6 Mar 2026, 06:38John BishopWatford, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom
West Croydon SDA Church Marks 10 Years with Dedication Weekend and Community Celebration
West Croydon Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrated its 10-year anniversary at its Union Road premises with a weekend of worship, dedication, and community engagement from 27 February to 1 March 2026.
The programme, themed “The House of Prayer,” brought together church members, visitors, and local residents across four days. Attendees included twelve former pastors connected with the congregation, with five present in person. Civic and denominational representatives also joined the weekend, including the Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, the South England Conference President, Pastor Kirk Thomas, and the South England Conference Treasurer, Sister Ann Swaby.
Friday evening focused on testimony, praise, and prayer, led by the church’s current Prayer Leader, Sister Hyacinth Bishop. Sister Bishop is the only surviving member of the original eleven members who established the church in 1983.
Sabbath morning featured the church dedication service, with testimonies and a ribbon-cutting ceremony formally opening the building. Sabbath afternoon highlighted the musical contributions of the church’s children. Sunday concluded the weekend with a community day, a shared meal, and a presentation reviewing the 43-year history of the congregation, formerly known as Norbury Church.
Church leaders noted that more than one third of attendees were members of the local community, many connected through the church’s food bank outreach. The West Croydon Church choir contributed special music during Sabbath and Sunday services, and hospitality was provided throughout the weekend.
Reflecting on the anniversary, Pastor Tsehaye reminded the congregation that the premises were prayed over and dedicated to God even before members first entered the building. The weekend concluded with a renewed commitment, dedicating not only the church building but also the members to continued service, community evangelism, and prayer-led mission in the local area.
West Croydon Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrated its 10-year anniversary at its Union Road premises with a weekend of worship, dedication, and community engagement from 27 February to 1 March 2026.
The programme, themed “The House of Prayer,” brought together church members, visitors, and local residents across four days. Attendees included twelve former pastors connected with the congregation, with five present in person. Civic and denominational representatives also joined the weekend, including the Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, the South England Conference President, Pastor Kirk Thomas, and the South England Conference Treasurer, Sister Ann Swaby.
Friday evening focused on testimony, praise, and prayer, led by the church’s current Prayer Leader, Sister Hyacinth Bishop. Sister Bishop is the only surviving member of the original eleven members who established the church in 1983.
Sabbath morning featured the church dedication service, with testimonies and a ribbon-cutting ceremony formally opening the building. Sabbath afternoon highlighted the musical contributions of the church’s children. Sunday concluded the weekend with a community day, a shared meal, and a presentation reviewing the 43-year history of the congregation, formerly known as Norbury Church.
Church leaders noted that more than one third of attendees were members of the local community, many connected through the church’s food bank outreach. The West Croydon Church choir contributed special music during Sabbath and Sunday services, and hospitality was provided throughout the weekend.
Reflecting on the anniversary, Pastor Tsehaye reminded the congregation that the premises were prayed over and dedicated to God even before members first entered the building. The weekend concluded with a renewed commitment, dedicating not only the church building but also the members to continued service, community evangelism, and prayer-led mission in the local area.
