shaped community

a portfolio of properties that is now worth millions – some of those properties are on prime locations. The story of Britain’s Black churches can’t be properly told without mentioning the role of women within it. Whilst many churches did not ordain women, if it was not for the voluntary work, fundraising efforts, and spiritual energy they brought, the church as we know it would not exist.

Juliet Coley, right, founder of BlackJac Media, recently published Mothers of Zion: Windrush Women Past and Present, which she co-wrote with her mother. The book features profiles of women who played a pivotal role in their churches.

Juliet said: “I felt it impor- tant to share stories of Windrush women, firstly in tribute to their work and effort and for the younger generation to understand the major contri bution they made to the es tablishment of our churches. Some of the women were just amazing. They raised funds for their churches, sup ported mothers in raising their children, provided hospitality, fed the hungry, and visited the sick in hospi tals. They were the backbone of our churches and deserved to be recognised.”

Women of note in-

Iconic Black churches

NEW TESTAMENT ASSEMBLY, Tooting – It’s numerous events and dignitaries over the years, including civil rights campaigner Jesse Jackson and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan

RUACH CITY CHURCH, Brixton – In 2006, Ruach became the first church to host a British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, when he addressed the congregation.

FIRST BORN CHURCH OF THE LIVING

GOD, Islington – Although no longer based in Islington, the church made history when their choir, The Inspirational Choir sang backing on pop song Wings of a Dove and got to number three in the charts.

NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH OF GOD, Handsworth, Birmingham – A former Senior Pastor, Bishop Derek Webley made history when he became the first Black man to serve as Chair of the West Midlands Police Authority

BETHEL CONVENTION CENTRE, West Bromwich – It is the only conference centre in the UK, built and owned by a Black church denomination

CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, Vauxhall – The spiritual home of the late Lavine Hudson, the first British female gospel artist to get a record deal and Rev Carmel Jones, founder of the Pentecostal Credit Union clude the late Olive Parris, the founder of the Latter-Rain Outpouring Church, services in Hoxton, east London; Bishop Esme Beswick, the first black woman to serve as a President of ecumenical body Churches Together in England and the late Pastor Amy Williams, a mother of nine, who founded Chosen for Christ Ministries in 1970, and was still preaching in her 90s.

Fast forward to the present day, and Britain’s black churches have become a major success story and are seen as the most stable, prosperous, and educated sector of the Black community. This is a view Mark Sturge, a church leader, PhD research student in leadership and former head of the African Caribbean Evangelical Alliance, concurs with.

“In the church, they have created the most cohesive and often the most consistent representation of the Black community. And their focus on education has resulted in upward mobility, including the presence of leaders in the private, statutory and charity sectors and at the heart of government. and credits the Windrush church leaders laid a firm foundation.”

Legacy

He does however have some qualms. “Despite many attempts, it is true that there has not been a lasting legacy of an umbrella body that authentically represents their (the church) voice to the nation. Equally, because some still have not worked out their succession planning, their effectiveness in ministry and legacy has and continues to diminish.”

That said, the church remains a permanent, and reliable fixture in the black community.

The Windrush Generation not only provided a spiritual refuge for the Caribbean community, they laid the foundation for the wave of African Christians who came to Britain in the 80s and 90s. Following the example of Caribbeans, Africans planted churches that met the specific needs of their community.

With the coming of age of Millennials and the falling population of the Caribbean community, only time will tell how the church will adapt to meet their respective challenges and concerns. However, one thing is for sure, the church is here to stay.