Name Change

The building in “The Broadway” formerly known as “Merton Road” was owned by another Baptist Church. This church bought a piece of land nearby in Queen’s Rd, upon which they were to build a new church. CH Spurgeon and his brother James helped Zoar Chapel, which was in Church Street (also known as Church Rd), Wimbledon Village, to buy the building in Merton Rd. in the area, then known as, New Wimbledon.

Zoar Chapel is re-formed as “Merton Rd Chapel” in 1891:

 Zoar Chapel was independent and autonomous. It consented to the doctrinal basis of the Gospel Standard and was therefore included in their list of churches until October 1936. There was no mention of Zoar / Merton Rd Chapel after 1937.

Pastor Crispin was the last British pastor of Bethel who understood and preached the “Doctrines of Grace” according to the true sense of the Trust Deed.

 An honest deacon, Mr Royall, resigned in Feb 1956 because he no longer believed that Christ died only for the elect as required by the Trust Deed and Articles of Faith 

My Dear Bro Mayo & Sisters beloved in Christ Jesus,

Arising out of matters lately heard amongst you, I feel that it is now laid upon me to place before the church a brief confession of my changed doctrinal position with regard to some of the more important aspects of the sacred scriptures of truth.

As a result of a most careful investigation of these subjects, in humble and prayerful dependence upon the deeper teaching of the Spirit of God, I find myself no longer able to give assent of heart and mind to that view of the Scriptures which limits the scope of the saving work and power of the Lord Jesus Christ to the church only, that body of elect and gathered out believers who partake of a present salvation by grace through faith.

Whilst maintaining that none can enjoy this present salvation in this administration of grace, except by faith in the Saviour’s finished work at Calvary, I believe that He will, as the judge of of mankind, and through the corrective process of judgement, ultimately accomplish the declared purpose of God to reconcile all things unto Himself, both things in Heaven and things on earth. Col 1.20 that He will ultimately deliver the whole creation from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God, Rom 8.21, and that He will ultimately deliver up to the Father a restored and worshiping creation, subject at His feet in love, praise and adoration, that God may be all in all, 1 Cor15.28.

In this dual aspect of the saving power of He whom the scriptures set forth as the Saviour of the World, I find conflict between the teaching of the church that He is the Saviour of the elect, and the express revelation of the scriptures that He is also the Saviour of all men. 1 Tim 4.10

I also believe these truths to be clearly taught and affirmed in the epistles of the apostle Paul, and are set there for the obedience of our faith. A long and patient study of these things in the original tongue only confirms abundantly what is so clearly set forth in our authorised version.

It naturally follows from these things, beloved, that I am no longer to subscribe to the teaching of the church on the endlessness of God’s judgements upon the wicked, or what has come to be accepted amongst us as the doctrine of Eternal Torment. It is apparent that if this theory is true then our glorious Lord cannot be the Saviour of all men, and the scripture is broken, and we must each reconcile this dilemma to the satisfaction of our conscience before God in the light of the deeper teaching of His Word.

I recognise that the doctrinal basis upon which the church is constituted reqiures that all members must give that assent to this dogma of Eternal Torment, which I can no longer do, and I realise that in conformity to its own rules, the church can now do no other than separate me from their communion. In my desire to spare the brethren needless pain in this matter I therefore hand back to the church both my office as deacon and my church membership.

I do so, beloved, in no spirit of pride or high mindedness, but with due meekness and solemnity of heart, sorrowing greatly that a matter of conscience should be the only matter of division between us.

I rejoice, however, that the everlasting bonds forged between us as joint members of the body of Christ can never be severed by a man-made creed.

Our unity in Christ is the work of God in His purpose of Grace, and what God has joined together no man can put asunder.

In that day when we shall all appear before Him when we shall know, even as we are known, these ordinances of man will seem things of moment in the light of His transcending love for us all.

I anticipate with joy the coming of that day when truths for which I must I must now suffer reproach will be gloriously and triumphantly vindicated.

That God, may abundantly bless you each individually, and cause His work at Bethel to grow and prosper, is the prayer now, as ever, of your 

Friend and Brother in Christ Jesus,

C W Royall

Reformed Evangelical Christians would not agree with Mr Royall’s beliefs regarding eternal torment and universal salvation but would respect his honesty. He was honest enough to resign from church office knowing that he no longer adhered to the church’s Trust Deed.

Resignation - 2

Mr Crispin's Induction at Bethel in 1970

Obituary of Pastor Parker who died in 1955

Minutes of the church

Conveyance and Trust Deed of Bethel Baptist Chapel (formerly known as Merton Rd Baptist Chapel which was previously known as Zoar Chapel)  Pages 3 & 4 shown

Trust Deed Page 3

Personal details of the letter below have been deleted.    

 After 1937 Bethel was listed with the “Strict and Particular Baptists” later known as “Grace Baptists”.

Obituary of Zoar Chapel’s first Pastor who died in 1870

 Bethel is listed in the Grace Directory of Churches 1993

Bethel is listed in the Grace Directory of Churches 1994

Bethel is NOT listed in the Grace Directory of Churches 1995