Our History
This is by no means an exhaustive account of our history, but we are very grateful to all the people in the past who have taken the time to write their accounts over the years of Salem Baptist Church Romford down on paper. We have not changed any of the content and have kept it in its original form as it is in the booklet.
A short summary of our history
Although the original idea to form a church of the Baptist Denomination was first rooted in 1833 by a Godly Man (I R Ward), he was unavoidably prevented.
Through a series of personal tragedies, including the death of his wife, the plan was postponed until May 1834 when a room was opened for prayer on Wednesday evenings.
On the 15th March 1835, this ministry was extended to include Sunday morning worship. It was not until the 13th May 1836 that the church was finally and officially formed.
There can be no doubt there were no rich people among the founder members. What is obvious is that individually, they were very ordinary, humble God-fearing folk with a love for Jesus and His Gospel, they wished to communicate to the then, gross darkness engulfing their benighted town of Romford.
From the Inaugural Church Minutes of 1836 one is impressed by their faith, their humility, their love for Jesus and each other.
Certainly, we have nothing of which to be ashamed in the Christian character and courage of our brothers and sisters in Christ, who in obedience to a heavenly compulsion founded our church 176 years ago.
During that time in the process of ministering to their fellow citizens in Romford, it has witnessed the coronation of Kings and Queens, social and political upheaval, three wars. In the World War II it had the distinction of being the only church in Romford that did not close its doors for Sunday worship throughout, in spite of their air raids and the church hall suffering a direct hit by two incendiary bombs.
In 1936 the majority of church members relocated to new buildings in Main Road. The minority who remanded did so because they saw the necessity to retain a Gospel witness on their historic ‘Salem’ site in the London
Connected
We believe it is vital to stay connected to other churches.
We are part of Baptist Union/Eastern Baptist Association
Car Park
There is limited on-site parking with access from St. Andrews Rd and some off-site parking in side streets around the Church.
The Brewery (RM1 1AU) car park (over 1600 parking spaces) is at 5 minute walk.
Services
Sunday Services
The church meets every Sunday at 10:30 am for our Morning Service.
After the main meeting finishes, there may be an opportunity for prayer otherwise free tea, coffee and biscuits will be served.
No dress code.
If you have any questions about our Sunday Services or need to get in touch with us about any other enquiry we will be happy to help.
plan-a-visit FAQSunday Evening
The church meets every Sunday Evening at 3:30 for our re-energize Service.
Re-Energize Service is a service focus on children ages 5-12.
Games, Craft, Singing, Bible Story, Refreshments.
It is about fun and making new friends.
Re-EnergizeOur Beliefs
God
We believe in one God, the Creator and Sustainer of all things. He has eternally existed as three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are equal in being and together are one God.
(Genesis 1:1, 26–27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
God the Father
God the Father so loved the world that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be its Saviour. To know the Father is to know the Son. Through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we come to know God as our Father and are able to call Him, “Abba, Father.”
(John 3:16; Galatians 3:26; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 4:6–7)
God the Son: Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, equal with the Father, and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless human life and willingly gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. He rose bodily from the dead on the third day, demonstrating His victory over sin and death. He ascended into heaven and will return in glory to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
(Matthew 1:22–23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1–5; 14:10–30; Hebrews 4:14–15; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Romans 1:3–4; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Timothy 6:14–15; Titus 2:13)
God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is fully God, equal with the Father and the Son. He is active in the world, making people aware of their need for Jesus Christ and bringing conviction of sin. From the moment of salvation, He lives within every believer. He empowers Christians for daily living, enables understanding of spiritual truth, and guides them in what is right. Believers seek to live each day under His leading.
(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 14:16–17; 16:7–13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18)
Humanity
Human beings are created in the image of God, to reflect His character, and are the crowning work of His creation. Though made in God’s likeness, humanity has been marred by sin—an attitude of disobedience towards God—which separates people from Him.
(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3–6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1–2)
The Bible
The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and is rightly described as “God-breathed”. It is the supreme authority for Christian belief and practice. Being inspired by God, it is wholly trustworthy and without error in all that it teaches.
(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 12:6; Psalm 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5)
Salvation
Salvation is God’s gift to humanity. It cannot be earned through good works or self-effort. Forgiveness and new life are received only through faith in Jesus Christ. Eternal life begins the moment a person places their trust in Him.
(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9; John 1:12; John 14:6; Titus 3:5; Romans 5:1)
Eternity
Human beings were created to exist forever. Each person will either live eternally separated from God because of sin, or eternally united with God through forgiveness and salvation. Eternal separation from God is described in Scripture as hell; eternal life with God is heaven. Both are real and everlasting.
(John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 5:11–13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15)
The Local Church
We believe in the local church as part of the universal Body of Christ. The church is called to be a witness within its local community and to the wider world. It provides a context for the exercise of spiritual gifts and the observance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
(Matthew 28:19–20; 1 Corinthians 12–14; 1 Corinthians 11:27–29; Ephesians 4:11–16)
Believers’ Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Scripture teaches that the church is to observe two ongoing ordinances given by the Lord Jesus Christ. Believers’ baptism is an outward sign of an inward change and a public testimony that a person now belongs to Christ. It expresses identification with Jesus and is carried out in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of Christ’s death and a declaration of our fellowship with Him, observed until He returns. Both ordinances are for those who are believers.
(1 Corinthians 11:17–34; Matthew 3:6; Acts 8:26–40)
Human Sexuality and Marriage
We believe that God has ordained sexual intimacy to be expressed only within marriage as taught in Scripture.
(Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 18; Romans 1:26–29; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8; Hebrews 13:4)
We believe that biblical marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman.
(Genesis 2:24; Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22–23)
Affiliation
City Church is connected to a larger network of churches known as the Eastern Baptist Association of The Baptist Union of Great Britain. You can learn more by visiting : Eastern Baptist Association or: The Baptist Union of Great Britain : The Baptist Union
Events
Recent Events
Donations
How can you donate?
Account Name: Salem Baptist Church
Account Number: 80991360
Sort Code: 30-97-13
Bank: LLOYDS
Contact us
Get in touch
Address:
Salem Baptist Church
London Road
Romford
London, RM7 9QA
Contact Number:
07446 183680