Church History and Timeline
Introduction
The New Testament Church of God Dudley has had a long and distinguish history – starting in the late 1950s to the present day. With an immoveable faith, those early pioneers laboured tirelessly to establish a church, often under very difficult conditions, for the spiritual and social benefits of a people who had travelled thousands of miles in search of a better future. Today, the Dudley church proudly stands as a testimony to God’s labourers, the immense courage, dedication, sacrifice and commitment these early sojourners made; and of the power of Almighty God in carrying them through. That power is still with us today, and we salute them for their work and thank God for His continued presence.
History of New Testament Church of God Dudley
Timeline…Ministers in Service
1959 – 1968 Rev Gilbert S Peddie – Founder & Pastor.
The New Testament Church of God founded under the leadership of Rev. Gilbert S. Peddie, the first pastor. Bro Clifton Bruce was the first church secretary. The first church building was purchased during this period, 28 Queens Cross, Dudley. Sadly, Rev. Peddie took ill and died in hospital from his illness.
1968 – 1969 Rev. Alfredo Williams deputised as pastor until a new Minister was appointed.
1969 – 1972 Rev. Earl Williams
Rev. Earl Williams was appointed to the Dudley pastorate from Cardiff. During this period the men’s fellowship was established, as well as school liaison work and Christian youth club. The first wedding conducted by Rev. E. Williams was the marriage of Sebert Williams to Luretha Collman. Rev. E. Williams and family immigrated to the United States in 1972
1972 – 1976 Rev. Leonard Ricketts
Rev. Leonard Ricketts was appointed to the Dudley pastorate from Preston. The church experienced spiritual and numerical growth during his tenure, resulting in building extension and modification to accommodate the increase. He resigned from the pastorate in 1976 to pursue his ministry with another church organisation.
1976 – 2010 Bishop Dr. Lorenzo Jackson – Pastor & District Overseer
Lorenzo Jackson was appointed to the pastorate in Dudley from Wellington. Due largely to the burgeoning membership and to enhance the church’s image in the community, our present church building was purchased in 1981 to accommodate the congregation. 1981 saw the formation of a new district – Wolverhampton Central [later renamed Dudley District] compromising Dudley and Wellington – under the leadership of Rev. L. A Jackson. Bro L. Bruce, formerly District Youth and Christian Education Director (DYD) on the Bilston District was appointed to the position of DYD for the newly created District.
Under Bishop Jackson’s leadership, the New Testament Welfare Association was established, with a Day Centre to cater for the needs of older members of the church and community. In 2010, Bishop Lorenzo Jackson retired from pastoral ministry.
2011 – 2021 Rev Hermilyn James
Rev. Hermilyn James was appointed to the pastorate from the Handsworth Church where she was Assistant Senior Pastor under the leadership of Bishop Dr. Derek A. Webley. During her tenure, she was instrumental in the mentoring and development of the pastoral team, with some members succeeding to their own pastorate. including the promotion of colleagues to pastoral placement. The church experienced a steady increase in membership with a diverse ethnic make-up. The physical building structure and services were modernised and updated including a new toilet block, the complete overhaul and installation of new boiler/heating system along with new accessible provisions to meet DDA building regulations.
Under Rev. James leadership, the church became actively involved in the activities of the Christian community of Dudley such Churches Together in Dudley and Food Banks. Rev. James became a committee member of SACRE (Standard Advisory Council of Religious Education) and started the process for the church to secure a parsonage. In March 2021, Rev. Hermilyn James retired from pastoral ministry.
2021 to … Bishop Herbert McKenzie – Current
Bishop Herbie McKenzie was appointed to the pastorate, as the seventh pastor since the Dudley church was established in 1958, from NTCG Faith Tabernacle in Manchester where he was the Senior Pastor. Bishop McKenzie arrived with his wife Pauline (aka June), who subsequently took up the role of Women Discipleship Ministry President. He set about building on the foundation laid by his predecessors and oversaw the purchase of the church parsonage.
