History

Timeline of Orchard Baptist Church, Colchester.

1899 Official foundation of Blackheath.Services were held in a barn belonging to a member, Mabel Sheard.

1905 The land the barn was on changed owership and the new owner was willing to sell. The church brought it for £75. The chapel was built for £280. This was a time of considerable financial hardship. The Sunday school children raised money by buying a brick. These bricks can be seen today. Some are numbered, others have the child's initials on them. The total raised was £22.  8% of the total cost. Three foundation stones were laid on Tuesday 5th December. 

1930s A time of activity and expansion. New members were added almost monthly. Money was accumulated in a building fund for a detached classroom at the back of the church. There were a number of fetes and church outings.

1948 A hall was built at the back of the church.

1965 The church hall was built.

1987 First full time minister

1992 The church hall was demolished and the current main hall, kitchen, toilets, and back classroom were built. These were officially opened on 26th September.

1996 Blackheath became 'Orchard Baptist Church'  

Superintendents and leaders

1901 - 1905 Mr C H Comer

1905 - 1907 Mr Potter

1907 - 1928 Mr. Haywood

1940 - 1946 George Patfield from Eld Lane.

1946 - 1948 Mr tompkins

1948 - 1951 Gerald Miller and Don Stephens 

1951 - 1955 Alfred Worth

1955 - 1957 Mr Fordyce

1957 - 1962 Sister Muriel

1962 - 1981 Eric Barnett

Ministers

1987 - 1997 Ron Overton

1997-2002 George Balfour

2005 - 2010 Paul green

2011-2018 Graeme Ross

2021 - 2025 Kate Young