Tilehouse Street Baptist Church Annual Report 2024 Charity Registration Number 1135132
The charity is governed by an Approved Governing Document which states that the Church engages in a range of activities for the purpose of 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.
Trustees (Deacons) Rev. Jane Robson (Minister) Mrs Joyce Bleasby Mr Paul Chamberlain (Designated Person for Safeguarding) Mrs Margaret Granger (Safeguarding Trustee) Mrs Sheila Hallas (Secretary) Mr John Maguire Miss Anne Moody Mr Martin Stears Handscomb (Treasurer)
Motto Text Matthew 13 verse 33
Jesus told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Aims
The Church’s primary aim is to worship God, make known his love, share the good news of the gospel and to care for all people, locally and globally, regardless of ethnicity, gender or beliefs.
Governance
Under the leadership and guidance of the minister, Jane, the diaconate has met monthly to prayerfully consider the spiritual life and routine business of the Church.
The Deacons Day in April was facilitated by the Rev. Maureen Hider, moderator of the Central Baptist Association. The time was spent looking at various means to find a positive way forward for the church.
At a Special Church Meeting held on July 18[th] the members voted to amend the church’s constitution. The amendment states that,
“ In this church it shall be the minister(s) if any and deacons, secretary and treasurer who together are the Charity Trustees of the church.”
This change means that the secretary and treasurer may be chosen from amongst the membership and it is not a requirement that they also be deacons.
For a trial period of a year, the formal church meetings had been held bi-monthly. At the Ordinary Church Meeting in July, it was decided to make this a permanent arrangement and the meetings would be held on Sunday mornings, after a shortened service.
Safeguarding
The team has worked vigilantly to ensure that policies and procedures are in line with current guidelines. The Level 1 training video was shown during a service in April. Meg Granger stepped down as the Safeguarding Trustee at the end of the year. Anne Moody will step into this role in January.
Personnel Changes
Martin Stears Handscomb will relinquish his role as treasurer in December. Meg Granger and Nickie Woodbridge were appointed as joint treasurers. They have been learning what the job entails and will formally commence on January 1[st] 2025.
Brenda Mallett has taken on a part time position as the church’s bookkeeper. Following the retirement of Janet Ireson as the administrator in the summer Will Henton Pusey was appointed to succeed her.
Membership
On January 1[st] there were 46 members on the church roll and on Easter Sunday, it was a pleasure to receive a lady into membership. Sadly, three ladies, one of whom had been in membership since 1950, died during the course of the year leaving a total of 44. The membership at Stondon Baptist Church remains unchanged at 8, making a total of 52.
Worship
Rev. Jane has continued to lead worship with variety, creativity and, usually, some ‘audience participation’. The congregation has wrestled with Romans, observed some Old Testament heroes, tried to fathom the depths of the fruit of the Spirit and studied the Star of Bethlehem. A number of friends continue to share in worship via the live streaming facility, including some of the residents of two local care homes.
The monthly services at Foxholes Care Home and the afternoon communion services in the Church have continued.
We have been ably served by a number of other preachers throughout the year. It was a particular joy and privilege to welcome the Rev. Mary Moody on the church’s 355[th] anniversary.
Prayer Meetings
A small but loyal group has continued to meet for prayer on the first Saturday of the month. A larger group meets on Zoom each Wednesday evening.
Bible Study Groups
Both groups have met on Tuesday afternoons, sometimes linking their studies to the current theme of the weekly sermon.
Open Church
The church opens its doors every Thursday morning, welcoming all and offering free refreshments. This remains a thriving event which provides an opportunity to make new friends and strengthen existing friendships.
Pastoral Care
The Minister, the Pastoral Care Co-ordinator and others work tirelessly to offer support and help to members of the congregation and others.
Project Violet
An initiative has been running throughout the Baptist denomination looking at the problems encountered by women ministers. Individual churches were asked to consider the resolutions put forward by the Project Violet team and Rev. Jane with a group of six or seven others held eight discussion sessions to look at them. The group produced a number of commitments to action which were accepted by the church meeting. The diaconate and church meeting are now looking at these in more depth.
