Wealdstone Baptist Church Charity Number 1132143 Annual Report & Financial Statements April 2024 – March 2025
Document control information Compiled by Rose Finlow Christiane Rohrmueller Contributors Ian Webber Martin Whaley Chris Axtell Reviewed by WBC Leadership Team WBC Church Members Edited by Rose Finlow Christiane Rohrmueller 0.1 Compiled Annual Report & Financial Statements 0.2 Initial draft to be reviewed by WBC Leadership Team 1.0 Presented to July CMM/ AGM 2.0 Independent examiner’s report added
Charity Registration No 1132143 ii WBC Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024-25 2.0
Contents Contents ................................................................................................................................... iii Statutory Information ................................................................................................................. 1 Senior Minister’s Review of the Year ......................................................................................... 2 Organisational Structure and Decision-making Processes ........................................................ 3 WBC Mission Statement ............................................................................................................ 4 Achievements and Performance ................................................................................................ 4 Summary of Objectives and Activities ........................................................................................ 5 Further Details of Activities ........................................................................................................ 6 Pastoral Team ......................................................................................................................... 6 Youth and Children Work ........................................................................................................ 6 Sunday Children and Youth Programme Overview ............................................................. 6 Crèche – Kindles (0-3 years) ............................................................................................... 6 N:ergize ............................................................................................................................... 6 Youth Work .......................................................................................................................... 7 All-Age Services .................................................................................................................. 7 Parent and Toddlers Group .................................................................................................... 7 Prayer and Prayer Ministry ..................................................................................................... 7 Small Groups .......................................................................................................................... 8 CoffeePlus .............................................................................................................................. 8 Christmas, Easter and other Festivals .................................................................................... 8 Sunday Teaching Programme ................................................................................................ 9 Wider Mission and Evangelism .............................................................................................. 9 Local Joint Church Initiatives .................................................................................................. 9 Church Leadership and Staff ................................................................................................... 10 WBC2025 ................................................................................................................................ 11 Financial Review ...................................................................................................................... 12 Financial summary ............................................................................................................... 12 WBC Reserves policy ........................................................................................................... 12 Delegation of Authority ......................................................................................................... 12 Statement of Financial Activities ............................................................................................. 13 Balance Sheet 31/03/2025 ...................................................................................................... 14 Notes to Financial Statements ................................................................................................. 15 Independent Examiner’s Report .............................................................................................. 21
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Charity Registration No 1132143
Statutory Information
Wealdstone Baptist Church (WBC)
Registered Charity number 1132143
The principal office of Wealdstone Baptist Church is:
High Street Wealdstone Harrow HA3 5DL
Trustees
Revd Martin Whaley (Senior Minister; Chairman of Trustees)
Mrs Marie Webb-Stevens (Deacon until January 2024, Church Secretary from January 2025) Mrs Rosemary Finlow (Church Secretary until December 2024) Mrs Lynne O’Connell (Deacon from January 2025) Mrs Alison Paterson (Deacon) Miss Imogene Smith (Deacon) Mrs Carolynne Webber (Deacon) Mr Ian Webber (Treasurer)
Charity Correspondent
Mrs Rosemary Finlow (until December 2024), Mrs Marie Webb-Stevens (from January 2025)
Property Trustees
London Baptist Property Board
Bankers
Santander Bank London Baptist Property Board
Finance Manager
Mr Chris Axtell
Independent Examiner
Sylvia Bourhill FMAAT C.FICB, Licensed Accountant, Another Answer Books & Accounts
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Charity Registration No 1132143
Senior Minister’s Review of the Year
With these reports following the tax year and therefore covering part of two calendar years, there often seems to me to be certain events that only get half-reported. Easter is a typical example, falling either in March or April so that some years (like last year) the report covered two Easter Sundays and others (like this year) doesn’t cover any! This sense of only half covering an event is highlighted for me this year as 2025 is a particular year for us to celebrate with the congregation being founded in 1875 (150 years ago) and the present building being opened in 1905 (120 years ago). As we plan to mark these significant landmarks, we find that some of them fall into this report, but others won’t be included until next year.
On Saturday 1[st] March we held a rededication service, inviting past members to join us in giving thanks for God’s faithfulness over the 150 years of Wealdstone Baptist Church, and to recommit to continuing what God has called us to do in this community until Jesus returns. When you first have an idea like this you are uncertain if anyone would be interested; would the invitations result in a stream of polite declines? That proved not to be the case. Many of those we contacted were excited to be there, and others, who couldn’t make it, wrote to express their disappointment. It would seem that there are many people for whom their time at Wealdstone Baptist Church has been significant. We heard testimonies in the service of people finding faith, being baptised, exploring gifts and serving, and being sent out to mission and ministry. Others would share informally over the day how their time at WBC has been part of the foundation for what they do in other churches now. I don’t feel I am exaggerating to say that it felt, for me personally at least, one of the most significant services I have been involved with during my time here. There was so much history and so much to give thanks for. It is unlikely that we will ever see such a service at WBC with this generation again - not that there won’t be opportunities in the future if the Lord hasn’t returned, but because the age of many of those present means that it will be for another generation (by the 200[th] anniversary I would 109, and I was by no means the oldest attendee). Our next significant event of this anniversary year will be celebrating the opening of the building with an Open Day for the community, but that isn’t until October 2025, so that will have to wait until next year’s report.
