The Diversity of Black Majority Churches (BMCs) in London
Paper by Rev Israel Olofinjana
The history of Black Majority Churches in London is very phenomenal because within a short
period of 60 years they have grown from rejection to influence. Their historical
development is rich and diverse in nature. But the generic term, Black Majority Churches is
problematic as it does not address the diversity that exists within these Churches. They are
diverse in terms of ecclesiology, theology and mission. Some of them are Churches while
others are Para-Church organisations or agencies. Some of them are independent Churches
while others are part of the Historic Churches. Some are from Pentecostal, Holiness and
Evangelical Tradition while others are Sabbatarians. Some of them are Unitarians while
others are Trinitarians. Some of them have embraced Black Liberation Theology while
others do preach Prosperity Gospel. Some of them have grown to become Church
denominations while others are still independent Churches. Some are Church plants from
their denominational Churches back in the Caribbean or Africa while others are Churches
that have started here in London. These are examples to illustrate the richness of their
diversity.
London as the capital of UK has played a fascinating role in the history and emergence of
Black Majority Churches (BMCs). There is a concentration of BMCs in London and other
major cities such as Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester and Edinburgh for
several reasons. In the case of London, one obvious factor is that as the capital city of the
former British Empire and currently that of the Commonwealth it is well known in Africa and
the Caribbean. This goes back to the times of slavery and colonialism. Another reason is
that London is usually one of the first points of entry into the UK. This is because of the
advantage of seaport in the past and airport in the modern era which means that it is easily
accessible to immigrants. As a major global and cultural city London also has job
opportunities and creates a multicultural environment compared to rural areas. Also as a
result of the Diaspora effect, new immigrants join social and family networks already
existing in London. The unique role that London plays in the history of BMCs includes the
fact that the first BMC in Europe was founded in London. This was Sumner Road Chapel
founded by Rev Thomas Kwame Brem-Wilson in Peckham in 1906. Rev Brem-Wilson, a
business man and school master was born into a wealthy family in Dixcove, Ghana around
1855. He migrated to Britain in 1901 and later founded Sumner Road Chapel known today
as Sureway International Christian Ministries in Herne Hill South East London. Rev BremWilson’s Church was an African Pentecostal Church and he was also involved with the
origins of the Pentecostal movement in Britain. This was because he was friends with the
likes of Alexander Boddy (the Anglican priest that is recognised as the father of British
Pentecostalism), Cecil Polhill (one of the pioneers of the Pentecostal missionary movement
in Britain), D.P. Williams and W.J. Williams (founders of the Apostolic Church in Britain).
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The next phase of the history of BMCs in London was the founding of the League of
Coloured Peoples’ started by Dr Harold Moody. Although this was not a Church but it
functioned as a Para-Church agency that catered for the welfare needs of Black people.
Harold Moody was born in Jamaica in 1882 and he came to London in 1908 to pursue a
career in medicine. He studied at Kings College Hospital in London and qualified as a medical
Doctor. Frustrated at the lack of opportunity to practice medicine, he turned his attention to
the medical needs of Black people in Peckham. To this end, being convinced by his Christian
faith, he started the League of Coloured People on 13th of March 1931 at the central YMCA,
in Tottenham Court Road. Dr Moody was actively involved in mission as he was a Deacon in
a congregational Church, a leading member of London Missionary Society (LMS) and the
president of the London Confederation of the Christian Endeavour Union.
The 1940s and 1950s saw the influx of Caribbean families into the UK due to the invitation
of the British government asking them to come and help rebuild the country after the
devastations of the Second World War. Many people from the Caribbean responded to this
call but to their surprise and dismay they were rejected by the society and the Church.
Majority of the people from the Caribbean saw and regarded themselves as British citizens
and as part of the commonwealth therefore expected to be treated equally. But they soon
realised with posters saying, “No Irish, No Blacks and No Dogs” that the wealth was not
common and that they were regarded as second class citizens. This rejection with other
factors such as loyalty to Church brands, coldness of British Christianity and mission to the
UK led to the formation of Caribbean Pentecostal and Holiness Churches. This period is
usually referred to as the Windrush generation as the ship, Empire Windrush, brought many
people from the Caribbean in 1948. The first of the Caribbean Pentecostal Churches
founded in the UK was Calvary Church of God in Christ which started in London in 1948. The
Church became affiliated with Church of God in Christ, USA in 1952 and they now have
about 21 Church plants in the UK. Others soon followed such as the New Testament Church
of God (1953), Church of God of Prophecy (1953), Wesleyan Holiness Church (1958) and
New Testament Assembly founded in London in 1961 which now has about 18 Churches in
Britain. The first New Testament Church of God (NTCG) in London was founded in the
Hammersmith area in 1959 (NTCG currently have about 128 Churches in the UK). It was also
during the 1950s that the renowned now late Guyanese missionary, Phillip Mohabir came as
a missionary to Britain. Phillip came in 1956 and started an itinerant ministry in Brixton
which included preaching in shops, pubs, on the buses and from house to house. He also
planted Churches in London and outside London. He later pioneered the founding of West
Indian Evangelical Alliance (WIEA) in 1984. WIEA was later known as The African Caribbean
Evangelical Alliance (ACEA) which is now defunct but replaced with National Church Leaders
Forum (NCLF).