Use of the Premises
Will has maintained the management of the lettings to both secular and Church groups so that they are in almost constant use, particularly during school term times.
The church fellowship also uses its own premises for other events besides services, some for fund raising purposes and others simply for pleasure. In January, the 1924 film, Safety Last was shown, whilst being accompanied on the organ by Clifton Hughes. Tilehouse Street was pleased to host the World Day of Prayer in early March.
In July, the Choral Nova Choir put on a concert as part of the Hitchin Festival and to raise funds for the local Daisy Chains charity.
Coffee Mornings / Fairs have been held in springtime, harvest time and Advent.
Buildings
Damage to the north – east corner of the church roof has allowed water to leak in and cause severe damp in the wall below. Plans to get this repaired are ongoing. A thanksgiving offering around the time of the church anniversary raised more than enough money to pay for a long overdue new carpet in the Bunyan Room.
The Future
As we head into the new year, as part of the family of God in Hitchin, we are starting to prepare for the future after Rev. Jane’s retirement in 2026. At the Deacons Day Maureen Hider used the words of Joshua 3 verse 5,”Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” 2025 will be a year of consecration and prayer. This is the motto text for the year.
A small working party has been set up to look at the type of ministry that God wants us to have so that we can continue to serve and worship Him at Tilehouse Street Baptist Church. As ever, we thank God for his faithfulness and blessings through good times and difficult ones. We know that He will continue to guide us as His people in this part of Hitchin.
Sheila Hallas January 2025
Minister’s Reflection
One of the joys of preparing an annual report is the opportunity to lift one’s head from the daily demands of church life and appreciate all that has been achieved over the previous twelve months. The challenges of maintaining paid ministry and wise stewardship of the buildings have continued but have been met with resilience and resourcefulness. There have been many occasions when I have rejoiced over the faithfulness and commitment of God’s people in this place: a willingness to move to Sunday morning church meetings, generosity in financial support for a variety of charities, the appointment of new treasurers, a welcoming spirit at Open Church, churchwide engagement with Project Violet, and many others. Signs of a church community that is hopeful, that has been like the yeast in the dough of our text for the year and which continues to trust that God will do amazing things among us in 2025 and beyond.
It is also appropriate that I note here my continued appreciation for all those who have worked tirelessly through another year in many different roles to ensure that the church continues to share the good news of the gospel in word and deed. For which I give thanks to God.
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
Registered Charity no. 1135132
Income and Expenditure Account for the year
1st January to 31st December 2024
Page 1
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
Trustees
Rev J Robson Minister Mrs S Hallas Secretary Mr M Stears-Handscomb Treasurer Mrs M Granger Deacon Mrs J Bleasby Deacon Mr J Maguire Deacon Mr P Chamberlain Deacon Miss A Moody Deacon
Address
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church Upper Tilehouse Street Hitchin, Herts SG5 2EE
Property Trustees
Baptist Union Corporation Limited Baptist House 129 Broadway Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 8RT
Main Bankers
CAF Bank Ltd PO Box 289 West Malling, Kent ME19 4TA
Baptist Union Corporation Limited Baptist House 129 Broadway Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 8RT
Santander Uk Plc 2 Triton Square Regents Place London NW1 3AN
Page 2
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31st December 2024
