Back in 1839 a small group of Christians (calling themselves Primitive Methodists) decided to buy some land and build a church. The land they bought had had some barracks built on it which were now demolished. There were few, if any, houses in the area and the track to 'Barrack Ground Chapel' became known as Chapel Lane. In later years as the area developed and the streets took on names with historical connections. Chapel Lane became Artillery Street.
The little chapel quickly took on an important role for it was the head church of the local Primitive Methodist circuit. Its influence covered an area of many miles from Halstead to Clacton and Walton.
However this little chapel has now become most famous for an incident that happened in January 1850. A lad of 15 was struggling up Hythe Hill to get to a morning service in Colchester. However due to a snow blizzard he realised he was not going to make it and turned instead into this chapel in Artillery Street. That day this young man, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, was converted. Known as 'the Prince of Preachers', Spurgeon had the Metropolitan Tabernacle built for him before he was 30. It was full morning and evening. The ministerial training college he founded poured out ministers full of evangelical zeal. Late Victorian Britain was changed by his ministry. His sermons were printed and literally went around the globe to an appreciative public. Today people come from around the world to see the place where it all started.
The chapel carried through the 1884 earthquake in Colchester. In the meantime Colchester grew around the chapel. Paxman Engineering relocated to 13 acre farm known as "Stonehouse Farm" on Hythe hill. A number of Paxman engineering employees lived in houses near the works. By the 1930's there was little difference between Primitive Methodists and Methodists. In 1934 they reunited. The chapel in Artillery Street had now lost its strategic importance and attendance declined. On 30th November 1956 the trustees agreed that the chapel would close after the evening service of 24th February 1957.
The building was sold to a businessman. A plaque put up in the church to mark Spurgeon's conversion ended up in Spurgeons College. However the businessman never really used the building and in August 1959 a music group called the Gospel Aires started leasing it for a practice. Some local people decided to join the group for a Sunday evening service and later a morning service and Sunday School was added. A trust called Datchett Evangelical Fellowship became interested and received money to buy the building in 1965. Three years later a pastor was called and served the church for thirteen years. The plaque was retrieved and put back on the wall of the church. By July 1989 however the church had gone down to three faithful members and there was pressure to close the church. However Derek Hale became interested and the church agreed to call him and he was welcomed into the pastorate Saturday 30th November 1991. Under Derek the church grew from 3 members to 10 members.
Then in 1999 Derek contracted cancer. By October 1999 Derek had passed away. Since then the church has been looking for a pastor. In the meantime we seek to tell people in New Town the good news of God's grace and seek to further God's kingdom.
On the 8th January 2005, a historical blue plaque was unveiled by Susannah (Susie) Spurgeon (Charles' great great granddaughter now living in Ireland) and the Mayor of Colchester. A clear Christian testimony was given by Susie and afterwards a talk was given by the Rev. Gordon Murray who used to be the pastor of Bethesda Baptist, Felixstowe. Also involved were Nigel Wright, president of Spurgeons College and Henry Spyvee of the Colchester Civic Society. The local MP Bob Russell was also in attendance. The picture shows Susie and the Mayor just after the unveiling. About 80 people were present.