The Association has its origins in the establishment of Baptist churches in Cork (1640), Dublin (1642) and Waterford (1650).[1] In 1725, there were 11 Baptist churches, and 9 formed the Irish Baptist Association.[2] The Irish Baptist Association was reorganised in 1862, and was replaced by the Baptist Union of Ireland in 1895.[3] Irish Baptists initially had a close relationship with the English Baptists. However, desire for independence caused the Irish Baptists to follow their own path and they set up the Union in 1895.[4] The first Assembly meeting of the newly formed Union took place in May 1895 in Mountpottinger Baptist Church, Belfast with 27 churches present with two more being added to the membership in that meeting. The Union returned to its original name of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland in 1999, highlighting that they are an association of churches of like mind which seek to work and fellowship together.[5] According to a census published by the association in 2023, it claimed 118 churches and 8,500 members. [6]
Departments include Baptist Women, Baptist Youth, Missions, Welfare, and Training (Irish Baptist Historical Society and Irish Baptist College).[7] The ABC Insight is a bi-monthly magazine serving the churches. The Baptist Centre comprising the administrative offices and the Irish Baptist College is located near Moira, County Down, Northern Ireland. The association holds an annual assembly in May. The Churches Council meets during the week of the annual assembly and also annually in November. The purpose of the Council is to hear reports and conduct business. Matters are handled between sessions by the executive committee elected by the churches at the May Churches Council meeting.
Promotes training among the churches and operates the Irish Baptist College which seeks to train men and women for pastoral and necessary services.
Caring Ministries
By means of the Orphan Society, Annuity Fund and Baptist Aid provides support for those in need.
Members
Association members are referred to as Irish Baptists, however some choose to refer to themselves as Association Baptists to distinguish them from other Baptists.
^ Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, Our Story, baptistsinireland.org, Ireland, retrieved November 2, 2023
^ John H. Y. Briggs, A Dictionary of European Baptist Life and Thought, Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2009, p. 271
^ Robert E. Johnson, A Global Introduction to Baptist Churches, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2010, p. 111
^ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 306
^ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2021, p. 318
^ Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, Association, baptistsinireland.org, Ireland, retrieved November 2, 2023
^ Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, Departments, baptistsinireland.org, Ireland, retrieved November 2, 2023
Further reading
Carson, Alexander (Introduction); Nicholas, Elmer H. (Introduction); Green, Jay. (Preface) (2000) "Baptism, Its Mode and Subjects", Sovereign Grace Publishers Inc, Binding: Hardcover Pub. Date: 2000, ISBN1-58960-015-0[1]
Leonard, Bill J. (c2003) "Baptist Ways", Judson Press, Valley Forge, PA, Binding: (alk. paper), Date: c2003, ISBN0-8170-1231-1
McBeth, Leon H. (c1987) "The Baptist Heritage", Broadman Press, Nashville, TN Date: c1987 ISBN0-8054-6569-3
Wardin, Albert W. (Editor) (c1995) "Baptists Around the World", Broadman & Holman, Nashville, TN Date: c1995. ISBN0-8054-1076-7
White, B. R. (1971–77) "Association records of the Particular Baptists of England, Wales and Ireland to 1660", Baptist Historical Society, London, UK Date: 1971-77 ISBN0-903166-00-3
