About
Hornchurch Baptist Church is a welcoming Christian community in the heart of Hornchurch. We are here to serve, and we gather to worship God, grow in faith, and support one another as we follow Jesus in everyday life.
On this page you can learn more about who we are, what we believe, our leadership, our story, and where to find key policies and safeguarding information.
Ruth Conlon
Revd. Dr. · Minister
A Word from Ruth
Hello, and welcome to Hornchurch Baptist Church. My name is Ruth, and I am the Minister here. Whether you are visiting for the first time, exploring faith, or looking for a church family, we are glad you are here.
Our prayer is that you would find a warm welcome, a community that cares, and a place where you can meet with God, grow as a disciple of Jesus, and find purpose in serving others.
If you are new, I would love to meet you — please come and introduce yourself on a Sunday, or feel free to get in touch through the website.
Our Leaders
Hornchurch Baptist Church is led by the Minister and a team of Deacons, supported by teams that serve across church life.
Sue Pannell
Deacon Secretary
Nigel Hooton
Deacon
Sue Humphreys
Deacon
Lesley Mason
Deacon, Head of the Pastoral Team
Alongside our Minister and Deacons, teams support key areas of church life including worship, pastoral care, children and youth, welcoming and hospitality, safeguarding, mission and outreach, and practical support. If you would like to find out more, or explore how you could get involved, please contact us.
A Family of Faith
Hornchurch Baptist Church is a community of people learning to follow Jesus together. We believe church is not simply an event or a building — it is a family of faith, called to worship, to grow, and to live out God's love in practical ways.
"Through love and service, we seek to win people for Christ and lead members into active worship, witness, and works."
— Our Mission
We are shaped by key priorities that guide the life of the church. These are not just values on a page — they are how we want to live as a church, with open hearts, grounded faith, and a steady commitment to serving others.
Welcome
Worship
The Word of God
Prayer
Community
Transformation
Our Faith
We are a Christian church in the Baptist tradition. We centre our life on Jesus Christ — His life, death, and resurrection — and we seek to follow Him as Lord.
We value the Bible as the Word of God, and we look to Scripture for truth, guidance, and formation in daily life. We welcome people at different stages of faith, including those who are curious, those returning after time away, and those seeking to go deeper.
As Baptists, we value personal faith in Christ, the priesthood of all believers, and the call for every Christian to grow as a disciple. We practise believer's baptism, and we believe the local church is a Spirit-led community of worship and mission.
Since 1878
Hornchurch Baptist Church was founded in 1878, with a Baptist church on the current site since 1882. In 1987 the church moved into the current building at 21 North Street, located on the first floor above Iceland.
Over the years, God has sustained the church through seasons of change, and we are grateful for the faithful witness of those who have served before us. Today we continue to look ahead with hope, asking how God is calling us to worship, witness, and serve — in the life of Hornchurch and beyond.
Transparency & Safeguarding
We are committed to integrity, transparency, and good safeguarding practice. We take safeguarding seriously and seek to provide a safe environment for all.
This section provides access to key policies and information, including safeguarding, privacy, and related guidance. If you have any questions, or if you would like to raise a safeguarding concern, please contact us.
