11 Jun 2026, 10:08Nomsa MaphangoSouthampton, Southampton, England, United Kingdom
Southampton Church Celebrates an Inaugural Service at Their New Building
Shirley High Street was roused to attention on Sabbath, 16 May 2026, by the visiting Welsh Mission Pathfinder Drum Corps, who marched alongside the Southampton Adventurers and Pathfinders to announce the opening of Southampton Church at its new address. Through perseverance, hard work, and God’s many provisions, Southampton Church has been able to complete the first phase of renovations to its newly purchased property, which will be a place of worship, a community hub, and a regional Adventist Heritage Centre.
The event was witnessed by local politicians, including the then Deputy Sheriff and now Mayor of Southampton, Patricia Evemy, and Shirley Ward Councillors Rebecca McCreanor and Chris Shank. In her welcoming speech, Councillor Evemy shared her memories of bringing her children to the church building for after-school club and her family’s participation in the seasonal pantomimes held there. As an advocate for the restoration of church buildings, she expressed her delight at the reopening of the church as a place of worship. Councillors McCreanor and Shank joined in their congratulations and supported the church’s aim to create a vibrant hub to share with their neighbours in Southampton.
Among the guests from the regional church leadership were South England Conference President Pastor Kirk Thomas, who shared his surprise and delight at the rapid progress made, Area 3 Leader Pastor Laszlo Liebhardt, and former Southampton Church Pastor Barry Allen. Sister Margaret Allen shared touching memories of the church in an interactive children’s story.
Pastor Bernie Holford, whose family lived in Southampton and attended the church at its previous location, shared the homily for the service. He recalled being a member of the church’s inaugural Pathfinder Club, started in the 1960s, and the many changes and renovations to the previous building as the congregation grew. His key text was from Ephesians 2:19: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” (NIV). He described the church’s continued warm welcome of members from around the world and recounted the embrace given to his mother, who was a German immigrant to England soon after the Second World War.
The service was interspersed with congregational singing, musical renditions from the newly formed Southampton Chorale, Euphony of Praise, Soli Deo Gloria Ensemble, and other individual presentations.
The charge to the church leadership and members is to use this building of bricks and mortar to build up God’s spiritual household and to be ready for Jesus’ soon return.
Shirley High Street was roused to attention on Sabbath, 16 May 2026, by the visiting Welsh Mission Pathfinder Drum Corps, who marched alongside the Southampton Adventurers and Pathfinders to announce the opening of Southampton Church at its new address. Through perseverance, hard work, and God’s many provisions, Southampton Church has been able to complete the first phase of renovations to its newly purchased property, which will be a place of worship, a community hub, and a regional Adventist Heritage Centre.
The event was witnessed by local politicians, including the then Deputy Sheriff and now Mayor of Southampton, Patricia Evemy, and Shirley Ward Councillors Rebecca McCreanor and Chris Shank. In her welcoming speech, Councillor Evemy shared her memories of bringing her children to the church building for after-school club and her family’s participation in the seasonal pantomimes held there. As an advocate for the restoration of church buildings, she expressed her delight at the reopening of the church as a place of worship. Councillors McCreanor and Shank joined in their congratulations and supported the church’s aim to create a vibrant hub to share with their neighbours in Southampton.
Among the guests from the regional church leadership were South England Conference President Pastor Kirk Thomas, who shared his surprise and delight at the rapid progress made, Area 3 Leader Pastor Laszlo Liebhardt, and former Southampton Church Pastor Barry Allen. Sister Margaret Allen shared touching memories of the church in an interactive children’s story.
Pastor Bernie Holford, whose family lived in Southampton and attended the church at its previous location, shared the homily for the service. He recalled being a member of the church’s inaugural Pathfinder Club, started in the 1960s, and the many changes and renovations to the previous building as the congregation grew. His key text was from Ephesians 2:19: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” (NIV). He described the church’s continued warm welcome of members from around the world and recounted the embrace given to his mother, who was a German immigrant to England soon after the Second World War.
The service was interspersed with congregational singing, musical renditions from the newly formed Southampton Chorale, Euphony of Praise, Soli Deo Gloria Ensemble, and other individual presentations.
The charge to the church leadership and members is to use this building of bricks and mortar to build up God’s spiritual household and to be ready for Jesus’ soon return.
