Celebrating God's Work in Pudsey

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

The Pudsey branch of Struthers Memorial Church, began its season in the mid 1960’s when the late Mr Hugh Black, a founding minister of Struthers Memorial Churches, visited the Bradford area of Yorkshire to minister. A number of people were drawn to the quality of Christian life and teaching which came through Mr Black, resulting in a group of Christians meeting for prayer and fellowship in a Christian home in Pudsey, West Yorkshire. In August 1970 Mr Black ministered at a weekend conference in the home and the Pudsey Church came into being that year as a small house church.
 
We could not have imagined the future before us, but from that small group of people praying together, looking to God for his moving, we have experienced his provision in declaring the gospel to many hundreds of people (probably thousands), especially to the youth of our town. Initially, we held open air meetings in the local park, hiring a local church hall to start our youth meetings. What a surprise when over 90 teenagers turned up! It was the beginning of approximately fifty years of outreach and we quickly felt the need for a building of our own.
 
Within three years a delightful building belonging to the Church of England came to the market and despite stiff opposition it was purchased. We held our first service there in the spring of 1974.

Meetings of different kinds went ahead ranging over the years from weekly meetings for youth and toddlers, weekends away, student weekends in barns in the Dales, summer school and sleepovers in the church. Gospel Suppers, Alpha Meetings, house meetings, Bible Study Groups, Ladies  and Men’s Nights, Video Nights, Family Nights, a Coffee House and Bookshop, marriages, dedications, baptisms and funerals all followed on.
 
Looking back it is staggering to think of the mountain peaks when people gave their lives to the Lord, received the Holy Spirit and were set free. We are so thankful to God for his faithfulness. The building has served its purpose in his service, and now, as we enter into a new season with our Lord and Saviour, we do so without the building as we meet online in a new season.
 
Chris and Judy Rukin, and Harold Wood