Murch was born in Honiton in Devon in 1784 and took to the church early, being known as a "boy preacher".

After completing his training, he accepted an offer from the Sheppards Barton Meeting House at Frome only after he considered he was mature enough.

After a long ministry there he was appointed the President and Theological Tutor of Stepney Academy in 1827 and he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity by Brown University.

[1] Murch became one of the joint secretaries of the Baptist Union in 1834 which was a post he was to retain for twelve years.

[2] In 1840, Murch attended the World's Anti-Slavery Convention in London and he was one of the notable delegates recorded in the picture.