A BRIEF HISTORY OF BETHEL UNITED CHURCH (TROWBRIDGE)

In the summer of 1960, a young woman from Trowbridge in Wiltshire, was seriously ill, and was attending a Medical Centre, in Bristol, for treatment of her illness.

During one of her many trips to Bristol, she met a Missionary from Bethel United Church, known then, as: First United Church of Jesus (Apostolic International).  The sick woman told the Missionary, that she needed accommodation in the Bristol area, so that she could continue her medical treatment, and also be near the treatment centre.  The Missionary decided to accommodate her, with a bedroom, in one of her properties, in the Bristol area.

The Missionary told the sick woman that a prayer meeting was scheduled to be held at the Church that same night, and encouraged her to attend the meeting.  The young woman accepted the invitation and attended the meeting that night.  During the meeting, Elder Gerald Edmund, (now Bishop,) laid hands on the sick woman, and prayed for her healing.  God spoke to Elder Edmund during the prayer, and told him, ‘the woman is healed!’

That weekend, the young woman’s husband travelled from Trowbridge to Bristol, to visit her, and was amazed to see the significant change in her physical condition.  He was convinced that a miracle had taken place, and that his wife was completely healed of her illness.

Elder Edmund, who was visiting the sick woman at the time of husband’s visit, preached The Gospel to the couple, and in tears, they accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and decided to be baptized in Jesus’ name. The following weekend, the woman’s husband, visited her again in Bristol, and decided to take her home to Trowbridge.  Elder Edmund, and one of the Deacons of the church, arranged to travel to Trowbridge with the couple.

On arrival in Trowbridge, they were surprised to find, that the topic of everyone’s conversation was the miraculous healing of the young woman, and that both she and her husband had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ by baptism.  Many of the couple’s friends and family members were gathered at their home, both to welcome them, and to obtain confirmation of the good news they had heard.

This was an opportunity for Elder Edmund to preach about Christ, and to exhort the people to repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the removal of their sins.  During the exhortation, God spoke to Elder Edmund, and told him: ‘there are many souls in Trowbridge, to be saved.’

It was now time for Elder Edmund and the Deacon to leave for Bristol, but before they left, Elder Edmund prayed for all the people present, and told them that they would be back to establish the Apostolic Church in Trowbridge.

Having been told by God, that, there are many souls to be saved in Trowbridge, Elder Edmund did not hesitate, and within weeks, he held the first church service, at the Labour Club, at Stallard Street, in Trowbridge.  While the service was being held, in one of the many rooms upstairs in the Club, by Elder Edmund, there were a number of people downstairs in the Club’s bar, drinking and smoking, but this did not deter Elder Edmund from preaching the Apostolic doctrine, to anyone who would listen to him.  Many of the people attending the service that night, had never heard the Apostolic doctrine before, and were amazed and astonished at the teaching, and preaching.  Following the meeting at the Labour Club, Elder Edmund, and others, began to seek permanent accommodation for the Church in Trowbridge.

For many years, Church Services were held in rented accommodation, the brethren moving from one accommodation to another.  However, in 1990, Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) purchased an old building formerly owned, and used by the Unitarian Church, for their Sunday School.  The building was saved by what one would call, Divine Providence, after the main church building was mysteriously demolished.  After an extensive rebuilding project, the Church was completed, and on the 26th March 1993, it was dedicated to God, for the furthering of the gospel, and for the wellbeing of the communities round about.

Since the establishing of Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic), in Trowbridge, many people’s lives have been enriched, and blessed.  The Church has members travelling from both Bath and Melksham, to worship the Lord Jesus Christ, and to provide financial support for people in need.

The Church is currently working with the following Charities:

·    Ebenezer Apostolic Survival Trust - 2 children are being sponsored in Kenya.

·    Feed The Children - Monthly donation to the Charity.

·    Trowbridge Action on Homelessness - Food parcel, given 3 times a year to the Charity.