Union Chapel was founded by Argyle Congregational Church and Somerset Street Baptist Church. The two traditions had different views on Christian baptism.

 

Over the years as Union Chapel became completely independent the congregation came to hold the view that the Baptist tradition of complete immersion of believers was that practiced by Jesus and the early church and appropriate for us. As there was no Baptistry Pool at Union Chapel those of our congregation wishing to be baptised generally used the Baptistry Pools at Widcombe Baptist Church Sladebrook Evangelical Church or Southstoke Evangelical Church. In 1971 Union Chapel decided we could no longer rely on the kindness of other churches and, wishing to have a lasting memorial to Pastor Tucker, decided to install our own Baptistry Pool. This was not without difficulty. Because of lack of space we decided to remove the ageing organ and when the builders came to dig the pool solid rock meant pneumatic drills had to be used. The pool is filled from a tap in the ladies toilet, heated by a floating immersion heater and emptied by a pond pump into the gents toilet. The first Baptismal Service was held on 27th June1972. Since that date many folk, old and young, have publicly witnessed to their saving faith in the Lord Jesus by being baptised here.