Psalm 127 begins “ Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain”. As we reflect, not only on this year, but these 150 years, we are very aware that anything that had been achieved within and through the congregation was only because of the Lord’s faithfulness; it is His church, and He is the builder. This Psalm goes on to say “ Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. [4 ] Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. [5 ] Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them ”. It may not seem obvious how this fits in with the start of the Psalm but, in the context of that celebration service, this spoke to me of Spiritual children, and it was evident in those who came to join us. There were some who, while at WBC, were called to mission or ministry. Others had gained skills, experience, our just the confidence that God could us them. To hear the stories told we can truly agree with the Psalmist that the Lord has certainly been the architect and builder of the congregation over the years, and He has blessed us with many spiritual children; our quiver is truly full. It is a privilege and an honour to be part of what God has done. There may be a tendency to think that what we do now can’t compare with or match what has gone before. But the answer is in this Psalm. It is never what we do, but always what the Lord does, in us and through us - and He is more than able.
Revd. Martin Whaley
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Charity Registration No 1132143
Charitable Object
The charity is governed by a constitution which states that the principal purpose of the church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination. The church may also advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the world.
The church occupies premises which are held by the London Baptist Property Board, on Trusts which are entirely compatible with the above object.
Organisational Structure and Decision-making Processes
Members of the church are accepted by the general church membership and in accordance with the constitution. The normal form of entry into membership is through baptism by immersion upon personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ and, at the discretion of the Church Members’ Meeting, persons seeking membership may be accepted into full membership based on their public profession of faith.
The Members’ Meeting normally takes place 6 times per year and has responsibility for the overall policy of the church. In accordance with the constitution, the members appoint a minimum of 3 Trustees; together with the Ministers (who are also appointed by the members), the Trustees collectively make up the Diaconate and Eldership. This group, known as the Leadership Team, are responsible for the day to day running of the church’s work and witness, and the financial and legal aspects of the charity. All members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective.
Relevant matters may be submitted to the Members’ Meeting by the Trustees for guidance or may be raised by members in the Members’ Meeting for further consideration by the Trustees. Though the constitution permits decisions to be made at church meetings by appropriate majorities, the church seeks to work by consensus wherever possible.
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WBC Mission Statement
Our Mission Statement, formulated in June 2014, was reviewed in this last year. Following a Church Day Away in June 2024 it was re-written as follows. Essentially, it continues to follow the same principles as before but with a different wording and layout to help us refocus on the aims and ministry of the church in growing disciples of Jesus Christ.
It consists of 5 elements under the following headings
Wealdstone Baptist Church Mission Statement
Wealdstone Baptist Church exists to make and shape disciples for Jesus Christ by drawing…
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Closer through Fellowship
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Deeper through Teaching
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Stronger through Commitment
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Wider through Mission
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Higher through Worship
We will periodically review this statement and use it to constantly draw the church back to what we believe God has called us to be and do.
Achievements and Performance
The year under review marked the sixteenth year of ordained ministry for the Revd. Martin Whaley.
The church does not measure the success of its programmes only in numbers, including financial numbers, but also in less tangible areas such as fellowship, encouragement and spiritual growth.
The church welcomes all people to worship and participate in the services and activities of the church.
At the start of April 2024, we had 69 members. During the year, 4 new members were added and none were removed, giving a total membership of 73 at the end of March 2025.
In addition, we had the great joy of two baptisms, two child dedications and one wedding this year. One funeral, for the son of a church member, was also conducted.
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Summary of Objectives and Activities
In order to achieve the principal objective, which is set out above, the church usually provides a variety of activities both for its membership and for the community generally. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed, and to bring people into a closer relationship with Him as their living Lord. The church seeks to make a difference by providing a positive message, outreach and support to the local community in its activities and hospitality.
The church seeks to achieve this through its weekly activities and events. These are geared at providing non-threatening and welcoming opportunities to engage people from the community in conversation about the message of Jesus, under the guidance of the Leadership Team, as encapsulated in our Mission Statement.
Central to the work and witness of the church is the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. These services routinely take place each Sunday at both 10.30am and 6.30pm. Most Sunday mornings include a full youth and children’s programme alongside the service, except for the second Sunday of each month and some school holidays, where everyone stays together for an “All Age” service. We also routinely run other mid-week events for the children and youth. The church aims to be a friendly and welcoming community and makes our Sunday Services open to everyone, whether church members, regular attenders or those who are just curious about the Christian faith.
The church usually runs a series of Small Groups. Some of the groups are also used as an open outreach to people on the fringe of the church or new to the Christian faith. Further details of these can be obtained from the Trustees on request, or at the Sunday services of worship.
