History
History
Spectrum Arts 2006-2026
In May 2026 Spectrum Arts celebrated its 20th Birthday. Group founder Gill Esam explains how it all began.
"In 2006 we had a LCBC church weekend away where the speaker Andrew Baughen challenged us to find ways of engaging with our communities by exploring and using God given gifts. He explained that we needed a bridge to bring those outside the church community into the church building and to engage with people in activities we mutually enjoy and to build up relationships.
During the weekend I had been painting with a small group of like-minded people and wondered if God was speaking to me through this. I had been a teacher and always enjoyed art but didn’t feel I had any special expertise. Was God asking me to use this interest and my desire to reach out to people with the gospel?
The small painting group thought it was a good idea so Spectrum began with just a few LCBC members. I was close to giving up at the end of the first year as I realized that I was not equipped for the task and all I knew how to paint were flowers, badly! Then God led me to a watercolour class run by Bucks council with an excellent teacher. I was a regular for 3 years and then other skills developed along the way.
People started to come from Long Crendon and surrounding villages and the group grew. After some years on my own a supportive team and the creative community grew.
God has been so faithful and we have seen Him answering our prayers. Spectrum has been part of some members journey to faith, others have been reading the Bible 1 to 1 and we have all grown in our faith as we celebrate our amazing Creator God in whose image we are made.
From the very beginning I was very aware of my inadequacies but God has been so faithful. He has encouraged me through difficult challenges and given me every creative idea month by month. We have had the joy of meeting people and sharing in their lives. God has brought along like-minded LCBC members, many of whom did not start as artists but did share the vision. We work together to be that bridge into the community sharing life, our love of art and the gospel, where we have opportunity, with those who come."
The Spectrum Arts Group meets from 9.30 am - 12.30 pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month.
Whatever your ability there is help and encouragement sharing with this
non-competitive, friendly, enthusiastic group of men and women.
Each month a painting is completed with demonstrations and guidance from Gill Esam and team. All materials are provided and everyone is welcome - although currently there is a waiting list!
If you would like to find out more, please follow this link to our contacts page.
Long Crendon Baptist Church (LCBC) has existed since 1799, faithfully holding out the Gospel to the local community.
The main church was built in 1853 and a large extension was completed in 2014 to enable spaces in the building to be used much more flexibly.
LCBC has planted two churches in Thame and supported other new church developments in local communities.
The picture at the top of the page is the earliest photo we have of the church, taken in the early 20th century.
Below is the church on our first Sunday back after the rebuild.
