Barking "Beulah" Pentecostal Free Church

ORIGINAL NAME OF CHURCH AS PUBLISHED IN THE PATTERN MAGAZINE "Beulah" Pentecostal Free Church

NAME OF CHURCH TODAY Now closed. Due the Barking Council issuing a compulsory purchase order, it was necessary to vacate the church building. The congregation then relocated to what was to become the Ilford Bible Pattern church. (See separate post for more information about the Ilford Bible Pattern church).

ADDRESS OF CHURCH "Beulah" Pentecostal Free Church. Church Road, Barking Essex

NAMES OF PASTORS AND DATE WHEN THEY SERVED THE LOCAL ASSEMBLY 1945 Pastor Francis Thomas/ 1953 Pastor Stan F. H. Able

HISTORY
The Church was established in 1954.In the 1956 edition of the Pattern it was reported that nine candidates followed the Lord through the waters of baptism. After a few years as pastor of the of the Bible Pattern church at Mansfield Pastor Francis Thomas was called to Barking, Due to the split with Elim in1954 the members of the Barking Church who wished to remain with Principle George Jeffreys were asked to leave the Elim church property. This resulted in the establishment of the Bible Pattern church in Barking.

The congregation there like the Portsmouth Church who had been turned out of their premises by Elim and was having to meet in a hired hall. In the early days the Sunday meetings took place in the Friend’s Meeting House followed by the British Legion twice each Sunday- which involved the cleaning of the hall from the previous night’s activities. A Sunday school was established and was well attended. The two week-night meetings were also well attended and were held in a School in Ripple Road, Barking and in the labour Hall in Essex Road. During those years there was tremendous evidence of close and wonderful fellowship among the members with hearts and hands eager and willing to work for the Lord and further His work. These were of course; post-war years and there was still evidence of the damage done to the town. The work prospered with a loyal Diaconate and Pastor.

During his time in Barking Pastor Thomas held a very successful Tent campaign with souls saved and great blessing and the Church was built up and encouraged. (See pictures at the lower part of the website). After much prayer and seeking the Lords will, Pastor Thomas led the assembly in building new church premises. A site was found; once again, the Lord’s provision was amazing as it was found that all the expertise was found for the huge venture was within the church membership, i.e. electrical work, laborers and even an architect. “Beulah” became a landmark of God’s wonderful provision and a beacon for the local area. During the building of the church pastor Thomas was admitted to hospital due to cement poisoning.

I have a recording of my grandfather Dr Thomas recalling the opening of service of “Beulah” Which was officiated by the founder of the Bible Pattern church Fellowship Principal George Jeffreys. The principle noticed a number of seats occupied by a group of men he had not seen before; when he enquired about them my grandfather informed him that during the building project the landlord across the road (the Brittania) from where the church was being built had taken pity on him and had offered the allow my grandfather to have his lunch with him. This resulted in an opportunity to get to know some of the locals and invite them to the opening service. At the end of the gospel message brought by the Principle an invitation was given for folk to accept the Lord as their savoir. Amongst those who responded were some of the men who had been witnessed to during the lunch breaks in the pub! (See pictures at the lower part of the website). After Pastor Thomas left the Barking Church to go to take up the position as Pastor of the Kensington Temple Church Notting Hill Gate, Pastor Stanley Able took over at Barking.

Sadly, sometime later the Barking Council issued a compulsory purchase order for a house building project. The congregation then relocated to what was to become the Ilford Bible Pattern church. (See separate post for more information about the Ilford Bible Pattern church). Grateful acknowledgement and thanks to Mrs. L Simpson (Niece of Principal George Jeffreys).

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