Sheepshed, Leicestershire, Baptist Church 

Sheepshed, Leicestershire, Baptist Church. The following history is taken from “History of the Baptist Churches in Connection with the Leicestershire Association,” Baptist Magazine (1865), 772-73.

It was about the year 1700 that the preaching of the Gospel was introduced into Sheepshed by the Baptists; a Mr. Boyce in the first instance, and afterwards a Mr. Boyer, are recorded in the church-book as having kindly rendered occasional service in proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Christ. There can scarcely be a doubt from the date and close connection that is seen to have existed shortly afterwards between Sheepshed and Foxton, that this Mr. Boyce, the first Baptist Minister who went to preach occasionally at Sheepshed, was the first pastor of the church at Foxton. If this be so, as Foxton church must trace its descent from Arnsby church, so Sheepshed must acknowledge Foxton as its parent church. The church was formed about 1730, under the pastoral care of Mr. Joel Streeton, who afterwards removed to Foxton; but it will be remembered that when he was invited to the pastorate at Foxton, it was with the stipulation, that he should preach once a month at Sheepshed. During the time of Mr. Streeton's connection with the church at Sheepshed, Mr. William Christian, an ancestor of the three respected brethren who bear that name and are now deacons of the church, was co-pastor with Mr. Streeton, but sustained the pastoral office alone for some years after. He died very suddenly.

On the New Year's day of 1765, several ministers met at Sutton-in-the Elms, and Mr. Christian preached there from Rom. xvi.10, “Salute Apelles, approved in Christ.” The evening meeting was held at the neighbouring village of Whetstone, and Mr. Evans of Foxton preached from Ps. lxxi.17, 18: “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto have I declared they wonderous works: now also when I am old and grey-headed, O god, forsake me not.” The sermons were highly interesting and appropriate, and were listened to with great attention. Both the preachers afterwards went to a lone farm-house belonging to Mr. Summerfield of Whetstone, accompanied by Mr. Hall of Arnsby and Mr. Woodman of Sutton. Supper being ended, and the family having retired to rest, the ministers and the master of the house drew around the fire for conversation, which turned upon several interesting subjects, and engaged them to a later hour than was expected. Among other topics, one of the company proposed for discussion a passage in Job ix.23: “If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.” Great solemnity pervaded the conversation while each minister gave his thoughts upon the text, which involved the important question whether sudden death was to good men an object of desire or dread. When it came to Mr. Christian's turn to speak, he dwelt upon the subject of feeling, and expatiated upon the delightful surprise attendant on an instantaneous transition to the world of blessedness. A flood of rapturous tears followed; he leaned his head on the back of the chair; and while the words yet faltered on his tongue, his spirit passed away. The brethren did not at first perceive that he was dead, but thought that the strength of his feelings had denied him utterance. He sat upright in his chair; and the ministers, unwilling to disturb the family, sat up all night with the lifeless form of their departed brother still remaining in that position, and spent time in solemn prayer. The poet Edmeston wrote some touching lines on this event, beginning — 

“Which is the happiest death to die?” 

Mr. Christian was a diligent student of the Word of God, and a man of eminent piety.

In the following year the Rev. John Morton was ordained to the pastoral office, and after serving the church seven years removed to London. He is said to have possessed deep and genuine piety, and excellent talent for preaching. The Rev. W. Guy succeeded him, and died suddenly in the ninth year of his pastorate. His piety and zeal were extraordinary, and his name is still fragrant in the church where he laboured. His successor was the Rev. Robert Mills, who continued in the office twenty-nine years. Of him the inspired words may be truthfully used, “The memory of the just is blessed.” He died in 1814. The Rev. Samuel Peters had the oversight of the church for ten years, and was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. J. Bromwich, who has ministered to the people for upwards of thirty-seven years. At the commencement of his ministry, the church and congregation were in a very low state; but his labours have been attended with a good measure of success; and now in the closing years of his life there are pleasing indications of progress.