Ship of Fools: Balham Baptist, Balham, London

The Mystery Worshipper

Ship of Fools: Balham Baptist, Balham, London

A faith that is taken seriously

Read the full Mystery Worshipper report here

Galloping Granny

Just a note that struck me: just as it's been said that Presbyterians tend to sit in the back pews, leaving the minister to 'preach to the Wood family', so a Baptist once remarked to me that Baptists make for the left side of the church. Which apparently was the case here.

Bishops Finger

Anglicans also tend to sit near the back (or exit!), and I recall preaching at a local fane one Sunday where almost the entire front half of the nave was occupied solely by the Woods and the Pughs (pews...).

In case anyone asks, no, they weren't avoiding me - it was their usual practice, and their usual Sunday attendance, too.

Regarding Balham, Pastor Jim's Estuary English accent would have been perfectly intelligible to me, cos it's the one wot I talk, innit?

Nick Tamen

Wonder why the picture that shows up at the top of this thread is a picture of St. Columba’s?

Bishops Finger

The actual Report has a photo of the proper church - a somewhat more modest edifice than St Columba's!

From the description in the Report, it sounds like a simple, but practical, building, well-used by its congregation.

Amanda B Reckondwyth

Oh dear. I hadn't noticed that. It's a bug in the software. When comments are filed on reports that were ported over from the old software, as opposed to filed fresh under the new software, the photo is incorrect. This bug has been "fixed" several times, only to reassert itself each time the software is updated.

I will fix.

Nick Tamen

Amanda B Reckondwyth wrote: »

This bug has been "fixed" several times, only to reassert itself each time the software is updated.

Much like some real life bugs I’ve encountered.

Bishops Finger

The church website has a small photo of the interior, which is indeed quite light and attractive.