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2025-12-31-accounts

Registered Charity Number - 1134242

Penzance Baptist Church

Trustees Annual Report, Auditor Examination and Accounts For the year ended 31st December 2025

PENZANCE BAPTIST CHURCH

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT, ACCOUNTS and INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

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Penzance Baptist Church

Report of the Trustees for the year 01/01/2025 - 31/12/2025

Reference and Administration Details

Charity Name Charity Registration Number

Charity’s Principal Address

Penzance Baptist Church

1134242 Clarence Street Penzance TR18 2NY Cornwall

Board of Trustees

(Name) (Office) James Belmour Deacon Edward Fletcher Deacon Ralph Hammond Deacon John Rubens Elder Jonathan Stobbs Minister

Independent Examiner

Rev. Michael Coles (BSc) 14 Pengarth Road Falmouth TR11 2TY Cornwall

Bank

Lloyds Penzance P.O. Box 8 Market House Penzance Cornwall TR18 2TN

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Structure, Governance and Management

The governing document of the Penzance Baptist Church as a charity is the Constitution for Grace Baptist Church Charities approved on 1 January 2007, and then adopted as the charity was registered on 10 February 2010. Penzance Baptist Church as a charity is constituted as an association, and the way in which the trustees are selected and appointed is through the means of the church members’ meeting.

Objectives and Activities

The principal object of the church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to Baptist principals in accordance with the church’s Basis of Faith. The church also carries out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the world.

In relation to these objects, our main activities are Sunday services (morning and evening), midweek Bible studies and prayer meetings, evangelistic activities in the community, children’s club, Parent and Toddler group, promotion of mission and matters of social concern, and various informal get-togethers to consider the Christian faith.

Achievements and Performance

Owing to the spiritual nature of the church’s objectives it is difficult to quantify achievements.

We employ a Pastor who conducts the majority of both Sunday Services, as well as mid-week meetings. In addition to his regular ministry in Penzance, the Pastor takes services around the country at different churches and conferences throughout the year. He has also ministered overseas in Europe, United States of American, and West Africa. There is a leadership team which consists of Elders and Deacons. The Elders meet regularly to oversee the ongoing life of the church and apart from the Pastor, the other Elder takes a proportion of the Sunday Services and mid-week meetings. Other church officers and members take other meetings in the life of the church at various times. The church has links with associated churches around the country and invites speakers from those churches to take services on specific occasions, such as the church Anniversary.

The weekly program of the church is busy with regular meetings and activities. The church has continued to see new people regularly attending the services and meetings from the local area. We are also thankful for the many visitors, from around the country and the world, that come to the church throughout the summer months.

For seasons such as Easter and Christmas we delivered invitations to the local community to come to the various services and activities. The Christmas period saw a very good response to the Christmas card invitations distributed in the community. Many came to the different events such as the ‘Coffee, Cake and Carols’ afternoon, the Christmas Eve Traditional Carol Service, and the Christmas Day Service. We were also delighted to be invited back to sing Carols in the local Tesco and Morrisons. Similar events were organized around the Easter period including a Good Friday service followed by refreshments. Many of these events have been the gateway to

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people coming to the church for the very first time and some beginning to come regularly to services.

The church also had a number of special services in the year including a Thanksgiving service marking the 223rd anniversary of the church, and its presence in the community for that time.

The main church services are also made available online on various platforms including YouTube. The primary purpose of these is to enable those in the church who can no longer physically come to access those times. However, the broadcasts, online sermons, and videos have seen a large engagement from people across the country and internationally. This has increased the profile and links of the church with people from across the globe.

In the regular weekly program, there are a variety of clubs and activities for families and children. The Parent and Toddler group ‘Toddliwinks’, is widely regarded in the community and has a constant attendance of existing and new parents/guardians. Due to demand, there are occasions when a waiting list has to be employed as interest surpasses capacity and safe ratios. There is also KiC Junior youth club which covers primary school age and again runs close to capacity. Many families are in contact with the church as a result of this and this has seen other things organized including a summer beach trip to St. Ives.

