‘We live to make Christ known’

	Adoring Christ Focus on Worship & Prayer Our aim is to know God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, worshipping Him in and through our daily lives and exalting Him when we meet together. Caring through Christ Focus on Service Our aim is to demonstrate the Living Lord Jesus Christ in practical and tangible ways by serving our community, nation and world as led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Encouraging Christ’s family Focus on Fellowship Our aim is to build a loving, caring community where everyone is valued and included, where we are responsible to one another, and where God is meeting real needs.   Becoming Like Christ Focus on Discipleship Our aim is to see everyone reach their full potential in Christ through obedience to the Scriptures and by the power of the Holy Spirit, and to encourage everyone to become more like Jesus and discover and use their God-given gifts. Declaring Christ Focus on Mission Our aim is to use all appropriate means in order to share the Good News of salvation through Christ, because God’s desire is for all people to be saved.

‘Church History’

In 1871, Rev. John Jefferson, who had previously been the minister at Goodshaw in Rossendale, returned to Rawtenstall. He had a vision for a Baptist church in the centre of Rawtenstall and, believing it was his responsibility, he advertised in March 1872 that the services of public worship were to be held firstly in a local school and then in the Co-operative hall. God prospered the work and in December 1872 the church was formed with 18 members.

Although he was not paid for four years, Jefferson carried on the work which continued to thrive - so much so that in December 1876 a chapel (now the church hall) was opened in Kay Street. Two years later there were 46 members and 104 scholars. John Jefferson retired because of ill health in1890, but the church still grew - in 1891 there were 20 names for baptism. Soon, the members felt that a larger building was necessary. A building fund was started in 1892 but it wasn't until 1901 that the foundation stone for the current church building was laid. The church finally opened in September 1902 (at a cost of £4000!)

Numbers increased - the 100 mark was passed in 1922. Although the depression years of the 1930s saw a decline, membership leapt during the war to a peak of 164.

At present the church has about 135 members and is in contact with about 90 children and young people through a variety of activities.

Kay Street Baptist Church is a member of the Evangelical Alliance