It’s been resting on me for quite some time to document the history of my church organisation. While I am still some way off from writing it as a book, I thought that I’d do a ‘mini’ version on this site for all who would be interested.
Starting in the book of Acts
Its true that the Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic (Bethel) is a continuation of the great revival that began at the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4, 37-38).
Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic (UK) is the church organisation that I belong to. Here’s my short history of how ‘Bethel’ began. Its based mostly on the testimony of our presiding Bishop Sydney Alexander Dunn and chats I’ve had with elders and saints within the church over the years.
The fantastic legacy of Mother Walsh
Bishop Dunn belonged to the Shiloh Apostolic Church of Jamaica, he was baptised at age 16 (or 17?) on 26 February 1939. Bishop Dunn was one of 12 souls baptised by one of Jamaica’s Apostolic Pentecostal (Oneness)pioneers, Mother Christine Agatha Walsh, she was one of–if not the–first female Bishops in Jamacia.
Bishop Dunn recieved the infilling of the Holy Ghost soon after being baptised. When the young Sydney Alexander Dunn was filled he had a vision of being in a vast green field, at the horizon was a rising sun which increased in size as God filled Him. In his own words, he was not so much speaking in tongues as much as ‘he heard himself speaking in tongues’. He recalls that it was Mother Walsh who prayed him through to the Holy Ghost, back then they had no music, no fast song then a slow song, just prayer! As Mother Walsh watched over those seeking the infilling Sydney’s prayer was ‘Lord fill me first’, because Mother Walsh was a very large fair skin lady Bishop Dunn said he could hear her heavy steps coming towards him, then just as she approached God filled him first. Mother Walsh recieved a word from God that he would ‘be a great man in the gospel’ and that she should start to train him immediately. This prophecy is certainly true for today at nearly 90 years old Sydney Dunn is Presiding Bishop over 40+ churches worldwide and is a father figure to many within the Apostolic movement. God is true to His word! For more information on Mother Walsh I would recommend her autobiography: “The Chronicles of BIshop Christine Agatha Walsh: Celebrating An Apostolic Legacy”, Tymbral Books, PO Box 533, Bowie, Maryland 20718 (tymbral@yahoo.com). Mother Walsh’s legacy includes Bishop Harold Walsh, Presiding Bishop of Shiloh Apostolic Church (Jamacia), Mother Sweedie Edmund (wife of Bishop G Edmund, South East District Bishop of Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic (UK), Overseer Dexter Edmund (Grandson), Pastor Peter Edmund (grandson) and many offspring continuing her work in the service of the Lord.
I am giving God thanks and praising him. There is still work to be done. There are people who can carry on. The work will never die… (Mother Walsh, Autobiography p.100)
Bishop Dunn
By age 19 Bishop Dunn was appointed to pastor a church of 60 people under the tutilage of Mother Walsh. The organisation founded by Mother Walsh and her husband Bishop Charles Walsh.
I shall continue the history in a later post. Until then you can check out a supplement that featured information on our Golden Jubilee in the UK’s Voice Newspaper (The Paper for Black Britons)
Posted by Polycarp on April 22, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Not sure I agree with your statement here:
Its true that the Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic (Bethel) is a continuation of the great revival that began at the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4, 37-38).
The Feast of Weeks was not a revival. It was the Christian image of the giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai. In other words, friend, it was the start of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Posted by jesusblogger on April 23, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Ok, Shavot was first a wheat harvest. It was later interpreted by the Rabbis as a commemoration of the giving of the law.
As at Shavot 2 loaves were waved, these loaves contained leven. Symbolic of the believers both Jew and Gentile, leven representing sinners saved by grace.
True, the second interpretation, a commemoration of Sinai is also biblical. God promised Jeremiah His law would be put in His peoples hearts, so no man need teach their neighbour any more. This was fulfilled in Acts 2, one ‘the day’ of Pentecost.
I am v. familiar with the typology of the Jewish feasts. Revival means to restore that which was dead, or dying… Eph 2.1 And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins. Pentecost was the start of the revival of Adam’s fallen race by Christ. Yes, it is the beginning of the Church.
Posted by A short history of Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic (Part 2) « The Jesus Blog on May 12, 2008 at 10:21 pm
[...] Trinity, UK, united church, west indian This is the second installment of my posts on the History of Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic (Part1), based upon conversations, and accounts I have heard while growing up… and also [...]
Posted by Polycarp on May 13, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Yes, I agree with your definition of revival, however, Pentecost was not a revival of Israel. Speaking of, why are so many so-called churches named after a day or an adjective describing the Apostles? Shouldn’t the Church that Christ built, since it is His house, His Bride, and His body, carry His name?
Posted by jesusblogger on May 13, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Good point. The church I belong to has a name that combines the Name of Jesus, with our doctrinal belief in the Apostles teaching and our experience which is common with the Apostles who received the Spirit on Pentecost.
Posted by Polycarp on May 14, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Well, still though. At what point do we need to combine anything with the name of Jesus Christ. Would Paul have combined his name anything the name of Christ? Scripture tells us that he would not.
Posted by How the Pentecostalism came to Jamaica « The Jesus Blog on May 31, 2008 at 10:05 pm
[...] Shiloh in 1942, see my post of the History and Precepts of the Shiloh church – as well as my Short Note on the History of Bethel which covers Mother White’s [...]
