15 Facts About Benjamin Keach

Benjamin Keach was an English Baptist minister and author whose name was given to Keach's Catechism.

Benjamin Keach was baptized at the age of 15 by John Russell, the minister of an Arminian Baptist church at Chesham, Buckinghamshire.

In 1659, at the age of 18, Benjamin Keach began preaching, and was the minister of the congregation at Winslow.

In 1664, Benjamin Keach was arrested and indicted for publishing a children's catechism, The Child's Instructor.

In 1668, Benjamin Keach moved to London, taking the position of minister of the church at Horsleydown, Southwark.

Benjamin Keach developed Calvinist soteriological views following his move to London, and he became a Reformed Baptist.

Benjamin Keach remained pastor at the church in Horsleydown for 36 years, until his death in 1704.

In 1673, part of Benjamin Keach's congregation seceded due to a dispute over congregational singing, and left to form the Maze Pond Church at Old Kent Road.

Benjamin Keach was one of the seven men who sent out the invitation to the 1689 General Assembly.

Benjamin Keach is attributed with the writing of a catechism commonly known as Keach's Catechism, although its authorship is disputed, and it was likely authored at least in part by William Collins.

Benjamin Keach is known to have promoted the introduction of hymn singing in the Baptist churches.

Benjamin Keach's hymnbook, published in 1691, provoked heated debate in the 1692 Assembly of Particular Baptists, as it conflicted with the position of exclusive psalmody.

Also among his eschatological convictions, Benjamin Keach anticipated a major revival amongst the Jews at the end of the present age.

In 1672, Benjamin Keach married again, to Susanna Partridge of Rickmansworth.

Partridge and Benjamin Keach had five daughters, and remained wedded for thirty-two years.