The church regularly runs a Parent and Toddler Group that meets on the church premises on Tuesday and Friday mornings. Intermittently the church also runs an Alpha course for people interested in discovering more about Christianity, and courses exploring different components of Christian belief, such as baptism.
The church runs various events and activities for young people and operates systems to ensure that all people working with children and vulnerable adults are appropriately vetted with regard to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Further details may be found on our church website, http://www.w-b-c.org.uk.
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Further Details of Activities
Pastoral Team
One important part of the church ministry is the Pastoral Team, which meets alternate Wednesday mornings to discuss and pray over the pastoral needs in the church. From this meeting decisions are made regarding which members need visiting or what other support is required, as well as sharing encouragements. The minister leads the Pastoral Team and keeps the leadership aware of any significant issues. If a serious matter arises, the Pastoral Team will involve the Leadership Team or seek support from professional agencies if required.
Youth and Children Work
Sunday Children and Youth Programme Overview
Our Children and Youth programme is currently comprised of four age groups:
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Kindles: Age 0-3 years Crèche • Sparks: Age 3 - Year 3 Key stage 1-2
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• Flames: Year 4 - Year 6 Key stage 2 • Blaze: Year 7 – 18 years old High School - College
Crèche – Kindles (0-3 years)
At present, this group has not been operating on a Sunday morning due to low numbers of children in this age group. Instead we make an area available at the back of the church sanctuary with age appropriate toys that parents of children in this age group can use during the service.
Sunday School (3-11 years)
Sunday School caters for children of primary school age (age 3 to Year 6) during a morning service. It provides child-friendly Bible teaching through the age-appropriate presentation of Bible stories, games, craft, cooking and other activities.
The aim of Sunday School is to encourage children to discover, investigate and develop their own personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Currently Sparks and Flames are merged due to low numbers in the Sparks group. This will still allow younger children to enjoy company at Sunday School. Leaders take the different levels of support required into consideration.
N:ergize
This is a Friday evening term-time group for primary school aged children. Each evening consists of games, craft, and some Bible-based teaching. The group attracts up to 30 children each week who mostly have no other contact with the church. Over this year we have followed themes such as “On Safari” and “Journey through space”, linking them with bible stories.
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Youth Work
Numbers attending the Blaze Group on Sunday mornings have continued to increase, though a lack of regularity means that the actual weekly numbers can vary greatly. We continued with a couple of Saturday events aimed primarily for the Sunday morning regulars to bring friends to. The activities included a movie night as well as sport and craft events; the group raised funds for the anniversary projects by selling items they crafted during the Christmas event.
All-Age Services
The monthly All-Age service, where the children stay in the service rather than go out to Sunday School, has continued through this year following the same themes as the morning service series. These are usually a less formal and more interactive style of service which aims to be accessible to all ages and backgrounds.
Safeguarding
The Baptist Union of Great Britain continues with Due Diligence Checking to process Disclosure and Barring Service checks. In the period covered by this report a programme of renewal of DBS checks has continued in line with best practice that recommends checks are now renewed every 5 years.
At the start of the year Carolynne Webber and Jeremy Skinner served as the church’s Designated Persons for Safeguarding children and young people with the Trustee with responsibility for safeguarding being Imogene Smith. Jeremy Skinner stepped down from the role in September 2024 and Stewart Murray has been appointed to replace him.
We are committed to regularly review and update our paperwork and procedures to ensure it incorporates any nationally recommended changes.
Parent and Toddlers Group
The Toddler Group continues to be our most popular ministry with the local community with each of the Tuesday and Friday groups having as many as 60 children and their carers. The sessions include a mixture of crafts and age-appropriate toys, followed by refreshments and a time of singing together. At Christmas and Easter, we run Toddler parties at which we explain the meaning of these Christian festivals. The group draws from a wide range of the community, particularly, at the present time, from Eastern European families.
Prayer and Prayer Ministry
We value prayer as an important aspect of church life. We encourage all our meetings to begin and end in prayer, with many including a specific time for prayer as part of their programme.
In the last year we reduced our weekly Wednesday Prayer Meetings to monthly to facilitate the opportunity to develop our mid-week Connect groups (with prayer being an integral part of these groups). On the first Wednesday of the month some members continue to join the Christians Across Harrow Prayer Meeting, which has been a collaboration of churches across Harrow praying together for the community on Zoom, though some meetings now being “in-person”.
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The War Room is a regular prayer meeting held between 6-9am during weekdays since February 2016. This has continued on two mornings a week, both in-person and on Zoom. There is also a small group meeting on the last Friday evening each month for prayer.
Small Groups
In addition to the Sunday Services and the other groups mentioned in this report, the church runs a few small midweek groups. These involve a mix of Bible study, prayer, pastoral support, discipleship and teaching. These groups are very much appreciated by those who attend.
Following a Church Day Away in June 2024, there has been an effort to develop this area of church life by creating “Connect Groups” (small groups meeting regularly for prayer, Bible study and fellowship). Several groups began in this year, though some have struggled to maintain sufficient numbers to continue longer term.
