Seventeenth Century Baptist Meeting House
Winslow, Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire’s Hidden Gem
Keach’s Meeting House is a rare example of a 17th century Baptist meeting house. Located in Winslow, Buckinghamshire, it has survived virtually unaltered externally.
Constructed of red brick, it stands partly concealed behind other property in Bell Walk (known as Pillars Ditch in the 17th century), close to what used to be the cattle market. Its tranquil setting only adds to the sense of time having stood still.
The Meeting House is associated with Benjamin Keach who was born in nearby Stoke Hammond.
The Meeting House is opened for a preaching service in June each year. The service is preceded by a historical lecture in a nearby hall.
Visitors are welcome to view the building at other times.
The Meeting House is maintained by a board of trustees which seeks to preserve this important ancient monument.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.
Hebrews 13:8
History
The following information is taken from Non-conformist Chapels and Meeting Houses – Buckinghamshire by Christopher Stell.
The Building
Keach’s Meeting House was built in 1695, on land belonging to William Gyles, a prominent Winslow businessman. It is a small rectangular structure, with walls of red brick in Flemish bond, and a tiled roof gabled to east and west. The north front has two small rectangular windows with leaded glazing and external shutters; between them is a timber framed porch, which was mostly renewed around 1958.
Interior
The interior has been altered at various dates. A gallery was built at the east end in 1827 to accommodate the influx of Independent seceders.
The Meeting house contains a 17th century communion table and several monuments and floor slabs. The pulpit, centrally placed along the west wall, is surrounded by box pews, and open backed benches – not very comfortable for long sermons! Against the east wall there are desks with hinged tops and four lead inkwells, for the use of the Sunday School which was commenced in 1824.
Exterior
A small burial ground on the north side of the Meeting House is surrounded by a brick boundary wall.