| INCOME Voluntary income Fundraising activities Interest Charitable activities Total Receipts EXPENDITURE Charitable expenses Governance costs Total Payments Deficit/Surplus of income over expenditure Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
2024 Unrestricted Funds £ 75,869.32 - 4,258.92 43,532.39 123,660.63 13,784.22 108,374.39 122,158.61 1,502.02 210,372.10 211,874.12 |
2023 Unrestricted Funds £ 78,968.56 - 4,624.85 36,581.32 |
|---|---|---|
| 120,174.73 | ||
| 17,281.82 87,990.98 |
||
| 105,272.80 | ||
| 14,901.93 | ||
| 195,470.17 | ||
| 210,372.10 |
Page 3
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
FUND ACTIVITIES for year ending 31st December 2024
| GENERAL FUND Offerings Donations and fees Donations from church groups Parking Income Appeals Gift Aid - Income tax recovered Lettings Outlook contributions Photocopying Interest received Expenditure Ministerial (including stipend, expenses pension & pulpit supply) BU pension deficit payment Manse expenses Standing charges - Electricity 3,126.55 Gas 5,938.89 Water 708.61 Insurance 5,974.87 Domestic - Cleaning 11,321.60 Grounds 6,840.00 Refreshments 208.19 Organist, licences & piano tuning Outreach & Publicity - General 54.28 Events 135.01 Office - Administrator 8,591.60 Bookkeeping 562.50 Stationery & stamps 102.89 Computer supplies 697.60 Telephone & broadban 590.51 Photocopier 641.44 Equipment Fees, Subcriptions & gifts Bank Charges Conferences & Training Donations Sundries (Bunyan Room Carpet) Less transfer to Pastoral Care fund Less transfer to Building maintenance fund SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR YEAR BALANCE 1st JANUARY Reserve policy transfer (from Legacies fund) BALANCE 31st DECEMBER Income |
3,126.55 5,938.89 708.61 5,974.87 |
2024 2023 £ £ 42,003.12 40,640.80 2,221.72 2,807.50 - - 315.40 370.00 1,965.33 10,390.18 11,438.07 41,720.26 34,247.95 240.00 165.00 - 14.15 718.48 889.55 99,574.49 90,573.02 38,582.81 34,818.18 10.00 12.00 3,467.32 3,374.91 6,949.34 757.14 5,611.93 15,748.92 13,318.41 10,103.39 6,253.80 97.88 18,369.79 16,455.07 1,432.72 1,064.30 147.80 320.45 189.29 468.25 6,500.04 - 181.34 433.92 521.57 626.64 11,186.54 8,263.51 368.87 339.00 577.79 508.55 60.00 66.00 104.00 101.06 2,500.00 2,500.00 1,640.00 70.75 94,238.05 81,359.99 100.00 127.07 10,000.00 10,000.00 - (4,763.56) (914.04) 35,943.61 36,857.65 - - 31,180.05 35,943.61 |
|---|---|---|
| 11,321.60 6,840.00 208.19 |
||
| 54.28 135.01 |
Page 4
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
FUND ACTIVITIES for year ending 31st December 2024
| 2024 £ PASTORAL CARE FUND Balance 1st January 1,000.00 Transfer from General fund 100.00 Interest - 1,100.00 Gifts & Loans 100.00 Balance 31st December 1,000.00 BUILDING MAINTENANCE FUND Balance 1st January 8,671.78 Transfer from General fund 10,000.00 Insurance claim - wall repairs - Interest - 18,671.78 Expenditure - General 758.80 Church & Halls boiler maintenance 450.00 Fire safety inspection 516.84 Roofing repairs - Electrical reports & repairs - Quinquenial inspection - Wall collapse repairs - Damp investigations & scaffolding 4,970.00 Manse front door & gate - Balance 31st December 11,976.14 ORGAN FUND Balance 1st January 11,923.67 Donations - Interest 282.41 12,206.08 Expenditure - tuning - blower maintenance 228.96 Balance 31st December 11,977.12 LEGACIES FUND Balance 1st January 73,834.62 Legacies - Interest 1,765.72 75,600.34 Reserves (transfer to General fund) - Balance 31st December 75,600.34 |
2023 £ 898.80 127.07 24.13 |
|---|---|
| 1,050.00 50.00 |
|
| 1,000.00 | |
| 123.63 10,000.00 28,208.80 - |
|
| 38,332.43 790.18 805.00 416.50 820.58 2,869.39 - 21,921.00 2,038.00 |
|
| 8,671.78 | |
| 12,183.58 - 294.05 |
|
| 12,477.63 325.00 228.96 |
|
| 11,923.67 | |
| 69,165.40 3,000.00 1,669.22 |
|
| 73,834.62 - |
|
| 73,834.62 |
Page 5
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
FUND ACTIVITIES for the year ending 31st December 2024
