Famous preacher, whose work is being compiled into a new book by a leading professor, was baptised in Isleham

Charles Spurgeon (Image: Archant)

Charles Spurgeon, who gave sermons to more than 10,000 people at a time in the nineteenth century, was baptised in the river Lark at Isleham.

Retired Anglican priest, Christopher Goodwins, said Spurgeon has been remembered for five years with a Ecumenical processional along the lanes of the village and along the river to the site of a memorial stone.

He said: “It was placed there by someone unknown about 40 years ago, by the site of the old ferry, that marks the place and date of his baptism in May 1850, acknowledging him as the prince of preachers.

“He had, apparently, walked that day from Newmarket to Isleham Pound Lane Church, and then to the river, where he and three others were baptised by total immersion.

“As the retired Anglican priest in charge of Isleham, I have organised this Ecumenical trundle, in order that members of the three churches here, as well as the general public, may get to see Isleham’s best-kept secret.”

Spurgeon’s career began at the age of just 18 at Waterbeach church where he preached one of his most famous texts, The Thief’s Prayer.

The prayer is one of several in notebooks found by Dr Christian George, assistant professor of historical theology at Spurgeon’s College in London, that will be brought back to life when they are published in 2017 as The Lost Sermons of CH Spurgeon.

Dr George said: “To really understand Spurgeon, you have to know where he came from, who he was reading, and how his sermon-craft developed.”

“Spurgeon constantly switched hats among pastor, president, editor, author, and evangelist.”

At the age of 18 he began his career at his first church in Waterbeach and in 1854, then only 20, became pastor of London’s famed New Park Street Church.