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← Muswell Hill Baptist Church

2025-03-31-accounts

Muswell Hill Baptist Church

Report and Accounts Year ended 31st March 2025

1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk

MUSWELL HILL BAPTIST CHURCH

LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE Dukes Avenue
Muswell Hill
London
N10 2PT
GOVERNING DOCUMENT Constitution adopted 15th July 2009
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1136971
TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR
MANAGING THE CHARITY The Reverend Alexander John Roberts (resigned 31/07/2024)
David Slater
Rosemary Pettman Church Secretary
Jonathan Ashley-Norman
Lynda Roderique
CUSTODIAN TRUSTEES London Baptist Property Board Ltd.
BANKERS Barclays Bank plc
COIF Charities Deposit Fund
National Savings and Investments
London Baptist Property Bond
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Lisa Darby FCA
Stewardship
1 Lamb's Passage
LONDON
EC1Y 8AB
INDEX
Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details
Pages 2 - 4 Trustees' Report
Page 5 Independent Examiner's Report
Page 6 Receipts and Payments Account
Page 7 Statement of Assets & Liabilities
Pages 8 - 9 Notes to the Accounts

Page 1

MUSWELL HILL BAPTIST CHURCH

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

Objects of the charity

The charity, which is a church, is governed by a constitution. 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.

Vision

In order to achieve our Purpose more effectively the Church continued its vision focused on inviting This is encapsulated in the strap line Inviting a Great City to a Great Saviour .

Aims

We will seek to develop:

Values

Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements

To further the above objects and vision, the Church engages in a range of activities, either on its own or with others, that vary from time to time with activities being initiated, expanded, or closed, as appropriate.

The Activities may include but are not restricted to:

Page 2

Invitational People

We were delighted to be able to invite people to events during the year. People were encouraged to use invitations to bring people to various events in our programme. Large numbers now attend our Carers and Toddlers weekly event and our monthly Fellowship Lunches with a devotional meeting (aimed at older people). We distributed hundreds of invitations to our key Sundays – Easter, and Christmas. We welcomed school events which led to the Church being full several times over the Christmas and end-of-school year periods with many local families in attendance.

The church continued to support members and friends working in Christian ministries of various kinds in Europe, Africa and among Turkish and East Asian peoples in the United Kingdom. One of our members is a Full-Time Free Church Chaplain in the British Army.

Invitational Programmes

We held a well-attended Quiz Night, Barbeque and Summer Picnic. A new venture was a walk by the men’s group in the city of London with an excellent guide, from Christian Heritage London.

The Muswell Hill Soup Community Kitchen under its Director Martin Stone continued to develop the use of the van. For some these deliveries of hot meals are their only outside contact apart from medical visits. The Community Kitchen also meets two days a week on our premises.

Invitational Premises

We opened our premises as part of the Open House Festival event in London, enabling people to access the building without coming to an event or worship service. This was highly successful and much appreciated.

Gospel Outreach Ministry [GOM] (an offshoot of the New Testament Church of God of Prophecy) continued to meet at our premises.

Invitational Partnerships

People were invited to fill Christmas Shoeboxes for the Samaritan’s Purse charity project Operation Christmas Child. Nationally and across London our partnerships with the Evangelical Alliance, the London Baptist Association and the Baptist Union of Great Britain helped to resource another year.

We continued to host the popular Rainbow Preschool and the Fortis Green Kids Club (afterschool provision) plus the concerts for local schools. These raise the profile of our Church in the Community.

In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.

Financial review

The Trustees were able to navigate and administrate the Charity throughout following the retirement of the Minister John Roberts in July 2024. The Rev Josh Kane was appointed as Moderator for the interregnum to support the church finding a new minister.

In the event, the reduction of expenses, the steady income from residential lettings and the regular, committed giving of the congregation meant that finance was one of the least troubling issues we faced. The Trustees remain confident that this will remain true for the coming year.

During the year income decreased by £34,667 to £166,782, and expenditure decreased by £72,324, to £148,952. As a result the cash held by the charity increased by £17,830 to £268,754, of which £260,242 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.

Page 3

Reserves policy

The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £80,000 (which equates to about 5 months' of unrestricted expenditure) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £260,242 and restricted funds (relating various sub groups in the Church) of £8,513. The charity is complying with its reserves policy.

Governance

Responsibility for setting policy and for making operating decisions rest with the trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity. New trustees are appointed by nomination and voted for by church members. Baptists Together publish 'Help Iam a Charity trustee' and we follow its guidance.

Responsibilities of trustees

Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.

We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.

We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.

Approval

This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Rosemary Pettman

_____ Rosemary Pettman (Jan 27, 2026 10:55:46 GMT) Rosemary Pettman Jan 27, 2026 Date:___

Page 4

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF

MUSWELL HILL BAPTIST CHURCH

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Muswell Hill Baptist Church ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025 on pages 6 to 9 following.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’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 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Lisa Darby

Lisa Darby (Jan 27, 2026 14:50:04 GMT)

Lisa Darby FCA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

Date: Jan 27, 2026

Page 5

MUSWELL HILL BAPTIST CHURCH

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Unrestricted Funds
General Designated Restricted
Funds Funds Funds 2025 2024
Notes £ £ £ £ £
Income receipts
Donations and legacies 59,388 - 13,030 72,418 74,038
Gift aid receipts 4,546 - 274 4,820 11,302
Income from letting of facilities 79,913 - - 79,913 104,141
Income from Charitable Activities 25 - - 25
 253
Bank Interest 9,606 - - 9,606 11,715
Total receipts 153,478 - 13,304 166,782 201,449
Payments
Payments
in
relation
to
activities undertaken directly		 charitable 2 112,332 - 28,618 140,950 208,702
Grants
paid
in
relation
to
activities undertaken by others		 charitable 3 7,492 - 510 8,002 12,574
Total payments 119,824
 -
 29,128

 148,952
 221,276
Net of receipts / (payments) before 33,654 - (15,824) 17,830 (19,826)
Transfers between funds 5 (16,433) - 16,433 - -
Net movement in funds 17,221 - 609 17,830 (19,826)
Cash funds as at last year end 243,020 - 7,904 250,924 270,750
Cash funds at this year end A 260,241 - 8,513 268,754 250,924

The notes on pages 8 - 9 form part of these accounts.

