Further memories of Central Hall (From Watford Observer)

Further memories of Central Hall, Loates Lane, Watford

9:54am Friday 29th October 2010 in Memories By Michael Pickard

More memories this week about Central Hall, in Loates Lane, Watford, come from Philip Jordan.

Mr Jordan, a member of Derby Road Baptist Church from Stanley Road, emailed: “Regarding a recent contribution about the nursery building in Loates Lane, which used to be the Central Hall: “The building was erected in 1869 as the meeting place for what is now Derby Road Baptist Church. The church was formed in a house in Queens Road with eight members.

“The Loates Lane building was originally called Beulah but soon proved to be too small for the congregation which grew rapidly to over 100. This led to the erection of the current building in Derby Road in 1888.

“The Central Hall church was an independent congregation of those known as the Christian Brethren, similar in many ways to the Baptists in terms of their organisation and message.

"They were distinguished by holding a weekly morning communion service known as the Breaking of Bread. They also did not agree with having a single, paid, minister but considered that it was more biblical for the congregation to be led by several elders who were gifted to teach the Bible but also had day jobs.”