We are the House of God here in Coventry with a Community Centre to serve the Community.
The city of Coventry was heavily bombed during the 2nd World War. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the City embarked on a programme of regeneration and it gained a reputation as an industrial heartland for the motor and machine tool industry. Due to the varying opportunities Coventry offered, it was to this city that many migrated from the West Indies, to seek employment, fulfil aspirations and so in due course would contribute to its resurgence. Sister Lone Taffe was one such person that came to Coventry from the West Indies. She was able to find employment but it proved more difficult for her to find a place of worship. She sought somewhere she would be welcomed to serve and worship the one true God she had come to know back in her native land of Jamaica. Although Birmingham was only eighteen (18) miles from Coventry, the transport network and communication systems were not as advanced as present, and so she and others in a similar position was unaware of the work God was doing through his servant, Bishop S.A. Dunn in that city.
This difficulty in finding a place of worship prompted Sis. Taffe to write home to her Pastor for his recommendation and advice. Her Pastor however, had heard of Bishop Dunn and made contact with him to inform him that there were believers in Coventry who were in need of help. By this time in 1962 Sis. Taffe and five (5) other Saints had started to assemble in a bedroom at 95 Stanley Road, Earlsdon for a weekly Prayer Meeting. Bishop Dunn recruited one of his emerging Ministers, Elder Dudley Nicely in 1965 to go to Coventry to help and support this group of Brethren. Elder Nicely answered the call and would travel twice a week to Coventry with some of the Brethren from Birmingham.
The gathering of Saints eventually outgrew the bedroom at Stanley Road and a School Hall in Red Lane was rented for worship. Three years later with the help of God and the generosity of the Saints, a property called Bird Grove House at 9 George Eliot Road was purchased. Both of these places hold precious memories for the Coventry assembly, especially some of our elderly Brethren who have been members from its inception. It was at George Eliot Road where great challenges were faced and victories were won. As the Brethren worked together in fellowship and community pride to convert this former residence of the famous George Eliot into a place of worship, the presence of God was with them and He performed mighty acts amongst them. Souls were added to the church such as should be saved, baptised in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost.
Elder Nicely and his wife Mother Nicely continued to serve the Brethren of Coventry faithfully for approximately thirty (30) during which time he sought to spread the Apostolic doctrine both locally and otherwise by his visits to other Assemblies. Elder Nicely was called home to be with the Lord and Elder Dewitt George Jones was sent from Birmingham to lead the Brethren in Coventry.
Evangelist Vera Kelly who became a member of the Assembly in 1964 was appointed as his Assistant. The church premises at 9 George Eliot Road were sold and worship continued at St. Paul’s Church Hall until the current building at 68 Station Street West was purchased in 2005. The Building underwent a scheme of renovation and in 2007, the Brethren were able to commence Worship Services. Elder Dewitt George Jones was also called home to be with the Lord in 2008 and Evangelist Kelly was ordained as Pastor with Minister Hugh Nicely appointed as her Assistant. The commitment of the Church remained steadfast; to build on the foundations that were laid by the founding Brethren.
There was a particular evangelistic focus on the community and to reach out to those were raised in the faith as children and have since wandered. Bethel New Life Apostolic is determined to be that spiritual home upon their return. Sadly, Pastor Kelly was called home to be with the Lord in March 2020 and Minister Nicely stood down as Assistant Pastor a few months later due to ill health. Overseer Andrew Landell stood in the gap as Pastor with assistance from Senior Pastor Bancroft Campbell, until Elder Codner and his wife Minister Kamesha Codner were appointed Lead Officers in October 2020. Their vision for Bethel New Life Apostolic Church Coventry is make it a model church, one that is extraordinary and led by the Holy Ghost.
