Rev F G Missen

Under the continuing ministry of Rev Missen, 1950 brought the start of a two year forward looking project, 'Baptist Advance' which ran through 1950 and 1951. Monthly People's Services started in the early 1950's and continued for many years with undoubted success. In 1952 working parties of members redecorated the Sunday School buildings, saving a considerable sum of money.

By 1953, plans for rebuilding were complete, the negotiations over war damage settled, and work began in 1954. The Church took an enthusiastic part in the Billy Graham Crusades of 1954 and 1955 in Harringay Arena and at Wembley. Coaches went regularly taking uncommitted. Many received great blessing and many served as choir members, stewards and counsellors.

The stonelaying ceremony for the new church building took place on 29 January 1955 with the ceremony jointly conducted by Rev Missen and Rev Sutton. Rev Missen worked on unceasingly towards the goal he had set himself of seeing the church rebuilt. But ill health gave cause for concern, and in May 1956 he underwent treatment in Teddington Hospital and later transferred to Guy's Hospital to receive more specialised services. Although far from well he was allowed home for the opening of the new church building on 15th September 1956.

1956 Church Building

Soon after the opening ceremony for the new church building, the Pastor was back in hospital and although allowed home for Christmas, he became weaker and in February 1957 regretfully had to resign the Pastorate having preached in 'his' church on one or two occasions. Rev Missen passed away in August 1958.

With the coming of Rev Theo. F. Valentine M.A. in September 1957 from the Baptist Missionary Society (BMS) where he was Youth Secretary and his experience in involvement with the Billy Graham Campaigns, it was natural to assume that this new ministry would be focused on young people's work.

Rev T F Valentine

Brett Memorial Organ Click for an organ rendition of the hymn which was played as the inaugural hymn for the Brett Memorial Organ on Saturday 2 November 1957. Angel Voices (2k midi file)

The organ orginally stood in St Peter's, Hoxton Square, London (now demolished) where it was installed by Henry Speechly and Son in 1883. It was moved to Teddington and installed there by N P Mander Ltd. The organ was dedicated to the memory of Mr R F Brett who was TBC organist and choirmaster 1919-1946.

The new church building and organ gave a boost to the musical life of the Church and in 1958 the Choir gave a performance of Handel's 'Messiah' on Good Friday and Mendelssohn's 'Elijah' in October. Both performances involved over 50 voices and they were directed by Paul Powell, by now TBC's organist and choirmaster.

Links with other local Baptist Churches through the LBA Thames Valley Group and directly continued to feature in Church life. In 1959 one of TBC's members (Mr C L Blyth) was inducted to the Lay Pastorate of Ashford Baptist Mission.

	Mr Valentine designated 1960 'A year of opportunity' with emphasis on many aspects of Christian life - Devotion - Obedience - Stewardship - Fellowship - Service. In the September of 1960 in the Student Campaign, 'Who cares?', university students visited neighbourhood homes and in every way spread the Good news of the gospel.

1961 saw the final clearance of the debt on the Building Fund. The fellowship felt free to turn its monetary resources to more direct outreach and the church was used as one of the broadcast centres, in London, for the Billy Graham Manchester Crusade in June 1961.

The Church adopted the Baptist Hymn Book in 1962 replacing the Baptist Church Hymnal which had been in use since 1934. The congregation was asked to buy and donate copies for use by visitors.

A first for 1963 was the holding of a Deacon's Conference to consider the way ahead for the Church under the continuing theme of Christian Stewardship.

Mr Valentine took a leading part in the foundation of the Teddington Christian Council in 1964, uniting most of the local congregations. He also instituted 'Youth Weekends' - combining deep Christian fellowship and lively activities.

Despite all this it was noticed that the advent of the 'family car' was drawing people away, noticeably from the Sunday School numbers, to spending Sunday in the country or by the seaside. After much discussion, it was decided to change the Sunday School to the mornings, and the afternoon school was eventually given up. This led the School Council, under the guidance of Mr Valentine to consider new forms of united worship that were becoming part of a new approach in response to lowering congregations. Despite a long and intense study of All-Age Sunday School it was felt that this was not the time to make these changes.

However, the long debated subject of women Deacons was finally resolved with the election of Miss Evelyn Hart in 1965 following a rule change in 1964. Since then there have been many women Deacons and a woman Minister, Mrs Wyn Herd.

Both the Scout Group and the Girls' Life Brigade celebrated their Golden Jubilees in 1965 and many old friends came to join the celebrations at the reunion. Early in 1966, Mr Valentine resigned the pastorate to take up work as an Industrial Chaplain with a local engineering firm. Within a year, the Rev J Ronald Harper, from Bury St Edmunds, came to continue the work of a lively Church and a Sunday School of something just over 200. There was a further Billy Graham Crusade in London in 1966 and again the following year.

Rev J R Harper

Youth and children's work continued to play a central role in the life of the Church under Rev Harper's ministry. For example:

• in 1967 a first Holiday Club was held in August attended by 245 children in total, with over 180 present on some days;
• in 1968, a record number of 54 young people spent a Youth Weekend in Worthing;
• In 1969, the Sunday School appealed for funds to buy a film strip projector ("Day by day children are exposed to modern [teaching] methods ... in the day schools and we cannot successfully teach the Good News with inadequate equipment");
• In 1970, the Scouts put on the first full-length Gang Show - "a colourful, tuneful, funny and fast-moving show" to a packed hall.

Rev Harper led his people into the 90th Anniversary Services of the Church (celebrated in 1971) and continued the building relationships with the congregation, particularly the older people, by means of visitation. He encouraged the establishment of a Stewardship Renewal Campaign to challenge people to give of their time, talents and treasures. This was taken up by many and was a source of renewal and a deepening of the spiritual life of the Church, and this continued into 1972 with a Church Conference held in April.

The Rev 'Ron' Harper left Teddington in 1973 to continue his ministry at Colchester, and early the following year, 1974, saw the induction of the Rev Roger Martin from the Isle of Wight. Roger brought with him an enthusiasm and vitality for the continued winning of children and young people to Christ. He brought the Church back to an enthusiastic study of Scriptures, that was the inspiration of the Rev Horn at the beginning of the century. He was also the driving force behind a 'Forward Together' Campaign 1974.

Rev Roger Martin

Down to following years