Central Baptist Church, Leicester

The Central Baptist Church, also known as the Charles Street Baptist Chapel, is a historic Baptist place of worship located on Charles Street in Leicester. Affiliated with the Baptist Union of Great Britain, it is the last remaining Baptist church in Leicester City Centre.

In the 19th century, Leicester was often referred to as the ‘Metropolis of Dissent’ due to its large number of non-conformist chapels and churches. Since the 17th century, the city saw the construction of numerous places of worship for various denominations, including the Baptists, who established several chapels during the 19th century.

Designed by renowned local architect William Flynt, the Charles Street Baptist Chapel was constructed in 1830. The church became a significant part of Leicester’s religious landscape and later merged with the congregation of the Belvoir Street Chapel in the 1940s, forming what became known as the United Baptist Church. Recognizing its architectural and historical importance, the church was designated a Grade II listed building (1074071) in 1973. A decade later, in 1983, it was renamed the Central Baptist Church.

The church houses the William Carey Museum, honoring the Leicester-born missionary who co-founded the Baptist Missionary Society and revolutionized education and printing in India. Carey translated the Bible into multiple Indian languages and established India’s first Higher Education College in Serampore, now a major university.

As a social reformer, Carey also played a key role in efforts to abolish Sati, the practice of widow immolation on funeral pyres. The museum at the Central Baptist Church houses numerous artifacts, documents, and an illuminated set of dioramas illustrating Carey’s life and work. Visitors from around the world come to explore his contributions to religious, linguistic, and social progress.

Today, the Central Baptist Church continues to serve as both a place of worship and a historical landmark, preserving the rich legacy of Baptist tradition in Leicester.