Our History
Harpole Baptist Church
In the late 1700s, a revival of religion was in full flow in England, spearheaded by leaders like John Wesley. In Harpole, a group of dissenting believers gathered at Chapel Barn on Glassthorpe Lane. In 1809, these dedicated believers decided to build a new chapel using their own limited means, and it still stands today.
Rev Amos Smith
In 1823, eight individuals covenanted together to form Harpole Particular Baptist Church. In the 1850s, a revival occurred, and the church grew rapidly, comprising village folk, including many farmers. Rev. Amos Smith (see photo) served as minister for 25 years, leading the growing congregation.
Harpole Baptist Chapel
Fast forward to 2010, when the leadership of the church decided to re-locate their place of meeting to the St. Crispins new estate to better service the growing population in that area. They also changed the name of the church to Forefront Church, and later affiliated the church with Kingdom Life Church in Northampton (now known as New Life Church). The chapel was then used only for minor events, and in 2019, the Baptist Union Corporation decided to sell the chapel to use the proceeds elsewhere.
Communion and Buffet
When some of the former members of Harpole Baptist Church learned of this, they convened a meeting in March 2020 to re-establish the church again, together with other Christians in the area, adopting the model constitution of the Baptist Union. They elected a leadership team, including a pastor/moderator who is a retired Baptist minister with decades of frontline experience, appointed trustees and treasurer and undertook the necessary training in safeguarding. Since then the church has met every Sunday for the last 6 years.
Communion and Buffet
Harpole Parish is a growing community with 2,000 new homes being built over the next 10 years, a 5 fold population increase. We believe Harpole Baptist Church has a vital role in serving both the current and future population and maintaining a strong Christian witness. Our local Brazilian congregation has added much enthusiasm to this exciting venture.
Communion and Buffet
We reopened the church on Sunday, August 9, 2025, with our first improvised service in a rather dilapidated building, but we have now completed the renovation, redecoration and repairs with both voluntary labour and paid contractors. The baptistry has been re-opened and cleaned and we celebrated our first baptisms on April 5th.
