The Baptists were first introduced into Keighley by a Mr. John Town, who was a member of the Baptist church at Haworth, under the care of the venerable and Rev. Miles Oddy. Keighley was at that time beginning to be a large and populous place. The clergyman in the establishment was an irreligious character, and the Independent church and congregation were nearly extinct. At first the ministers were permitted to preach in the Independent meeting-house; but after some time a Mrs. Sunderland offered her house, until Mr. Town could fit up a room for constant worship. The ministers who kindly assisted in the formation of the infant cause were, Messrs. Steadman, D. D., Shuttleworth, Trickett, and Shaw. In the year 1809, or 1810, four persons were baptized by Mr. Shuttleworth, pastor of the church at Cowlinghill: and on the third of June, 1810, a large upper room in the house of Mr. Town was opened for worship by Mr. Shepherd, from Bradford, who preached on this occasion from Solomon's Song, vi. 10. The congregation increased; others were baptized; and in the year 1812 the church was formed. In 1813 it was deemed necessary to erect a chapel. A piece of ground was provided by Mr. Town; and on Easter Monday, 1813, the first stone was laid; but the chapel was not opened until the 29th of March, 1815; when Mr. Lister, of Liverpool, Mr. Stephens, of Rochdale, and the venerable Dr. Steadman, of Bradford, were engaged. At this period the church consisted of eighteen members. The chapel cost something more than £990; and will seat about 615 persons. The first pastor of the church was Mr. Joseph Shaw, who came to Keighley in 1814. During the years 1816, 1817, and 1818, little is said: but in 1819 the members amounted to 33; and some uneasiness originating with a part of the church and the minister, a separation took place, and a new chapel was erected by the party attached to Mr. Shaw, at Slacklane, from two to three miles from Keighley. This circumstance left the church at Keighley very small, and greatly diminished the congregation. In 1820 Mr. Thomas Blundell took the oversight of the people in the Lord. The members again numbered 32. In 1824 a large portion of the debt was removed; soon after which, the pastor was taken ill, and on July 1st, 1824, resigned his spirit into the hands of Him who gave it. During this year four members were also removed to the world of spirits; among whom were Mr. Town and his wife, who died within ten days of each other; and whose remains were deposited in the burial-ground adjoining the chapel; and to whose memory a handsome tombstone has been erected by the family.