Where have we been?
Beginnings
New Wells Ashford - previously known as Willesborough Baptist Church - was planted out of Ashford Baptist Church in 1902 into what was then a small neighbouring village. As people relocated from London to Ashford in the 1960's and 70's, Willesborough grew significantly as a suburb of Ashford with new housing and the hospital being built.
This growth continued and it was in the early 80's when Rev Alan Dinnie became the pastor of Willesborough Baptist Church - at this stage still a small congregation - and helped the church develop to meet the needs of a growing community and reach new families moving into the area with the gospel.
This growth continued and it was in the early 80's when Rev Alan Dinnie became the pastor of Willesborough Baptist Church - at this stage still a small congregation - and helped the church develop to meet the needs of a growing community and reach new families moving into the area with the gospel.
The small rural chapel was extended with a modern worship space to accomodate vastly more than the faith-filled congregation who launched the project. However, by the early 2000's the church had grown to the point they needed to extend again!
Renamed New Wells Ashford in October 2025, you will now find a thriving congregation of all ages in town that was earmarked for more and more growth... with sites in Brabourne and Finberry growing too!
Renamed New Wells Ashford in October 2025, you will now find a thriving congregation of all ages in town that was earmarked for more and more growth... with sites in Brabourne and Finberry growing too!
Where are we now?
Growth
Today Ashford is a strategic town with high speed links to London and the continent, aptly named the Gateway to Europe, the speed of development has increased significantly in terms of housing and industry. The church has a rapidly growing mission field with more people moving from London, from across the UK and across the world.
Our church family is made up of over 35 nations and all different ages coming together to worship and serve Jesus, with a thriving work among children and youth.
We love our community and during the pandemic, we launched 'Love Willesborough' - our community outreach initiative which runs a variety of practical projects focussed on demonstrating the love and generosity of our God. The Well, our community cafe, was also launched.
Our church family is made up of over 35 nations and all different ages coming together to worship and serve Jesus, with a thriving work among children and youth.
We love our community and during the pandemic, we launched 'Love Willesborough' - our community outreach initiative which runs a variety of practical projects focussed on demonstrating the love and generosity of our God. The Well, our community cafe, was also launched.
We are passionate about making disciples of all ages and raising up new leaders, with a vision to plant churches and reach nations.
In 2022 we took on our first minister in training, launched our internship programme and LEAD theology school and committed to a partnership with Brabourne Baptist Church.
In 2025 we launched our new name New Wells Ashford alongside New Wells Brabourne - as two churches, one family seeking to reach all the surrounding villages with the gospel.
In 2022 we took on our first minister in training, launched our internship programme and LEAD theology school and committed to a partnership with Brabourne Baptist Church.
In 2025 we launched our new name New Wells Ashford alongside New Wells Brabourne - as two churches, one family seeking to reach all the surrounding villages with the gospel.
Where are we headed?
New Wells in Ashford and beyond...
Major development is going on right on our doorstep and the church has plans for major development too. We feel called to make room for those who are not yet here and this involves actively seeking opportunties to plant and build on our side of town. We feel called to be involved in a work of God that extends out from Willesborough, and out from Ashford - towards the coast and out to France!
The partnership with New Wells Brabourne is part of this vision and seeking opportunities together to reach out to Sellindge. We love the churches in our town and want to see them grow and flourish - our heart is to pray our best and biggest prayers for the church 'down the road' and we are praying that the number of healthy, growing churches in Ashford doubles in the next decade.
The partnership with New Wells Brabourne is part of this vision and seeking opportunities together to reach out to Sellindge. We love the churches in our town and want to see them grow and flourish - our heart is to pray our best and biggest prayers for the church 'down the road' and we are praying that the number of healthy, growing churches in Ashford doubles in the next decade.
We are currently exploring opportunities to launch further sites to accomodate our growing family and to reach new parts of our town that are being built - with a focus currently on Finberry.
Every step of our journey here at New Wells has required faith in God to do the things only He can do and we are thankful that God has called us together to serve Him in this place in these days, expectant for what the future holds.
Every step of our journey here at New Wells has required faith in God to do the things only He can do and we are thankful that God has called us together to serve Him in this place in these days, expectant for what the future holds.