Welcome! There is now no need to book for any Mass! Just turn up. Our Church is open for prayer during daylight hours. Weekday Mass - 10:00 - Monday - Saturday Adoration - Mon-Fri - 9-10am Confession - Saturdays 5-5:40pm [read more]
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Welcome to the New Testament Church of God Brixton. We are a family church, called to serve our community and to make Christ known. A warm welcome awaits you. The following is a brief history of the Brixton NTCG together with the ministers who led from her inception to the present. our first bishopThe Brixton initiative began in 1956 with a series of prayer meetings initiated by Bro James (Jim) Tomlin and his wife Ruby, who were joined by S U Thompson at St Stephen’s schoolroom, Stockwell SW9. At that time, they paid ten shillings for rent (approximately £154.00 in 2016 value) per Sunday, for evening services only, with a handful of members to share in the vision for spiritual fulfilment and need to worship. In April 1957, the New Testament Church of God Brixton was inaugurated by Rev O A Lyseight National Overseer, with S U Thompson as its Pastor and Brother Tomlin as secretary. The initial meeting was in St Stephen’s school hall. The struggle and efforts to continue and sustain the church began when the schoolroom at St Stephen’s Parish Church, Dorset Rd SW9 came up for refurbishment and there was nowhere for the people of God to worship. Our God being ever faithful, provided a venue in Tulse Hill, where prayer meetings could be held until the refurbishments were completed. In 1958 the church hall at St Paul’s church, Allardyce Street SW4 became vacant; but this was morning only. A Sunday school was then established. Evening services were held at: St John’s Hall, Stockwell SW9 and Friend’s meeting house, Brixton Hill SW2. In early 1960, a fire swept through the church hall at Allardyce Street, leaving the church with no home. Sister Spence, however, came to the rescue and opened her living room where services were held until the church was able to return to the Allardyce Street church hall. Within the membership, were Mercedes Amos, (who held prayer meetings at her home), Rev E Swaby and Mother E Beccon (a lay preacher at the time). Later that year the Church of England offered the church hall for sale at £12,500.00, a price the church could not afford and therefore had to move out in December 1960. The pilgrimage of the faithful members of the Brixton church continued until March1961 when the church was able to acquire her own premises at 64 Offley Road, Brixton SW9. Very shortly after the acquisition of its premises in Offley Road, the church developed an outreach ministry in Catford. Brother and Sister Letts opened their home at 20 Felday Road SE13 for services until suitable accommodation could be found. With the evangelistic and motivating fervour of Pastor Thompson, this group was organised into a church in 1962 with Brother James (Jim) Tomlin and his wife Ruby as leaders. Twenty members of the Brixton church were sent to join them. Today, this church is the Lee NTCG, a very dynamic and thriving fellowship. Over the years the Brixton church has played leading roles both at national and local levels. Two of the men who led her went on to become National Overseers (J McIntyre, and R.O Brown). From its rank came one National Secretary/Treasurer (Rev John Hall) and a National Laymen’s Secretary (Rev Trevor Whyne). Two other districts (in addition to Lee), also came out of her: namely Deptford and West Croydon. The Brixton church also started the church in Mile End, with Mother E Beccan as its first Leader. This is now part of the Clapton district. Rev S.U Thompson pastored the church until 1967 and became the focus for revival; he was transferred to Handsworth, Birmingham to continue his calling. 1967 – 1970 Rev J McIntyre, who succeeded Rev Thompson, faithfully served and led the church. In 1969 he was instrumental in setting up a crusade/concert at Westminster Central Hall, from which an LP of the live concert was produced – the first of its kind, for the New Testament Church of God. 1970 – 1973. The Rev E. G Kelly-Wright led this period. He served the church well and was dubbed ‘easy-going-Kelly-Wright’ because of the calm and influential manner with which he faced situations. 1973 – 1989 Rev Vernon Nelson, a visionary, led the church, which was at Offley Road, when he initially took up the pastorate. He wrote to the then prime minister, local members of parliament, the police commissioner, officials of Brixton prison and many other civic dignitaries raising the church profile in the community. During this time it became apparent that the congregation needed a larger building. In 1970 Christ Church, Brixton Road, SW9 - soon to become redundant, was offered. However, the remaining members through the Privy Council ensured that it became a heritage building. From further enquiries we were advised by a friend of Christ Church that the Lambert Road Church, (an old Church of England building), was in a serious state of disrepair, unused and pronounced redundant by the Church of England; ready for possible demolition. Deacon Hugh I Bair the Chairman for Building, together with Bro Phillip Denton, led and co-ordinated a plan and the church was purchased in September 1977. Its only occupants were a worshipping army of pigeons. Faithful members of Brixton New Testament Church of God under the leadership and guidance of Rev V Nelson, took on the task of repairing and refurbishing the building. Like Nehemiah and his crew, it was brought up to an acceptable standard and was dedicated to the glory of God in February 1978. The membership grew rapidly, and through the instrumentality of Bro Trevor Whyne a grant of £45,000 was obtained from the local authority to erect an upper hall for the provision of a youth club and other community activities. This necessitated the setting up of a social