The Dudley Church
Background
The Church of God has its roots in the Holiness Movement in the latter part of the 19th Century in America, out of which the Church of God denomination was founded in 1886 and is now established in 178 countries, with registered membership of more than 7 million. See more
The New Testament Church of God was planted in England UK in 1953 under the leadership of the late Dr. Oliver A. Lyseight who led the Church for 25 years. The first public meeting was held on 20th September 1953 at the YMCA Centre, Stafford Street, Wolverhampton – presided over by Dr Oliver Lyseight and Bishop Herman D. Brown. Another service was held in the evening the same day in Handsworth led by Bishop G. A. Johnson and Revd Enos Gordon.
Approximately 2 years later, on Saturday, 18th June 1955 the church was officially affiliated with the Church of God (USA) under the supervision of Rev. Paul H. Walker Executive Secretary of Church of God World Mission. Both the Wolverhampton church, with 25 member) and Handsworth with 40 members were established as the first two New Testament Church of God (NTCG) congregations in the UK, with Oliver A. Lyseight appointed as the first Administrative Bishop. See more
1958 – 1968 Rev. Gilbert S. Peddie
In 1958 Rev. Gilbert S. Peddie and a contingent of believers from the mother church in Wolverhampton arrived in Dudley with a singular focus, to evangelise the locality and establish a mission outpost. These early pioneers include Bro. G. S. Mason, bro. McGregor, Bro. Carr and Bro. Foster, visited and contacted a number of evangelical churches in the area including Cradley Heath and Gornal. Their strategy for church planting included one-to-one witnessing, tent meetings, referrals, and house to house prayer meetings throughout the community of Dudley – targeting migrants from the Caribbean. The home of Mrs Florence Saa – Himley Road Dudley – was one such home where prayer meetings were held. It was not an easy endeavour, but with determined persistence they began to see the fruits of their labour as men and women were being converted to Christ.
It became increasingly difficult to continue house meetings for public worship, with the increase in membership. Rev. Peddie was moved to find an alternative place for worship, and so the search began around Dudley. Help came from a Church of England Minister, Rev. James Griffin, whom Rev. Peddie met and befriended. Rev. Griffin was sympathetic towards this group of Christians from the Caribbean and their evangelistic fervour. With his help, Rev. Peddie was able to secure a room for hire in a building called the Temperance Institute, High Street Dudley. Sunday services were conducted there every week, but the strategy of house-to-house meetings continued.
Along with Sister Florence Saa, other early converts included Bro. Clifton Bruce (who later became the church’s first secretary/treasurer), and Mr Alfredo Williams who was converted during a tent meeting outreach held in Grange Park, Dudley. Other founding members include Mr and Mrs Batton, Bro. and Sis. Mills, Bro. Dennis, Rev. Osbourne Johns and Sis Johns, Sis. Smith, Bro. Sis. Ricketts. By 1959 the Dudley mission had become an established church and as new migrants arrived from the Caribbean to settle in Dudley the Church experienced steady growth.
In 1963 the church was served notice to vacate the Temperance Institute, as the building was to be demolished. Left with nowhere to go, Rev. Griffin, who was then the Vicar of Christ Church, Hall Street, offered the use of their vestry for worship. After a short period, they managed to secure for rent the school hall at Wolverhampton Street County Secondary Modern School. Again, this was a very short stay as they were served notice to leave because the school was also scheduled for demolition. With no place to worship Rev. Peddie and the brethren were offered a cellar in the house of Sis. A. Burrell’s brother-in-law, on Himley Road as a place to worship. The leadership gladly accepted the offer in the short term and continued the search for more permanent accommodation. The cellar was unable to accommodate the Sunday School class structure in place at the time, so Bro. and Sis. Alvin Ricketts who lived adjacent, offered their home (including their bedroom) to be used for Sunday School.
The opportunity arose in 1966 to purchase 28 Queen’s Cross, Dudley – which was formally owned by a religious group. Rev Peddie and the leadership team immediately sought to secure the building with support from Rev. Curtis Grey, the then pastor and District Overseer for the Wolverhampton District. Three trustees were appointed to be responsible for the property: Bros. Clifton Bruce, Victor Mills and Alfredo Williams. A loan was secured, and the building purchased on behalf for the congregation, under the auspices of the New Testament Church of God.
