## 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 Jar*t 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.
cons*lerlh8tan 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 ch1t*s Art arKI
My e>2rninalKbn was ra11 (xrt in wxJfflwKe Th*h 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 w*unls pre$eft tfvlth those reo)rds. M al>) corts#YeratKJn of
unlwal items oithckjsures in the )unty aTrJ seek)r e11)rts from you as Iwst
ncemirvJ any such matters. The w(talures uThJertAken do Mt ¥*o¥bJe al the thThjere Ih
present a ar*Y fair¥iv•* and the rewjrt ts linited to Ihose matters set c4Jt in the ststement
tehjw.
to keep accountrvJ rd$ 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.
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