Description:Text: Malcolm Dick
Birmingham is one of the main centres for Black-led Christianity in Britain. Two individuals, Bishop Joe Aldred and Dr Robert Beckford have pioneered theological, educational and publishing initiatives to promote intellectual, spiritual and pastoral life. Several churches have their headquarters in the city.
One congregation meets at the New Testament Church of God, known affectionately as George Street Church, on Lozells Road in Handsworth. The congregation, numbering about 300, meets in a striking Victorian building, constructed in the Gothic style in 1865. Originally known as Aston Villa Methodist Church, it was acquired by the New Testament Church of God in 1962. The denomination celebrated the 50th anniversary of its foundation in July 2003. Part of an international body in over 150 countries, the church is the largest Black-majority church in Britain attracting worshippers from different communities.
The New Testament Church of God was created in 1953 by African-Caribbean Christians who met in each other’s homes. English services lacked the spiritual energy they had experienced back home and English churches did not always welcome newcomers. Locally they worshipped in a school hall in Boulton Road, Handsworth and held evening meetings in the George Street Church. In 1962 the Methodists released the building and the New Testament Church of God purchased the premises. In 1978, a supplementary school was established to support the day-time education of children, teaching cultural studies, English and maths. The 21st century witnessed the opening of the George Street Community Nursery, providing childcare and pre-school education for under-five children. Further projects for the elderly and homeless are being developed.
Esmé Lancaster has been a member of the Church for many years. She was born in Jamaica in 1917 and trained as a teacher. Arriving in Britain in 1950, she was offered a job at a local school, but on the day she was due to start, other members of staff refused to work with her because of her race. Rejected in one career, she changed focus, trained in social services and worked in child care and probation. Esmé retired in 1977 but she continued to help others. In 1985 she set up the Young Mothers’ Relief Association to provide child care for working mothers. In August 2000, Esmé was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her services to the community.
The Rev Derek Webley leads the congregation and campaigns against the gun culture which has poisoned the life of the area for many of its citizens over the last decade. He knew the families of Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare, the two teenagers who were shot in the crossfire of a gun battle between local gangs at the start of 2003. Speaking out against their murder, he attacked the crimes which “destroy the very fabric and confidence of the community….Everyone has to accept responsibility for the way we live today."
Blakemore, Lorraine, “Esmé, 83, just carries on caring”, Birmingham Post Wednesday November 1 2000, Millennibrum Supplement, p 3
See Sources and Further Reading:
New Testament Church of God, Primary source material in the possession of Malcolm Dick.