Rev H J Horn

In June 1900 Rev H J Horn took up the pastorate and set about clearing the church building debt of £1255, a task which took 3 years. He also continued to invest in the future by encouraging the Church to buy two houses in Church Road adjoining the church site, which were demolished to make way for the Sunday School Buildings which are still in use today.

Favourite Hymns In 1901 the members voted for their favourite hymn. Top of the pops was Rock of Ages (2k midi file)

The 1902 Education Act included provision for a church rate - paid by all but used to support Church of England schools - to which many non-conformists objected in principle with unrest and "Passive Resistance" throughout the country. At least one of TBC's Elders was up "before the magistrates" in 1903 as a result of being a passive resister (refusing to pay the church rate).

1908 Sunday School Buildings

The first foundation stone for the new buildings was laid in 1907 and in September 1908 the opening ceremony took place.

Rev Horn was "a great Bible teacher" (Wally James) - he started the Blackboard Bible School in 1906 and established the Open Air Mission Band taking the Gospel to Fulwell, Hanworth, East Molesey and Twickenham.

Anyone for Tennis? TBC's Sunday School founded the Teddington Lawn Tennis Club in 1908 - it still exists as an independent Club in Vicarage Road.

Rev Horn moved on to Rushden in 1910, sorely missed by the congregation.

Rev J McCleery

The post of Minister was taken over in the May 1911 by Rev J McCleery. This ministry saw in 1913 the disbandment of the Court of Elders (which had existed since 1901), doubling the deaconate to 14. It also saw the installation of electric light in the Chapel and Sunday School buildings.

1915 saw the formation of the 1st Teddington (Baptist) Scout Troop under Mr William Alexander as the first Scoutmaster. In October 1915, the 1st Teddington Girl's Life Brigade was formed under the leadership of Miss L K Elms with 6 officers and 17 girls, it quickly grew to over 70 within 3 years.

The start of the two uniformed organisations went with growing strength in the Sunday School which saw an increase in the membership to 386 in 1915. But concern about difficulties in helping children move from Sunday School into full Church life led to the 1916 establishment of a Young Worshipper's League. 1917 saw the commencement of open air work - beginning with meetings in the Causeway at 8pm after the Sunday evening service. Numbers attending the Sunday School also grew strongly under the ministry of Rev McCleery and had increased to 565 by 1918 despite the ongoing First World War. Rev McCleery left to go to Hitchin in 1918.

Great War Roll of Honour The following members of the Church and workers in the Sunday School died in the Great War (First World War 1914-1919) while on active service: Julian C Larkman Sidney Scott Cecil H Palmer

With the end of the hostilities, in March 1919 the Rev W Harold Tebbit took up the pastorate. He rekindled an interest in missionary work raising the giving to missionary causes considerably. The Mission Council was re-organised, giving mission education under the secretaryship of Mr & Mrs F A Leeming.

Rev W H Tebbit

Support was given to Jack Saxton to pursue his training at Edinburgh University Medical School, prior to service with the Baptist Missionary Society. Others also received support and many more played their part through the Women's Missionary Society, Ropeholders and the Girls' Auxiliary.

Times being hard in 1920 the price of the church magazine (The Record from which much of this history is drawn began monthly publication in 1897), already raised by 50% from 1d to 1½d was to rise again to 2d. However, the Church still felt able to purchase a manse for the Minister, and No 16 Gloucester Road was bought for £850. In 1921 the Church adopted the envelope system of giving to encourage members to give systematically.

By now, Mr R F Brett was organist and choirmaster - a post he held from 1919 until 1946. Under his leadership, the Choir often gave quite major performances - for example in November 1922, assisted by the members of "neighbouring choirs", they performed Mendelssohn's 'Elijah'.

By 1923 the Scout Troop was joined by a Cub Pack and Rover Crew to create a Group. The Girls' Life Brigade influenced the formation of other companies in the Thames Valley region. Based on the deep friendship of the disciples Peter, James and John the 'Inner Circle' group was formed to help younger members through their early church years by meeting quarterly with Church families in their homes for discussion and then attending the evening service together. The Young People's Fellowship began in 1923 taking over from Christian Endeavour. Other fellowships benefited from Teddington's members, including in 1924 when deacon Mr Guy Fair was called as Lay Pastor at Balaclava Road Baptist Church, Surbiton.

Down to following years