Benjamin Keach who wrote a book about hymn singing supporting his argument with scripture. At first they only sang one hymn at the conclusion of the Communion service. Eventually after a period of 14 years they commenced singing every Sunday but only after the sermon. As shown in the mural at first they sang unaccompanied using a tuning fork to pitch the note. Then they started using a violin and eventually moved on to the organ or as one early critic termed it “a fearsome engine of music”, which subsequently became the recognised instrument for use in chapels.
Area II
Preaching in the chapels increased the numbers of believers and the church grew.
Area III
Stands for theology and theologians, professors of doctrine, who taught what they believed the Bible said and codified what they believed was a correct interpretation of Scripture.
The bust is of William Kiffin a member of the first Baptist cause in London, date on the cup 1633. Another, Gifford lived in Bristol but attended the chapel in Devizes, Wiltshire and thirdly Dr Gill a Scotsman who had come to live in London.
Area IV
Depicts missionary endeavour and the early taking of the gospel across the oceans to other lands.
William Carey a Northamptonshire cobbler saw the need of people in India and felt it was God’s will for him to go there. He was turned down as a candidate but was so convinced about God’s call that he founded the Baptist Missionary Society and went as their first missionary to India in 1793. He learnt many languages and translated much of the Bible, he also complied some dictionaries to help other missionaries. He was Professor of Oriental Languages at Fort William College Calcutta for 30 years. The top picture is of Strict Baptist missionary to India Dr Ruth Harris doing her rounds on a piebald horse. When the mural was painted in 1954, she was still in active service on the mission field.
Area V
The struggle for thought and Freedom of Worship.
Agnes Snoth was burnt at the stake on the 31st January 1556 at Smarden in Kent for refusing to confess to a priest on the grounds that it was contrary to the scriptures. She was the last Baptist to be burnt for her faith in England.
John Calvin represents the Reformers ie: those who protested against the domination of the Roman Catholic Church and the restrictions of religious expression.
The Mayflower in which many Baptist as well as others fled to the newly discovered America in search of freedom of worship.
The Puritans who whilst wanting freedom of religion rigorously practiced their own interpretation of the Bible.
Many ordinary people were put in prison for their faith, indeed one of the first Baptist congregations was formed in prison in London.
Slavery is included because the first petition against slavery was drawn up by a Strict Baptist and although it was not successful it paved the way for William Wilberforce to fight for the liberation of slaves in parliament. The picture of chains falling off also symbolises the experience of salvation, in the words of the hymn writer “my chains fell off, My heart was free, I rose went forth and followed Thee”
The following chapels and events are depicted in the mural:
1) 17th Century Guildford
2) 18th Century Hartney Wintney Hampshire
3) A mission hall in Chobham Surrey
4) Fryerns 5) The Strict Baptist Open-air Mission van which used to go out every Saturday.
(Look for all these depictions in the mural when you visit Fryerns Baptist Church)
(Adapted from “The Sermon on the Mural” by Graham Phillimore delivered to the Fellowship of Youth at Fryerns Chapel on 31st December 1959.
Lewis Lupton stayed in the Manse (then in Holden Road) with the Phillimore family whilst working on the Mural in 1954.)
Trivia: Did you know that this mural was once almost completely lost in the 1990s when due to vandalism the front door was broken and the mural was splashed with unknown substances? Well the mural was re-done by Malcolm Mackinnon and got a new coat of paint to meticulously restore it.
The history the mural depicts is a constant reminder to the current generation of Christians of the necessity of the gospel (even in Basildon) and the need to always keep praying that God would send us as his labourers to a field he has prepared by the work of his Spirit ready for harvest.
We pray that we may come to see and know God’s blessing in our time.
Easter Sunday 2015 was an encouragement at Fryerns Baptist Church as the believers focused on the power of the cross and Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. The family service was led by Ian Jemmett and focused on the resurrection of Christ and the new life we have in Christ.
