A Potted History of Boulevard Baptist Church

The church was "born" on May 15th 1736 with just 13 founder members who covenanted together to meet in a building called King Henry VIII's Tower. The first minister to be called unfortunately drowned on a sea voyage to London before his ordination. After a while, the fellowship moved to Salthouse Lane, then to George Street.

William Ward

A Baptist from Derby, William Ward who probably worshipped at George Street and who edited the Hull Advertizer became a member of the Carey/Ward/Marshman trio who pioneered missionary work in India around 1795.

The early Baptists churches in Hull suffered several splits which resulted in new movements, the Particular Baptists and the General Baptists among others.

C.H. Spurgeon

South Street, now in the main shopping area, was the site of a purpose built church from 1866. George Street still continued. There were others too. C.H. Spurgeon is reputed to have preached to one of the fellowships at this time.

Sunday School work has been a significant feature of the Local Baptist Church outreach since around 1839 and in 1897 the council started major Sunday schools in the Courtney and Constable Street schools to widen its horizons across the city.

The present site

The present Boulevard site was commissioned in 1897, the church opening on May 21st 1903, seating 500. A further 400 could be accommodated in the Sunday School building which opened in 1904 and which is the only building in use today, being large enough for multipurpose use. This involves not only Sunday and weekday prayer, bible study and worship as well as children's work but use by several other group's with church affiliations. These have varying target groups and modi operandi but all use it to reach into the local community.

The second half of the twentieth century saw a diversification of ministries to all ages against a falling national interest.

Boy's and Girl's Brigades with good reputations and extremely successful children's midweek clubs have been a feature of the church in recent years. We have served as an affiliated fellowship of the Baptist Union and the Yorkshire Baptist Association. The fellowship is an enthusiastic supporter of World and local mission.

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