CoffeePlus
We continue opening up the church on Friday mornings to provide tea, coffee, cake and conversation under the title CoffeePlus. There is a small but regular number of attendees from the community as well as members of the church. From 11am an optional small bible study takes place which has been well attended, particularly by some of our older members.
Christmas, Easter and other Festivals
Neither Easter 2024 (Easter Sunday 31[st] March) nor Easter 2025 (Easter Sunday 20[th] April) fell within this year. Easter 2025 was preceded by our usual series of Lent Readings (this year following the theme of the Psalms). These take the format of a series of daily podcasts posted on YouTube and have a wider following than just our congregation.
Our Christmas 2025 programme included carol singing in the local streets and on the church forecourt (with Holy Trinity Wealdstone joining us), Toddler Christmas Parties, an N:ergize Christmas party, and a Seniors Christmas lunch. On the Sunday before Christmas we had a Christmas family service and an evening carol service, which was again one of the best attended evening services of the year. On Christmas Day we hosted a joint service with Holy Trinity Wealdstone and New Life Bible Church as we celebrated the birth of our Saviour together.
In this year we also took time in our Sunday services to celebrate Pentecost and Remembrance Sunday.
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Sunday Teaching Programme
Our teaching programme at the Sunday Services over the last year is shown below. In addition to these main series we also had a number of “one-off” services such as talks by our visiting missionaries, joint services with other local congregations and particular festivals like Christmas and Easter.
| Morning services | Evening services | |
| April – July 2024 | Romans | Joshua |
| Sept – Dec 2024 | Genesis 1-11 | Isaiah |
| Jan – March 2025 | Mark | Nehemiah |
Wider Mission and Evangelism
We support a number of church members in Mission beyond Wealdstone, as well as some organisations which share our charitable objectives. We support members working for European Christian Mission (currently seconded to Lausanne Europe), Cambodia, and others who were recently working in Central Asia. We also support members working for Good News for Everyone (formerly Gideons UK) and Rock UK, a Christian charity running several outdoor activity centres. Contact with our missionaries is usually co-ordinated by a Mission Secretary, though this role is currently vacant and is being fulfilled by the minister until someone can be appointed.
Local Joint Church Initiatives
There are a number of local initiatives set up together with other churches that we support either financially or practically. These include the local Foodbank, for which a couple of our members are able to issue food vouchers as required to those in need, and Harrow Street Pastors with which a number of our members volunteer. The Street Pastors continue to use our building as a base for their Saturday patrols. Re:Generation (Re:Gen) is a schools worker initiative working with Harrow primary schools that we have continued to support for over 25 years since its inception.
We also have a team of volunteers who help with Fareshare, a programme which aims at reducing waste food being sent to landfill by collecting food from supermarkets that they can no longer sell but is still good to use. This has been particularly welcome by some in the community during the recent rise in the cost of living.
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Church Leadership and Staff
As previously noted, this year encompassed Revd Martin Whaley’s sixteenth year as Senior Minister of WBC. Partly due to the present financial situation, we have continued at the present time with one pastor.
Christiane Rohrmueller and Rose Finlow continue their job share as Administrators.
At the end of December 2024, Rose Finlow completed her term as Church Secretary and stepped down. At the November 2024 Church Members Meeting, Marie Webb-Stevens was elected to the role of Church Secretary (having served the previous year as Deacon), Alison Paterson was elected to a second term as Deacon and Lynne O’Connell was elected to join the Leadership team as a Deacon (all roles commencing from January 2025). This makes the Leadership team at the end of March 2025 continue with seven members; Senior Minister, Treasurer, Secretary and 4 Deacons.
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WBC2025
The year 2025 marks both the 150[th] year since the founding of the congregation and 120 years since the opening of the present church building. Around 1872, a group of Christians started to meet above a carpenter’s shop in Wealdstone High Street. This group were formally constituted as a church on 8[th] January 1875 with 20 members. The first church building was built in Palmerston Road in 1878, but was outgrown by 1901 so the church rented some halls in the High Street while plans for a new building were considered. In 1905 the original building was sold to the Salvation Army and the present building was built and opened on 11[th] October 1905 at the cost of £7000.
We have already begun to celebrate these landmarks and will continue to do so into the year ahead. On Saturday 1[st] March 2025, we held a “Rededication Service” at which we invited past members of the church to join us for a service of thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness and a rededication to serve Him into the future. It was a wonderful event with around 170 people gathering together to share praise, prayer, testimony and fellowship. In the year ahead we plan to hold an Open Day in October on the anniversary of the opening of the church building, as well as marking this year with some refurbishment of the building.
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Financial Review
A full account of the financial activities of the church in the period April 2024 to March 2025 is presented in the annual accounts which accompany this report. As a group of believers, the church gives thanks to God for His provision through the year. The trustees review the income and expenditure monthly throughout the year. The Trustees keep the reserves policy under review, to ensure that sufficient funds are held in reserve in the event of a future unexpected loss of income or donations.
Financial summary
A brief summary of our finances for the year is as follows, with a full financial statement included at the end of this report.
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The unrestricted income and expenditure were slightly higher than last year.
