The SBC story

It all began in the 1880's

The Chapel was built in 1884 and was known to be a temperance hall around 1887.
It was then an independent church fellowship for a considerable length of time.

In January 1990 the church was constituted to be a part of the Berkshire Baptist Association, which has since been incorporated into the Southern Counties Baptist Association. The buildings are now in trust with the Baptist Union Corporation.

Extensive renovations have been carried out in recent years and our premises are well used for a wide range of activities. Our position is central in Sandhurst, on a busy thoroughfare.

Over the years, the church has supported many forms of ministry within it's own programme and in the surrounding community. Currently we do not have youth and children's activities; our focus is with adults. Included in this are strong links and partnerships with our local Nepalese community.

Our aims are expressed on the banners in the picture above.

Planning your Visit

See you Sunday?

It can be daunting going to a church for the first time. There is great variety in the way Christians worship.
We are more relaxed and less formal than many, but we try not to be casual and thoughtless.

We hope the following information will give you an idea of what to expect if you join us on a Sunday morning.

Where and when?

We meet each week in our Chapel for a service starting at 10:30am.
This usually ends between 11.30am and noon.
On the first Sunday of the month, we share Communion together.

For any first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early.

Car parking at the Chapel is limited but there are two, free, public car parks not far away along Yorktown Road.
In one direction there are spaces beside the Library and in the other, beside the Memorial Park.

There is wheelchair access to both the Chapel and the Hall.
There is an accessible toilet in the Chapel Hall.

What?

On arrival one of our welcomers will greet you and help you find a seat.
There will be time to meet other folk before the service begins, but if you would rather sit quietly, please feel free to do so.

After the service we serve tea, coffee and biscuits in our Hall. This is the building behind the Chapel.
Sharing refreshments is a great way to meet people, or simply to take time to find your bearings.
Refreshments are free.

What happens in the service?

The service begins with a welcome and some notices.
There follows a time of songs, readings and prayers.
The words for songs and other items, are displayed by data projector.

There is usually a talk (sermon) that explores a passage or idea taken from the Bible

At some point during the service a collection will be made.
Many members of our congregation give to the church directly by the banking system.
Others still like to give cash.
Don't feel you must contribute, or feel embarrassed to let the collection bag pass by.

Children can stay with their parent or a grown-up throughout the service.
We value worshipping God all together as a family.

On Communion Sundays, we enact in a very simple way, the Last Supper that Jesus shared with His disciples.
As we remember what took place and what it all meant, small pieces of bread and little cups of grape juice are offered to all.
You do not have to take part.
Please feel free to let the elements pass by.
We hope just being there will be helpful to you.