About ABC

We are one of the oldest Baptist Churches in England, and can be found at the heart of the ancient market town of Abingdon, just a few miles south of Oxford.

The Church building is just a short walk from the market place, along the High Street and into Ock Street. It stands a short distance back from the road with a recently refurbished brown façade, just behind the 35 Ock Street Centre.

We have approximately 100 members and regular worshippers, and are a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. We are also one of the 15 local churches that make up the Church in Abingdon (CiA), a local ecumenical project.

We meet for worship every Sunday morning at 10:30, unless otherwise stated, with occasional afternoon and evening worship (see our Church Calendar page for more details)

ABC Key Values

During the 2013-2015 ministerial vacancy, the church went through a re:focus programme and as part of that we had an away day hosted at Baptist House, headquarters of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and BMS World Mission in Didcot, Oxfordshire. During the day, we agreed on seven key values that are a good summary of the sort of church ABC should aim to be. They are listed below. Abingdon Baptist Church is seeking to… be a church that is centred…

What to Expect

When do church services take place? Our Sunday morning services start at 10.30. We do have occasional afternoon or evening services which will be advertised on this site. What should I expect? You will receive a very warm welcome, particularly from our Welcome Team who will be able to answer your questions and help you find a seat. As a rule our worship begins with a time of singing some songs/hymns. We then have one or two Bible readings, and…

ABC History

1649 Abingdon Baptist Church was founded with John Pendarves as their first minister. Pendarves was a Cornishman, educated at Oxford, who was vicar of St. Helen’s Church, in Abingdon until 1647, when he became convinced of the Baptist understanding of scripture and left the established church. He died aged 36 in 1656 and an orchard on Ock Street was bought as a burial ground. At this time the congregation met in a house in the area now covered by West…

Legal

Please see the links below to our legal documentation. Cookie Policy Disclaimer Privacy Notice (including Data Protection Policy) Terms and Conditions of Use

Safeguarding at ABC

Abingdon Baptist Church seeks to safeguard all people Abingdon Baptist Church has a deep concern for the wholeness and well-being of each individual. ABC seeks to safeguard the welfare of all people, regardless of age, who come into contact with the Church and its organisations. As members of this church, we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all, especially children and young people and adults who may be vulnerable. It is the responsibility of each individual within…

Giving

Why Give? First and foremost we give in response to God’s love and gift to us of life in Jesus Christ! He is a giving God – “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). But also we give to our Church in order to maintain and support its work, and we are grateful to the many…