Our Church’s History
Although our church doesn’t date back to the time of Henry VIII
or the Roman invasion, we still believe that our church has had an important role in the life of North Bushey and all the
congregation have stories to tell.
In the early 50s Mr Reg Blockley was sent from Bushey Congregational Church to set up some Sunday School groups in Highwood School Hall for the children of the newly formed Pine Ridge estate.
In 1954 the Sunday School moved to ‘Pine Ridge Hall’
not a grand building, but the builders hut left behind after
Park Avenue had been completed.
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens
Ecclesiastes 3:1
The church has seen many changes and developments over the last 50 years. In the mid 80s, 25 years after it opened, the church was on the point of closing, but not only did it survive it received a new lease of life due to the hard work of a few inspired members.
The Church was served by Lay Preachers until Rev'd. Callum Jones became the full time Minister in 1991.
The foundation stone was laid in January 1961 by Douglas Hicks, the area superintendant; Rev. Lawrence Jones, whom we shared with West Watford BC and Rev Lewis Misselbrook of Leavesden Road BC. The new church eventually opened on 17th June 1961. Mr Reg Bartram preached at the service on 18th June, his sermon entitled ‘A beginning of months’.
If you have any stories, information or pictures we would be very pleased to hear about them.
Please speak to Alison or Owen Harvey or you can E-
Thank you
In August 1954 a letter was sent to the residents of the ‘Pine Ridge’ and ‘Mill Way’ areas inviting them to attend Sunday Services in the Hall.
In June of the following year a small committee met and began formal meetings of a new church. The committee comprised of Mr Reg Blockly, Mr Bill Betts, Mr Ronald Allsworth, Mr Wilf Vickers and Mr Bill Rutland.
They decided the church was to be called The North Bushey Free Church (Undemominational) as they wanted to start something new.
They set up many community groups in addition to the Sunday schools, but were restricted as they did not own the hall.
But in 1956 the housing association offered to sell them the hall and lease the land to them for 999 years to use for religious purposes.
The Baptist Union were supporting the building of new churches at the time, so with the offer of help and encouragement of Rev Lewis Misselbrook of Leavesden Road BC, the new church affiliated itself with the Baptists, and changed its name to North Bushey Free Church (Baptist).
After securing loans, they demolished Pine Ridge Hall and a new church was built on the same site by Vic Hallam – a specialist in Pre Fab buildings.
In 1989 the church had a major refit. The original flip up chairs were removed in favour of individual cushioned seats that we still use today. The cold tiled floor was carpeted. The interior repainted. And the church was rededicated to God.
From September 2002 -
She moved on in 2008 and we were delighted to welcome a new minister -
1. Rev. Douglas Hicks
Area Superintendant
2. Rev. Lawrence Jones
Joint minister of North Bushey & West Watford Church
3. Rev. Lewis Misselbrook
Minister of Leavesden Rd BC
4. O.W.M. Baxter
Baptist Church House
5. Mrs Edna Allsworth
Ronald’s wife
6. Florrie Dillien
Member from 1955 -
7. Pat Dillien
Florrie’s daughter
8. Howard Rutland
son of Bill and Joyce
9. Arthur Baker
Secretary of West Watford BC
10. Josephine Smale
11. Gloria Morgan
12. Peter Biggadike
13. Rev. Douglas Allingham
Minister of Bushey Baptist
14. Douglas Biggadike
15. Harold William Rutland (Bill)
Founder member and Life Deacon
16. Henry (Harry) Wycherley
Founder Member and Deacon
In its 50th year the church has had another refit. New carpet, new equipment and we had lots of celebrations of our anniversary.
Owen and Alison have been researching hard and have produced a detailed display of the history of the church. They have produced a written history in a series of books taken from church records; a pictorial history in albums from photographs we have been given; a personal history of memories of some of our members and friends and lots of other interesting items which are all stored at church. They would also like to extend a huge thank you to all those who have contributed to our archive material.
We have been in contact with many people who have worshiped here in the past and we are very pleased to say that many of you have made it to our 50th anniversary service in
June 2011. Several who couldn’t make it have sent lovely letters including Rev. Lewis Misselbrook who laid the foundation stone in 1961.