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Our designated refurbishment fund was £44.5K, up £16K from last year approx. £30K has been spent this year on refurbishment.
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Our ‘missionary’ giving to support those the church has commissioned into ministry elsewhere was £28.5K, a slight increase on the previous year.
WBC Reserves policy
The Leadership Team decided that a free reserve in the range of five to seven months’ expenditure should be maintained to enable cash flow in the event of a sudden unexpected change in income or expenditure. In March 2025 the free reserve was £92K which would cover over 8 months of costs based on 2024-25 expenditure.
Delegation of Authority
Overall financial decisions are made by the Leadership Team under the authority of the church members meeting. Authority to oversee the “Business as Usual Payments” (unless unusual or very different from previous payments) is delegated to the Finance Manager.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:2
Accepted and confirmed on behalf of the Trustees by _________
on _______.
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WEALDSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH Registered charity number 1132143
24/06/2025 Ver 1.01.1835
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Notes Incoming resources Donations and legacies 2 Investments 3 Charitable activities 4 Total income and endowments Expenditure on Charitable activities 5 Total Expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 11 Net Movement in Funds Funds Brought Forward 11 Revaluation Increase Prior Year Adjustments Funds Carried Forward 11 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ £ £ 147,385.62 20,623.21 168,008.83 123,804.06 14,887.92 138,691.98 21,422.61 - 21,422.61 17,709.21 - 17,709.21 5,910.95 - 5,910.95 4,929.50 - 4,929.50 |
|---|---|
| 174,719.18 20,623.21 195,342.39 146,442.77 14,887.92 161,330.69 |
|
| 123,731.56 30,806.61 154,538.17 122,681.09 24,804.41 147,485.50 |
|
| 123,731.56 30,806.61 154,538.17 122,681.09 24,804.41 147,485.50 |
|
| 50,987.62 (10,183.40) 40,804.22 23,761.68 (9,916.49) 13,845.19 (10,381.00) 10,381.00 - (10,665.00) 10,665.00 - |
|
| 40,606.62 197.60 40,804.22 13,096.68 748.51 13,845.19 |
|
| 1,347,216.66 5,522.25 1,352,738.91 1,334,119.98 4,773.74 1,338,893.72 18,978.00 - 18,978.00 - - - - - - - - - |
|
| 1,406,801.28 5,719.85 1,412,521.13 1,347,216.66 5,522.25 1,352,738.91 |
The notes on Pages 15 to 20 form part of these financial statements
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WEALDSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH Registered charity number 1132143
BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2025
| Notes Fixed Assets Tangible fixed assets 7 Current Assets Debtors 8 Bank and Cash 9 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 10 Net Current Assets Total Assets less Current Liabilities Funds of the Charity Free reserve 11 Fixed asset nbv 11 Unrealised gains 11 Refurbishment 11 Designated Unrestricted Restricted 11 Total Funds |
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 Unrestricted Restricted 2024 £ £ 1,269,769.24 - 1,269,769.24 1,241,424.24 - 1,241,424.24 |
|---|---|
| 1,269,769.24 - 1,269,769.24 1,241,424.24 - 1,241,424.24 2,938.41 65.00 3,003.41 2,815.54 15.00 2,830.54 135,619.60 5,654.85 141,274.45 103,912.69 5,507.25 109,419.94 |
|
| 138,558.01 5,719.85 144,277.86 106,728.23 5,522.25 112,250.48 1,525.97 - 1,525.97 935.81 - 935.81 |
|
| 137,032.04 5,719.85 142,751.89 105,792.42 5,522.25 111,314.67 |
|
| 1,406,801.28 5,719.85 1,412,521.13 1,347,216.66 5,522.25 1,352,738.91 |
|
| 92,472.26 - 92,472.26 77,122.43 - 77,122.43 302,560.24 - 302,560.24 293,193.24 - 293,193.24 967,209.00 - 967,209.00 948,231.00 - 948,231.00 44,559.78 The notes on Pa 44,559.78 28,669.99 - 28,669.99 |
|
| 1,314,329.02 - 1,314,329.02 1,270,094.23 - 1,270,094.23 |
|
| 1,406,801.28 - 1,406,801.28 1,347,216.66 - 1,347,216.66 - 5,719.85 5,719.85 - 5,522.25 5,522.25 |
|
| 1,406,801.28 5,719.85 1,412,521.13 1,347,216.66 5,522.25 1,352,738.91 |
The notes on Pages 15 to 20 form part of these financial statements
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WEALDSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH Registered charity number 1132143
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| **2 ** | Donations and legacies | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2025 | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Regular Offerings | 65,465.09 | - | 65,465.09 | 61,790.16 | - | 61,790.16 | |