Now with their own building, the church began to experience rapid numerical growth as new converts were added to the membership. The Sunday School saw tremendous growth as new families began settling in the area, along with children from the community. In less than 10 years the Dudley church was sufficiently strong and mature enough to support a number of evangelistic endeavours in places such as Redditch, Cardiff and Newport – all of which have now become established churches.
Within two years of acquiring the property, Rev. Peddie was struck down with illness and hospitalized. He died in hospital from his illness, leaving his wife, the late Mabel Adassa Peddie and daughter Juliet. Rev. Peddie has been described as a spiritual leader, a man with a vision and a burning passion for souls, a compassionate and caring person who made extraordinary sacrifices in his services to God and Christ.
Bro Alfredo. Williams became acting pastor for a short period (1968-1969) while a replacement was found. He subsequently returned to Jamaica some years later.
1969 – 1972 Rev. Earl Ansell Williams
Rev. Earl Williams was appointed to the pastorate in 1969 from the Cardiff church, at a time when the church was experiencing numerical growth. He was accompanied by his wife Joy and two young children, Wayne and David.
Rev. Williams, originally from Trinidad, was a young minister with a passion for young people and the work of God. He came to Dudley as a graduate of Ebenezer Bible Institute (EBI), Birmingham, with determined ideas about pastoral care and he began to build upon the foundation laid by his predecessor. Some of his initiatives included the reorganisation of the Men’s Fellowship group, acquisition of new choir gowns, school liaison representative and securing accommodation in a local authority run youth centre for a weekly run Christian Youth Club (Bayliss Hall). One of the fruits of his ministry was the founding of the Ambassadors Singing Group, with Donovan Bruce as one of the lead singers – singings songs such as “Life can be beautiful” and “We’ve come this far by faith.”
One of the highlights of Rev. Williams’ ministry was the wedding of Sebert Williams and Luretha Collman, the first marriage to be solemnised in the Dudley church. Rev. Williams and Family migrated to the United States in 1972 to further his ministry.
1972 – 1976 Rev. Leonard Ricketts
Rev. Leonard Ricketts followed Rev. Earl Williams to the pastorate from Preston and was accompanied by his wife Eugene and four children Marcia, Peter, Diane and Robert.
Rev. Ricketts was already established in pastoral ministry and had served the Preston Church for several years, experiencing exceptional blessings and the acquisition of a church building. On arrival in Dudley, he quickly set about the task of building on the work already in progress. The youth group in Dudley increased dramatically, with many young people been won to the Lord. This led to the church becoming a focal point for families in Dudley.
The Ambassadors Singing Group was still going strong and were invited to sing at the Mayor of Dudley Charity Ball, Pebble Mill and the BBC, where live recordings were made. This was a period of tremendous blessings as the youth group ministered at various venues in the community and further afield.
During his tenure as pastor, Rev. Ricketts was instrumental in the commissioning of an in-house baptismal pool at Queens Cross and as the congregation grew the building was further extended and modified. One of the highlights of his ministry was the extended revival breakthrough which occurred after Lord’s Supper one Sunday evening and lasted for 3 weeks, during which many people committed their lives to Christ; others sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance.
1976 Rev. Ricketts resigned his post and moved on to pursue his ministry outside of the New Testament Church of God
1976 – 2010 Bishop Dr. Lorenzo A. Jackson
Rev. Lorenzo Jackson succeeded Rev. Ricketts to the pastorate in 1976. He was accompanied by his wife Daphne and four children: Joy, Carol, John and Charlene. Rev. Jackson held two previous pastoral appointments before coming to Dudley – Redditch (1969-1972) and Wellington (1972-1976), excelling in both. On arrival, the registered membership stood at 66, along with a growing number of children and young people. Rev. Jackson was ordained a bishop in 1977.
By 1978/9 the congregation was still worshiping at 28 Queens Cross and in spite of modifications and building extensions, the membership started to outgrow the accommodation. Bishop Jackson along with the church officers decided that it was time to locate to larger premises.
