History

A second week of convention was started at Keswick in 1969. A third week began in 2001, which reflects the considerable success of week 2 in attracting families and younger people. The total number of individuals attending Keswick, over the three weeks, has reached 12,000.

The Convention has long been noted for its involvement with mission. Chairmen of the Keswick Council, many missionary societies and indeed colleges owe their roots to the Keswick Convention.  Missionary meetings started in 1888, and both Hudson Taylor of China and Amy Carmichael have strong connections with Keswick’s commitment to mission.

The benefits of the Keswick Convention are not limited to the town of Keswick itself. Today, there are many annual meetings, some of them very large indeed, that either still use the Keswick label or owe their existence to the Convention, held not only in the UK but also around the world, including in Japan, Australia, Jamaica, North America, India, parts of Africa and New Zealand.

In the twentieth and twenty-first centuries the speakers and leaders at Keswick have included many of the best-known preachers in the evangelical world, such as John Stott, highly respected for his outstanding expository ministry at All Souls, Langham Place, London, and his associated international ministries; Donald English, who was twice President of the Methodist Conference; George Duncan, known especially for his ministry at St George’s Tron Church of Scotland, Glasgow; David Coffey, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain; and Anne Graham Lotz from the USA.

Significant new developments have taken place in recent years. In 1997 the Rawnsley Hall, near the centre of Keswick, formerly part of Keswick School, was purchased. This has extended the range of activities undertaken, particularly with young people.