![\"Fryerns](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fryerns.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/1-1280x960.jpg\")
<\/a>Let’s start at the beginning – Fryerns Baptist Church was opened on the 21st November 1953.<\/p>\n
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<\/b> (later named renamed Association of Grace Churches South East<\/b> A.S.B.C.S.E<\/a>) 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.<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 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<\/a>).\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n This slideshow requires JavaScript.<\/p> Let’s go back to the Mural – You see, the mural\u00a0 illustrates a few men and women who stand in a long line of godly Christian men who have gone before us.<\/p>\n This mural, was painted in 1954 by Lewis Lupton<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n At the top of the painting is a sketch of John Bunyan baptising Agnes Beaufort by immersion in a mill stream. The Center:<\/p>\n The central figure represents a portrait shown to the pilgrim in John Bunyan\u2019s Pilgrim\u2019s Progress at the house of the interpreter \u201c 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\u201d. Area I Area II Area III Area IV Area V The following chapels and events\u00a0 are depicted in the mural:<\/span><\/p>\n 1) 17th Century Guildford 4) Fryerns\u00a0 5) The Strict Baptist Open-air Mission van which used to go out every Saturday.<\/p>\n (Look for all these depictions in the mural when you visit Fryerns Baptist Church)<\/p>\n
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\nHe 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.<\/p>\n
\nHymns \u2013 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 \u201ca fearsome engine of music\u201d, which subsequently became the recognised instrument for use in chapels.<\/p>\n
\nPreaching in the chapels increased the numbers of believers and the church grew.<\/p>\n
\nStands 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.
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\nDepicts missionary endeavour and the early taking of the gospel across the oceans to other lands.
\nWilliam Carey a Northamptonshire cobbler saw the need of people in India and felt it was God\u2019s will for him to go there. He was turned down as a candidate but was so convinced about God\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\nThe struggle for thought and Freedom of Worship.<\/p>\n\n
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\n2) 18th Century Hartney Wintney Hampshire
\n3) A mission hall in Chobham Surrey<\/p>\n