ORCHARD BAPTIST CHURCH
The Church has members in Bicester and its surrounding villages. It runs regular worship services, a variety of adult and youth groups, and is involved with the community on Graven Hill. It helps in schools, residential homes - and with other churches supports projects such as Bicester Food Bank and Refugee Support. It supports Christian mission overseas in various locations.
Objects
THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSES OF THE CHURCH ARE:- (A) THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH ACCORDING TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THE BAPTIST DENOMINATION.(B) THE CHURCH MAY ALSO ADVANCE EDUCATION AND CARRY OUT OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND/OR OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £9,256 for the year, with total expenditure rising to £166,291. While total reserves stood at £329,258, the trustees highlight that this figure includes the value of the manse and that free reserves are lower, noting that current income is barely sufficient to maintain core costs. The trustees have alerted the church to financial challenges ahead and are actively reviewing the reserves policy to ensure stability.
What the accounts disclose
“The church aims to maintain free reserves equivalent to between three and six months of core operating expenditure in order to provide stability for staffing costs, property-related commitments, and essential ministry activities.” — page 6
“The Trustees continue to be thankful for and encouraged by the ongoing generosity of church members, but the reality is that this is barely sufficient to maintain the core costs of the pastoral ministry of the church. So, while the year ended with the finances in a relatively positive state, the trustees have alerted the Church to the financial challenge that lies ahead.” — page 5
“Three trustees – Rev Steve Barber, Ms Sarah Chaplin and Rev Sarah Stapleton – have their parttime salaries paid in full by the Church so that they can carry out their agreed roles in the life and ministry of the church.” — page 7
“During the year, one of the church’s employees, who is also a trustee, rented the charity’s freehold property. For the year ended 31 December 2025, rent payments had been made totalling £12,850.” — page 7
“During the year a fraudulent transaction of £980 was identified on the charity’s bank account. The amount was refunded in full by the bank shortly afterwards and no loss was incurred by the charity. The incident was reported to Action Fraud and the Charity Commission in accordance with their guidance.” — page 7
Year-over-year changes
- Going concern: no going-concern doubt (FY2024) → going-concern doubt noted (FY2025).
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Paying staff
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Social media policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
Property (HM Land Registry)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (16/04/2014)
Trustees
- Rev Stephen Barberchair
- Claire Maria Davis
- Matthew David Mitchell-Farmer
- Peter Bywater
- Richard Bailey
- Sarah Jane Chaplin
- Sarah Jane Stapleton
- Victor Michael Cribb
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £157k | £166k |
| 31/12/2024 | £177k | £112k |
| 31/12/2023 | £146k | £141k |
| 31/12/2022 | £130k | £130k |
| 31/12/2021 | £147k | £133k |
Common questions
Is ORCHARD BAPTIST CHURCH financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £9,256 for the year, with total expenditure rising to £166,291. While total reserves stood at £329,258, the trustees highlight that this figure includes the value of the manse and that free reserves are lower, noting that current income is barely sufficient to maintain core costs. The trustees have alerted the church to financial challenges ahead and are actively reviewing the reserves policy to ensure stability. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Charities like this
- WEST ORCHARD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY
- RIVER CHURCH (ORPINGTON)
- ORPINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH
- GRACE CHURCH CHICHESTER
- NEW ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH, OXFORD
- COMMUNITY CHURCH BISHOP'S STORTFORD
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORCHARD BAPTIST CHURCH | £157k | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |
| WEST ORCHARD UNITED REFORMED CHURCH CHARITY | £199k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| RIVER CHURCH (ORPINGTON) | £173k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| ORPINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH | £331k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| GRACE CHURCH CHICHESTER | £519k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NEW ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH, OXFORD | £303k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |