The Lighthouse Story
Began in the 1860's in a house on a road called Blackthorn Street in Bow just 100 yards from the present building. There was something of a Baptist revival in London at that time - partly connected with the influential ministry of Charles Spurgeon. The group may have been connected with Bow Baptist Church which was founded in the 18th. c..
In the mid 19th. c. the building of the London docks and the explosion in the population of the City lead to rapid development of Bow and Poplar and, presumably, many new fellowships formed.
The first building - Blackthorn St. Mission - was built around 1869/70 but the congregation grew and the Lighthouse Building was built. This was done in 1895.
It was planned to have a nautical style lighthouse on the stub tower but shortage of funds meant it was never built. The name remains and it is a good reminder of what we should be.