A Brief History of Dorchester Baptist Church

At the end of the English Civil War in 1645, a Cromwellian soldier, a Baptist by the name of Allen, stood up in Dorchester and delivered a sermon. This is generally regarded as the beginning of the Baptist movement in the town. The first recorded minister was Francis Bamfield who was imprisoned in 1662 for preaching within five miles of a town. He died many years later in Newgate prison for his faith.

Until 1830 Baptists in Dorchester met in various places including, it is believed, in premises on the corner of Colliton Street and Glyde Path Road where the area on the opposite corner is still recorded as “Sacred Ground”, presumably used as a burial ground. During that time services were few and far between, although baptisms were held in the River Frome close to where The White Hart once stood.

Encouraged by Weymouth Baptist Church, a purpose-built chapel was built in 1830 in Fordington at the cost of £1,250. It has changed little and now displays the “Terracotta Army”. Since that year, we have complete minutes of both the Deacons and Members meetings. In 1859 Thomas Hardy was invited to attend a prayer meeting.

A new chapel was mooted as early as 1872 but did not materialise until 1915. We are told that the chapel was “inconvenient, very draughty and very objectionable, especially during winter months”. It became known as Dorford being a combination of Dorchester and Fordington. The site was once the area where St Mary’s Church stood before it was moved to Edward Road.

During WWII American service personnel occupied Dorford. The longest serving member of Dorford was Hannah Buckler who was a member for 85 years until her death in 1990 aged 97.

In 2005 Dorford was refurbished and became known as the Dorford Centre, home of the Dorchester Baptist Church. Our church possesses many artefacts, photographs, letters and memorabilia covering its long and interesting history.

There is more information available as follows:-

A Brief History written in 2005 - part one, part two and part three

Three personalities in the history of the church here

A more detailed history on the Dorset Online Parish Clerks website here.

With thanks to Richard Baker for providing this information.