About Us

Community Worship

Our Sunday meetings last for about 90 mins and include times of singing, prayer and teaching. The atmosphere is informal and relaxed, the songs are a mix of old and new, and many members of the church actively participate.

The children remain in the main meeting for the first 30 mins, and then leave for their appropriate groups in other parts of the building (crèche facilities are always available). We always conclude our time together with a drink and biscuits, the chance to chat and develop relationships is very important to us.

Once a month we share the Lord's Supper together, and at various points in the year there are special seasonal meetings arranged (please see the Diary for details).

We have recently said farewell to our senior minister and are currently in a period of pastoral vacancy. We are very grateful to many within the church who are giving their time and gifts to support the continuing mission of HBC.

What we believe

Ultimately we are a community of people who are seeking together to become better disciples of Jesus.

What we believe is always difficult to sum up within written text, but the paragraph below is an attempt to outline our identity and basis of faith.

    As a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain we affirm our commitment to the Declaration of Principle and the Five Core Values.

    We would describe ourselves as evangelical and able to align ourselves with the Basis of Faith statement of the Evangelical Alliance.

    We understand that every individual will have different outlooks on matters of faith, and therefore in this regard one single statement will never suffice. We respect these differences and expect everyone within our church to act with grace and humility in our affirmation that our God is ultimately a wonderful mystery. 

Being Baptist

Whilst we are committed to our Baptist identity, there are many of us from varying Christian traditions within the church. We see this diversity as a strength and enjoy the richness it brings to our community. You are assured of a warm welcome whatever tradition you come from, and especially if you are new to any kind of church experience.

Our Ministry Team

Doreen Thornton

Doreen is a Regionally Accredited Minister, recognised by the North West Baptist Association.

Doreen is a long standing church member who graduated in Theology in 2005. She has a special concern for working with older people, as well as the pastoral care of the church.

Ian Geere

Ian is a Minister in Training currently studying Theology at Northern Baptist College, he is due to graduate in 2011.

Ian spends most of the year at Heywood, but is placed in another church setting for at least one term each year.