department which included a youth club, a Day Centre for the elderly and a mother and baby clinic; thus making Brixton a true community church. Rev Nelson even had the foresight in those days to accept the gift a traditional black taxi cab (which was customized to burgundy) for the use of transporting the elderly members of the day centre. As the day centre grew, it soon became obvious that the elderly folks needed a lift to enable them to easily access the church hall for their activities and so a lift was later added. Rev Nelson served the church for 16 Years; sadly whilst on a visit to the USA he passed away. 1989 – 1994 became the era of the Rev C Fisher, a son of (the soil) Brixton church. He continued the building and social programmes and set up a part-time Theological school. Under his leadership the church hall was further developed to accommodate washroom facilities for the disabled as well as male and female users. A large industrial kitchen was installed on the ground floor along the south side of the church. In addition to this, a parsonage was purchased at 23 Penistone Road, Streatham SW16 5LU. 1994 – 1995 Rev R Brown a man of passion and a dynamic preacher led the church for only a year after which he was elected as National Overseer for England and Wales. During this time, however, he took praise and worship to another level. 1995 – 2015 Rev Dr RH Parkinson, a caring shepherd and very much a ‘people’s person’ took charge of the church. The church continued to grow spiritually and numerically; he had a leadership style of developing members and lay-workers. As the longest serving Minister of the Brixton church to date he has overseen the development of a number of initiatives. He was responsible for: the acquisition of two church vans and an ambulance for the disabled, comfortable coverings for the church benches, the refurbishment of the downstairs sanitary amenities, installation of the current audio visual system which has enhanced church services immensely and the purchase of the property adjacent to the church building, which coincidentally is 23 Lambert Road. Two very memorable events that brought Brixton NTCG into the National arena of the country was the BBC Broadcasting of Pentecost Sunday from Brixton Church in 2005 and the visit from the former Labour Prime Minister, Gordon Brown in 2010. 2015 – Date Bishop E Brown our current pastor and former National Overseer, was birth in the Catford (Lee) church. He is a man of vision, a motivator and a great teacher/preacher whom God has been using mightily. Under his leadership the church has seen a reinvigoration of established ministries and the growth and development of new areas of ministry. Young men and women have been encouraged to look at themselves as emerging leaders who have a voice and an important role to play in the church and its future. Brixton New Testament Church has certainly left her imprint on many of the churches we have today which began as Sunday schools under her leadership, namely: Clapham church Woolwich church Vauxhall church East Dulwich church Herne Hill Elephant & Castle church Wandsworth Rochester In the revolutionary spirit of Rev SU Thompson and Rev James (Jim) Tomlin, Brixton church has played leading roles both at national and local levels. There are numerous unsung prayer worriers, heroes and even van drivers - who also played a vital role in the early days of the church conception. Some of these people are present today and we must salute them and their faithfulness. We must also remember other hardworking brethren who were also active participants, although they have been called to glory, their spirit remains with us. During these early pioneering years’ men, such as Brother Lindsay, Bro. Haughton and Bro. McClymont were up early on a Sunday morning, taking time to collect children for Sunday school. The history of Brixton New Testament Church of God would not be complete without the mention of her longest standing assistant pastor, Reverend James Henry, who has faithfully served the church since 1961 and has been consistent in his presence during the tenure of each successive minister from Rev. Kelly-Wright to our current Bishop Brown. | [read more]
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Ruach City Church is one of the largest and fastest growing non-denominational Pentecostal Christian churches in Europe. Starting from humble beginnings, with only a handful of faithful members, the church has grown rapidly since its inception in December 1992. The church is known for hosting interdenominational events which have had an overwhelming success in promoting greater unity within the wider Christian church. In 2006, Ruach Ministries which was our name back then, became the 1st Charismatic Church in the UK to host a serving British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, at the ‘Power of One’ Conference, a pioneering initiative to encourage voters to register on the electoral role. Other prominent figures to cross its thresholds have been Baroness Valerie Amos, leader in the House of Lords, Rev Jesse Jackson, Ken Livingston, former Mayor of London and Boris Johnson, former Mayor of London and current Prime Minister. Each year Ruach City Church hosts a special service, ‘Prayer for the Nation’, which is attended by officers of the Metropolitan Police, as part of their ongoing commitment to community liaison and better policing practices. This special service is also attended by political office-holders, members of Parliament and local civic officials. In December 1996, Ruach City Church purchased its first building, a former warehouse situated in Brixton, South London which was converted to accommodate its fast growing congregation. In January 1998 Ruach City Church purchased its 2nd building in Birmingham UK 169 Hunters Road. In December 2007, Ruach City Church purchased its 3rd location, the renowned Gaumont State Theatre in Kilburn, Northwest