Huddersfield’s Windrush Church History

The 1950’s and 60’s saw the (Diaspora) movement of Caribbean peoples to the British Isles in response to a call from England, the mother country. The call was made to satisfy the need for workers in the mills, the factories, the hospitals and the trains and buses. Many who came had no intention of staying more than five years but ended up remaining for the long term, establishing roots and raising families.

Many of the migrants faced hardships, discrimination, and hostility; many were underpaid in comparison to their white counterparts and found refuge by living in inadequate housing. Those in the Christian faith felt unwelcome in the local indigenous church communities, choosing rather to meet in their own homes, in rented rooms and school halls for prayer and fellowship.

During this uncertain time, the West Yorkshire town of Huddersfield saw the expansion of four church organisations that became iconic to the people of the Windrush Generation era.

Huddersfield Seventh-day Adventist Church

The Windrush migration transformed the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in the British Isles in five key ways: stimulating growth, creating a multiracial church, energising evangelism, raising the national profile, and adding institutions. When Caribbean migrants answered the call to rebuild war-torn Britain, they brought their deep faith and commitment to the SDA denomination, yet this journey was not without its struggles.

In 1950, the UK church had around 7,000 white members; today, it has roughly 46,000 members, with Black members predominating, a nearly 200% increase, mainly in cities like London, Birmingham, and Manchester. Initially, Caribbean settlers planned to stay only five years, adopting an observing posture, but as families and careers developed, membership transfers accelerated, doubling numbers by 1970. However, despite a shared faith, Black Adventists often faced overt prejudice and racial marginalisation within local UK congregations. Some white members found Caribbean worship styles uncomfortable and moved to provincial churches, leading to perceptions of the church as exclusively Black. In response to these challenges, members formed organisations like the London Laymen’s Forum to advocate for their needs, support their community, and prevent a splintering of the church.

In Huddersfield, an Adventist church has existed since 1900 and was entirely white until the mid-1950s, when Caribbean arrivals came for work in textiles, health, and transport. Over the decades, the dedication, work ethic and faith of these Windrush pioneers caused a paradigm shift, breathing new life into British Christianity and resulting in significant church growth. The Huddersfield church moved locations, including Sparrow Park, King Street, Waverley Hall, and Colne Road, before settling at College Street, Crosland Moor, in 1970, facilitated by Pastor Lloyd Antonio, the first Black minister in Huddersfield. A sister church, the Bradley Church (formally known as the Fartown Church), was established in 2012.

Ministers from Windrush to the present include: Pastor Bell, Pastor Southcott, Pastor Pilmoor, Pastor Harris, Pastor Mitchum, Pastor Cyril Sweeney, Pastor Joonville, Pastor Rafferty, Pastor Ian Sweeney, Pastor Stokes, Pastor Chenjerai, Pastor Hamilton, Pastor Adam Ramdin (interim pastor for six months), and currently Pastor Frederick Nti Men sa. Today, churches such as the Huddersfield Seventh-day Adventist Church actively celebrate the Windrush legacy. The growth driven by this demographic has transformed the UK SDA Church into a highly diverse, multicultural institution that continues to address social issues, youth empowerment, and community well-being, a lasting tribute to the faith, resilience, and advocacy of the Windrush generation in Kirklees and beyond.

Huddersfield New Testament Church of God

The New Testament Church of God was established as a result of a series of Gospel meetings in Water Street, Huddersfield, in 1961. This was led by Pastor CurtisGreyy and the mission team from Leeds New Testament Church of God. When the church started in 1961, there were eight members.

Their first place of worship was a room in Station Street, and the first appointed minister was Pastor Copeland. In 1962, the church moved to Temperance Hall in New North Street. The church moved again to Clara Street, Birkby, Huddersfield, under the leadership of Pastor Nelson in 1963. In 1967, Pastor Uriah SeptiGreyy became the new pastor. They remained in Station Street until 1968. Through fasting and prayer, the church sought the Lord for a building. Their prayers were answered.

In September 1969, the church moved to 8A Great Northern Street with Pastor Grey until 1976, when Pastor Campbell took over for a short period. Pastor Benjamin Grey took over the pastorate in June 1976. Until 1988, the church saw numerical growth.

Pastor Clifford Fisher took over the pastorate in August 1988 until December 2002. Pastor Paul Thomas was inducted as a new pastor on 13 April 200,3 and under his leadership, the Community Project Luncheon Club beyond the Gate Street Angels and Biblical Inspiration was established in Huddersfield. The church also won a community award for the best leadership team in Kirklees.

After seven years of faithful service, Pastor Paul Thomas concluded his term of office on 6th March 2010. Reverend Patrick Price answered the call to ministry and served the church faithfully from 2010 to March 2018. His tenure included setting up several community initiatives for the provision of change, education and social interaction. Reverend Paul Levine was appointed to the post of senior pastor in September 2018. Pastor was succeeded by Rev Edward Sterling in September 2023. 

Huddersfield Church of God of Fellowship

The Church of God Fellowship in Huddersfield (Sheepridge Road) has deep roots in the Windrush Generation of the 1960s, serving as a vibrant spiritual and community hub for Jamaican immigrants.

The church’s story is closely tied to Pastor V.R.M. Nelson (born 1915). After arriving from Jamaica to Wolverhampton, he moved to Leeds in 1963 and then to Huddersfield in 1965. On 24th October 1968, a conference at Hill House Tabernacle on Clara Street, called by Reverend Nelson, marked a key moment. The fellowship began as a new field cultivated by members of the Church of God of Prophecy from across Yorkshire.

Key milestones include Rev. Nelson taking leadership of the Clara Street congregation in Birkby in 1963 before establishing the independent Church of God of Fellowship in Sheepridge. He pastored diligently until his passing in 1988. His wife, Evangelist D.L. Nelson, was ordained pastor that year. After her death, Deacon Cox served as Caretaker with Pastors G. Blissett and H.A. Nelson (who served until his death in April 2020).

Under the long leadership of Pastor Henry Nelson, the church became a community pillar, fostering unity and standing against injustice. Many local families, including the Nelsons, Bighams, Simpsons, Lees, Jacksons and many more, were nurtured through its Sunday school. Today, the congregation continues its mission from its established Sheepridge site.

Huddersfield Church of God of Prophecy

The Church of God of Prophecy (COGOP) in Huddersfield began as a new field cultivated by members from other Yorkshire churches. Pastor Shaw was appointed the first pastor in 1970.

At the time, Pastor Shaw and his wife lived in Leeds, travelling to Huddersfield by train each Sunday and returning for evening services. They started with a Sunday School of 12 children from Bath Street, paying the rent from their own housekeeping. Each Sunday, the Shaws walked their children to Sunday school. After a year with little progress, they moved to Huddersfield with their pastor’s blessing, a decision that brought success as members joined.

Brother Simpson (later Deacon Simpson) was the first member, followed by Brother and Sister Sharp and Sister Campbell. The church was officially organised in 1971 by Bishop Mixon, the National Overseer, in the Sharps’ living room, with early services held there. The church grew, attracting many young families, and later moved to Station Street, where members had to clean the room before services. After much fasting and prayer, the congregation found a run-down building on Stile Common Road, purchased it, renovated it together, and paid off the mortgage under Pastor Shaw’s leadership.

Subsequent pastors included Pastor Alan Sam, Pastor Annette Armstrong, Pastor Gerald Register, Pastor Leroy Johnson, and Pastor Theo Paul.