The independence of African countries from around 1957 onwards led to African diplomats,
students, tourist coming to Britain. When they discovered like the Caribbeans before them
that they were rejected by the British Churches and society at large, this led to the founding
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of African Instituted Churches (AICs) in London. The first of such Churches to be planted was
the Church of the Lord (Aladura) planted in 1964 by the late Apostle Adejobi in South
London. This Church has its headquarters (HQ hereafter) in Nigeria. Others soon followed
such as the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in 1965 (HQ in Nigeria), the Celestial Church of
Christ in 1967 (HQ also in Nigeria), Aladura International Church founded by Rev. Father Olu
Abiola in 1970. Others include Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Mount Bethel founded by
Apostle Ayo Omideyi in 1974 (HQ in Lagos Nigeria), and Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) of
Great Britain in 1976 (HQ in Ibadan Nigeria). The first of the Ghanaian Churches to arrive in
England was the Musama Disco Christo Church (MDCC) in London in 1980.
From around the 1980s and 1990s, there emerged a new type of African Churches known as
Newer Pentecostal Churches (NPCs). It is the explosive growth of these Churches
particularly in the 1990s that has drawn the attention of scholars and currently the media to
BMCs. These are some of the Churches:
Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT) which began in Nigeria by Dr R.A. George
in 1956. A branch Church was established in Camberwell, London (God’s Heritage
Camberwell Assembly) in 1983. This Church became their Headquarter Church in the UK
with four other branch Churches and a Bible College (Heritage Bible College). They also have
a branch Church in Belgium.
Deeper Life Bible Church founded by Pre Ovia in London in 1985. They now have about 40
Churches in the UK. In order to contextualise the Gospel and to be more relevant, Deeper
Life is in now in partnership with Pioneers Network founded by Gerald Coates (now lead by
Billy Kennedy).
New Covenant Church was founded by Dr Paul Jinadu and Titus David (now deceased) in
London in 1985/86. New Covenant Church now has about 41 Church plants in the UK.
The Church of Pentecost started in Ghana around 1937 through the efforts of one of the
Apostolic Church missionaries, James Mckeown. They began in London in collaboration with
Elim Pentecostal Churches around 1988/89. Today they have 82 branch Churches in the UK
in the major cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham,
Sheffield, Leeds and Glasgow.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) founded was founded in London in 1988 by
David Okunade and Ade Okerende. RCCG now boast of more than 530 Churches in Britain.
Beneficial Veracious Christ Church (BVC) was founded in London England in 1988 by
Archbishop J.P. Hackman. Bishop Hackman is the president of Trans-Atlantic and Pacific
Alliance of Churches (TAPAC) an ecumenical body for African Diaspora Churches in Britain.
These include West, East and Central African Churches.
Trinity Baptist Church was founded by Rev Kingsley Appaigyei in South Norwood in 1988.
Trinity Baptist Church is a BMC within a British Historic Church. The Church has embarked on
an extensive Church plant within and outside London.
Christ Faith Tabernacle was started by Apostle Alfred Williams in Deptford in 1989. Later
the Church relocated to New Cross. The Church has just bought an old theatre building,
Granada Woolwich in Woolwich.
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Christian Victory Group was started by Pastor Ade Amooba in 1991 as a relief initiative for
homeless people in London. It was registered in 1992 as a Christian charity Para-Church
organisation. Their work includes provision of education for children and young people,
medical relief to developing countries, provision of homes for the homeless, training,
consultancy and support to other Christian or voluntary groups who are involved in helping
the poor. This Para-Church organisation also has a Church arm. Pastor Ade is also a cofounder of Christian Legal Centre (CLC) and Christian Concern for our Nation (CCFON) both
are Christian organisations that assist marginalised Christians to have a voice in the public
square. They also assist in fighting against discrimination against Christians in the work
place.
Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) was founded by Matthew Ashimolowo in
London in 1992. KICC became the largest Church in the UK around 1998 when it launched its
Church facility in Hackney which was reported to be able to seat 5,000 comfortably.
New Wine Church was founded by Dr Tayo Adeyemi in 1993 at Woolwich. New Wine
Church is one of the largest Churches in the UK with a membership of around 2,100 people.
