The Beginnings

1817 to the mid 1960s

In 1817, during a church meeting of the nearby Duffield Baptists, a member asked the question "can we not begin preaching at Belper". As a result, a "Baptist Cause" was established in Belper, continuing as a branch of Duffield until 1823.

At that time, there was a single Baptist Fellowship whose members came from several districts, the two chief ones being Duffield and Cow House Lane. Meetings were held at both these locations, but members were entered on a common roll.

It was decided to engage a room at the "George and Dragon" inn (pictured left), which is still a local public house. On August 24th, 1817, the room was opened for public worship by Brother Ingram who acted as minister. The first member from Belper entered onto the area roll was a Mr Abbot, who joined in September 1817.

The geographical area of membership had now become so wide, that at this time the Church voluntarily divided in two. One area took in Wirksworth, Shottle and Cow House Lane; and the other Duffield, Windley, Milford and Belper.

An appeal for a Chapel and Burying Ground at Belper was launched the next year. Eventually sanction was given by the Association for this cause, and a Chapel was erected in Belper, the land given by a Mr Hardy. Thereafter, meetings and communion alternated between Duffield and Belper. No opening date is recorded, but the first anniversary was on March 19th 1820. The progress at Belper was so favourable that the Minister came to reside in Belper at the request of the church.

Mr Ingram left for Heptonstall Slack in 1821 and was succeeded by Mr Smedley at a stipend of £30 per year. In the following year, the church resolved upon a further division, this time becoming separate causes at Duffield and Belper. Thus Belper itself became an independent cause.

The original chapel is now a privately owned self catering cottage that sleeps 20 people. More information is available here.