In 1925 Mr W H James re-opened the work at Feltham, that responsibility eventually was passed in 1930 to friends at Bedfont, but not before the Feltham Sunday School had won the Scripture Exam Trophy for three years in succession (1928-1930).

In 1926 the Church helped launch an appeal to build a Free Church Hall in Ham. Planning for this project had begin in 1925. Mr Tebbitt, Mr Allison (Church Secretary), Mr Alexander (Church Treasurer) were on the organising committee initially under the leadership of Rev Horace Ward of Duke Street Baptist Church, Richmond. The appeal for funds was aimed at raising £1500 to buy a plot of land and to build and equip the hall. The project was successful with the opening in 1928. (In the 1990s Ham Christian Fellowship was revitalised under the wing of Duke Street Baptist Church and in 2003 it joined the London Baptist Association as an independent Baptist Church.)

Mr Tebbitt left Teddington in 1927 for Immanuel Church, Southsea before the Ham Free Church Hall was opened in July 1928. The induction of Rev H J Morley took place in October 1928 and he quickly won the hearts of the people as a whole and the younger members considered him a friend.

Rev H J Morley

Evangelistic zeal and outreach marked the years from 1928 onwards and the story is one of remarkable growth and success in all departments of the Church's life. These years of Missions, Crusades and Campaigns often combining with other Free Churches of the town, such as 'Come to Church' Campaign with Hampton Hill in October 1929.

Evangelistic efforts continued in 1930 with a Young Life Week and a Parliament of Youth. The Golden Jubilee of the Church was celebrated in 1931 (dating the foundation from 1881).

The Choir had continued with concerts under the leadership of Mr Brett and in 1932 performed Mendelssohn's 'Hymn of Praise'. In this period the Choir won many trophies locally and nationally.

Many years later, many still testified to the challenge of the Great United Tent Campaign of June and July 1933 led by evangelist Rev Lionel B Fletcher. A huge tent stood in the High Street (later Collis School playing fields before that school moved premises) often filled to overflowing with those seeking Christ. This type of event was held for the two following years also.

Other successful activities of this era include two very successful football teams; Sunday School Industrial Exhibitions; a Rover Crew of 40 members under the unique leadership of 'Skip' Harris (and all Church members too!); a gymnastic club; a flourishing Girls' Life Brigade and a Sunday School of 600 scholars, meeting morning and afternoon. Congregations overflowed into chairs down the aisles and, above all, the baptistry was constantly open for the witness of 'those being saved'.

In 1934 one of the young men raised in the Sunday School and Scout Troop, Leslie Larwood, was inducted to the pastorate at Selly Oak, Birmingham. Trained at Spurgeon's College he later went to Jamaica with the Baptist Missionary Society (BMS). Eventually he became BMS Chairman and while a candidate for the Presidency of the Baptist Union had a sudden home call. The same year saw Jack Saxton leave for San Salvador, Angola with his wife, Kathleen, daughter of the Church Secretary, Mr S P Allison.

There was another United Tent Campaign in 1935. The overseas missionary zeal of the Church was well illustrated by the Great Congo Missionary Exhibition held on the church premises in 1936 and by the departure in 1937, of one of our girls, Marjorie Belcham (later Mrs Newton) for missionary service in China.

Mr Morley accepted a call to a new and smaller Baptist cause at Woodmansterne, Surrey in 1938. The Church maintained its work and witness in a world that was witnessing great change in the patterns of living and an internationally unstable position which resulted in the Second World War being declared in September 1939.

The Church was still without a minister when the war began. 'Black Out' and Government suspension of all types of gatherings naturally affected Church life, but a still very active fellowship invited Rev E F Sutton to become its minister in 1940. Within three weeks of his arrival the 1895 church building was completely destroyed by fire during enemy bombing action on 29 November 1940. He brought comfort and hope to the congregation rallying under his selfless enthusiasm cleaning, repairing and tidying the Sunday School buildings which, although damaged, were still usable.

Rev E F Sutton

Teddington War Deaths 43 people died in Teddington as a result of the bombing raid of 29 November 1940 which destroyed the Baptist church buildings.

The fund or the building of a new church commenced when a little girl named Joy brought a shilling just a few hours after the incident "to help build the new church". Another girl brought a tin loaded with coppers "which I have been saving ever since the church was burned out". With gifts large and small, the congregation, started the long haul towards rebuilding the church.

Despite the loss of the church building, the continuation of the war and the fact so many were leaving for National Service (over 70 had gone by the end of 1940), the life and work of the Church carried on with all the enthusiasm and ardour circumstances permitted through 1941, 1942 and the remainder of the war years.

The Diamond Jubilee of the Church was celebrated in 1943 (taking the foundation from 1883) and despite all the restrictions of Wartime a full programme of meetings was held although only 'Light tea and refreshments' were served due to rationing. Mr Horn, Mr Tebbitt and Mr Morley joined Mr Sutton to make a wonderful gathering of TBC Pastors to take part in the celebrations.

The Church took part in the formation of the Thames Valley Group of the London Baptist Association in 1943.

In 1944 the oversight of the Mission Church at Ashford was undertaken. The Methodist Church worshipped with us when their building was destroyed in 1944 by enemy action.

Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force SHAEF - as it was known - was in Bushy Park, Teddington during 1944 as the invasion of Europe was planned by Eisenhower. That is why one Teddington road is called Shaef Way.

Second World War Roll of Honour The following young men from the fellowship of Teddington Baptist Church died in the Second World War (1939-1945) while on active service: Richard Ayres Arley Burley Ken Cockerell Reg Crane Dennis Fair Peter Mackenzie Neville Wiseman Frank Wood

In September 1945, Mr Sutton wrote "I am writing this on VJ Day and I can hear the crackle of bonfires, the noise of fireworks and the happy shouts of the crowd. The long tragic years are over - everyone is rejoicing. Thank God for Peace."

All thoughts turned to the future, which was to rebuild the church. However, this was not to be under the guidance of the minister who led so ably through the war years as in January 1946 Mr Sutton accepted the call to the Church at Twynholm, Fulham.

If Mr Sutton's presence during the war years had proved him to be the man of the moment, so too, did the man that followed him into the work of Teddington, for in accepting the call to Teddington in 1947, the Rev F G Missen said that he felt that God was calling him to rebuild the church - which he did spiritually and physically. He quickly found his way to the hearts of his people becoming the driving force behind the complicated planning and negotiation for the rebuilding of the church as well as encouraging all bringing the Sunday School back at 400. The Christian Endeavour Society came into being again with a Young Worshipper's League numbering over 80.

Rev F G Missen

Whilst the work of the planning for rebuilding was going on, the life and witness of the Church was maintained with public worship being continued in the Sunday School Main Hall throughout 1948 and 1949.

Down to following years