| BADMINTON CLUB Balance 1st January Income - Subscriptions Expenditure - shuttles & sundries Donation to General fund Balance 31st December |
2024 2023 £ £ 605.76 597.73 599.00 558.10 1,204.76 1,155.83 44.28 50.07 500.00 500.00 660.48 605.76 |
|---|---|
| DONATIONS FUND(see notes on page 8) Donations received Gift Aid claimed General fund donations Donations Paid 2024 OUTREACH & MINISTRY FUND Balance 1st January Interest Transfer to General fund Balance 31st December FLOWER FUND Balance 1st January Contributions Interest Expenditure Balance 31st December |
6,416.40 983.25 2,500.00 9,899.65 9,899.65 14,780.73 353.47 15,134.20 - 15,134.20 349.93 695.00 - 1,044.93 950.89 94.04 |
8,106.80 1,485.96 2,500.00 |
|---|---|---|
| 12,092.76 12,092.76 14,436.56 344.17 |
||
| 14,780.73 - |
||
| 14,780.73 | ||
| 467.07 768.09 - |
||
| 1,235.16 885.23 |
||
| 349.93 |
Page 6
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
FUND ACTIVITIES for the year ending 31st December 2024
| STONDON CHAPEL FUND Income Offerings Income tax recovered Donations Grants Coffee mornings & fund raising Lettings Other income (Harvest appeals, water bill refund ) Interest Expenditure Preaching fees Standing charges - Electricity 346.62 Gas 824.88 Water 195.79 Building - Maintenance 2,682.00 Cleaning 896.04 Projects - Insurance, fire extinguishers 1,232.79 Music licence Outreach & publicity Training Equipment Donations - Home Mission 600.00 BMS 600.00 Baptist Twinning israel 1,350.00 MAF - Appeals 112.50 Sundries DEFICIT/SURPLUS FOR YEAR BALANCE 1st JANUARY BALANCE 31st DECEMBER |
STONDON CHAPEL FUND Income Offerings Income tax recovered Donations Grants Coffee mornings & fund raising Lettings Other income (Harvest appeals, water bill refund ) Interest Expenditure Preaching fees Standing charges - Electricity 346.62 Gas 824.88 Water 195.79 Building - Maintenance 2,682.00 Cleaning 896.04 Projects - Insurance, fire extinguishers 1,232.79 Music licence Outreach & publicity Training Equipment Donations - Home Mission 600.00 BMS 600.00 Baptist Twinning israel 1,350.00 MAF - Appeals 112.50 Sundries DEFICIT/SURPLUS FOR YEAR BALANCE 1st JANUARY BALANCE 31st DECEMBER |
2024 £ 8,919.04 1,217.50 389.88 - - 1,213.13 112.50 1,138.84 12,990.89 2,135.00 1,107.02 153.66 1,367.29 845.20 800.04 - 1,062.91 4,810.83 240.24 - 32.40 752.88 500.00 500.00 800.00 650.00 173.00 2,662.50 - 12,001.14 989.75 63,262.00 64,251.75 |
2023 £ 8,616.10 955.00 - - - 1,775.27 601.09 1,403.73 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13,351.19 2,074.40 1,260.68 2,708.15 223.44 10.00 - 471.83 2,623.00 - |
|||
| 2,682.00 896.04 - 1,232.79 |
|||
| 600.00 600.00 1,350.00 - 112.50 |
|||
| 9,371.50 | |||
| 3,979.69 | |||
| 59,282.31 | |||
| 63,262.00 |
Page 7
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
FUND ACTIVITIES for year ending 31st December 2024
| DONATIONS Home Mission BMS World Mission Birthday Scheme Operation Agri CTH PHASE Regents Park Baptist College Dec Appeal: Medical Aid for Palestine Spurgeon's Child Care Garden House Hospice versus Arthritis Christian Aid Other charities Daisy Chain Mercy Ships Herts Young Homeless Total: |
2024 2023 Notes (for 2023) £ £ 1,814.60 2,431.25 includes £300 Church donation 1,514.60 2,146.22 298.25 225.00 1,396.70 1,236.07 Harvest offerings 1,800.00 1,800.00 Church donation 400.00 400.00 Church donation 45.00 - - 454.70 Advent Fair - 570.00 Advent Service - 236.45 Carol Service - 219.65 Card Sorting - 141.31 Christmas Day Service - 2,232.11 765.00 - 428.00 - In memory of Gill Mayes 1,437.50 - Christmas Charity 9,899.65 12,092.76 |
|---|---|
Notes (for 2024):
Gift aid is claimed wherever possible; Total claimed on donations £983.25
2024 Mission Gift Day total was £3,029.20 (including £585.00 gift aid) 2023 Mission Gift Day total was £4,262.50 (including £822.50 gift aid)
Page 8
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church
Statement of Assets & Liabilities as at 31st December 2024
