Windrush75 Windrush churches

By Marcia Dixon

ONE OF the greatest legacies of the Windrush Generation is its churches.

Most ‘Black churches’ started by the Windrush Generation as they are commonly described, are Pentecostal in their theology and practice. However the term ‘Black church’ also includes other denominations like the Wesleyan Holiness Church, which has its roots in Methodism and the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

When Caribbeans took that trip across the Atlantic, between 1948-1971 to work in Britain’s labour-starved industries, they came full of faith.

Many of the pioneers of Britain’s historic Black Pentecostal churches had a passion for God, coupled with a great work ethic, which resulted in them planting churches throughout Britain.

Many experienced racism –but built the church regardless, through hard work, financial support of their congregants and as a result were self-reliant and autonomous.

One key pioneer was Jamaican-born Rev Dr Oliver Lyeseight, a founder member of the New Testament Church of God (NTCG), one of the largest predominantly black Pentecostal denominations in Britain. They’ll be celebrating their 70th anniversary at their annual conference in July.

Ordained a Church of God minister in Jamaica in 1946, Rev Lyeseight came to Britain in 1951. He settled in Wolverhampton and started a prayer meeting for fellow migrants.

On September 20, 1953, along with seven other people, including his wife Rose, Rev Lyeseight led the first ever NTCG meeting at the YMCA, Stafford Street, Wolverhampton. In June 1955, that gathering was officially recognised as the first UK branch of the NTCG.

Rev Lyseight became the first Administrative Bishop of NTCG UK and served in the role for 25 years before retiring in 1978. Since those humble beginnings, NTCG now has 130 congregations, serving 25,000 adherents.

Bishop Joe Aldred, right, a Church of God of Prophecy minister, retired ecumenist and media commentator, is a Windrush Generation minister.

Reflecting on his years in ministry, he said, “One of the things I remember was that nearly all those pioneering Windrush ministers were in their 20s and 30s, young and vibrant.

“Although they had little academic training, they were pioneering and had an adventurous spirit. I look back and think how brave and undaunted they were, taking on massive projects like buying churches.”

He believes it’s due to leaders’ unwavering commitment and consistency why the church has become a major force in the community.

Force

Other church denominations founded by the Windrush Generation during the 50s and 60s include Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic.

Founded by the late Sydney Dunn in 1955, he is credited as the driving force behind Bethel Convention Centre in West Bromwich, the only conference centre built and owned by a Black church de nomination here in the UK.

The New Tes tament Assembly is another one. It was started by the late Bishop Melvin Powell in Jamaica. Bishop Powell was originally a mem ber of the Church of God (COG), but after visiting the denomination in the US, he noted, to his surprise, their churches were racially segregated.

NTA in the UK, partnering with Bishop Bernard. His sister, the late Pastor Io Smith, also played a pivotal role in establishing the NTA as a force to be reckoned with and became a trailblazer as a leading woman in the movement.

Another notable denomination is the First Born Church of the Living God, founded by Bishop T G Francis. His youngest son, Bishop John Francis, is Senior Pastor of Ruach City Church, and his eldest son is former BBC Songs of Praise producer Roy Francis, and author of Windrush and the Black Pentecostal Church in Britain

As the son of a pioneering church leader, Roy had a front row seat as the church developed as his father knew many of his fellow church pioneers.

Faithful

Roy said: “The early Pentecostal Church leaders had positions as elders, pastors etc in their churches in the Caribbean, so it wasn’t unexpected that they would seek to start their own churches when they arrived in Britain.

“They were faithful and were able to combine working full time with running a church/ ministry. They were fairly cooperative, not as churches are today, and would visit each other’s churches and their events regularly. They believed in the Bible literally, stood for holiness and believed in being led by the spirit.”

During the early decades of Caribbean migration to the UK, churches gave attendees a respite from the racism and hardship they experienced. They also saw Black people in leadership. Most churches started as prayer services held in a member’s front rooms. When they outgrew front rooms they rented halls in schools, or pubs. After a while however, leaders desired to buy their own buildings, and galvanised members to help them raise funds to purchase places of worship.

Those efforts paid off. The Windrush Generation amassed