Short History of Belle Vue

(We would pleased to receive any photographs to illustrate the points mentioned)

An Iron Chapel was the building that echoed with the worship of the first Baptists in Southchurch in 1902.

Bursting point came as the numbers soared, so the present church was opened in 1914. Members did not use it until it had been paid for and miraculously the last £73 was given during the afternoon before the Opening Ceremony.

The First World War seriously depleted the congregation but the church remained faithful to God. During the next twenty years, the membership rose to 230 with 500 children in the Sunday school.

Belle Vue's brass band led open-air meetings and the choir often led worship.

The church gave oversight to new Baptist churches, Ferndale, Stambridge, Canvey Island and Shoeburyness.

After the Second World War, Belle Vue purchased the land adjoining the Iron Chapel and built a Youth Hall (Jubilee Hall) for Girls' Brigade, Boys' Brigade and Sunday School children and Friendship House, which was used as a meeting place and a Luncheon Club for the elderly.

Former members of the church went into the ministry and others became missionaries. Several members of Belle Vue were active in the founding of the local hospice, Fair Havens.