“We have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:10
Charlotte Chapel has been an evangelical church for 200 years in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland. It was founded on the teaching of the Bible and prayer. The church was started in 1808 by a young Edinburgh businessman who was inspired by William Carey’s missionary work in India.
The first meetings began in an area of Edinburgh where there was no existing church. By 1816, the church had outgrown its building so the church moved to a location next to Charlotte Square. The new chapel seated 750 people and it was soon packed to overflowing. The mid 1850’s were years of revival in Scotland and Charlotte Chapel shared in this revival, and another in 1873 when D.L. Moody and I.D. Sankey visited Edinburgh. The city experienced the presence and power of the Holy spirit and many were brought to Christ. But, over time, members moved to London, or emigrated to the Americas or Australia. By 1901, the membership fell to about 100 and less than half attended regularly. When a financial offer for the building came from a local businessman, the future of the chapel was in doubt. Instead of shutting down the church, the clerk at that time was a man of faith and vision. Every Sunday he would take his little boy to the services and say, “Can you see the crowds?”
The son would answer, “Dad, I can see no crowds. There’s almost nobody here.” But the man would say, “I can see the crowds.” He believed God would revive the church! The church called a new pastor, Joseph Kemp, who had been touched by the Welsh Revival of 1904 and he called the church to prayer. Under his ministry, a revival erupted in Edinburgh and Charlotte Chapel saw more than a thousand people come to Christ!
Fast forward 90 years. My husband, daughter and I were in Edinburgh on a business trip. It was Sunday morning and we looked for a church where we could worship. As we explored the area, we stumbled on Charlotte Chapel and attended their worship service the next day. It was “Youth Sunday,” the children’s choir sang and a visiting children’s evangelist gave the sermon. The entire service was delightful, one of my fondest memories of my visits to the UK. After the service, a dear lady name “Grace” tapped my husband on the arm and asked him, “Sir, are you saved? Do you know Jesus as your Savior?” He enthusiastically said, “Yes!” and a sweet conversation was the result. This congregation hadn’t forgotten their mission! They existed to spread the Good News of the gospel, worship, pray and disciple believers into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ! “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1.
This week, I went online to see if Charlotte Chapel was still in existence and to my delight, it was! In fact, in 2008, they celebrated their 200th anniversary with a weekend celebration. Hymn writers and singers Keith and Kristyn Getty held a concert and the Sunday guest speaker was Alistair Begg. Pastor Begg, a native of Scotland and now of Cleveland, OH was formerly the “Pastor’s Assistant” for a short time. He returned to lead the bicentennial celebrations. God is still reviving His church! “Go there and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.
Your friend, Jean