History

click to enlarge

Miss Reeve and Miss Fisher inside the first hall

The front of the old building

Miss Reeve and Miss Fisher with a car given to them by the church

 The beginnings of Hockley Pentecostal Church are found with the friendship of Harriet Fisher and Olive Reeve. Miss Fisher and Miss Reeve were both 24 when they received a prophecy that they would be “working together in the Lord’s vineyard”. Whilst waiting for an opportunity to sail to India, the outbreak of World War II interrupted their plans. Instead they found themselves comforting terrified people in air raid shelters and being asked to minister in local Churches. They hired a room in Hockley where they could spend time praying but, without any particular plan, found groups of children and their mothers gathering with them. Hockley Mission was born.The church grew quickly and had to rent larger and larger rooms in various parts of Birmingham. Through these moves several branch Sunday Schools were established in the neighbouring areas of Smethwick, Handsworth, Northfield, Farm Street, Lozells and Ladywood.The current site of Hockley Pentecostal Church came to their attention in 1945. At that time it was a derelict Baptist Church with only one useable room. This was one of the places the ladies rented and eventually they were able to take over the whole building. Initially they built up the Mission Hall at the rear of the structure and over time the main hall was also renovated.

It became clear that renovation would not be enough and in 1972 plans were laid that would lead to complete demolition of the existing structure and the construction of an entirely new building on the same site. These plans came to fruition with the grand opening of the church in November 1979.

Hockley Pentecostal Church has long been known as a beacon for the Pentecostal movement. This gives due emphasis to the work of the Holy Spirit including the spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible. The services became known for their lively worship and miraculous healings, and many of those who attended the church went on to become missionaries and church leaders.

In October 2009 our name was changed to Life Community Church.

This information was taken from the book “Still It Flows” by O. Reeve and H. Fisher. This title is available for download as a pdf document. Right click on the following link and choose the ’save target as’ option. Still it Flows