| Current assets CAF bank - Cash account CAF bank - Gold account Baptist Union - Deposit account Nat West bank - Badminton Club Santander UK Plc - Stondon Chapel Baptist Union - Deposit account Total at bank and in hand Prepaid insurance Lettings HMRC Total assets Current liabilities Payroll Liabilities Sundry Creditors Net assets over liabilities Unrestricted Funds General fund Pastoral care fund Flower fund Building maintenance fund Organ maintenance fund Badminton Club Donations fund Legacies fund Outreach & Ministry fund Stondon chapel fund Total funds Sundry debtors |
2024 £ 9,891.39 25,670.20 103,143.21 660.48 13,136.20 51,115.55 203,617.03 4,964.28 3,069.50 2,481.03 214,131.84 787.72 1,470.00 2,257.72 211,874.12 31,180.05 1,000.00 94.04 11,976.14 11,977.12 660.48 - 75,600.34 15,134.20 64,251.75 211,874.12 |
2023 £ 14,364.29 27,870.86 100,845.21 605.76 13,285.29 49,976.71 |
|---|---|---|
| 206,948.12 4,794.00 250.00 |
||
| 211,992.12 1,587.52 32.50 |
||
| 1,620.02 | ||
| 210,372.10 | ||
| 35,943.61 1,000.00 349.93 8,671.78 11,923.67 605.76 - 73,834.62 14,780.73 63,262.00 |
||
| 210,372.10 |
Page 9
Tilehouse Street Baptist Church Notes to the Accounts Reserves Poli Tilehouse Street Baptist Church has a resetves policy which is to retain a minimum of three months expenditure in the General Fund. Basis of Accountin These accounts have been prepared on a 'receipts and payments, basis and accord with Section 133 Charities Act 2011 Insured Value of Assets held for Church's own use Property - The Church is the beneficial owner (subject to the relevant trusts) of the following, the legal title to which is held by the Baptist Union Corporation: Church premises Manse stondon premises 5,610,000 403,310 585 694 6,599,004 Other - Organ, Pianos, Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment Manse fixtures & fittings stondon, Pianos, etc. 163,945 31,167 97,617 6 891,733 The Accounts and Statement of Assets and Liabilfcies set out on Pages I to 10 relating to the year ending 31 December 2024 are as approved by the Trust Treasurer Date Page 10
rilehouso Streèt Ba "st chUh Accounts for the Year 1. Janua In Examlnallon of 2024 to 31 December 2024 Tho examinatM follcywed the directions as pw the Chaiity Commission's recommendations for acUnts maintained on a Yeceipt and paymenf basis. DireCn 1- Eli for In ndent exaMatiOn. I checked www.gov.uk webslte sectK)n on chanty accounts independent examination to ensure that l am eligible to cary out an examination. Accounts St total re)tS forthe year of £123.661. and net assets of £211874. This PLts TSBC ave the f25,CMXI threshokl ere examinat'on is required. but bek)w the £250,(KKJ incomel r3,260,(KKJ assets threshokl where an examinat¥)n by a professionauy qualified person. orfull audit is required. Receipt amount incknd8s Stondon Chapel receipts. a sthNYiary of TSBC. I have a letter of app)wttment from Jart Impey (ft)mw treasurer) dated 17 September 2009 stating that I have been unanimously appointed by the meMrS of TSBC. I have confirmed that the minutes of the AGM on 21st Marth 2024 show that rt was agreed that I be appointed for year 2024. I have copied the finanaal statement and will keep for 6 yea. I 111 keep a copy of both this working report and the summary report Direction 3- UrKlerstandi TSBC I have a copy of the ConStitun for TSBC dated Novernber 2CIJ9. 1 have looked through this and in parbcuLqr seciion 26 related to Recxtrd Keeping and A(xounting. I have not seen Ythg that goes against the direclions in the I have talked generalty ty1h the current and fiThertreasurer and on8 of the Church Deacons. This is now the ftfteenth year I have been doing the independenl examination, and I feel I have an understanding of the Organisa)n and finances of TSBC. DireCtn 4- AcccMJnt"n Records The accounts are kept in a dear, organised detailed manner. The financial statement is prèsented in summary fom wrth SUFporb"ng dooJmentatK)n showng individual trnnsath.on detas. PrcKedures in OirectK)n 5 iH venfy whether or not the OUnts are r8as(abty {Xpb1O.
