Loughwood Meeting House |
|
|
Loughwood, near Axminster, is one of the oldest Baptist Churches in England. It is mentioned in records as early as 1653, although no one knows exactly when it was built. It was built deep in a remote forrest called Lough Wood. This was because of official persecution. The Chapel was built right across the border (as it then was) between two counties. During the service, members would keep watch. If constables or soldiers arrived to arrest the preacher, he could escape from a door near the pulpit into the next county, where they were not allowed to follow. |
 |
 |
Inside are white walls, clear glass windows, plain wooden pews, a gallery where musicians played and a high pulpit. Below the pulpit is a special table, called the Lord's Table, which is used for communion. Beneath the floor is a baptistry, which was filled with water from a nearby spring. |
|
Stories have been handed down about the persecution in these early days. One says that when the worshippers arrived one Sunday morning they found the meetinghouse occupied: A huntsman was in the pulpit, blowing his horn, while his hounds were scampering around the pews. Another story tells of how worshippers arrived one Sunday to find an armed soldier with orders from the magistrate to thrust his sword into anyone who tried to enter. After some hesitation, a brave young woman took her life in her hands, and "with a shriek" brushed past the motionless soldier. The rest followed her and went in to start the service. |
 |
| Photographs by Mike Strange | |
 |
Go to a virtual tour of Loughwood Meeting House |
|
|
Go to 'Churches - Baptist' |
|
|
Go back to 'History' |