The origin and spread of the early Baptist churches in the North West of England and elsewhere

The origins of Baptist churches go back to the 1600s. 

The very first Baptist church began in 1609 and was for English speaking Christians based in the Netherlands, relocating to London in 1611 (Thomas Helwys). These churches were known as "General Baptists" and followed the theology of Arminius and the Anabaptists. 

A second genesis of Baptist churches was in London in about 1638 (John Spilsbury). These churches followed the Reformed Theology of John Calvin and the Synod of Dordt. In 1644, the First London Baptist Confession was signed by seven Baptist churches in the capital. 

Baptist churches later spread from London outwards. 

During the time of the English Civil War (1642-1651), there were Baptist Christians in the New Model Army of Oliver Cromwell. In 1648 the New Model Army campaigned in Lancashire during the Second Civil War. 

1. John Wigan & the "Coldhouse cause" 

From about 1649/50, John Wigan (d. 1665), formerly a Church of England Minister at Gorton, pastored at Birch Chapel and became pastor of a Baptist church meeting in Chetham's hospital which is now part Chetham's College of Music in Manchester. On his departure around 1654, this congregation continued under the leadership of John Jones and Edward Gathorne. Later, the congregation was led by Presbyterian Henry Newcombe at the Collegiate church (now the Church of England Cathedral at Manchester). After the Great Ejection in 1662, the congregation relocated to Coldhouse Barn, and then Cross Street Chapel. When Cross Street became Unitarian in 1717, the Trinitarian contingent left and went back to Coldhouse Barn, later calling James Winterbottom as minister. In 1740, Coldhouse Chapel was built, with a mixed membership of Independents and Baptists. In 1762, the Independents left to form Cannon Street Independent Church (located on the present site of the University of Manchester). After 20 years of being pastorless, the remaining Baptist Coldhouse Chapel congregation called John Sharp as minister in 1786, and it was he who in 1789 built Back Lane chapel (now Rochdale Road) where William Gadsby was pastor from 1805-1844. 

When William Gadsby was called as pastor of Back Lane Chapel in 1805, this was the only Baptist congregation in Manchester at the time. In 1808, a group seceded from Back Lane Chapel for form a new congregation on York Street. Another secession from Back Lane Chapel was in 1823, leading to the formation of new congregation on George Street.

2. Hillcliffe Baptist Church (Warrington) 

There is also a Baptist Church at Warrington (Hillcliffe Baptist Church) which goes back to about 1654 and whose first pastor was Thomas Lowe (d. 1695). It was from this church that churches were started in Liverpool (Daniel Fabius, 1700), Warford, Nantwich, Little Leigh and Milton.  

3. Yorkshire & Lancashire Association of Baptist Churches

By 1695, the Yorkshire and Lancashire Association of Baptist Churches was already formed, and represented by six churches: Rawdon, Tottlebank, Bacup (started in in 1691 and first pastored by William Mitchell), Sutton, Heptonstall and Barnoldswick. William Mitchell and David Crossley in establishing the "chain of Baptist causes across Lancashire and Yorkshire" at this time. Later, in the 1700s, we hear of Baptist churches across historic Lancashire in places such as Liverpool (started 1700), Newchurch, Goodshaw (1760), Lumb (1750), Rossendale, Preston (1782) and Rochdale (1775). In 1806, a meeting of the Yorkshire and Lancashire Association of Baptist churches was held at Accrington.