WOODBERRY DOWN BAPTIST CHURCH
References and administrative details
Registered Address:
190 Vartry Road South Tottenham London N15 6HA
Charity Registration Number: 1189018
| Trustees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Position | Date appointed |
| Rev Charles Mugenyi | Chair | 14-Apr-20 |
| Bryan Sycamore | Trustee | 14-Apr-20 |
| Trevor Davis | Trustee | 14-Apr-20 |
| Bienvenu Nsukisa | Trustee | 20-Oct-24 |
| Victor Fernando Riofrio | Trustee | 20-Oct-24 |
| Ernest Toquie | Trustee | 20-Oct-24 |
Property Trustees
The Baptist Union Corporation Limited Baptist House
129 Broadway Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 8RT
Bankers
SANTANDER
Independent Examiner
Mr Teshale Joba
Annual Report for 2025
The trustees present their Annual Report for 2025
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Structure, Governance and Management
The Charity is governed by a constitution approved by its members. Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the constitution which requires them to be or to have been publicly baptised on the profession of faith in Jesus Christ or following other modes of baptism to renew their public profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
The members Meeting normally takes place two times per year and has responsibility for the overall policy of the church. In accordance with the Constitution, the members appoint six Trustees, who together with the Minister, Church Secretary and Treasurer (who are also appointed by the Members), 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 Church meeting by the Trustees for guidance or may be raised by members in Church 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.
Objectives and Activities
The advancement of the Christian faith for the public benefit in accordance with the statement of faith set out in the constitution through the holding of regular prayer, meetings, seminars and public celebration of the Christian faith on Sundays, on religious festivals and charitable support for the relief of suffering of the vulnerable and needy.
To achieve the principal objective, which is set out above, the Church provides a variety of activities both to its membership and to 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 living Lord.
At the heart of the Church's mission and outreach is the organization of regular public Christian worship services. These services are held every Sunday. Additionally, there are occasional events, and rites of passage services at different times, which are announced on the church notice board and on the website at woodberrydownchapel.org.
The Church aims to foster a friendly and welcoming environment, allowing any member of the public to attend these services freely. Throughout the week, the Church facilitates various small groups aimed at nurturing faith and discipleship, with further information available through public notices or during the Sunday worship services.
The Church has established procedures to ensure that all individuals working with children and vulnerable adults are properly vetted by the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The church has reviewed the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and is confident that the activities described above clearly illustrate that the charity is delivering a benefit to the public.
Achievements and Performance
The Church evaluates the advancement and effectiveness of its programs not solely through numerical data, including financial metrics, but also through other ways such as provision of fellowship, pastoral care, outreach events, support for young people and adults, encouragement, and practical assistance. The Trustees acknowledge that these aspects can be difficult to quantify;
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however, they are confident that 2025 was a fruitful year for the church, and they believe it will continue to pursue its mission and objectives in 2026 with vigour and enthusiasm.
One of the church’s outreaches was through the Recovery programme which helped an average of 20 adults weekly facing addiction and other life‑controlling challenges. The programme provided participants with compassionate care, spiritual and mental support to break destructive patterns and move toward emotional, relational, and spiritual wellbeing.
The Recovery programme hopes to expand into community venues, introduce creative therapy workshops, strengthen its befriending scheme, and develop into a dedicated recovery support centre.
Over the past year, six young adults declared their faith in Jesus Christ, were baptized, and embraced into the fellowship. Additionally, five new families became part of the church by moving from other locations. Unfortunately, we have experienced the loss of several regular attendees due to prolonged illnesses, two of whom passed away, while other members relocated to other areas. At 31 December 2025 the membership stood at 45 compared to 80 a year earlier. Average attendance at worship services fluctuated between 40 - 60 during the year, and similar patterns were shown in the children’s work with up to 15 children attending on Sunday and 15-20 in the midweek club.
Financial Review
Church members continued to contribute funds, allowing the church to sustain its activities through its own membership and congregation. Throughout the year, no broader public fundraising efforts were initiated. Income for 2025 fell to £141,063 from £159,028 in the previous year, primarily due to a reduction in committed tithes and donations.
The most considerable expense was associated with the church’s activities, including Sunday Services, providing pastoral care for both the congregation and others, as well as equipping and encouraging members in their Christian life, witness, and service.
The Church relies heavily on its members volunteering across all facets of its activities, many of which operate with minimal or no financial impact on the church’s budget yet significantly contribute to fulfilling the church’s goals. Total expenditure rose from £93,454 to £104,217 attributed to increased costs in utility bills and building maintenance and Recovery programme expenses.
The financial outcomes for the year, along with a summary of the accounting policies implemented, are detailed in the accompanying financial statements.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees established a Reserves Policy to enable the church to function effectively and meet its obligations in the event of a decline in our income or a major cost. Having considered the relevant risks of changes in income and expenditure, the Trustees have determined that the appropriate level of reserves is in the range £18,000 to £20,000. As at 31 December 2024, the church held total reserves of £336,157 of which £93,578 were restricted. Reserves that were neither restricted nor designated amounted to £242,579.
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Woodberi"y Down Baptist Church Receipts and Payments AccoLint for the period endlng 31 December 2025 2025 2024 Total Funds Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds Incomin resources Tithes and Donations Hals Hire Recovery Pro ecls Gift Aid Refund Other income Totals 33.000 70,195 500 41,250 23.96V .5,1.58 141,n63 114,842 190 25,000 10,059 8,9.37 159,028 5UO 41.2511 23,960 5.1.$8 (16,813 74.250 Outgoin resources Pastorate costs 36,(102 36,002 33,935 Activities in relation to the worf< of WDBC 33.198 35,017 68.215 59.519 Totals 69,201 35,017 104,217 93,454 Net Incomings for the year -2,388 39,233 36,846 65,574 Adjustment lo lot21 bank balance Balances as al l Janiiary Balances as at 31 December 244,967 54,344 299,311 233.738 242,571) 93.578 336,157 299,311 A55ets as at 3111212025 2025 302,927 32,988 33S.915 2024 266,496 32,647 299.144 Current bank account balance Deposit bank account balance Total bank balances Pettycash on hand 131112120251 241.48 Fixed Assets Church building Ilnsured Value) Manse Ilnsured value) Other assets (insured value of a55ets on register) 2,025 5,106,396 249,132 29,501 2,024 5,106,396 249,132 29,501 Approved by Name Designation.. Date.. IJ 1016
Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees of Woodbury Down Baptist Church
On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025
Basis of examiner's statement
My examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the church and a comparison of the accounts prepared with those records. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
As the trustees of the church, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the church’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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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 to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Date: 27 February 2026
Name: Teshale Joba
Address: 39 South Grove, London, N15 5QG