Posted by donavan on September 9, 2008 at 10:13 pm
I am trying to find the book:the chronicles of :Mother Christine Walsh..I tried emailing the email link to the book on the site but no one has responed..I would love to purchase 3 to 4 copies..Also Bishop Dunn wrote a book years back that I have been trying to get a copy of as well..Also I would like to purchase any audio or cd preachings or teachings of Bishop Dunn , can anyone help me .Pleaaaaaassssee….
Posted by Michelle on June 6, 2009 at 12:33 am
To get more info about the book about Bishop Walsh… write to Administration@timbrelministriesintl.org. I am sure that someone will respond
their website is http://www.timbrelministriesintl.org
Take care
Posted by Trevor Powell on December 17, 2008 at 1:20 am
I can certainly add to the history of Gibson Rd. Church. Please contact me in the US @ [number removed by Jesusblogger to protect your privacy]
Trevor powell
Posted by jesusblogger on December 17, 2008 at 9:40 am
The name Captain Powell, leader of the Boys Brigade in the earlies is certainly legendary, as is your history as Senior Choir leader (always good to see when they invite you back to lead the choir when you visit England).
Thank you for the kind offer re: contributing to the history of Bethel, I shall be in touch.
God bless you richly!
Posted by Pamela Gothe on July 5, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Are you the Trevor who lived n Beaver st. Essendon and knew Alan Harris and you had a sister called
Anne
Pamela Liberto, nee Gothe.
Posted by Dr Norma Barnett on August 1, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Bless the Lord Brother Trevor Powell this is Sis Norma Barnett (Pam Neil) I have been reading some history written by people that wre not around and documenting false information. This name less brther that the church started in his house is the late Elmer Samuel Neil who owned the house of 145 Holly Road Handsworth Birmingham England. The same Elmer Samuel Neil is the one who took the door off the room to accommodate the growth of the church prior to Gibson Road. Elder Algie cKenzie was the first tenant in the Neils’ house. There was also Elder Leon Waldron, Bro George Taylor and his wife, Bro Hamilton and his wife to name a few. All of us are now grown and we are readdy nto come out and write from the Neilks’ perspective. Hope evryone will get the facts truthfful so it can be relelvant an dpleasing to the Lord.
Posted by snowthoughts on February 6, 2009 at 1:59 am
The history of my church is not as amazing and extinsive as yours because it is only 4years old of a church. My church started when disagreements happened between two groups heading the First baptist church of okeechobe when the head Pastor was caught not preaching the bible in its entirenty. The acuessing party was kicked out of the church (the schism was not as bad as others that I have heard of) and STARTED A NON-DENOMINATIONAL church thats focus is prayer, the Holy Spirit, and we follow EVERY word of the Bible. FBC of Okeechobee doesn’t believe in tonges, the great miricles of Christ, and it is a Church where you are respected based on moneterial status not your status with Christ. That is not what church is supposed to be about!
Posted by Violet Daley on March 30, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Having been brought up, baptised and filled with the holy ghost in the bethel united church, and having to relocate i would still like to keep the fire and the spirit going, i would like to know where i can buy music,audio tapes etc, in shops or by mail order.
Posted by kevin sparks on July 10, 2009 at 10:19 am
Well it’s interesting to note that these bishops who came to jamaica inexperienced and young in the word set up churches with a distinct jamaica flavour(which still continues to decline)because of the narrow eyed vison.
what is more striking is that these great Bishops aged and feeble, were appointed young but still refuse to let young people demonstrate their power.They rule Bethel with an iron fist practising age descrimination.It is worhty to nite that the youngest Bethel Bishop is 76.Is it me or will anyone not speak the truth and said they have failed the generation and have left no legacy but a church full of jamaicans with no concrete economic/spiritual power
Posted by Dr Norma Barnett on August 1, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I am responding to the church history but I am interested in factual information. Having interviewd Mavis Neil affectionately known as mother Neil the wife of the late Elmer Samuel Neil. Mavis Neil states that historically 145 Holly Road Birmingham 20 is the birth place of the current church. Mvais report that they statred dynamic prayer meetings in the Neils’ house. The people presented at time were Bro George Taylor now (USA). and his wife Sis Gloria Taylor, Bro Algae Mckenzie . Bishop S. Dunn came from Jamaica and Bishop Foster (deceased, Jamaica). was the person who told Bishop Dunn about the Neils’ being in England. Bishop Dun visited the Neils’ home and intruduced himself as being a pastor unde the tutelage of the late Mother Christie Walsh. As a result Bro. Elmer Neil suggeted to the prayer group that Bishop Dun n should be our leader. The Lord continue to bless as we evangelize Handsworth and the church group in the house began to grow and Brother Elmer Neil at the tie took the door off the front room to enhance the growth. Some of the saints that live at 145 Holly Road at the early beginning were Brother Algie McKenzie, Bro George Taylor who sent for his wife to be Sis Gloria Taylor and the wedding wa done at the registra. Bro and Sis Hamilton, Bro Burke, Bro Leon Waldron now Elder Waldron, just to name a few. By this time Gibson Road came into being but this would be another reply. Elmer Samuel Neil was a very fine carpenter so taking the door of for me him was a peice of cake Please get the facts right.