| Donations | 37,550.00 | 17,018.00 | 54,568.00 | 25,600.00 | 11,380.49 | 36,980.49 | |
| Gift Aid | 22,571.54 | 810.00 | 23,381.54 | 16,526.09 | 682.50 | 17,208.59 | |
| Legacies | - | - | - | 5,711.92 | - | 5,711.92 | |
| Church Life | 252.79 | - | 252.79 | 475.89 | - | 475.89 | |
| Other | 21,546.20 | 2,795.21 | 24,341.41 | 13,700.00 | 2,824.93 | 16,524.93 | |
| Totals | 147,385.62 | 20,623.21 | 168,008.83 | 123,804.06 | 14,887.92 | 138,691.98 | |
| The above restricted income was allocated to the Charity's missionary | and organisation | accounts | |||||
| 3 | Income from Investments | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2025 | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2024 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Rent - Houses | 18,000.00 | - | 18,000.00 | 15,750.00 | - | 15,750.00 | |
| Interest | 3,422.61 | - | 3,422.61 | 1,959.21 | - | 1,959.21 | |
| Totals | 21,422.61 | - | 21,422.61 | 17,709.21 | - | 17,709.21 | |
| 4 | Income from activities | ||||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | 2025 | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2024 | ||
| Use of premises: | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cornerstone/Potters House | 4,720.95 | - | 4,720.95 | 3,852.00 | - | 3,852.00 | |
| Other Churches | 755.00 | - | 755.00 | 687.50 | - | 687.50 | |
| Other Groups | 435.00 | - | 435.00 | 390.00 | - | 390.00 | |
| TheTotals | 5,910.95 | - | 5,910.95 | 4,929.50 | - | 4,929.50 | |
| **5 ** | Expenditure on Charitable activities | ||||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | 2025 | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Ministry: | |||||||
| Ministers' salaries, pension & n.i.c. | 36,306.94 | - | 36,306.94 | 34,032.09 | - | 34,032.09 | |
| Ministers expenses | 899.50 | - | 899.50 | 640.00 | - | 640.00 | |
| Church life | 3,349.68 | - | 3,349.68 | 1,759.03 | - | 1,759.03 | |
| 40,556.12 | - | 40,556.12 | 36,431.12 | - | 36,431.12 | ||
| Establishment: | |||||||
| Church and Halls | 36,925.76 | - | 36,925.76 | 36,007.09 | - | 36,007.09 | |
| Staff Accommodation | 5,040.34 | - | 5,040.34 | 4,709.69 | - | 4,709.69 | |
| Printing & stationery | 276.00 | - | 276.00 | 253.17 | - | 253.17 | |
| Depreciation | 21,766.40 | - | 21,766.40 | 25,867.71 | - | 25,867.71 | |
| 64,008.50 | - | 64,008.50 | 66,837.66 | - | 66,837.66 | ||
| Mission: | |||||||
| Parents & Toddlers | - | 2,368.61 | 2,368.61 | - | 1,751.42 | 1,751.42 | |
| Other | - | 28,438.00 | 28,438.00 | - | 23,052.99 | 23,052.99 | |
| - | 30,806.61 | 30,806.61 | - | 24,804.41 | 24,804.41 | ||
| Administration: | |||||||
| Administrator's employment costs | 16,485.00 | - | 16,485.00 | 15,229.00 | - | 15,229.00 | |
| Sundry miscellaneous expenses | 639.90 | - | 639.90 | 986.54 | - | 986.54 | |
| Training | 245.00 | - | 245.00 | 993.00 | - | 993.00 | |
| Subscriptions & donations | 1,797.04 | - | 1,797.04 | 2,203.77 | - | 2,203.77 | |
| 19,166.94 | - | 19,166.94 | 19,412.31 | - | 19,412.31 | ||
| Totals | 123,731.56 | 30,806.61 | 154,538.17 | 122,681.09 | 24,804.41 | 147,485.50 |
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WEALDSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH Registered charity number 1132143
6 Staff costs and Trustees expenses
| Staff costs and Trustees expenses | |
|---|---|
| Ministers Salaries Admin Salaries Cleaners Salaries NI (National Insurance) Pension costs Other costs Trustee Services (Non Admin / Cleaning see notes below) Totals The average number of employees during the year |
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 Unrestricted Restricted 2024 £ £ £ £ £ £ 29,109.06 - 29,109.06 27,266.22 - 27,266.22 16,485.00 - 16,485.00 15,229.00 - 15,229.00 6,935.79 - 6,935.79 6,385.63 - 6,385.63 - - - - - - 7,197.88 - 7,197.88 6,765.87 - 6,765.87 899.50 - 899.50 640.00 - 640.00 |
| 60,627.23 - 60,627.23 56,286.72 - 56,286.72 - - - - |
|
| 60,627.23 - 60,627.23 56,286.72 - 56,286.72 |
|
| was 5 5 |
No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 during the year (Last year none).
One Trustees who is an employee (minister), live in housing wholly owned by the church.
No sums were reimbursed to the Trustees for their work as Trustees (Last year none).
The Church pays pension contributions for one Minister to the Baptist Ministers Pension Trust Limited, The Church pays pension contributions for one Minister (who left in June 22) to the NEST Pension scheme
The Church pays pension deficit contributions to the Baptist Ministers Pension Trust Limited, which is a final salary defined benefit scheme, which is not contracted out of the State second pension.
