On Sunday 7th August 1881, under the leadership of the Revd Alfred Bird, a group of Baptist believers met in a room over a mineral water factory in Bridge Street (now St.John’s Road), Sandown. Within a few weeks the number had grown so quickly that they were forced to look for larger premises. Revd Charles Haddon Spurgeon, founder of Spurgeons College suggested that, in an act of Faith, a Building Fund should be set up, he sent a cheque together with donations from a number of his supporters.
On Thursday 9th February 1882 the covenant was read and entered into during an Inauguration Service conducted by Revd J.A.Spurgeon and Sandown Baptist Church came into being. A month later, the Revd. Charles Spurgeon, came to cut the first sod on the site of the present church. On the 10th May 1882 the foundation stones of the new building were laid, and on Thursday 20th July that same year, the new House of Prayer was opened for public worship to the Glory and Service of God.
The original structure remained unchanged for over a hundred years, until it became necessary to replace the front entrance in 1987-89. The traditional wooden pews were removed during the early part of 2005 when the sanctuary underwent a refurbishment programme, in order to make the building better suited for its for purpose.
As the "Church on the Crossroads” we are blessed by being at the busy junction of Station Avenue and St. John’s Road. Many people, both locals and seasonal visitors pass by on their way to the town and the beach.
During the years since the 1881, membership and congregations have often fluctuated. Throughout this period 20 pastors, including our current incumbent the Revd. Ian Lovell, have faithfully led us with strong Scripture based teaching.
We are members of the Southern Counties Baptist Association and the Baptist Union of Great Britain, and work very closely with our fellow Baptist churches across the Island, (see our links page) supporting and encouraging each other.
Here is an interesting link from our history, a wedding in 1923 or 1924, during the pastorate of the Rev S. Pearce Carey and long before our current vestibule was built. see picture