Keysoe Brook End

Summary

This church which began in the 1650s was for many years an Independent one, but late in the 18th century became Baptist. John Donne, the ejected rector of nearby Pertenhall, who died in 1672, led the Keysoe congregation after the Restoration of Charles II.

The first Church Book of Keysoe Brook End was in existence in 1855, when Joseph Rix made a transcript of many of its early entries and this is now in Dr. Williams’s Library, London. Subsequently the first Church Book disappeared, and printed here are the entries from the Rix transcript.

We whose names are hereunder written, having found by sad experience how uncomfortable it is to walke in a disordered unsettled condition, and having a desire to partake of all the ordinances of God which are made known unto us out of his word, doe therefore this day give up ourselves to the Lord and to the word of his grace, to be guided, governed and directed by him in all his wayes. And we doe likewise promise in the presence of the Lord, to walk with our brethren and sisters in this congregation with all watchfullness and tenderness, avoiding all jealousies, suspitions, backbitings, and censurings, and to have speciall regard to that rule of the lord Jesus to bear and forbear, to give and forgive one another as he himself hath taught us, and we doe likewise desire to obey God in all his commands, and to give no offence to the Jew nor Gentile, nor to the church of God as much as in us lyeth. John Donne, Peter Yorke, Samuell Goodson, James Rogers, James Mee &c.

Aprill the 23, 1658. Agreed uppon at our monthly meeting that this order be observed in admission off members:

1st. that all our friends shall have notice off the names of such as desire admittance some time before the monthly meetings;

2dly. in case they be any way dissatisfied as to their admiittance they shall either be present to shew itt to the church, or if other occasions hinder, then they shall signifie their dissatisfaction by writing or otherwise to the society, with the grounds of it.