PBC also has good relationships with a number of local schools. There have been a number of school visits to the church itself looking at the history and practice of the Baptist Church. Our Pastor has taken assemblies and lessons in local primary and secondary schools.

PBC runs meetings to engage with all age groups in the community. Regular meetings for the ladies, Men’s Breakfasts, and Coffee and Cake afternoons see people regularly coming in to the building. We also have Church Open times and a literature table in the local town to introduce people to the life of the church and the message of Christianity. There is free literature available at every meeting and whenever the church is open, as well as free Bibles for those interested. The past year also saw the church host courses such as ‘Hope Explored’ for those wanting to find out more about what the Bible teaches.

As a church we take the responsibility of maintaining the building seriously. This is a significant undertaking due its Grade II* listed status and its particular local and national significance.The front façade of the building is in need of substantial repair work. This is a major project and massive undertaking for a small church like ourselves, not least financially. It has already demanded much attention but the repairs will hopefully preserve the building for the benefit of the local community for years to come. Such is the work needed that national organisations such as ‘Historic England’ and local authorities have been consulted with a specialist firm appointed to undertake the work. This is now in process and we hope repairs will be completed during the course of 2026.

During the year under review, grants were received from The Benefact Trust (£2,650) and the Garfield Weston Foundation (£5,000) towards this work. In addition grants to assist in the repair work have been promised by the Cornwall Historic Churches Trust (£8,000) and the Congregational and General Charitable Trust (£9,400). We are grateful to these organizations for supporting us in the work.

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Financial Review

Reserves

The Church has adopted a policy of seeking to hold reserves equivalent to three months regular expenditure, presently a reserve of £14,298. The current General Fund reserve at 31[st] December 2025 is £13,766. In addition at the yearend £5,990 was held in a Building Fund in anticipation of repairs to the front façade of the church building during 2026. The total reserve at 31 December 2025 is £19,756.

Risk Management

The trustees have identified the major risks to which the charity is exposed. These have been reviewed and the trustees are satisfied that adequate systems of control have been established to mitigate these risks.

Annual Return Figures

Income for 2025 - £83,114 Expenditure for 2025- £74,014

Other Optional Information

Public Benefit

The trustees have considered the guidance produced by the Charity Commission on the provision of public benefit and they confirm that public benefit has been provided by:

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Declaration The trustees declare thal they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the c]wity's trustees: Signature (s) Rev. JonathAn Stobbs Mr. John Rubens Position: Chair Trustee

Independent Examiner's Report to the membersltrustees of Penzance Baptist Church I report on the accounts for the year ended 3 1st December 2025 Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent ExamineT The tn￿teeS of the charity are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of tb¢ Chariti¢s Act 2011 (th¢ 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my r¢sponsibility to: ' examin¢ the accounts under s¢ction 145 of the 2011 Act. follow the procedures laid down in the GeneTal Directions given by the Charity CommissioneTssection 145(5)(b) of ihe 201 l Act. and ' state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in th¢ accounts, and seeking explanations from the management committee concerning any such matters. The Procedures undertaken do not provide all th¢ evidence that would be r¢quired in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. Independent Examiner's Statement In connection with my ¢xamination, no matt¢rs hav¢ ¢om¢ to my att¢ntion: which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with s.130 of the 2011 Act. or to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met. or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a properunderstanding of the accounts to be reached. Michael C Coles B Sc 14 P¢ngarth Road Falmouth TRI 12TY (Fully trained HMIT)

PENZANCE BAPTIST CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

1. Fixed Assets

The Freehold property known as Penzance Baptist Church premises at Clarence Street, together with associated fixtures and fittings are the subject of a separate independent trust held for the exclusive use of the Church. The Church assumes responsibility for all maintenance and running costs.

The Freehold property known as 13 Castle Road, Penzance is the subject of a separate independent trust held for the exclusive use of the Church.

2. Employees

The church had one employee (2025: 1 employee) whose remuneration and expenses were not in excess of £60,000. No remuneration or trustee expenses were paid to any other trustee during the year nor to any person connected to them.