Page 6

MUSWELL HILL BAPTIST CHURCH

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

MUSWELL HILL BAPTIST CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
General
Designated
funds
funds
Notes
£
£
A Cash funds
Cash at bank with immediate access
33,647
-
Deposit accounts
226,594
-
260,241
-
B Other monetary assets
Gift aid due to charity
8,019
-
Other debtors
-
-

8,019
-
C Liabilities
Falling due within one year
Fee for Independent Examination
2,160
-
Accrued expenses
6,227
-
8,387
-
D Assets retained for charity's own use
Properties:
Church Buildings, Dukes Ave., London N10 2PT
2 Dukes Ave (currently 3 flats)
Manse at 71 Grasmere Road (Sold 13/10/25)
Contents of church (including organ)
Unrestricted Funds		 Restricted
funds
£
8,513
-
8,513
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to
which asset
belongs		 2025
£
42,160
226,594
268,754
8,019
-
8,019
2,160
6,227
8,387
Cost
£
-
-
-
-
-		 2024
£
23,915
227,008
250,924
4,546
8,210
12,756
1,920

6,020
7,940
Insurance
value
£
241,877
8,695,000
8,936,877

The trustees have used insurance values from November 2024 as the trustees are unable to reliably estimate current values; insurance values may differ materially from current values.

The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Rosemary Pettman Rosemary Pettman (Jan 27, 2026 10:55:46 GMT) _____Rosemary Pettman Jan 27, 2026 Date:_____

The notes on pages 8 - 9 form part of these accounts.

Page 7

MUSWELL HILL BAPTIST CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.

2
Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly
Employment costs (see note 4)
Ministry expenses
Maintenance of buildings & equipment
Utilities
Insurance
Accountancy and Independent examination
Office costs
Subscriptions
Bank Charges
3
Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others
Grants for:
Winchester Vineyard
UK Mission
Baptist Union Home Mission
UK Mission
Pathway
UK Mission
Word for Weopan
UK Mission
Open Air Camapign
UK Mission
OMF International
Overseas Mission
Operation Mobilisation
Overseas Mission
Other small grants to organisations <£1,000		 Unrestrict Designated
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

-

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
ed Funds		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
28,618
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

28,618
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
510

510
 Total
2025
£
13,238
37,878
50,487
21,348
6,432
7,254
1,591
2,509

213

140,950

2,719
1,403

880
650
770

523
546

510

8,002
 Total
2024
£
General
funds
£
13,238
9,260
50,487
21,348
6,432
7,254
1,591
2,509
213
112,332
2,719
1,403
880

650
770
523
546
-
7,492
40,047
30,419

104,103
19,917
5,810
5,108
1,524

1,547
227
208,702


3,621

3,621
-

-
-
2,655

-
2,676
12,574

4 Transactions with related parties

Rev. Alexander John Roberts served as church leader and was paid £12,376 salary and pension contributions of £494 (2024: £34,200 salary and £5,835 pension contributions) for serving in that capacity, not for serving as a trustee; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.

In addition, the charity incurred expenditure totalling £4,717 (2024: £7,216) in respect of the provision of accommodation (which is customary for ministers) to Rev. Alexander John Roberts, who is a trustee so that they could better perform their duties.

Within other restricted fund expenditure is a £1,500 payment made to Rev. Alexander John Roberts on his retirement. £1,400 was raised by the congregation towards this gift.

Kangas Creative a business owned by trustee Dave Slater was paid £801 (2024: £7,000) towards the costs of a new sound system installation for the Sanctuary and other parts of the church building. This work was completed in October 2024.

Page 8

MUSWELL HILL BAPTIST CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

5 Movement of funds

vement of funds
General funds
Tuesday Fellowship
Soup Kitchen and van ministry
Junior Church
DOT
Other
Total funds		 Opening
balance
£
243,020
4,277
-
856
2,655
115
7,904
250,924		 Receipts
£
153,478
1,230
8,772
1,245
2,057
13,304
166,782		 Payments
£
(119,824)
(980)
(24,926)
(772)
(2,450)
(29,128)
(148,952)		 Transfers
£
(16,433)
-
16,155
-
-
278
16,433
-		 Closing
balance
£
260,242
4,527
0
856
3,128
-
8,513
268,754

During the year a transfer was made from the General Fund of £16,155 to the Soup Kitchen and Van Ministry fund and £278 to the Other restricited fund to cover expenses incurred.

The Tuesday Fellowship Fund is restricted for use by the Tuesday Fellowship group The Soup Kitchen and Van Ministry Fund is for our Community Kitchen free meals ministry The Junior Church Fund is restricted for Children’s work

The DOT Fund is restricted for the Toddler Group Ministry The Other Fund is for small amounts of restricted funds received for specific items

Page 9