The scheme is a multi-employer scheme and it is not possible to identify the assets and liabilities of the scheme which are attributable to the church. Therefore, in accordance with FRS102 Section 28, the liability to the scheme is accounted for on the basis of a discounted cashflow of contributions due under the Schedule of Contributions.
One trustee (till Dec 2024) is also an admin worker, their wages whilst a trustee of £6,247.50 (Last Yr £7,052.50) are included in Admin Salaries Charity permission for employed trustees is obtained via https://forms.charitycommission.gov.uk/appoint-a-member-of-staff/ Trustee services are carried out as per the guidance in Charity Commission Guidance Document CC11
7 Tangible Fixed assets
| Tangible Fixed assets | |
|---|---|
COST OR VALUATION Cost as at 31.03.24 Valuation as at 31.03.24 Additions Disposals As at 31.03.25 DEPRECIATION As at 31.03.24 Charged Eliminated As at 31.03.25 Net Book Value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 |
Manses Manse Refurb Church Prem Refurb, contents and Equipment Total £ £ £ £ £ 237,951.00 21,849.92 107,488.63 - 367,289.55 948,231.00 - - - 948,231.00 18,978.00 870.00 30,263.40 - 50,111.40 - 3,909.30 47,730.64 - 51,639.94 |
| 1,205,160.00 18,810.62 90,021.39 - 1,313,992.01 |
|
| - 9,036.08 65,060.23 - 74,096.31 - 3,762.12 18,004.28 - 21,766.40 - 3,909.30 47,730.64 - 51,639.94 |
|
| - 8,888.90 35,333.87 - 44,222.77 |
|
| 1,205,160.00 9,921.72 54,687.52 - 1,269,769.24 |
|
| 1,186,182.00 12,813.84 42,428.40 - 1,241,424.24 |
All of the fixed assets are used for direct charitable purposes. Some of the furniture and equipment, the valuation of which is not material, is also used for the management and administration of the church.
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WEALDSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH Registered charity number 1132143
| 8 Debtors and prepayments Debtors: Inland Revenue Gift Aid Prepayments: Insurance Pre Paid into next FY Utilities Prepaid 9 Cash and Bank Santander Current Account London Baptist Property Board Santander Business Savings Parents & Todlers Cash Totals 10 Creditors and accruals Amounts falling due within one year Creditors: Utility Companies Accruals: Sundry misc expenses (Examination Fees) Totals |
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 Unrestricted Restricted 2024 £ £ £ £ 1,186.00 65.00 1,251.00 1,150.00 15.00 1,165.00 1,406.96 - 1,406.96 1,377.97 - 1,377.97 345.45 345.45 287.57 287.57 |
|---|---|
| 2,938.41 65.00 3,003.41 2,815.54 15.00 2,830.54 |
|
| Unrestricted Restricted 2025 Unrestricted Restricted 2024 £ £ £ £ £ £ 2,545.42 5,654.85 8,200.27 (723.38) 5,507.25 4,783.87 85,404.20 - 85,404.20 82,229.01 - 82,229.01 47,599.48 - 47,599.48 22,352.06 - 22,352.06 70.50 - 70.50 55.00 - 55.00 |
|
| 135,619.60 5,654.85 141,274.45 103,912.69 5,507.25 109,419.94 |
|
| Unrestricted Restricted 2025 Unrestricted Restricted 2024 £ £ £ £ £ £ 1,041.17 - 1,041.17 473.81 - 473.81 484.80 - 484.80 462.00 - 462.00 |
|
| 1,525.97 - 1,525.97 935.81 - 935.81 |
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D:\wbc\Accounts\Year 24-25\WBC Accounts 2024-25.xlsm Notes
WEALDSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH Registered charity number 1132143
| 11 Funds Free reserve Designated Fixed asset nbv fund Unrealised gains fund Refurbishment & Equipment Unrestricted Total Restricted BMS Cambodia Ministry ECM (Memorys) HCSL Trust (RE:GENERATION) Home Mission Fund Members Support OMF (Pickards) Other Funds Walls M & R Parents & Toddlers Totals 11a Funds (Last Year) Free reserve Designated Fixed asset nbv fund Unrealised gains fund Refurbishment Unrestricted Total Restricted BMS Bulgaria Fund Cambodia Ministry ECM (Memorys) HCSL Trust (RE:GENERATION) Home Mission Fund Members Support OMF (Pickards) Other Funds Walls M & R Parents & Toddlers Totals |
01.04.24 Incoming Expenditure Result Transfers Revaluations 31.03.25 £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 77,122.43 174,719.18 101,965.16 72,754.02 (57,404.19) - 92,472.26 293,193.24 31,133.40 21,766.40 9,367.00 - - 302,560.24 948,231.00 - - - - 18,978.00 967,209.00 28,669.99 - 31,133.40 (31,133.40) 47,023.19 - 44,559.78 |
|---|---|
| 1,270,094.23 31,133.40 52,899.80 (21,766.40) 47,023.19 18,978.00 1,314,329.02 |
|
| 1,347,216.66 205,852.58 154,864.96 50,987.62 (10,381.00) 18,978.00 1,406,801.28 |
|
| 10.00 10.00 - - - - - 760.00 1,960.00 (1,200.00) 1,200.00 - - 15.00 4,995.00 7,370.00 (2,375.00) 2,400.00 - 40.00 - - 1,200.00 (1,200.00) 1,200.00 - - - - 2,400.00 (2,400.00) 2,400.00 - - - 2,750.00 3,810.00 (1,060.00) 1,060.00 - - - 180.00 180.00 - - - - - 558.00 558.00 - - - - - 8,575.00 10,950.00 (2,375.00) 2,400.00 - 25.00 5,507.25 2,795.21 2,368.61 426.60 (279.00) - 5,654.85 |
