1st Cheltenham BB is part of the youth work of Gas Green Baptist Church, Russell Street, Cheltenham.

Gas Green has been a centre of Christian witness and worship in Cheltenham for over 150 years. Founded by members of Salem Baptist Church, they originally met in Gas Green School, the site of which is now under the present Tesco car park. The nearby Gas Works were expanding, so in 1864 the Church moved to the empty Albert Street Chapel, facing onto Russell Street. They took the name Gas Green with them. Gas Green continued as a branch of Salem until 1964, when it became a Baptist Church in its own right.

Also from 1864 Gas Green Baptists were involved in the adjacent Baker Street School. Since its closure as a school in 1907 the buildings have been occupied by many organizations including the Baker Street Institute and Baker Street YMCA Boys’ Club. From 1967 the premises have been maintained by the Baptist Church. Now known as Gas Green Youth & Community Centre, it today houses many of the Church’s groups and activities, including the BB company.

To find out more about Gas Green, visit the Church website: www.gasgreen.org.uk