These two churches - the General Baptists in Ely Place and the Particular Baptists in neighbouring Hill Street - co-existed for over 200 years.  Relationships between themselves - and with the Zion Baptist Church which was established in 1956 - were not always close and there were times when each church saw the other as a rival in the cause of the Gospel. Their traditions remained separate and for many of their members it was unthinkable that they would ever join forces.

Zion Baptist Church

(Victoria Road)

However in 1960 the two churches conducted a joint mission, assisted by Christian students from Cambridge University.  At the end of the mission, the leader of the students’ group, John Briggs challenged the churches to give fresh consideration to amalgamating into one church.

This time both churches were prepared to put aside their differences and the decision was taken to join together as “Wisbech Baptist Church” as of January 1961. They would meet at Hill Street, and the Ely Place chapel would be demolished. The two serving ministers would become joint pastors and a new membership list would be drawn up.

Rev Stanley Baker, who served as joint pastor in the newly formed church