A Brief History of Jireh Particular Baptist Chapel, Attleborough

The origins of “Jireh Particular Baptist Chapel” can be traced back to the Particular Baptist Church in Cow Lane, Coventry which opened in 1793.

James Aston who was the assistant Pastor at Cow Lane preached in houses in Attleborough and by 1818 other preachers from Cow Lane had begun visiting Attleborough and soon gathered over 200 people to hear them. A Chapel was opened on 6th February 1821 which is next door to today’s Attleborough Baptist Church. In 1853 Mr Thomas Brown and Mr Robert Pope left Attleborough Baptist Church and took a house in Attleborough to hold preaching services. They invited Mr Joseph Orton to conduct the opening service.

Mr Joseph Orton continued to preach there and became their Pastor. On 12th October 1858 a Church was formed, in Mr Orton’s words, “after maturely weighing over the articles and rules”. The congregation continued to grow, and a larger place was needed, and a former ribbon factory in Hall End was then used for the services.

However, there was a desire for a purpose-built Chapel and to that end land was purchased in 1877. The present Chapel building being erected in 1878.

The new Chapel was opened on 26th March 1878 and the opening services were taken by Mr Manasseh Tyron. Mr Orton continued as Pastor until the end of 1890 when he retired because of his advancing years and ill health. He entered his eternal rest on 4th March 1900 aged 80.

In 1911 Mr Hills was appointed Pastor and continued to 1919. In 1928 Jubilee services were held which were reported in the local paper. These commenced with a Prayer Meeting at 7.00 am on the Lord’s Day.

Mr E Hadley was appointed Pastor in 1941 and continued to 1945.

The church was brought very low in numbers however it has been built up again gradually from the 1980’s and is now comfortably full for both services on the Lord’s Day. During the interregnum the pulpit was occupied by itinerant ministers and by visiting Pastors of other churches. Over the years since 1945 there has been much prayer that the Lord would provide a Pastor and in the Lord’s own time Mr Timothy Parish from “Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel“, Luton was appointed as the Pastor from 1st January 2018. However Mr Parish stepped down in September 2020.