World Harvest Christian Centre (WHCC) was founded in London by Rev. Wale Babatunde in
1995. The Church has been planted in other parts of the UK such as Bolton, Manchester and
Southend. The Church also has a Bible College that trains men and women for missions. The
Church has also established The Christian Heritage and Reformation Trust an initiative that
seeks to foster social reformation and revival in Britain.
Mountain of Fire and Miracle (MFM) was founded in Nigeria in 1989 by Dr Daniel Olukoya.
This Church started in London in 1996 and there are now about 80 Church plants all over the
UK.
Newer generation of Caribbean Pentecostal Churches also started in the 1990s such as
Ruach Ministries founded in London in 1994 by Bishop John Francis, Christian Life City
founded in 1996 in London by Bishop Wayne Malcolm, Micah Community Church founded
in New Cross in 1998 by Pastor Denis Wade and many more.
A different type of a BMC which is a Para-Church organisation is Prayer for Peace in the
Congo founded by Rev Jean Bosco Kanyemesha. Different because this Diaspora initiative
aims to engage in the political and social-economic situation of Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC) through advocacy, reconciliation, conflict resolution, poverty relief, provision
of services and advancement of human rights. Rev Jean is also the minister and founder of
London Fire Church International Fellowship (2002) and through this platform he has been
able to raise the standards of ministry among the Francophone and Congolese Churches in
Britain.
Since the year 2000 there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of NPCs from
Africa in the UK. For example, the Everlasting Arm Ministries in Old Kent Road started in the
year 2001 and today their membership is around 1,500 people. Winners Chapel was
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founded in Nigeria by the controversial Bishop David Oyedepo in 1981. Bishop Oyedepo has
been named the richest Church minister in Nigeria after being valued to have assets
estimated at £93 million, more than 2 private jets and a Rolls Royce Phantom. They planted
their first Church in the UK in Bermondsey London in 2001. The Church has now relocated to
their new building in Dartford. The Church is led by Pastor David Oyedepo Jnr (Bishop
Oyedepo’s son) with a membership of about 3,000 people. They have other Church plants in
Surrey, Middlesex and Luton. In addition, they have branch Churches in Manchester,
Birmingham, Leeds, Bradford, Liverpool, Glasgow, Dublin and Brussels. The UK Charity
Commission conducted an assessment of the Church recently when the Church received
£16.7 million in donations from its members. Other Churches are Christ Embassy, founded
by Chris Oyakhilome in Nigeria. The Church began in London around the year 2000. They
now have 22 Churches in London and 16 Churches outside of London. Word Miracle Church
International founded by Dr Charles Agyin-Asare in 1987 in Ghana. The London branch
Church started in Newham around 2005 and is led by Rev George Ofei.
A trip to Old Kent Road in South East London would reveal the rate of proliferation of
African Churches in the UK. Being Built Together Project, a research project into the history
and ecclesiology of BMCs in the Borough of Southwark estimates that there are about 160
BMCs in that Borough. Lewisham and many other inner city Boroughs are also experiencing
this increase in BMCs. For example, out of the 275 Churches in the Borough of Lewisham it
is estimated that about 100 of them are BMCs. While BMCs are proliferating it is difficult to
estimate their numbers in London as there are many that are either not registered as
Charities or known. In addition, the using of building of established Churches or using the
pastor’s front room also makes it difficult to keep track of the numbers. This means
researching into BMCs histories could be problematic. On the other hand some of the BMCs
like to be known as International Churches (even if they only have one Church branch)
therefore they are making their history available through their websites and other printed
media. In addition, oral history in the form of testimonies plays a vital role in telling their
stories. Pastors and founders who are now leading a so-called successful mega Churches
like to tell their stories of when they started the Church with one or two people in their
living room. This is done in appreciation to God who is seen as the reason for their success
and growth. These oral stories are worth paying attention to by researchers and observers
even if the facts are slightly exaggerated or embellished.
Published Books and References on the History of Black Majority Churches in
Britain
Adedibu, Babatunde, Coat of Many Colours, UK, Wisdom Summit, 2012.
Aldred, Joe, Respect, Werrington, Peterborough, Epworth Publishers, 2005.
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Chike, Chigor, African Christianity in Britain, Milton Keynes, Author House, 2007.
Hill, Clifford, Black Churches: West Indian and African Sects in Britain, London, Community
and Race Relations Unit of the British Council of Churches, 1971.
Kerridge, Roy, The Storm is Passing Over: A Look at Black Churches in Britain, London
Thames and Hudson, 1995.
Mohabir, Philip, Building Bridges, London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1988.
Olofinjana, Israel, Reverse in Ministry and Missions: Africans in the Dark Continent of
Europe, Milton Keynes, Author House, 2010.
Sturge, Mark, Look What the Lord has Done: An Exploration of Black Christian Faith in
Britain, England, Scripture Union, 2005.
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