The Nonconformists here grew from a group who left the Independent Church at Sowerby – Sowerby Congregational Church – on account of the minister's Arian views.
The first chapel was built in 1751, and the school is dated 1751.
It became a Baptist Church in 1779 after the Pastor, Rev John Dracup, adopted Baptist principles.
In April 1803, 9 members went to form a Church at Rishworth.
A new chapel was built in 1820, during the pastorate of Rev Thomas Milnes. A plaque reads:
HEPZIBAH 1820 Peace be within this sacred place And joy a constant guest With holy gifts and heavenly grace Be her attendants blest |
It accommodated 250 worshippers [1845].
A new school was built during the pastorate of Rev W. E. Goodman [1851-1857].
During the pastorate of Rev William Haigh, a new school [1874] and a new chapel [1875] were built.
The inscription over the entrance reads:
1874 STEEP LANE PARTICULAR BAPTIST CHAPEL |
SCHOOL 1873 CHAPEL 1874 |
Levi Haigh was buried here
On 30th April 1986, the roof was declared to be unsafe.
On 25th February 1987, it was agreed to reduce the building to a single storey.
The modified building was opened on 13th/14th May 1989.
| Pastors at the Church have included
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See Sing, Mr Standeven, Steep Lane Baptist Church, Sowerby: Memorial, Steep Lane Baptist Church, Sowerby: Graveyard, Steep Lane, Manse, Samuel Whiteley and W. Henry Wild
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