|
| 5,522.25 20,623.21 30,806.61 (10,183.40) 10,381.00 - 5,719.85 |
|
| 01.04.23 Incoming Expenditure Result Transfers Revaluations 31.03.24 £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 75,408.04 146,442.77 96,813.38 49,629.39 (47,915.00) - 77,122.43 261,618.94 57,442.01 25,867.71 31,574.30 - - 293,193.24 948,231.00 - - - - - 948,231.00 48,862.00 - 57,442.01 (57,442.01) 37,250.00 - 28,669.99 |
|
| 1,258,711.94 57,442.01 83,309.72 (25,867.71) 37,250.00 - 1,270,094.23 |
|
| 1,334,119.98 203,884.78 180,123.10 23,761.68 (10,665.00) - 1,347,216.66 |
|
| 30.00 30.00 - - - - - 500.00 500.00 - - - - - 1,754.50 2,954.50 (1,200.00) 1,200.00 - - 35.00 3,520.00 5,940.00 (2,420.00) 2,400.00 - 15.00 - - 1,200.00 (1,200.00) 1,200.00 - - - - 2,650.00 (2,650.00) 2,650.00 - - - 190.00 1,290.00 (1,100.00) 1,100.00 - - - 180.00 180.00 - - - - - 788.49 788.49 - - - - 20.00 5,100.00 7,520.00 (2,420.00) 2,400.00 - - 4,718.74 2,824.93 1,751.42 1,073.51 (285.00) - 5,507.25 - |
|
| 4,773.74 14,887.92 24,804.41 (9,916.49) 10,665.00 - 5,522.25 |
Fixed asset nbv fund is the initial value of the manses; additions and depreciation to Church premises and properties. Unrealised gains fund represents the increase in manse values since the original valuation.
Refurbishment monies are designated for refurbishment and major repairs to the church premises and manses. The trustees hold this fund as the cost of repairs and refurbishment exceed the ability to cover these from day to day costs. It will fund specific projects. e.g. The proposed refurbishment and refitting of the kitchen The Bulgaria Fund supports the Christian Ministry in Bulgaria of an ex member Cambodia Ministry supports the work in Cambodia of a member
ECM (Memorys) supports the Ministry of two members working with European Christian Mission.
HCSL Trust Harrow Churches Schools Link Trust, working under the title 'Re:generation', provides support for schools in Harrow through school assemblies etc.
Home Mission Fund is the way churches in BUGB (The Baptist Union of Great Britain) support one another financially and share in the task of Encouraging Missionary Disciples
Members Support is used to provide occasional support for members in need
OMF (Pickards) Support for Overseas Missions towards their work and the retirement support of ex members Other Funds Smaller and intermittent causes, the majority was for Firm Foundation a charity working with Harrow Homeless People Tear Fund Tearfund is a Christian charity that partners with churches in more than 50 of the world's poorest countries. Walls M & R Support for members working with Christians in central Asian countries
Wycliffe (McGrigg) Support for Wycliffe Bible Translators in Bible Translation and their support for a church member.
Parents & Toddlers A Church based group providing a meeting place for parents and carers with babies and small children to relax and chat together while children play.
The trustees agree transfers from the unrestricted fund to some restricted funds on a regular basis based on a tithe of last years offerings and other income. The exact amount and allocation is reviewed by the trustees yearly and as required.
12 Related charities
The custodian Trustee of the church is The London Baptist Association which is charity number 1091160. The church is also a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the London Baptist Association. The church made a donation to the Baptist Union Home Mission Scheme as set out in note 11. The church is a member of the Evangelical Alliance.
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D:\wbc\Accounts\Year 24-25\WBC Accounts 2024-25.xlsm Notes
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Wealdstone Baptist Church On accounts for the year 31st March 2025 Charity no 1132143 ended (if any) Set out on pages pages 13 to 20 of the Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31st March 2022 Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent The charity’s gross income did not exceed £250,000 and I am qualified to examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of The Association of Accounting Technicians .
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
-
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Date: 22[nd] December Signed: 2025 ~~|~~ Name: Sylvia Bourhill Relevant professional FMAAT 10241689 qualification(s) or body
1
Oct 2018
IER
1[st] Floor, Bourne House
Address:
Cores End Road
Bourne End SL8 5AR
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
2
Oct 2018
IER