A Brief History of Quorn Baptist Chapel

From 1753 to 1760, Quorn was part of the Loughborough connection which was served by preachers from Barton in the Beans Baptist Church. In 1760, this Loughborough connection was divided into five groups – Loughborough, Quorn, Leake, Wymeswold and several other villages forming the fifth group.

The old granite-built house opposite the present chapel was the original meeting house and was licensed for meetings in 1760. This house was the home of Robert Parkinson who was really the prime mover in the commencement of the church in Quorn.

By 1766, preaching was regularly introduced, the congregation grew and, in 1770, a neat, plain meeting house was built at a cost of Ł270.

In 1780, John Gamble, a name which has been prominent in the church since its inception, started the Sunday School. The same year, 1780, Adam Taylor’s history speaks of a wonderful revival in Quorn with a hundred believers professing their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and offering themselves for baptism. The new meeting house was enlarged in 1780 at a cost of Ł160 but by 1790 it was again found to be too small to seat the members so the walls and roof were raised and galleries placed on three sides, all at a further cost of Ł200.

The three storied middle building housing the present vestry was erected in 1818. Further alterations took place in 1846 and 1861, all to give more seating accommodation. In 1884, some old cottages were purchased, demolished and the present Sunday Schoolroom built in 1897 at a cost of Ł540.

A major alteration took place in 1930 when the chapel was re-seated, electric lighting installed, the pulpit and organ moved to their present positions, some windows re-sited and complete redecoration undertaken throughout.

The chapel was again completely redecorated in 1963 and the organ rebuilt. However, due to a fire in the three storey building’s chimneys, this all had to be done again in 1970. Fortunately this was covered by insurance. Over the next few years, the balcony was re-structured and re-seated, an additional suite of ladies toilets was provided in the main Sunday School hall and the men’s toilet block was re-built. The rear graveyard was levelled and the headstones removed to the perimeter walls. A vestibule has been added to the front of the chapel. Other improvements are contemplated for the near future.

A study of the gravestones in the churchyard can be most interesting and it is possible to trace several generations of families through them.

The following is a list of the ministers who have served the church since 1760:

1760 – 1787 Mr. J. Grimley and Mr. J. Donisthorpe (An original Barton preacher)

1787 – 1818 Rev. Benjamin Pollard

1818 – 1822 Mr. Pywell

1822 – 1831 Local preachers

1831 – 1834 Mr. Allsopp

1834 – 1843 Rev. Adam Smith

1845 – 1862 Rev. Steddon

1866 – 1869 Rev. Isaac Stubbins

1870 – 1872 Rev. Thos. Bumpus

1873 – 1875 Mr. W. Staynes

1879 – 1882 Rev. A. Grier

1882 – 1898 Lay preachers and students from the Midland College

1898 – 1901 Rev. W. J. Tomkins ) Joint with

1901 – 1920 Rev. G. E. Payne ) Mountsorrel

1920 – 1926 Rev. H. F. Bran )

1927 – 1929 Rev. G. Ambrose ) Joint with

1929 – 1943 Rev. E. E. Attwood ) Woodhouse Eaves

1943 – 1948 Rev. A. F. Webb

1948 – 1958 Rev. L. Worsnip

1959 – 1991 Pastor P. A. Cooper

1993 – 2004 Rev. H. W. Ketton

For over two centuries, the Word of God has been preached faithfully Sunday by Sunday. There is no record of any closure even during two world wars. Thousands of people have committed their hearts to the Lord and received Holy Baptism as a profession of their faith in the love of the Lord Jesus Christ and of their belief in His saving grace. The church is still witnessing as those who have gone before and feel they are on with them.

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine,
Yet all are one in thee, for all are Thine,
Hallelujah!

Click on the images to enlarge.

There is more information about the Baptist Church in the Genealogy section of the village site. In particular there is information on the Quorn Baptist Church Graves.

1760 – 1787	Mr. J. Grimley and Mr. J. Donisthorpe (An original Barton preacher)
1787 – 1818	Rev. Benjamin Pollard
1818 – 1822	Mr. Pywell
1822 – 1831	Local preachers
1831 – 1834	Mr. Allsopp
1834 – 1843	Rev. Adam Smith
1845 – 1862	Rev. Steddon
1866 – 1869	Rev. Isaac Stubbins
1870 – 1872	Rev. Thos. Bumpus
1873 – 1875	Mr. W. Staynes
1879 – 1882	Rev. A. Grier
1882 – 1898	Lay preachers and students from the Midland College
1898 – 1901	Rev. W. J. Tomkins	) Joint with
1901 – 1920	Rev. G. E. Payne	) Mountsorrel
1920 – 1926	Rev. H. F. Bran	)
1927 – 1929	Rev. G. Ambrose	) Joint with
1929 – 1943	Rev. E. E. Attwood	) Woodhouse Eaves
1943 – 1948	Rev. A. F. Webb
1948 – 1958	Rev. L. Worsnip
1959 – 1991	Pastor P. A. Cooper
1993 – 2004	Rev. H. W. Ketton