London. Ruach City Church has been working closely with the local council and planning to restore this historical landmark to its former glory. Not only is it a beautiful place of worship for the congregation and visitors to Ruach City Church but it will also become a unique forum for artistic and musical expression such as plays, organ recitals, etc in the future. The aim is to see this historical landmark become an integral part of the local community once again. In December 2010, Ruach City Church purchased its 4th location based in Walthamstow, East London. In March 2014, saw the realization of a 4th location in Philadelphia, USA. Ruach City Church has transitioned from one church to one church in many locations with over 7,000 congregants regularly attending its services each Sunday. In September 2011, Ruach City Church purchased its 5th building The Norbury leisure Centre with 20 plus acres of land. Ruach City Church Television broadcast ‘Order My Steps’ can be seen worldwide on Christian cable and satellite TV with an audience of millions on The Word Network, Faith TV (Africa), Inspirational Network, Impact TV, Flow TV and Now TV, (USA). Ruach City Church is a registered charity. Charity Number: 1046218 Awards Ruach City Church has received numerous awards from the community including but not limited to 2003 Windrush Award “Outstanding Community Service”, 1998 Faith Academy of Christian Education “Minister of Excellence Award”, 2003 National Social Justice Champion Award for “Outstanding Commitment & Contribution to Social Action”, 2005 Lambeth Civic Award in recognition of “developing links with Brixton Police and Politicians, to improve race relations between the community and the police” and 2006 Oasis Award for Church of the Year. Bishop John Francis – The Founder Bishop Francis is well known in the gospel community, not just locally but also worldwide. Coming from an unquestionable legacy of charismatic leaders, His father, the late Bishop T G Francis was a leading pioneer in the establishment of black-led Pentecostal churches in the UK. Bishop Francis is well-respected within diverse spectrums of society and his influence extends beyond his role within the Church where he is regularly consulted on community and nationwide issues and policy-making. In the past, this has involved attendance at quarterly meetings held with the former Prime Ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and other cabinet ministers at No.10 Downing Street. In earlier years, Bishop Francis formed the Inspirational Choir who brought gospel music to a mass British public resulting in Bishop John Francis as one of the leading pioneers of gospel music in Britain. Through his influence gospel artistes from the USA, Europe and in fact worldwide were introduced to the UK. Bishop John Francis was also recognised by mainstream organizations such as Mattel Toys, Ford Cars & CBS Records, who signed John and the Inspirational Choir in the 1980’s. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, the 1983 BPI “Silver Disk Award” recognising sales in the UK of more than 250,000 copies of the STIFF single “WINGS OF A DOVE”, 1985 Capital Radio “Gospel Music Excellence Award”, 1986 Capital Radio “Gospel Music Excellence Award”, Capital Radio “Choir of the Year Award”, BBC Radio 2’s “Album of the Year” Award and 1986 BBC RADIO FESTIVAL OF GOSPEL MUSIC “UK Gospel Record of the Year Award” in recognition of the album “SWEET INSPIRATION”, the “Gospel TV Series of the Year” Award (as co-presenter of the UK’s first black gospel TV Series, ‘People Get Ready!’). Bishop John Francis together with the Inspirational Choir, were also honoured to perform in the presence of Her Majesty, the Queen, the Prince of Wales and the late Princess of Wales. In later years, his church choir & musicians recorded the double platinum ‘Live in London’ album with Pastor Donnie McClurkin, USA which was released in 2000. Bishop John Francis founded Flow TV, a Christian Television Station, in March 2014. Flow TV is a Christian Television Channel providing inspirational, motivational and wholesome pure family focused faith based shows with programming and entertainment on the Sky Platform. In November 2015 Bishop Francis sold Flow Tv to a South African company which renamed the channel Faith U.K. In September 2006 the USA Gospel Today Magazine listed Bishop Francis at No.5 of the Top 10 World-Class Pace Setting Pastors as one who is changing a generation and a nation. From 2011 – 2016 Bishop Francis was listed in the Power List of Britain’s’ 100 Most Influential black people. Bishop Francis is married to his wife, Penny who co-pastors the church with him. They have three daughters, Juanita, Teleisa and Charisa. [read more]
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Church Life A description of church life before the COVID-19 Pandemic Children Children are very welcome at St Matthew’s and form a strong and well-loved part of our congregation. During part of Sunday’s worship, school age children learn about God in Sunday School. Children who are not yet old enough for Sunday School are encouraged to remain in the service. An activity table with books and quiet toys, and floor mat is available to use during the service. Choir Music is important to us, and St Matthew’s sings out! For those wanting to help lead the congregation, choir practice is usually on Fridays, 6.30pm to 7.30pm. All ages welcome, no singing experience is necessary. The choir sing parts of the Communion services, and other songs composed and led by Choirmaster and Organist Francis Reneau, OBE. If you would like to join the choir, have a word with them after church. Tea and Coffee You are warmly invited to stay for tea and coffee after the ten o’clock service. St Matthew’s Day Once a year we celebrate St Matthew’s Day (September 21st) with a bring and share feast after the service [read more]
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