During this period the church was very active and involved in evangelistic endeavours including outreach ministries in Tipton, Wednesbury and Parkfield. Many Christian students from across the country who came to study and live in the area attended and played a significant role in the life of this church. Young people like Claudette Radway from Wales, Sandra Pitter, and Blanche from London, Carol Tomlinson, from the North to name a few. So, the church became a place of refuge for many who lived away from their home church.
Another singing group emerged during this time, the “Mighty Army” evolved under the leadership of Pauline Anderson and incorporated children and young people from the Sunday school. The name “Mighty Army” was first coined by Bro. Palmer of the Bilston church when the group was called to sing at a district meeting.
In 1980, the church leadership successfully negotiated the purchase of the current church building on Holly Hall Road, Woodside, formerly occupied by the Methodist Church. The building was in a state of dilapidation – due to vandalism and fire damage, but it was refurbished and officially opened and rededicated to the glory of God on the 23 of May 1981. Further extensive refurbishment and modernisation followed under the leadership of Dr. Jackson.
In 1981, the Dudley church was separated from the Bilston District to form the ‘Wolverhampton Central District’ incorporating Wellington and the mission field in Parkfield, Wolverhampton. Bishop Jackson became the first District Overseer, with Levene Bruce – who was the Youth Director on the Bilston District, been appointed as the Youth Director for the newly formed district.
One of the most important aspects of the move to Woodside (Holly Hall Road) was the opportunity for the church to have a more expansive social ministry. The formation of the Welfare Association enabled the church to become more inclusive with a wider profile in the community.
In 2010, Bishop Dr. Lorenzo Jackson officially retired from pastoral ministry, after a long and distinguished career.
2011 – 2021 Rev. Hermilyn James
Rev Hermilyn James came to Dudley from the Handsworth Church where she was Assistant Senior Pastor with Dr. Derek A. Webley. Rev. James had many years of experience in children and youth ministry along with her pastoral and mentoring portfolio. She was instrumental in the mentoring and development of the pastoral team in Dudley, including the promotion of colleagues to pastoral placement.
On the arrival of Rev. James, the Church experienced a steady increase in membership with a diverse ethnic make-up. The physical building structure and services were modernised and updated including a new toilet block, the complete overhaul and installation of new boiler/heating system along with a new stair lift provisions for disabled individuals to meet DDA building regulations.
Rev. James became actively involved in the activities of the Christian community of Dudley and contributed in a positive way, to many of the initiatives and activities in the local community, Including Churches Together in Dudley. She became a committee member of SACRE (Standard Advisory Council of Religious Education).
In March 2021, Rev. James retired from pastoral ministry.
2021 to … Bishop Herbert McKenzie.
Bishop Herbie McKenzie was appointed to the Dudley from NTCG Faith Tabernacle, Manchester where he was the Senior Pastor for 13 years (2008-2021). Bishop McKenzie arrived with his wife Pauline (aka June), who subsequently took up the role of Women Discipleship Ministry President. Bishop McKenzie arrived at a time when the UK was in lockdown, due to the Coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19). The Dudley church was slowly returning to in-person worship, under strict Covid-19 restrictions imposed by the UK government. Church attendance had dropped significantly for all churches, and the Dudley church was no exception. Encouraged by a committed and fearless group who continued to meet every Sunday for worship, attendance gradually picked up – which also enabled the online congregation to take part through the weekly live streaming portal.
Two important things Bishop McKenzie accomplished in His first six months were the successful purchase of the first parsonage for the Dudley church at Chestnut Avenue, Dudley (which had originated from his predecessor, Rev. Hermilyn James), and the restructure of the Youth Department – with the appointment of a new Youth Director, Bro. Ishmael Rose-Thompson, Assistant Youth Director, Tamsin Jones and a new youth board. Bishop McKenzie had his first water baptism at Dudley on Sunday 12th December 2021 when two candidates, Samantha McDermott and Junior Borland, completed their journey as new converts. The church of Jesus Christ is still moving on – even under Covid restrictions; the history continues…