In early 17th century England, the “Non-Conformists” of Scrooby and Gainsborough met together; the towns are separated by only about 13 miles. Partly because of persecution, the two groups eventually met separately. In 1608, the Gainsborough dissenters left for the Netherlands to avoid the continual harassment by English officials…their goal was to discern the Lord’s will in their lives. Many left family in England since they planned to return. A short time later, the Scrooby dissenters joined their “brothers and sisters” in the Netherlands. Having come to different views on a number of issues, including baptism, the Scrooby group, led by John Robinson, eventually moved on to Leiden, leaving the Gainsborough believers in Amsterdam led by Thomas Helwys. John Robinson and his followers became the Pilgrims. Thomas Helwys and some 11 or 12 of his followers returned to England and started what was arguably the first Baptist church–Ye Baptist Church in Spitalfield.