Oadby, Leicestershire, Baptists

Oadby, Leicestershire, Baptist Church. The following history is taken from “History of the Baptist Churches in Connection with the Leicestershire Association,” Baptist Magazine (1866), 102-03.

The introduction of Baptist preachers into Oadby was in May, 1795, when Mrs. Waldren had her house licensed for the preaching of the gospel. Mr. Cave, the pastor of the church at Harvey-lane, Leicester, and Mr. Davies, pastor of the Independent church, Wigston, both preached once a month. The congregations were very small, and sometimes so disorderly during the time of service, that it was found necessary for the restoration of peace and quietness to read the license. In the year 1800, the same lady had a barn converted into a place of worship, which led to an increase in the number of hearers, and to more frequent preaching. Very few, however, attended the prayer meeting, and only two or three exercised the gift of prayer in public. On one occasion there was only one person to engage in prayer, after which the prayer meeting was for a time given up.

In the year 1806 the prayer meeting was revived, the assemblies for the ministry of the word were more numerously attended, and the proclamation of the gospel was blessed to the conversion of some and the edification of others. As the old meeting-house was fast going to decay, in the year 1815 the present chapel was erected, but not pewed until seven years afterwards. In 1822 Mr. Harris, of Cranfield, Bedfordhsire, began his ministry, during which the congregations were so greatly increased that the chapel was enlarged by building a vestry and a gallery above it. After a ministry of two years, Mr. Harris resigned his office, and was succeeded by Mr. Brooks, during whose pastorate (in May, 1825) the present church was formed, consisting of thirteen members, who were dismissed for that purpose from the church at Harvey-lane, Leicester; and before a year had elapsed, eighteen others were added to the church.

At Michaelmas, 1826, Mr. Brooks resigned the pastorate, and, after a short interval, was succeeded by Mr. Miller, whose ministry lasted three years, during which eight members were added to the church. His successor was Mr. Burdett, who continued his ministry until the beginning of 1838, when, after an interval of eight months, Mr. Webb accepted the charge, and remained until March, 1842. At the close of 1843, Mr. Price, of Loughborough, commenced his labours, and spent his last days at Oadby. During his brief pastorate of little more than three years, twenty persons were added to the church, but it does not appear that due care was taken in the reception of members, as many of them declined from the ways of godliness and brought dishonour upon the church.

For eleven years after Mr. Price's death the church was without a settled pastor; during this interval, in 1849, Mr. Horsepool paid his first visit to Oadby. For about two years he supplied the pulpit once a month, and after this time, until 1857, every other Sunday. For years the church had appreciated very highly the labours of Mr. Horsepool, in consequence of which, a mutual attachment sprang up between them, so that in October, 1857, he was earnestly and unanimously invited to accept the pastorate. He complied with this request, and from this date commenced the happiest period of the history of the church. Under his ministry peace and unity prevailed, the Christian was instructed and edified, anxious souls were wisely directed and counselled, and sinners faithfully warned and entreated to be reconciled to God.

From Mr. Price's death in 1846 until 1857, twenty-three persons were added to the church; and, from the beginning of Mr. Horsepool's pastorate to its close, twenty-four persons were added to the church by baptism and letter. Mr. Horsepool's labours terminated in May, 1863, only a few days before his decease. His loss is deeply felt and lamented. During his ministry the chapel was purchased and a large school-room erected at a cost of more than £420, little more than £80 still remaining unpaid. The pulpit has since been supplied by local preachers.