Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was a prominent English Baptist preacher, known as the "Prince of Preachers." He was renowned for his powerful sermons, theological depth, and impactful ministry during the Victorian era. Spurgeon pastored the New Park Street Chapel (later the Metropolitan Tabernacle) in London for 38 years, building it into the largest church of his time. He was converted to saving faith in Jesus Christ by the verse of scripture we have on our billboard.

175 years ago-January 6, 1850 a 15-year-old Charles Spurgeon was trudging up Hythe Hill in Colchester, England on his way to church. When the blizzard prevented him from going further, he turned the corner and made his way into a small Primitive Methodist Church on Artillery Street.

He recounted the story hundreds of times. But here is one of his most vivid recollections:

I sometimes think I might have been in darkness and despair now, had it not been for the goodness of God in sending a snowstorm one Sunday morning, when I was going to a place of worship.

When I could go no further, I turned down a court and came to a little Primitive Methodist Chapel.

In that chapel there might be a dozen or fifteen people.

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A poor man, a shoemaker, a tailor, or something of that sort, went up into the pulpit to preach.

He was obliged to stick to his text, for the simple reason that he had nothing else to say. The text was, ‘Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth’ [Isa 45:22].