Directnn 5- Com arison of Acccmjnts vthh Aecountn Records I looked for indepeThJent supportir¥J drmenta of the major assets in th8 statement of assets and liabiif(ies. End of yew bank statements show Ihese figures to be a(Lurate. The SMalr funds (Friday dub. badminton dub and sunshine commrttee) were accept8d wrthout d&tailed verification. I checked that the opening balances for all accOLtS are Ihe same as the closing balances of the same accounts in the copy for the 2023 fanal report that I retained for my records. I dked mvement of fuj5 dunrKJ the year, a1 that the asset statement value for the et)J of 2023 uS receipts for 2024 less payments and curr•rt Ikqbilities for 2024 equalied the statement value for ervj of 2024. DIrectn 6- Ana cal Procedures Examnation of the coMe shov45 a similar Ve1 of income between 2024 and 2023 with the exceptlon of lettings was SKJnfficanty higher. Expenditure was more than 2022 made up of differences in several of the expenditure headings. l also checked ranthjm paYThnts to en there were invoices to supp)rt them. iredion 10- aminerfs Re I have Sign a c(w of the summary examine¢s rewrt as I believe the acccxjntsng requirements have been mel Dated 21. Febnjary 2024. Matters of Mateiial S. nifican I have not found any matters of material s1can¢e Ihat need to have attention dravm to them.
I rewton thè ofthe Chwly forthe 31. Dgwrknw2CQ4.thKth are seto on p¥Jes 1 to 10. conslerlh8tan audit ts rtot Jrts year lrthrsn 144 Of CtrArili8s Ad 2011 (the examina the )unIS WKler 58dDn 145 ofthe Charthes Act to folbwlhe [CKre$ dovm in Ihe geneTal tJ¥edhM gi4en tythe ChaY con¥$ fftle[Sortr 14515Xb) ofthe ch1ts Art arKI My e>2rninalKbn was ra11 (xrt in wxJfflwKe Thh the general LJrg(JxJns gTrRn trjfthe Chaiity ConwftBgon. An e>2TrNnation incl$ a remew ofthe actouthg re(x)rds ketrt by the cha and a ofthe wunls pre$eft tfvlth those reo)rds. M al>) corts#YeratKJn of unlwal items oithckjsures in the )unty aTrJ seek)r e11)rts from you as Iwst ncemirvJ any such matters. The w(talures uThJertAken do Mt ¥o¥bJe al the thThjere Ih present a arY fair¥iv• and the rewjrt ts linited to Ihose matters set c4Jt in the ststement tehjw. to keep accountrvJ rd$ in 8ttx)fijan y1h serknn 130 ofthè Charitiès Act and ha¥e not been rf or Pl to my 0n. thnlb)n shcdthl t othto vndetstsThlY¥J ofthe to bg rearkny. £Gf INJ2 C*ts.. li SIJn.