INTRODUCTION
Campsbourne Baptist Church is a lively multi-cultural community with a broad and diverse congregation, and is a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It lies within the London Borough of Haringey in the area of Hornsey.
CHURCH HISTORY
There has been a Baptist work in the area since the 1870's. During 1894 a purpose-built Mission Hall was erected on a site in Campsbourne Road, on the corner of Pembroke Road (known as the Tin Chapel). Those members/workers were always looking for larger premises and these came into being in 1906 on 'The Campsbourne' at the junction with Hornsey High Street. Membership grew and the work expanded to cover many areas of benefit to the local people. This was all done through the overseeing in conjunction with Ferme Park Baptist Church (now Union Church), and this continued through the years.
In 1945 Douglas Hicks, minister at Ferme Park, met with the Reverend Cyrie C. Morgan and he became Assistant Minister at Ferme Park with responsibility for Campsbourne. This led to Campsbourne Hill Community Centre being inaugurated in 1948 and it became very successful with many activities taking place. After exhaustive discussions with the Ferme Park Diaconate it was agreed that Campsbourne should become an independent Church. On Sunday, 3rd January 1954 at a Communion Service, forty eight members, including five Deacons were commissioned to re-form the Church at Campsbourne with Reverend Cyrie Morgan as Minister and Warden of the community Centre. This format has continued with other ministers over the years, although the community Centre work came under the work of the Church eventually.
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Currently there is a small committed membership and a number of other people who attend regularly that have not become members. There are slightly more women than men. Courses are organised as required for Church membership and Baptism and Communion Services are usually held at two times within each month. There is a Cub and Scout Group and a Brownie Guide Company meeting on the premises.
The Diaconate is comprised of the minister and Church members appointed as Deacons (currently six people). The Diaconate are the Trustees of the Church. They are responsible for all aspects of the church work and report to the Church meetings.
KEY CHALLENGES
The greatest need is connecting church members with the local community so that effective evangelism can bring new people in and to faith. This also involves personal growth to be able to carry out this task. There must be growth among younger people in order to plan for the future of the Church and it would be helpful to attract families. Currently morale amongst those who attend is high and there is a real sense of excitement about the future.
PREMISES
The extensive premises are well used for Church activities and also for various lettings.
EXTRACT FROM 'BRITISH HISTORY ONLINE'
The following is an extract from the Website 'British History Online.' It outlines the early beginnings of Campsbourne Baptist Church. For reference see https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol6/pp183-189#h3-0002
'Campsbourne Road church first met in an iron chapel, leased in 1873 and registered in 1876. (fn. 35) After dissension (fn. 36) a group left to found Westbury Avenue church, Wood Green, (fn. 37) and in 1892 Campsbourne's remaining members joined Ferme Park church, which rebuilt the chapel in Campsbourne Road as a mission, started several institutions, and by 1903 had raised the attendance to 158 in the morning and 195 in the evening. (fn. 38) In 1907 a brick hall, seating 600, and two smaller halls were opened in the Campsbourne, next to three houses (nos. 3 to 5) which had been given to the mission. The hall in Campsbourne Road was thereafter used for adult education and, later, as an institute and a scouts' headquarters. In 1954, with help from Ferme Park, Campsbourne chapel again became independent. It retained the hall and two converted houses in the Campsbourne in 1976.'