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Pxto Ch4rity Commi$lott B4l#oee Shee¢ w t 3111V2025 Pgelofl Charity no. 1134242 PeDzance Baptist Church Printed: 21104ll026 T(Aai fijnds Prior year fi￿d5 i¢d Assets nlan8ibl¢ 8ss¢ts an8ibl¢ &qs¢ts eritage ass¢ts nvesttnents TolalftAedassets 8$5rf8 locks ebknrs nvestsnenis ash ai bank and ill hand 4,413 4,168 15.343 19,756 6.487 1I656 Total¢uTrenl assets r¢ditors.' amourlts falling due within one y¢8r Nel current (LYsets/(liabiliÉieJ) TotLTI avsets lags current Ila￿1111eS TeditOTS'. amoullts fallirtB due afteT more than one yea[ rovisions foi liabilities 19,756 19,756 10.656 IQ656 tal net 985ets or liabilities 19,756 10,656 unds ofthe charity- ndowmeni flmdg e5tticted illco]De fut nrestri¢tsd fujhjs evaluaiion reseerye 19.756 10.656 Total chArity funds 19.756 I￿656 SigDed by one or two trustees on be]kglf of all the trustees SigDature Prlttt Dts of #pprovl ddl]llttVyy)y 1710612026 JONATHAN STOBBS

Charity Commission SOFA Report as at 31/12/2025

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Paxton

Charity no. 1134242

Penzance Baptist Church

Printed: 21/04/2026

Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted
Income funds		 Endowment
funds		 Total funds Prior year
funds
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activites
Other trading activities
Investments
Separate material item of
income
Other		 £
73,140
0
0
9,974
0
0		 £
0
0
0
0
0
0		 £
0
0
0
0
0
0		 £
73,140
0
0
9,974
0
0		 £
60,335
0
0
9,851
0
0
Total 83,114 0 0 83,114 70,186
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Separate material item of
expense
Other		 0
74,014
0
0		 0
0
0
0		 0
0
0
0		 0
74,014
0
0		 0
75,298
0
0
Total 74,014 0 0 74,014 75,298
Net income/(expenditure)
before investment gains/(losses)
Net gains/(losses) on
investments
Net income/(expenditure)
Extraordinary items
Transfers between funds		 9,100
0
9,100
0
0		 0
0
0
0
0		 0
0
0
0
0		 9,100
0
9,100
0
0		 -5,111
0
-5,111
0
0
Net Movement in Funds 9,100 0 0 9,100 -5,111
Reconciliation of Funds
Total funds brought forward		 10,656 0 0 10,656
Total funds carried forward
19,756		 0
0		 19,756

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Paxton Charity Commission Movement of Funds Report

Charity no. 1134242 Penzance Baptist Church Printed: 21/04/2026

Month = December 2025
Fund name
General fund
Building Fund
Ministry Development
Missionary Fund
Phil & Lydia Evans
Uganda Support
Window replacement
Womens Fellowship		 Fund balances
brought
forward
7,074
3,396
1,821
-750
0
-885
0
0		 Income
74,693
5,501
0
553
0
2,368
0
0		 Expenditure
-65,550
-2,958
-237
-2,700
0
-2,568
0
0		 Transfers
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0		 Gains and
losses
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0		 Fund balances
carried
forward
16,216
5,939
1,584
-2,898
0
-1,086
0
0
Totals 10,656 83,114 -74,014 0 0 19,756

Paxton Charity Commission Statement of Cash Flows to 31/12/2025

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Charity no. 1134242 Penzance Baptist Church

Printed: 21/04/2026

Total funds
£		 Prior year funds
£		 Prior year funds
£
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period		 -1,118
9,974
9,974
0
8,855
6,487
15,343		 -14,709
9,851
9,851
0
-4,858
11,345
6,487
Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities
Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the
statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		 9,100
-9,974
-245
-1,118		 -5,111
-9,851
253
-14,709