Strict Baptist Meeting, Ashton Keynes
The Baptists do not seem to have had their own chapel building, although towards the end of the 19th century Kelly's Directories mention a chapel; this probably referred to the meeting place at The Grove rather than a purpose built chapel. A Primitive Methodist called John Jefferies, a shoemaker in the village, was dismissed from his job though the endeavours of the Rector, but with the help of friends set up a business on his own. He later rented a cottage for services but no one came, although several people had promised support. He eventually converted one woman who encouraged other villagers to attend services. Soon the room in the cottage was full and it is believed that a chapel was built.
The views and beliefs of Jefferies moved away from Methodism to those of the Strict Baptists and these were not agreeable to his congregation. In 1869 he took The Grove and it was opened as a Strict Baptist Chapel by Mr Hammond of Gosport. In 1874 Jefferies baptized four people in the river and preached to about 500 people and so the church was formed. He died in 1891 and the Baptist cause seems to have disappeared after 1895, although Baptists are mentioned in the Directories until 1903 but are not included in the Ashton Keynes entry for 1907.
The views and beliefs of Jefferies moved away from Methodism to those of the Strict Baptists and these were not agreeable to his congregation. In 1869 he took The Grove and it was opened as a Strict Baptist Chapel by Mr Hammond of Gosport. In 1874 Jefferies baptized four people in the river and preached to about 500 people and so the church was formed. He died in 1891 and the Baptist cause seems to have disappeared after 1895, although Baptists are mentioned in the Directories until 1903 but are not included in the Ashton Keynes entry for 1907.