Knollwood Baptist Church stands as a testimony to God’s faithfulness through every season — in growth, in hardship, and in renewal.
In the early 1940s, God placed a burden on the heart of Fred Howard, a young Bible college graduate, to bring the gospel to northeast London. Trusting that God would accomplish His purposes, Fred began praying and sharing the good news of Christ. During a month of tent meetings in Dorchester, he was given a tent, benches, and a piano to use for ministry. A vacant lot on Oxford Street in London became the site of outdoor gospel services, and God used those early meetings to draw people to Himself.
As momentum grew, the ministry moved to a rented cottage on Boullee Street. In 1942, a small house was purchased to form the Knollwood Gospel Mission, with nine charter members. From those small beginnings, God provided steady growth. In 1951, a new facility was dedicated at Oxford and Quebec Streets, near the original site, and expanded with classrooms and parking as ministry needs increased.
After 40 years of faithful service, Pastor Fred Howard retired in 1982, and the church called his son, Don Howard, as senior pastor. Under Don’s leadership, Knollwood experienced a season of significant growth. In 1987, the church completed and dedicated a new facility on Cheapside Street — the same building where we worship today.
Following this time of growth, the church entered a more difficult season. Pastoral transitions, leadership challenges, and declining health in the church’s spiritual life all contributed to a time of struggle. While there were faithful members and moments of encouragement, the church’s vitality and gospel clarity weakened.
Yet even in that season, God remained faithful. He preserved a remnant, upheld His Word, and continued to work behind the scenes to prepare Knollwood for a new chapter of gospel renewal.
In 2012, Pastor David Elliot was called to serve as senior pastor. This continued a transitional period in the life of the church. While challenges remained, God was still at work — preserving His people, sustaining the ministry, and preparing the way for a renewed sense of gospel purpose.
In 2018, the Lord graciously provided new pastoral leadership through the calling of Pastor Nathan Klahsen, as Knollwood entered a new season of revitalization. By God’s grace, the church began to experience renewed clarity in its mission and doctrine, a deepening commitment to expositional preaching, meaningful membership, and a growing culture of discipleship and outreach. These changes reflect God’s ongoing work in shaping Knollwood to be a gospel-centred church for His glory.
Today, Knollwood is a church being rebuilt by God’s grace. With deep gratitude for what He has done — and a humble dependence on Him for what is to come — we pursue the mission:
To glorify God by being faithful disciples who make disciples of Jesus Christ.
From a tent on Oxford Street to a renewed gospel witness today, Knollwood’s story is ultimately about the grace of God — sustaining, refining, and restoring His church for His glory.