Baptist History stretches back over 400 years, and for about half that time there has been a Baptist Church in Southwell, which makes us the second oldest congregation in the town.

In 1808 preachers from Nottingham came to Southwell; little more than a village at the time. They held meetings in a barn on Westhorpe, which became our first meeting house. The graveyard was added soon afterwards, when one of the congregation's young daughter died.

Because she was as yet unbaptised, burial in consecrated ground was not permisible. The same year, the parish workshouse was built on the very edge of the Parish on Nottingham Road. It soon became apparent that the building would be too small for a County workhouse, and the present National Trust property was built.

The work house was transfered there, leaving a building vacant, which the Baptists purchased and refurbished to reopen in 1839 as 'the Southwell Baptist Tabernacle'. The church has had 21 ministers in its history. The shortest pastorate was just one year and the longest twenty five years. Our present minister has been serving this church family for eleven years.

Thirteen years ago, a £150 000 refurbishment was undertaken, giving us the multi-purpose space we now enjoy.